1. State extends tax break for unfinished one-family homes started before July 2006 [Crain’s]
2. Steven Kaufman of the Kaufman Organization says his firm is in buying mode [NYO]
3. Billionaire Sam Zell says economic downturn is a result of investors not taking risks [Philadelphia Inquirer, 2nd item]
4. Architects and design industry still reeling from economic downturn [Arch Record]
5. New hardhat program teaches women the nuts and bolts of construction [NYDN]
6. Did Andrew Cuomo contribute to the subprime crisis? [WNYC]
7. DOB officials reveal how to spot an illegal apartment [NY1]
8. Rendering of Carousel building to be unveiled tonight at Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy meeting in Dumbo [Brooklyn Eagle]
9. Toys ‘R’ Us hiring workers for 18 pop-up shops on Long Island [Newsday]
10. How to buy a home at a $100,000 discount [Smart Money]
11. Congress may unveil new rapid refinance loan modification plan [Reuters via Mortgage News Daily]
12. Doral Bank FSB signs 15-year lease at RFR’s 345 Park Avenue [NYO]
13. British architect Norman Foster features elevator in newly designed gallery at the Bowery [WSJ]
14. Financial services firm Charles Schwab takes 55 feet of street frontage at W&H Properties’ One Grand Central Terminal [NYO]