July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track to begin Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan Monday — but indoor businesses that were slated to reopen as part of the phase will remain shuttered. Indoor malls, museums, aquariums and other cultural centers will not reopen Monday, despite their initial inclusion… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has extended the city’s outdoor dining program through the end of October to help restaurants bounce back from the months-long coronavirus shutdown. The mayor made the announcement while also noting that he has added a number of streets in Queens — and elsewhere — to… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York bars and restaurants can no longer serve customers alcohol if they don’t purchase food, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday. The new rule was one of multiple Cuomo introduced yesterday that aim to crack down on bars and restaurants where social distancing violations have been common. Another new… Read more »
July 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin Throngs of candidates are already coming forward for next year’s primaries, as nearly all the city council seats in Queens will be “open” at the end of next year. Most city council members will be forced to vacate their seats at the end of 2021 due to term limits… Read more »
July 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City will offer free childcare services to the parents of more than 100,000 kids when school reopens in September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The city will provide daycare for the children on days that they attend class remotely — which will be two to three… Read more »
July 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of coronavirus-related layoffs or pay cuts can apply for a rental relief grant starting tomorrow. The state has launched a “COVID Rent Relief Program” that provides a one-time payment of rental assistance directly to people’s landlord. The… Read more »
July 15, 2020 by Allie Griffin The city planning process that determines whether a piece of land can be rezoned will restart in August, after months of inaction due to the coronavirus. The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is a months-long city review process that determines whether a building is allowed to be constructed… Read more »
July 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin COVID-19 cases are on the rise among young adults in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today. The rate of coronavirus cases among New Yorkers aged 20 to 29 spiked from less than 30 cases per 100,000 people on June 13 to a number nearing 40 per… Read more »
June 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the requirements that each county must meet before their schools are permitted reopen in the fall. Cuomo said that schools would be allowed to reopen in regions that are in Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan and where the daily infection rate remains below… Read more »
July 10, 2020 by Allie Griffin Forty apartments in a newly constructed building in Ridgewood are up for grabs through the city’s affordable housing lottery — but only for those who make at least $61,000 a year. The building, called the “The Strand,” is located at 18-81 Starr St. It has a mix of studio,… Read more »