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Dear New Yorkers,

The City Council is expected to pass a modified version of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes development reforms on Thursday.

New York City will join a growing list of cities around the country that have updated rules in a bid to spur more housing.

And while Adams and his planners acknowledge that their plan builds on ideas implemented elsewhere in the country, the truth is that smaller cities that recently revamped their zoning codes have far outdone New York City’s changes.

“What we did is a gentle density plan designed to solve the housing shortage of a medium-sized city or a small city,” said Alex Armlovich, a senior housing policy analyst at the Niskanen Center.

“The sheer size of New York means that the citywide thing adds up to a bunch of units, but in terms of, like, how bold is it in any one spot? Columbus outgunned us on this one, the Minneapolis comprehensive plan outgunned us.”

Read more here about how City of Yes proposal compares to what other cities are doing.

Weather 🌤

Still mostly sunny and cold today, with highs in the low 40s.

MTA 🚇

The Franklin Avenue Shuttle runs on reduced service overnight, and more. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s in effect today, Dec. 3.

Our Other Top Stories

A distinguished New York City civil rights lawyer. A nationally recognized jail reformer who headed lockups in two different states. The former acting commissioner of the city’s jail system. Those are just a few of the people who might serve as the court-appointed receiver to run NYC’s troubled Department of Correction, after a judge signalled last week that the city’s jails were headed toward a federal receivership. But how much power the potential receiver will have, and how long that person will be in charge, remains unresolved.  Both the mayor and Gov. Kathy Hochul are approaching their budget agendas as if the 2024 election didn’t happen. While Congress and the White House will be controlled by Republican leaders who’ve vowed to cut spending, New York’s officials aren’t changing course yet. On the latest episode of FAQ NYC, the hosts discuss the mayor’s solidly centrist political instincts and his dubious press strategy, and much more. Listen here.

Reporter’s Notebook

A Bill to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time

Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar plans to introduce a bill that would require New York City’s government to pay nonprofit organizations within at least 30 days of their contracts being registered.

The “Get Nonprofits Paid” act would apply to many of the nonprofit organizations that work with the city on everything from senior care to immigration support. The bill comes after THE CITY reported that multiple NYC nonprofits are facing months-long delays in getting paid, forcing some to shutter or consider layoffs.

“Our nonprofits provide critical services for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, and we must provide for them by getting them the funding they are owed,” Rajkumar said in a statement.

Under the bill introduced Monday the city would be required to pay nonprofits within 30 days of the contract being filed in most circumstances.

Nonprofit leaders told THE CITY that the late payment problem has worsened under Mayor Eric Adams. But the mayor defended his administration’s record, saying it’s been “doing a series of meetings to try to get that backlog cleared up.”

Rajkumar, who launched her campaign for comptroller last month, is a fierce ally of Adams, and the bill’s unofficial name is reminiscent of his “Get Stuff Done” catch phrase.

— Katie Honan

Things To Do

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

Wednesday, Dec. 4: The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. If you don’t feel like braving the crowds or weather, it will be broadcast on NBC starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7: Go to the Gingerbread NYC Community Day at the Museum of the City of New York, where a hit annual exhibit of NYC landmarks in gingerbread form is currently on display. The family-friendly community day features cookie decorating, a Santa and more. Free with museum admission from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8: Check out the holiday pop-up market at the Brooklyn Museum, which features local artisans. It’s free with museum admission, and open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the next three Sundays.

THE KICKER: Who was leaving tiny ducks all over Chelsea for the last year? Gothamist “quacked” the case.

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

Love,

THE CITY

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