The final days of the Adams administration were busy. Here’s a change that slipped under the radar.
Understandably, the flurry of mayoral vetoes alongside last-minute drama on the Rent Guidelines Board garnered a lot of attention at the end of Mayor Eric Adams’ time in office.
But the administration also made some changes to environmental review, potentially making it a little easier for certain housing projects to move forward.
As part of updates to the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Technical Manual last month, the administration permitted certain housing projects to complete a shorter Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS), which typically takes six to eight months.
This change builds on the Green Fast Track adopted by the administration in 2024. Under that program, housing projects with fewer than 175 units in low-density districts or 250 units in medium- or high-density districts could avoid environmental review.
But projects with site-specific issues (such as those relating to air quality, coastal flooding, noise or hazardous materials) couldn’t qualify. The changes last month allow projects that meet the density threshold under the Green Fast Track, but can’t qualify due to site-specific issues, to complete a shorter EAS.
The city’s ability to address environmental review-related delays is limited. More extensive changes require state action. State lawmakers have previously proposed exempting large affordable housing projects from environmental review, which passed in the Senate last year but died in committee in the Assembly.
But major change could be on the way. As part of her State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to propose exempting a majority of housing projects from state environmental review, the Wall Street Journal reports. She also wants to set a two-year maximum for projects that must undergo review.
What we’re thinking about: What other housing-related policies will Hochul prioritize in her State of the State address on Tuesday? Send a note to kathryn@therealdeal.com.
A thing you’ve learned: Nonprofit New Destiny Housing is calling on the state to allocate $62.1 million to New York’s supportive housing program in this year’s budget. Last year’s budget included a $17.8 million increase (40 percent) in funding for the New York State Supportive Housing Program, representing the largest investment in 40 years. In a statement, the nonprofit indicated that the governor needs to build on this investment in this year’s budget.
Elsewhere in New York…
— Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, have moved into Gracie Mansion, the New York Times reports.
— Roughly 15,000 nurses walked out of city hospitals on Monday after their union, the New York State Nurses Association, and several major hospital systems failed to reach an agreement over staffing levels, benefits and other issues, Associated Press reports. The hospitals remain open and have hired temporary nurses during the strike.
— Mamdani on Monday named Rafael Espinal, who formerly served on the City Council and the state Assembly, as the new commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
Closing Time
Residential: The top residential deal recorded Monday was $24.5 million for a condominium unit at 730 Fifth Avenue. The Midtown condo is 3,700 square feet. The Corcoran Group’s Connor Cuccinelli and Noble Black have the listing.
Commercial: The top commercial deal recorded was $53 million for 63 Crosby Street. The Soho landmark building is 32,400 square feet. Office investment company Vertex purchased the five-story building, per reports.
New to the Market: The highest price for a residential property hitting the market was $13.9 million for 25 East 94th Street. The Upper East Side townhouse is 8,200 square feet. Compass’ The Doyle Team has the listing.
Breaking Ground: The largest new building permit filed was for a proposed 21,386-square-foot, eight-story residential building at 651 Myrtle Avenue in Bedford Stuyvesant. S. Wieder Architect is the applicant of record.
— Joseph Jungermann