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After the fatal fire earlier this month in Inwood, the Manhattan District Attorney has opened an investigation into whether the corporate landlord is criminally liable, THE CITY has learned.
Four people have now died in the May 4 blaze, including three who perished that day and another who died from her injuries this week. Four other people were hospitalized with critical injuries.
Days before the fire, city housing inspectors had cited the owner, Jack Bick and his firm Janjan Realty, for a number of code violations, including apartments with non-functioning self-closing entry doors.
Fire Department officials said open apartment doors at 207 Dyckman St. contributed to the spread of the fire that started in the lobby and quickly raced up the staircase to the top floor.
Weather ☁️
Cloudy, with a high near 62. Showers likely in the morning.
MTA 🚇
In Brooklyn, no B trains between Kings Highway and Brighton Beach from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Take the Q instead. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s in effect today, Thursday, May 21.
By the way…
The city ferry system’s Rockaway Reserve service returns this weekend, letting beachgoers reserve a seat for $12 on rides to and from the Rockaway peninsula during weekends and holidays.
Our Other Top Stories
City Council Speaker Julie Menin is preparing to re-introduce a limited version of a controversial bill that would establish anti-protest “buffer zones” around schools, opting not to try an override of the mayor’s veto of an earlier bill.
More City Council news: Members will reintroduce a bill banning the sale of birds at pet stores in the five boroughs after a fledgling attempt last year didn’t get off the ground.
The number of city families receiving offers to public preschool programs remained flat this year, despite a major push from the mayor to increase outreach and expand the program.
The MTA will spend an estimated $2.4 million on partial refunds for Long Island Rail Road riders who could not use May monthly passes during the strike on the country’s busiest commuter railroad, officials said Wednesday.
The LIRR sold 67,893 monthly tickets for May and the refunds will account for 12.9% of the price for a monthly ticket. About 80% riders who purchased monthly tickets on the MTA’s TrainTime app by debit or credit cards or with transit benefits will have refunds automatically deposited by June 30.
Those who bought tickets at station booths or ticket-vending machines must submit this refund form and their ticket.
“Usually, that’s a process that requires a lot of debate or takes time to figure out,” said Janno Lieber, MTA chairperson and chief executive. “It’s simple: we’re going to give you the money back for those four days that were lost.”
— Jose Martinez
The AI ‘Freight Train’
There is a 50% chance that the impacts of artificial intelligence on New York will be so severe that employment plummets and tax revenues crater, says a report issued Thursday by New York City Comptroller Mark Levine.
There is also a 50% chance that AI leads to economic boosts without affecting jobs or that the productivity gains are so large that the economy sees faster growth, stable employment and sharply rising tax revenues.
But with the risks so great, Levine argues the city must increase its cash reserves, which have been stuck at $8 billion for years but have been declining as a percentage of total spending. He says the reserves should be fortified beginning with the 2027 budget to be adopted by the end of June.
“New York City more than anywhere else in the world is deeply intertwined with the future of AI as the capital of white collar work, a key financier of AI and a city government that is technologically backwards and brittle,” he said at a briefing Wednesday. “I feel like we have a freight train coming down the tracks.”
— Greg David
Things To Do
Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.
Thursday, May 21: The New School presents “Truth be Told,” its 18th annual festival of original short films made by students. Free, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. RSVP here.
Thursday, May 21: Broadway stars representing Team Korea and Team Philippines compete in a karaoke competition at Lincoln Center. Free, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 22: Native New Yorker and performing artist DJ Yup That’s J spins a set full of rhythm and storytelling at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Free, at 6 p.m.
THE KICKER: Wendy’s is getting in on the trend of lookalike contests and calling all redheads who resemble its pigtailed mascot. The winner gets free burgers for a year.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Thursday.
Love,
THE CITY
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