New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the successful disruption of a Queens-based organized retail theft ring responsible for stealing over $2.2 million in merchandise from 128 Home Depot locations across nine states. A 780-count indictment charges 13 individuals with first-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and conspiracy, leveraging new provisions in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget—secured by Governor Hochul—that permit aggregation of stolen goods values across incidents and enhance penalties for fencing operations. The case, developed through a joint investigation by the Queens DA’s Office and the New York State Police Organized Retail Theft Task Force (funded with more than $40 million in state resources), marks a significant enforcement milestone: 11 defendants have been arraigned, with maximum penalties of up to 25 years for theft crew members and 15 years for fences. The operation’s takedown contributes to broader statewide results, including 1,261 arrests, recovery of $2.6 million in stolen goods, and a 14% year-over-year decline in retail theft in New York City as of December 2025.
Governor Hochul and Queens District Attorney Katz Announce Indictment Charges in $2.2 Million Organized Retail Theft Bust
Governor Kathy Hochul and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that 13 individuals have been charged in a 780-count indictment for operating a stolen goods and resale ring that targeted Home Depot locations in New York and eight other states. The individuals are facing grand larceny, conspiracy, and criminal possession of stolen property charges, including those included in the FY25 Enacted Budget that strengthened larceny laws by combining the value of merchandise stolen in separate incidents. In addition to these new crimes targeting organized retail theft, the FY25 Enacted Budget included a new crime specific to assault on retail workers, and more than $40 million for law enforcement secured by Governor Hochul. That funding created a dedicated Organized Retail Theft Task Force within the New York State Police, the work of which was integral to this case, and augmented efforts by district attorneys and local police departments to investigate and prosecute these cases.
“Since taking office, my highest priority has been driving down crime and keeping New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Following a post-pandemic spike in retail theft, I committed new funds to establish a dedicated organized retail theft task force and secured stronger laws to hold people who commit these crimes accountable. With better support for District Attorneys, local police departments and the State Police, we’re stopping organized retail theft rings in their tracks and ensuring a safer retail environment for business owners, staff and shoppers throughout New York.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “Thirteen defendants, over $2.2 million in merchandise, 319 incidents of theft, nine states and 128 separate Home Depot stores are the facts alleged, resulting in a 780-count indictment. The defendants took breaks for lunch and dinner, sometimes hitting the same Home Depot up to four times in one day. The stolen items were then resold to consumers, through a Brooklyn storefront or on Facebook Marketplace. Working with our partners at the New York State Police, we brought this brazen operation to a halt. I thank Governor Hochul for signing laws that provide prosecutors’ offices with tools to more efficiently investigate, and more effectively charge, organized retail theft and fencing operations.”
The District Attorney’s Office investigation began in June 2024, when members of the District Attorney’s Detective Bureau observed stolen air conditioners from Home Depot while conducting surveillance in a separate matter. The District Attorney’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau built the case in-house and worked closely with the New York State Police’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force, part of the agency’s Special Investigations Unit.
“Since taking office, my highest priority has been driving down crime and keeping New Yorkers safe”
Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “This case sends a strong message to would-be criminals – if you engage in retail theft, we will find you and hold you accountable to the full extent of the law. Retail theft has real victims – threatening the safety of shoppers and retail workers, creating enormous losses for businesses, and rising prices for the rest of us. I want to commend the outstanding work of our investigators and our partners at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, and I want to thank Governor Hochul for the support she has provided to help us fight back against organized retail theft.”
Eleven individuals were arraigned yesterday on a 780-count indictment including charges of first-degree grand larceny, first-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree conspiracy, and other crimes. One defendant remains at large and another will be arraigned at a later date. If convicted, members of the alleged theft crew face up to 25 years in prison, and the alleged black market retailers, known as fences, up to 15 years in prison.
According to the indictment and investigation, members of the theft and fencing ring are accused of stealing home construction tools, building supplies, power tools, smoke alarms, air conditioners, paper towels and other goods totaling more than $2.2 million during a 13-month period from August 2024 to September 2025. The items — stolen during 319 different incidents — were then sold to black market resellers, known as fences, who allegedly ordered the specific items to be stolen and then resold those goods to consumers.
The theft crew met almost daily to determine the locations of Home Depots they would target based on a review of merchandise in each store. Among the most common items stolen were insulation kits, buckets of reflective roof coating, power tools, air conditioners and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The amount of merchandise stolen in a single day ranged from about $1,800 to nearly $35,000.
