Nick Garber
@nickgarber.bsky.social
Politics reporter, Crain's New York Business | Tips: nick.garber@crainsnewyork.com, or DM for Signal | Walker, straphanger, native New Yorker
The City Council has a new website & leaflets blasting the mayor's housing ballot questions as giveaways to developers.
Some ethics experts say they comes dangerously close to electioneering. A council member called them a "waste of taxpayer dollars"
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Some ethics experts say they comes dangerously close to electioneering. A council member called them a "waste of taxpayer dollars"
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
September 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The City Council has a new website & leaflets blasting the mayor's housing ballot questions as giveaways to developers.
Some ethics experts say they comes dangerously close to electioneering. A council member called them a "waste of taxpayer dollars"
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Some ethics experts say they comes dangerously close to electioneering. A council member called them a "waste of taxpayer dollars"
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
NYC's pro-housing ballot measures are getting a boost from the city's biggest businesses.
The Partnership for NYC, through an affiliate, is spending $750K on a campaign about the Charter questions, including TV ads already airing. More campaigns will follow:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The Partnership for NYC, through an affiliate, is spending $750K on a campaign about the Charter questions, including TV ads already airing. More campaigns will follow:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Business lobby puts up money to boost pro-housing ballot measures
The Partnership for New York City is putting money behind the charter revision questions that would speed housing reviews.
www.crainsnewyork.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
NYC's pro-housing ballot measures are getting a boost from the city's biggest businesses.
The Partnership for NYC, through an affiliate, is spending $750K on a campaign about the Charter questions, including TV ads already airing. More campaigns will follow:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The Partnership for NYC, through an affiliate, is spending $750K on a campaign about the Charter questions, including TV ads already airing. More campaigns will follow:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
New: the developers of the Times Square casino bid are trying to win over the influential affordable housing complex Manhattan Plaza with an unusual $22.5M gift, plus a cut of annual profits.
Tenants aren't sure what to make of it.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Tenants aren't sure what to make of it.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Times Square casino bidder offers millions to an affordable housing complex. Tenants are wary
SL Green and Caesars surprised Manhattan Plaza tenants by pledging $1.5 million a year for the Hell’s Kitchen development.
www.crainsnewyork.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
New: the developers of the Times Square casino bid are trying to win over the influential affordable housing complex Manhattan Plaza with an unusual $22.5M gift, plus a cut of annual profits.
Tenants aren't sure what to make of it.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Tenants aren't sure what to make of it.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
skinny "sliver" buildings legalized by City of Yes are starting to take shape, beginning with a recently sold UES townhouse that could become a 15-story tower, CJ Hughes reports:
www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/...
www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/...
Skinny UES development site with towering potential sells for $8M
Architect Nory Hazaveh bought the site, which could support a 15-story “sliver” tower from Taconic Partners.
www.crainsnewyork.com
July 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
skinny "sliver" buildings legalized by City of Yes are starting to take shape, beginning with a recently sold UES townhouse that could become a 15-story tower, CJ Hughes reports:
www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/...
www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/...
NYC's office-to-apartment conversions are booming, w/ 44 known projects slated to produce 17K homes, per a new @nyccomptroller.bsky.social report
But the design of the 467m tax break means the city may spend billions on conversions that would've happened anyway
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
But the design of the 467m tax break means the city may spend billions on conversions that would've happened anyway
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Office conversion boom on track to create 17K homes, comptroller finds
The 467-m tax break may produce much-needed housing but at a cost of $5B in tax revenue.
www.crainsnewyork.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
NYC's office-to-apartment conversions are booming, w/ 44 known projects slated to produce 17K homes, per a new @nyccomptroller.bsky.social report
But the design of the 467m tax break means the city may spend billions on conversions that would've happened anyway
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
But the design of the 467m tax break means the city may spend billions on conversions that would've happened anyway
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
the Big, Beautiful Bill includes long-sought changes to affordable housing funding that could boost NY developers and create some 73K extra housing units statewide over 10 years.
BUT... that silver lining could evaporate if Trump's huge HUD cuts are passed:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
BUT... that silver lining could evaporate if Trump's huge HUD cuts are passed:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Trump law boosts New York housing, but looming cuts could blow it up
The One Big Beautiful Bill expanded the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, but cuts to federal housing programs could devastate renters.
www.crainsnewyork.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
the Big, Beautiful Bill includes long-sought changes to affordable housing funding that could boost NY developers and create some 73K extra housing units statewide over 10 years.
