News

The Adams administration is advancing two major neighborhood planning efforts. The first is aimed at leveraging four brand-new Metro-North train stations set to open in the East Bronx in 2027, for which scoping documents are now available. The City of Yes Bronx Metro-North Plan would bring a projected 10,000 jobs; major new public and private investments, including by large health care institutions already in Morris Park; and as many as 6,000 new homes—at least 1,500 of which will be permanently affordable.

A report from the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank assesses the impact from the Russia-Ukraine war as less sizeable than those of the 1970s’ oil shocks and more similar in magnitude to the 1990 oil shock during the first Gulf War

NEW YORK—The Metropolitan Transportation Authority released its 2023 budget on Nov. 30 and issued warnings of possible staff reductions, deferred or cancelled capital projects and other harsh measures if it does not secure additional governmental funding in light of continued low ridership caused by the COVID pandemic.

Low bid news from around the state.

TARRYTOWN—New York State voters marked their ballots on Election Day overwhelmingly in favor of the $4.2 billion in bond financing to fund sorely-needed clean water, clean air and green construction projects.
The measure passed by a more than two-to-one margin, with 59.28% of cast ballots (3,416,894) in favor of Proposition 1, called The Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act.

PORT CHESTER, NY—It appears that plans to redevelop the long-shuttered United Hospital property off Route 1 in Port Chester can finally proceed to construction in 2023 after nearly two decades of false starts and community opposition that prevented shovels turning dirt on the venture.

ALBANY—New York State earlier this month announced nearly $300 million is being awarded to communities through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant, Intermunicipal Grant, Green Innovation Grant, and Engineering Planning Grant programs to fund critical water infrastructure projects across New York State.

TARRYTOWN, NY—During the Nov. 8 election, voters in states across the country had their say on various transportation-related initiatives with billions of dollars at stake. An enterprise that tracks transportation issues reviewed initiatives that were listed on statewide, county and local ballots across the nation.

This column has often counseled that “if it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen.” While that is very simplified advice, the core lesson we seek to impart is that where an oral contract, or oral modification of a written contract, is permitted to happen, the facts are often relegated to a “he said, she said” dispute. Unfortunately, such disputes must ultimately be resolved by a jury (which, needless to say, is an expensive process—even if you win).

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Transportation announced on Nov. 21 the completion of $60.5 million in bridge upgrade projects to enhance safety and resiliency in the Hudson Valley.