Botanic Gardens-adjacent towers rejected, Opposition to the LaGuardia AirTrain, and more

Longer NYC Commutes, Household Crowding Linked To Higher COVID-19 Rates "Longer commute times and crowded apartments came with higher rates of COVID-19 transmission at the height of the pandemic in New York City, according to a recent study from Cornell University. The researchers, whose disciplines merged architecture, public health and engineering, looked at a range of environmental factors that could be tied to the spread of the coronavirus in urban areas and found commutes and crowding had the strongest correlation." (Gothamist)

BREAKING: Riverkeeper, Others Sue To Stop the LaGuardia AirTrain "The suit alleges that the FAA violated provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act by summarily eliminating from its Environmental Impact Statement feasible transit alternatives such as an extension of the N/W subway line from Astoria to the airfield or dedicated bus service. It also challenges the use of waterfront parkland for the AirTrain’s route, charging that amounts to discrimination against an”environmental justice community” — the neighboring, historically Black community of East Elmhurst." (Streetsblog NYC)

Queens Boulevard bike lane will be finished next month: Mayor "The four-phase project originally began in 2015 heading east from Roosevelt Avenue, and the final section between Yellowstone Boulevard to Union Turnpike was supposed to be installed almost three years ago in November 2018, but was delayed repeatedly until May when de Blasio committed to finishing it." (amNY)

Towers Near BK Botanic Gardens Get Official No Vote From CPC "The City Planning Commission voted down the Franklin Avenue towers Wednesday. The developers already have a lawsuit against the city." (Patch)

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District "Seven supersized origami-inspired sculptures are now on display in Midtown Manhattan as part of the neighborhood’s latest public art exhibit. Installed by the Garment District Alliance and the Department of Transportation, the exhibition, Hacer: Transformations, features brightly colored steel sculptures of animals that vary in size and resemble the paper-folding art. Created by California-based artist Hacer, the installation will be on display along Broadway between 36th and 39th Streets through November 23." (6sqft)