BUT... that silver lining could evaporate if Trump's huge HUD cuts are passed:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
BUT... that silver lining could evaporate if Trump's huge HUD cuts are passed:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Below the radar of the mayoral race, corporate giants & others have spent a record $11M on City Council primaries. Among them: a little noticed PAC whose #1 funder is Bill Ackman.
I spoke to super PAC strategists about why that money is flowing to some unexpected candidates.
t.co/mYq8sf5h8h
I spoke to super PAC strategists about why that money is flowing to some unexpected candidates.
t.co/mYq8sf5h8h
Corporate giants are pouring millions into low-profile council races
Real estate developers and labor groups are backing little-known City Council candidates in hopes of gaining influence.
www.crainsnewyork.com
June 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Below the radar of the mayoral race, corporate giants & others have spent a record $11M on City Council primaries. Among them: a little noticed PAC whose #1 funder is Bill Ackman.
I spoke to super PAC strategists about why that money is flowing to some unexpected candidates.
t.co/mYq8sf5h8h
I spoke to super PAC strategists about why that money is flowing to some unexpected candidates.
t.co/mYq8sf5h8h
New: the Coney Island casino bid has put @justinbrannan.bsky.social in an unusual political pickle.
At a council hearing next week, Brannan may question the same casino developers spending $30K on an outside super PAC to support his comptroller campaign:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
At a council hearing next week, Brannan may question the same casino developers spending $30K on an outside super PAC to support his comptroller campaign:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Coney Island casino puts leading comptroller candidate in hot water
At a June 12 hearing, Justin Brannan will grill the same casino developers spending thousands to boost his campaign.
www.crainsnewyork.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
New: the Coney Island casino bid has put @justinbrannan.bsky.social in an unusual political pickle.
At a council hearing next week, Brannan may question the same casino developers spending $30K on an outside super PAC to support his comptroller campaign:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
At a council hearing next week, Brannan may question the same casino developers spending $30K on an outside super PAC to support his comptroller campaign:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
new: the Adams administration has filed its response to the lawsuit seeking to overturn City of Yes. City lawyers say doing so would "cause havoc" in the housing market with many projects already underway, and also say the complaint is riddled with errors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Overturning City of Yes would cause ‘havoc’ for housing market, city tells judge
The Adams administration urged a judge not to gut the landmark zoning plans.
www.crainsnewyork.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
new: the Adams administration has filed its response to the lawsuit seeking to overturn City of Yes. City lawyers say doing so would "cause havoc" in the housing market with many projects already underway, and also say the complaint is riddled with errors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
we have a new super PAC—Manhattan City Council candidate Rachel Storch is being boosted by an independent expenditure funded by Jessica Tisch's brother, Sam. Sam's wife Eliana is an officer.
Storch is opting out of matching funds and has raised $433K:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Storch is opting out of matching funds and has raised $433K:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Billionaire Tisch family boosts Manhattan council candidate with a super PAC
East Side candidate Rachel Storch will benefit from an independent expenditure funded by Sam Tisch.
www.crainsnewyork.com
May 28, 2025 at 8:39 PM
we have a new super PAC—Manhattan City Council candidate Rachel Storch is being boosted by an independent expenditure funded by Jessica Tisch's brother, Sam. Sam's wife Eliana is an officer.
Storch is opting out of matching funds and has raised $433K:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Storch is opting out of matching funds and has raised $433K:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Exclusive: DoorDash has formed a super PAC and plans to spend $2M on City Council primaries, fresh off its $1M donation to the pro-Cuomo PAC.
It's considering supporting possible speaker candidates Julie Menin and Kevin Riley, plus 4 open-seat contenders:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
It's considering supporting possible speaker candidates Julie Menin and Kevin Riley, plus 4 open-seat contenders:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
DoorDash banks $2M to boost council candidates, after big Cuomo donation
The delivery giant is supporting likely speaker candidates and four other “pro-local economy” contenders.
www.crainsnewyork.com
May 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Exclusive: DoorDash has formed a super PAC and plans to spend $2M on City Council primaries, fresh off its $1M donation to the pro-Cuomo PAC.
It's considering supporting possible speaker candidates Julie Menin and Kevin Riley, plus 4 open-seat contenders:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
It's considering supporting possible speaker candidates Julie Menin and Kevin Riley, plus 4 open-seat contenders:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
new, long-awaited data on NYC's 485x housing tax break validates some early fears: zero projects proposed with 100+ units and only 2 in Lower Manhattan, where wage rules are higher.
Developers have signaled interest in 118 total projects worth 2,600 units:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Developers have signaled interest in 118 total projects worth 2,600 units:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
May 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
new, long-awaited data on NYC's 485x housing tax break validates some early fears: zero projects proposed with 100+ units and only 2 in Lower Manhattan, where wage rules are higher.
