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Dear New Yorkers,

Today, the New York City Council is expected to pass a proposal to rezone 46 blocks in the East Bronx. That paves the way for expanded development of housing, retail and a medical hub centered around four new Metro-North train stations along an existing line.

The plan portends big changes for parts of the borough, promising about 7,000 new homes, 1.23 million square feet of commercial space and 1.29 million square feet for new community facilities anticipated over the next decade, generating a projected 10,000 permanent jobs.

The new stations are for Co-Op City, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park and Hunts Point and are set to open in late 2027. These would provide residents easier access to Midtown on commuter trains that already pass through, but don’t stop in their neighborhoods.

Passage of the proposal would be a major housing victory for the Adams administration, as it aggressively pursues more development in areas that have seen little of it through its signature “City of Yes” initiatives intended to allow for the creation of more housing, including subsidized apartments.

Read more here about the East Bronx rezoning plan.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Thursday's Weather Rating: 7/10. Much of the day will be quite nice, but it's a bit warmer with high temperatures in the upper 80s and slightly higher dew points. We've also got some wildfire smoke in our skies and a chance of isolated storms. Still, the vibes are all right!

Our Other Top Stories

“Near miss” incidents involving transit workers have surged by almost 60 percent compared to 2022, according to a new audit that slams the MTA over safety failures. The probe into “an escalating pattern” of dangerous situations was launched after a D train fatally struck rookie track worker Hilarion Joseph near the 34th Street-Herald Square station last November while he was on flagging duties for a cleaning crew. A fiscal watchdog group has launched a last-ditch effort to derail a four-year extension of a commercial property tax break that costs the city more than $500 million a year. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Citizens Budget Commission asked that she cap the tax extension at one year, instead of the four that were approved at the end of Albany’s last legislative session. The longer extension was proposed by the Adams administration and strongly supported by the Real Estate Board of New York, whose members are major contributors to Hochul’s campaigns.  In anticipation of the West Indian Day Parade, a celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage that takes place every Labor Day in Flatbush, THE CITY spoke to the veteran costume designers whose creations define Brooklyn J’Ouvert. Only about 25 percent of New York City high schools have student newspapers, reports Chalkbeat. The City Council is aiming to change that: members are expected to vote today on a resolution calling for the Department of Education to support student publications in every high school.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Thursday, Aug. 15: “Language City,” a performance series about “the past, present, and future of the world’s most linguistically diverse city, led by speakers of endangered, Indigenous, and minority languages.” Free at 6:30 p.m. every evening through Aug. 18 at the Glade, Little Island, at Pier 55 in Manhattan. Friday, Aug. 16: A family-friendly community paddling event, with equipment provided. Free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Concrete Plant Park in The Bronx. Friday, Aug. 16: Jazzmobile and SummerStage present a Max Roach centennial tribute with M'boom featuring Warren Smith and Joe Chambers / The Kojo Melché Roney Experience. Free from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan.

THE KICKER: Several of the city’s affordable housing lotteries are closing soon, reports PIX11. But there’s still time to apply!

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Thursday.

Love,

THE CITY

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