Here's what we're reading this week:

Mamdani Will Rebuild the BQE to Last Until 2080 Despite Calls to Tear it Down "While the city and the state must right the wrongs of Robert Moses with the BQE and other infrastructure plowed through urban communities, decades of political paralysis have left us out of options.” (StreetsblogNYC)

Noho Parking Lot to Become 200 Apartments After Landmarks Approves Revised Design "A corner parking lot in Noho will become a pair of apartment buildings with over 200 apartments after the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved the project." (6sqft)

Mamdani Swaps New School for Affordable Housing at 22 Suffolk St. "The mayor’s decision to walk away from the city’s previous plan to build affordable housing at the Elizabeth Street Garden... As part of an agreement with the developers of that project, who sued the city, he’s moving forward with a new proposal for affordable housing at 22 Suffolk St. on the Lower East." (The Lo-Down)

MTA Plans to Pilot Virtual OMNY Cards After Years of Delay "The MTA plans to begin testing out a “virtual” reloadable OMNY card that New Yorkers can keep on their smartphones later this year. The option could make life easier for transit riders who rely on physical cards to pay their fares." (Gothamist)

Long-vacant 2nd Avenue Site is Under Contract for $57M "The $57 million consideration includes $45.25 million for the land and $11.75 million for certificates representing 20,804 square feet of affordable-housing floor area." (EVGrieve) 

Meet Me in Montauk: LIRR to Run Direct Trains to Eastern Tip of Long Island Year-Round "The LIRR branch offers direct train rides from Penn Station to Montauk during the summer. But during the off-season, riders have to make at least one transfer to get out there." (Gothamist)

NYC Expands Free Rooftop Tours at Historic Manhattan Municipal Building "Larger groups are now permitted to attend the city’s free tours of the historic David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building following growing demand." (6sqft)

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