Developers have signaled interest in 118 total projects worth 2,600 units:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Developers have signaled interest in 118 total projects worth 2,600 units:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
the Adams administration says it quietly stopped doing business with Cushman & Wakefield in the wake of the lease scandal involving Jesse Hamilton and others.
Instead, the city is extending its contract with another firm, CBRE, as it seeks 5 long-term brokers:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Instead, the city is extending its contract with another firm, CBRE, as it seeks 5 long-term brokers:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Adams administration seeks new brokers after Cushman & Wakefield lease scandal
Cushman & Wakefield is no longer representing the city, which is looking for five new tenant representatives.
www.crainsnewyork.com
May 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
the Adams administration says it quietly stopped doing business with Cushman & Wakefield in the wake of the lease scandal involving Jesse Hamilton and others.
Instead, the city is extending its contract with another firm, CBRE, as it seeks 5 long-term brokers:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Instead, the city is extending its contract with another firm, CBRE, as it seeks 5 long-term brokers:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Uber is the latest corporate giant planning to spend in this year's city elections. A new filing shows its PAC has $2.5M and already spent $92K in support of five City Council candidates.
They're supporting pols who favor "access to transportation."
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
They're supporting pols who favor "access to transportation."
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Uber dumps $91K into council races, plans to spend $2.5M
Uber is the latest tech giant spending to influence this year’s city elections.
www.crainsnewyork.com
May 15, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Uber is the latest corporate giant planning to spend in this year's city elections. A new filing shows its PAC has $2.5M and already spent $92K in support of five City Council candidates.
They're supporting pols who favor "access to transportation."
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
They're supporting pols who favor "access to transportation."
Story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The City Council will pass a law today raising the COVID-era cap on fees that apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats can charge to restaurants, from 23% to 43%.
...and in exchange, as part of a legal settlement, those apps have agreed to drop 2 lawsuits against NYC:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
...and in exchange, as part of a legal settlement, those apps have agreed to drop 2 lawsuits against NYC:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
City to raise cap on restaurant delivery fees to settle suits with apps
Four food-delivery apps have agreed to drop lawsuits against the city in exchange for the City Council approving a law that will relax pandemic-era caps on the fees that those companies can charge to ...
www.crainsnewyork.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The City Council will pass a law today raising the COVID-era cap on fees that apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats can charge to restaurants, from 23% to 43%.
...and in exchange, as part of a legal settlement, those apps have agreed to drop 2 lawsuits against NYC:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
...and in exchange, as part of a legal settlement, those apps have agreed to drop 2 lawsuits against NYC:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Exclusive: NYC's long-awaited commercial waste zones will be fully implemented by December 2027, per a new Adams administration timeline. 2 more zones take effect in 2025.
That means it'll take a full 8 years to reform the notorious private waste industry:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
That means it'll take a full 8 years to reform the notorious private waste industry:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
City to end trash-hauling free-for-all in 2027
It will take the city eight years to implement its long-awaited commercial waste zones, the Adams administration says.
www.crainsnewyork.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Exclusive: NYC's long-awaited commercial waste zones will be fully implemented by December 2027, per a new Adams administration timeline. 2 more zones take effect in 2025.
That means it'll take a full 8 years to reform the notorious private waste industry:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
That means it'll take a full 8 years to reform the notorious private waste industry:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Reposted by Nick Garber
ICYMI, @nickgarber.bsky.social on the casino bidding process for downstate NY:
www.wnyc.org/story/the-st...
www.wnyc.org/story/the-st...
The State of New York's Casino Bidding Process | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC
New York State will award three coveted casino licenses by the end of this year. Crain's New York Business reporter Nick Garber gives us an update.
www.wnyc.org
April 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
ICYMI, @nickgarber.bsky.social on the casino bidding process for downstate NY:
www.wnyc.org/story/the-st...
www.wnyc.org/story/the-st...
landlords or brokers who illegally charge fees to tenants will be fined $750 once @chiosse.bsky.social's FARE Act takes effect in June, per these rules the city proposed yesterday. (That's assuming REBNY's lawsuit doesn't succeed in blocking the law.)
story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
April 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
landlords or brokers who illegally charge fees to tenants will be fined $750 once @chiosse.bsky.social's FARE Act takes effect in June, per these rules the city proposed yesterday. (That's assuming REBNY's lawsuit doesn't succeed in blocking the law.)
story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
story:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Scoop: 3 prominent NYC casino bids fear they'll be unfairly disqualified due to the state's failure to start their monthslong environmental reviews.
