Mayor de Blasio wants to eliminate garbage as we know it by 2030 and reduce the creation of greenhouse gases by 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050 according to his OneNYC plan announced this week. Both goals will require major changes by building owners and operators, but details in the plan were skimpy and contradictory. The solid waste plan, for example, highlights the potential for “single stream recycling,” which means dumpster rental service is collecting everything at once. Later it is separated as opposed to the current system, say, of separating paper and metal or organics at the initial collection point. But the plan also suggests a “save as you throw” program which would somehow rebate owners for putting out less garbage in the first place…although it is not clear why you would want to do that under a single stream collection plan.
REBNY has issued a new report on the unintended consequences of Landmarks Preservation. Building on previous research showing that Landmark Districts have largely blocked affordable housing development, the new work looks at the demographics of Landmark Districts. It turns out that the percent of buildings with landmark or historical status in a neighborhood correlates perfectly with income and race. Neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn with the most landmarks are the richest and whitest.
What’s next for housing and development in the City, and what’s best for your business? Find out at BuildingsNY this coming Tuesday and Wednesday at the Javits Center. Register free online to avoid a fee and lines at the door. We’ll have more exhibits of products and services you need than ever before and two full days of education programs that you literally cannot afford to miss.