New York City Council Member Brad Lander issued the following statement in response to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission’s (LPC) vote today to calendar eight buildings across five properties in Gowanus for landmarking consideration.
“Gowanus is rich with industrial and architectural history. So one of our goals in planning for its future must be to preserve, celebrate, and connect people to that history, even as we make room for new uses to meet our city’s needs.
When you voted in April’s participatory budgeting vote you voted to improve public institutions we all rely on, to support those most at-risk, and to invest in the long-term future of our city.
In the budget that the City Council voted to adopt today, we tried to follow those values as well.
Dear Chair Lago,
We write today, as the New York City Council Members representing the Gowanus area and surrounding neighborhoods, with comments to the Draft Scope of Work for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning.
The Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning presents a real opportunity to create a future for the Gowanus community that is more sustainable and resilient, more inclusive and affordable, and that preserves and strengthens the vibrant mix of uses in the area today. READ MORE
This spring, the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) provided notice to our community that it plans to open two shelters for homeless families with children later this year, to be operated by the not-for-profit organizations WIN (formerly Women in Need) at 535 4th Avenue and 555 4th Avenue in Park Slope.
Shelters are cited by DHS pursuant to an “emergency declaration,” so the City Council does not have a formal role in reviewing or approving sites or contracts. READ MORE
New York, NY — New York City Council Members Brad Lander and Margaret Chin issued the following statement in response to the recent announcement that the New York State Legislature has agreed to impose a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags:
“The days of the plastic bags in New York are, at last, coming to an end. READ MORE
There’s a lot of suspicion about rezonings these days. As someone who has spent my whole career working for livable neighborhoods and community-based planning, I get it.
Not too many people are excited about new buildings at heights taller than the surrounding brownstones. In some neighborhoods, low-income tenants fear that new development will push them out. We worry about whether there will be enough school seats, open space, and transit to accommodate new neighbors. READ MORE
As you may know, New York City public school students in grades 3-8 will be asked to take the NY State Assessment exams this spring. The English Language Arts (ELA) exam will be administered on April 2-3 and the Math exam will be held on May 1-2.
I wanted to be sure you’re aware that though New York State requires NYC public schools to offer these standardized tests — READ MORE
New York, NY – New York City Council Member Brad Lander issued the following statement in response to Amazon’s decision today to pull out of its planned New York City Headquarters:
“It’s been clear for a long time that Amazon had no intention of respecting New York City’s rules, paying their taxes in full, and being a good neighbor. READ MORE
Legislation would transform basement units into habitable dwellings in NYC, creating affordable housing for tenants and financial stability for homeowners.
NEW YORK, NY — Today, New York City Council Members Brad Lander, Rafael Espinal, Inez Barron, New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development Associate Commissioner of Preservation Kim Darga, and Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone (BASE) Coalition advocates celebrated passage by the City Council of groundbreaking legislation to help address the affordable housing crisis. READ MORE
New report finds Employers in Fast Food Industry fire workers arbitrarily or without stated reason
New York City Fast Food workers are being fired or having their hours reduced, for any or no reason, forcing thousands of New York families to live in constant uncertainty and fear, according to a new report.
To fix the pervasive problem, New York City Council Members Brad Lander and Adrienne Adams are working to protect workers from unfair firings by introducing two bills today that will prohibit fast food employers from firing workers without just cause and to require that employers use seniority to determine which employees to displace during layoffs due to economic reasons. READ MORE
New York City Council