The bidders — SL Green, Silverstein and Soloviev — face a Sept. 30 deadline for a process that's barely begun:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The bidders — SL Green, Silverstein and Soloviev — face a Sept. 30 deadline for a process that's barely begun:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
State’s slow casino reviews could disqualify 3 bids, developers fear
SL Green, Silverstein and Soloviev fear their Manhattan casinos will be ineligible due to sluggish environmental reviews.
www.crainsnewyork.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Scoop: 3 prominent NYC casino bids fear they'll be unfairly disqualified due to the state's failure to start their monthslong environmental reviews.
The bidders — SL Green, Silverstein and Soloviev — face a Sept. 30 deadline for a process that's barely begun:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The bidders — SL Green, Silverstein and Soloviev — face a Sept. 30 deadline for a process that's barely begun:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
New: the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue has abandoned its Midtown casino proposal, becoming the first serious contender to drop out of the high-stakes downstate process months before bidding is set to open:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Saks abandons casino project before bidding opens
The Midtown project is the first serious contender to drop out of the downstate casino process.
www.crainsnewyork.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
New: the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue has abandoned its Midtown casino proposal, becoming the first serious contender to drop out of the high-stakes downstate process months before bidding is set to open:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
In recent days, surging socialist mayoral candidate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social spoke to Kathy Wylde, head of the Partnership for NYC & a friend of the CEO class.
The cordial talk reflected Mamdani’s openness to the business world—which has hardly warmed to him
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The cordial talk reflected Mamdani’s openness to the business world—which has hardly warmed to him
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Surging socialist mayoral candidate isn’t scaring business leaders — for now
The socialist mayoral candidate argues his policies are not antithetical to big business.
www.crainsnewyork.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
In recent days, surging socialist mayoral candidate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social spoke to Kathy Wylde, head of the Partnership for NYC & a friend of the CEO class.
The cordial talk reflected Mamdani’s openness to the business world—which has hardly warmed to him
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The cordial talk reflected Mamdani’s openness to the business world—which has hardly warmed to him
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
new @crainsnewyork.bsky.social: a profile of the Center for an Urban Future, the think tank that's quietly exerted significant influence on NYC policy and caught the ears of top officials through hyper-specific ideas for improving economic mobility.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The think tank quietly influencing New York’s top officials
The Center for an Urban Future has caught the attention of city leaders with pragmatic policy ideas.
www.crainsnewyork.com
April 3, 2025 at 1:41 PM
new @crainsnewyork.bsky.social: a profile of the Center for an Urban Future, the think tank that's quietly exerted significant influence on NYC policy and caught the ears of top officials through hyper-specific ideas for improving economic mobility.
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
late-Friday scoop: NY AG Tish James and a key state agency are siding with the city in the lawsuit against the FARE Act, rejecting claims by REBNY and its co-plaintiffs that the broker fee reforms run afoul of state law.
The state filed court papers today:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The state filed court papers today:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
AG James backs city against REBNY challenge to broker fee law
Letitia James rejects REBNY’s claim that the FARE Act runs afoul of state law.
www.crainsnewyork.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
late-Friday scoop: NY AG Tish James and a key state agency are siding with the city in the lawsuit against the FARE Act, rejecting claims by REBNY and its co-plaintiffs that the broker fee reforms run afoul of state law.
The state filed court papers today:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The state filed court papers today:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Three land-use lawyers told me they see little merit in the conservative legal challenge to the City of Yes housing plan, pointing to the Adams administration’s lengthy environmental review.
But the lawsuit could deter developers and spook investors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
But the lawsuit could deter developers and spook investors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
Conservatives sue to overturn City of Yes zoning rewrite
The lawsuit seeks to undo the landmark housing plan, and could unsettle the real estate industry.
www.crainsnewyork.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Three land-use lawyers told me they see little merit in the conservative legal challenge to the City of Yes housing plan, pointing to the Adams administration’s lengthy environmental review.
But the lawsuit could deter developers and spook investors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
But the lawsuit could deter developers and spook investors:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
The Adams administration is awarding a $996K contract to City Safe Partners, the security company once owned by ex-Deputy mayor Phil Banks, for armed guards at the Dept. of Consumer & Worker Protection's Licensing Center, where business owners get their permits:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
City turns to Phil Banks-linked security firm for armed guards at permit office
City Safe Partners, formerly owned by the ex-Adams deputy, will run armed security for a city Licensing Center.
www.crainsnewyork.com
March 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The Adams administration is awarding a $996K contract to City Safe Partners, the security company once owned by ex-Deputy mayor Phil Banks, for armed guards at the Dept. of Consumer & Worker Protection's Licensing Center, where business owners get their permits:
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...
www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...