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Council Mems Display Parking Ignorance at Flushing Commons Hearing
The fight over Flushing Commons shifted to the City Council yesterday, as a key subcommittee turned its attention to the contentious megaproject and the battle royale over parking in booming downtown Flushing. Though the developers propose to redevelop an 1,100-space municipal parking lot and still increase the total amount of parking on-site, that isn't enough for most members of the City Council or the vociferous critics who turned out for the hearing. The pressure on the developer is pushing in only one direction: build more parking and charge less for it.
July 16, 2010
Final Deal on New Domino Locks in Parking, Adds Shuttle Buses
The New Domino development slated for the Williamsburg waterfront passed the City Council's land use committee yesterday in a unanimous vote, thanks to a last-minute deal between the developer and project critics. Under that agreement, the project's tallest towers will shrink from 40 stories to 34, though the total number of units will remain the same. The project is now expected to sail through the remainder of the approval process.
June 30, 2010
For Parking at New Domino, Don’t Worry About Environmental Review
As the City Council considers the parking-laden New Domino mega-development, sustainability-minded representatives have the power to ensure that the project doesn't put thousands of new cars onto Williamsburg's streets. All council members have to do is to request reductions in the amount of off-street parking included at the site, currently 1,428 spots. The developer's only stated objection to reducing the amount of parking is that compliance with environmental law requires it. That's not a concern that need constrain the City Council.
June 25, 2010
Bridge Tolls Not Very Popular, Says Progressive Caucus Survey
The results are in from the City Council Progressive Caucus budget survey, and when it comes to road pricing, they're telling, if unscientific. Road pricing remains unpopular across a broad swath of New York City, though among proponents, support is intense.
June 23, 2010
City Council Moves on Environmental Health, But What About Tailpipes?
The New York City Council moved on two big pieces of environmental legislation last Wednesday. One bill was introduced which would require landlords to participate in a major public experiment to reduce asthma rates. A second, which passed the full council, aims to keep dangerous chemicals out of city parks. Both could be important steps forward for preserving our environment and promoting public health, but you just have to ask, what happened to the internal combustion engine?
May 18, 2010
Talking Transit With City Council Transportation Chair Jimmy Vacca
The last two years have been full of dismal news for transit riders in New York City. Revenue streams for transit have nosedived during the recession, with Albany plundering dedicated MTA taxes for good measure. The payroll tax state legislators passed last year hasn't lived up to expectations, making their failure to enact congestion pricing or bridge tolls even more burdensome for New Yorkers. Sweeping service cuts are going to take effect in less than two months, and discount MetroCards for more than half a million students are on the chopping block.
May 5, 2010
Q&A With City Council Transportation Chair Jimmy Vacca
This January, Bronx City Council Member Jimmy Vacca took over the transportation committee from outgoing chair John Liu.
May 4, 2010
Bill to Release Street Safety Data Gains Steam Over NYPD Objections
Legislation that would compel the NYPD to open some of its traffic safety data to the public got a big boost today, when City Council public safety committee chair Peter Vallone Jr. announced his support at a hearing on the bill. The hearing was marked by a tense confrontation between council members and police officials who refused to concede that New Yorkers have a right to such information.
April 28, 2010
Council Members Vow to Back AARP Pedestrian Safety Goals
Electeds and other officials gathered with representatives from AARP today to pledge support for street improvements and to call on Albany to pass complete streets legislation.
April 19, 2010
City Council “Progressives” Want Your Budget Advice
If you find yourself with a little downtime, check out this survey from the City Council Progressive Caucus, looking for input on budget priorities for FY 2011.
April 19, 2010