Dec. 26, 2019 By Kristen Torres The number of chain stores in operation continues to fall across New York City and the decline in 2019 was greatest in Queens, according to a new report. The Center for an Urban Future released its 2019 State of the Chains report this month and noted that the number… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2019 By Michael Dorgan A bicycle advocacy group has released a study that argues the introduction of the protected bike pathway on the Pulaski Bridge has been a success—although more needs to be done to get cyclist numbers up. The bridge’s two-way protected bikeway opened in 2016 to improve biking and walking access… Read more »
Dec. 23 By Kristen Torres More New York City residents will be eligible for half-priced MetroCards under an expansion of the city’s Fair Fares program, officials announced Friday. Fair Fares offers half-priced MetroCards to low-income residents. The program was launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson early this year. “We’re… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2019 By Allie Griffin Former gubernatorial candidate and “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon formally endorsed Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer for Queens Borough President today. In a letter to supporters, Van Bramer’s campaign announced he received endorsements from both Nixon and Zephyr Teachout, a former state Attorney General candidate and Fordham… Read more »
Dec. 23, 2019 By Allie Griffin Queens Public Library released its list Friday of the top books checked out to readers in 2019. The Library released lists for the most popular adult books, most popular children books and most popular eBooks for both adults and children. The results were calculated based on the number of… Read more »
Dec. 19, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced today an additional 20 subway stations — including two in Long Island City — which will receive ADA upgrades under the authority’s $51.5 billion 2020-2024 capital plan. The 20 stations are part of 70 in total which will be made fully ADA accessible… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board approved the hiring of 500 additional transit police officers Wednesday, despite opposition from several local lawmakers. The board voted to approve the authority’s $17 billion budget for 2020, which included funding for the additional officers — an expected $249 million over the next… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Kristen Torres Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer has sponsored a commercial rent control bill that aims to protect small businesses from hefty rent hikes. Van Bramer held a press conference in support of the bill outside of the recently-closed Dave’s Bagels, located at 43-20 Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside, on Friday. “Saving… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2019 By Allie Griffin A bill sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris to increase the amount in dispute that small claims court can address in New York City was signed into a law by the governor Monday. The law increases the previous jurisdictional limit from $5,000 to $10,000 and only applies to courts… Read more »
Dec. 16, 2019 By Kristen Torres A Queens lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban “devocalization” surgeries on household pets — a procedure that leaves cats and dogs unable to communicate. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who represents western Queens, announced the legislation on Dec. 14 while speaking at PetCon NYC — a nationwide conference for animal… Read more »