By Austin Regan, R.A. The populace has become numb to news out of Washington about the dysfunctional, “do-nothing” Congress that can’t seem to agree on anything more substantial than what to name a post office. Congress’s approval rating hovers somewhere between speeding tickets and root canal surgery. Our local city government… View more
By Frank Fortino It’s official: New Yorkers can bring out their dancing shoes. Last month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation that repealed the 91-year-old Cabaret Law, which outlawed dancing in eating and drinking establishments without a license. Sounds simple, right? To put the situation in perspective, only… View more
By Renee Sosnowski Effective January 1, 2018, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) will begin reviewing unpaid civil penalties of Safety Registrant recipients and applicants. This move complies with Local Law 47 of 2016. If the agency finds outstanding fines imposed by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental… View more
By Andrew Pisani As 2017 winds down and the holiday season moves into full swing, it’s easy to let annual permits slip through the cracks. Back in the day, industry professionals from building and office managers to business owners and contractors relied on city agencies to send a reminder or annual… View more
By Frank Fortino With the City Planning Commission’s final approval of the Greater East Midtown Rezoning proposal on August 9, 2017, other rezonings were also applied to certain blocks in the neighborhood. As a result, these areas have since received the E-Designation, also known as a “little ‘e.’” An E-Designation on… View more
By Wayne Sheppard As we prepare for the impending Department of Transportation (DOT) 2017 Holiday Construction Embargo, which starts next Wednesday, November 15, 2017, now is the time to start planning for 2018 permits—and bonds. In addition to requiring a DOT permit, any work that involves New York City streets or… View more
By Brian Lafferty As the end of the year approaches, the holiday season can wreak havoc on project deadlines. This year, projects seeking an initial Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) need to factor in even more time, due to a policy change at the Department of Buildings (DOB). Previously, applicants could… View more