For some laughs and revelations, listen to Thomas Dyja talk about NYC and his new book New York, New York, New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation: "The synthesis of style, art, money, and politics that legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland had aspired to had fully coalesced under Bloomberg. Manhattan was no longer more like the rest of America; it had fulfilled New York magazine’s 1980 prophecy and become 'Shanghai in 1937; an international settlement and paradise for the wealthy.'
"Reimagined New York was delivering on its promise of an enlightened Lifestyle. Its residents were living nine months longer than the average American; some of that came from the crime drop — there’d been a gain of 6.2 years since 1990 — but in general, everyone’s blood pressure had dropped. Smoking was falling twice as fast as it was in the rest of the country, and now the Board of Health required calorie listings in restaurants. Carts selling fresh produce were placed in low-income areas. New Yorkers walked more and walked faster, and there was even evidence that simply living in New York City was healthy, as New York magazine reported on the 'social and economic density that has life-giving properties.' Networks right now were only good. Density creates networks and belonging to networks' correlates with better health and a longer life.' The administration collaborated with groups like the East Brooklyn Congregations on more housing and schools. Those who weren’t as networked — the homeless, the elderly, single mothers, and unskilled immigrants — slipped increasingly out of sight." (Freakanomics)
Black and white residents are divided on the city's future: "Quality-of-life concerns among New Yorkers of varying backgrounds and demographics showed significant differences in the ways whites and Blacks experienced the city in the past year, according to the Regional Plan Association poll. Roughly 48 percent of Black New Yorkers said rent or home payments have been the biggest source of stress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Only 12 percent of white New Yorkers chose the same indicator. About 20 percent of Blacks selected access to food as their greatest concern during the pandemic, compared with 9 percent of whites." (Crain's via Regional Plan Association)
What if a city was designed by and for women?: "Because urban planning and architecture have long been dominated by men, the reality of how women use and travel through spaces has too often been an afterthought in the design of urban environments, leading to inconveniences (such as small public restrooms) as well as serious dangers (such as low visibility areas) for women. As a result, the geographies of many cities perpetuate gender inequities." (Forbes)
The subway needs its riders to come back: "Today ridership on the subway has crept back up to about a third of its usual levels, from an all-time low of 7 percent last spring. An infusion of billions of dollars in federal aid has kept the Metropolitan Transportation Authority afloat. And the agency, which operates the subway, buses and two commuter rail lines, was further lifted by another $6 billion in President Biden’s sweeping rescue plan. But the M.T.A.’s long-term survival depends on the return of riders and their fares, which make up the agency’s largest funding source. Nearly 40 percent of the agency’s operating revenue comes from fares, a higher percentage than almost any other major American transit system." (NYT)
Subway speeds are improving: "MTA New York City Transit today unveiled a series of encouraging updates about the success of its ongoing efforts to safely speed up trains throughout the system, including the installation of 919 new digital timers on grade time signals, 270 civil speed increases across the system over the past two years, and a reduction in time trains spend holding at station platforms. [...] Many locations had speeds doubled or increased significantly." (MTA Press Room)
Brooklyn's got e-scooters: "Brooklynites can now zip around town aboard a sleek new electric two wheeler, as Unagi Scooters officially launched in the borough on March 17 — offering a state-of-the-art scooter for just $49 per month." (Brooklyn Paper)
Plans to redesign Marsha P. Johnson State Park are underway: "Answering weeks of objection to the controversial revamp of Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg, green space stewards will host a handful of in-person workshops on how to better commemorate the namesake LGBTQ icon. State parks heads announced five public sessions at the waterfront Kent Avenue park near North 8th Street between March 31 and May 1, seeking design alternatives from the public to honor the late gay liberation activist and celebrate the LGBTQ+ movement, according to the agency." (Brownstoner)
Struggling landlords are turning down rental aid: "A federal program designed to help people avoid eviction by paying their rent is running into an unexpected hurdle: Some landlords are turning down the payment, saying it comes with too many conditions. Congress has allocated about $50 billion for rental assistance to stave off a surge in evictions of tenants who lost jobs during the pandemic and missed rent payments. The federal support is also meant to help struggling landlords who have to make mortgage payments and have been overwhelmed by tenants falling behind on their rent." (WSJ)
An alternative to De Blasio’s "disgraceful" taxi plan supported by Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, and City Comptroller Scott Stringer: "With the collapse in medallion prices, many owners have been left underwater, meaning their loan balance exceeds the market value of their medallion. Lenders would write down outstanding loans to a maximum of $125,000, allowing medallion owners to repay on reasonable terms they could afford. This approach would give drivers manageable loan payments and free them of the threat of financial ruin. The strategy offers assurance and stability for all parties involved: drivers, lenders and taxpayers. Empire State Development would put a floor under loan losses by guaranteeing purchase of any medallions that borrowers default on, giving lenders the certainty they need about the value of their medallion loan portfolios. (Crain's)
