Chain stores, online shopping, landlords holding out for more profit — the causes for the reported surge in retail vacancies across the city are many. One thing that’s lacking is a reliable gauge of just how big the problem is.
Thursday was a big day for the Council, which approved two controversial rezonings and a long-awaited, landmark initiative to curb harassment.
Sutton Place and Sendero Verde also cleared the City Council Land Use Committee.
The outcomes so far seem promising, though it’s hard to make an absolute assessment.
The revamped housing plan includes steps to implement many of the policy ideas proposed by advocates within the last couple years, though clear disagreements remain between the administration and critics.
An increasing number of communities are forming workforce referral systems modeled after the Lower East Side Employment Network.
There were moments of shouting and protest, as well as serious debate, at the last forum before the vote.
City Council will vote on the proposal in mid-November after negotiations with the administration.
Neighborhood advocates say the city’s methods of analysis generally underestimate the potential of a rezoning to trigger redevelopment and displacement—but also don’t get why this non-profit, protected building is on the list of developable sites.
There was one vote against, and one abstention, linked to concerns about displacement.
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