Not including arrests and stolen goods recovered from this operation, the State Police and local law enforcement partners have recovered more than $2.6 million in stolen goods, made 1,261 arrests and filed 2,219 charges across 1,057 retail theft enforcement operations. As of December 2025, retail theft is down 14 percent year over year in New York City. Across the rest of the state, larceny is down 14 percent in the first seven months of 2025 vs. 2024.
Following a post-pandemic spike in reported retail theft in New York City and a statewide surge in reported larcenies, Governor Hochul also advanced new initiatives to strengthen laws, hold perpetrators accountable, protect retail workers and support small businesses, including:
Elevating the assault of a retail worker from a misdemeanor to a felony, ensuring any person who causes physical injury to a retail worker performing their job is subject to enhanced criminal penalties
Allowing prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges, and allowing retail goods from different stores to be aggregated for the purposes of reaching a higher larceny threshold when stolen under the same criminal scheme
Making it illegal to foster the sale of stolen goods to go after third-party sellers
Securing $5 million to fund tax credits to help small businesses invest in and alleviate the financial burden for added security measures
State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime, it hurts workers, drives up costs for families and threatens the stability of small businesses in our communities. I commend District Attorney Katz, the New York State Police and all law enforcement partners whose dedicated work brought this operation down. Their collaboration shows what is possible when we give agencies the tools they need to investigate and prosecute these complex cases. We must continue working together to protect retail workers, strengthen enforcement and ensure that every neighborhood in Queens remains a safe and reliable place to shop and do business.”
State Senator John Liu said, “This brazen retail theft ring and the rise in shoplifting following the pandemic show exactly why we strengthened retail theft laws in the state budget. Retail theft has preyed on our local businesses for far too long, with thieves targeting everything from paper towels to air conditioners. Thank you to DA Katz, Governor Hochul, and our local law enforcement for showing that the days of taking what you want and simply walking through the front door without fear of consequences are over, and that New York is committed to protecting our local businesses and restoring safety in our communities.”
Assemblymember Clyde Vanel said, “New York is sending a powerful message that coordinated retail theft rings will find no safe harbor here. This indictment makes clear that the new tools secured in the FY25 Budget, thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and the Legislature, are delivering real results. Dedicated and results-driven district attorneys like Melinda Katz are now better equipped than ever to take down organized crime and protect our communities and businesses.”
Assemblymember Steven Raga said, “The scale of this organized retail theft shows exactly why the Legislature strengthened our laws to combat organized criminal activity. These crimes impact the safety of workers, increase costs for consumers, and harm the economic health of communities across Queens. As a former retail worker myself, I understand how these incidents create real risks for people on the frontlines and destabilize the neighborhoods they serve. I commend Governor Hochul, District Attorney Katz, and the Task Force for taking decisive action that brings accountability and restores trust. This is the type of collaborative enforcement our state needs to keep people safe.”
Assemblymember Sam Berger said, “Queens is fortunate to have DA Melinda Katz taking on retail theft and bringing organized criminal rings to justice. I’m grateful to the brave men and women in state and local law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe. I was proud to stand with Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature to give prosecutors the tools they need to hold repeat offenders accountable.”
Retail Council of New York State President and CEO Melissa O’Connor said, “Governor Hochul and District Attorney Katz have made it abundantly clear that organized retail crime and habitual retail theft will not be tolerated in New York. This criminal activity goes well beyond the obvious financial loss for retailers – it is a serious issue that compromises the safety of store employees and customers. I want to thank Governor Hochul, District Attorney Katz and the New York State Police for holding these crime syndicates accountable to the full extent of the law. We will continue to work with the executive, lawmakers, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies to further our shared goal of safer communities.”
Mayor Eric Adams announced a historic $1 billion investment to revitalize Coney Island, focusing on restoring the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk, building 1,500 new mixed-income homes (with 25% affordable), upgrading infrastructure, and renovating the Abe Stark Sports Center. Speaking in Coney Island, Adams reflected on his early career as a transit officer in the area and emphasized the community’s long-standing need for investment, stating that residents should not be priced out and that life there should offer stability, not just seasonal tourism. He highlighted the boardwalk’s poor condition for decades and committed to making the waterfront a year-round place to live, work, and raise families.
Speakers including Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and EDC President Andrew Kimball underscored the project’s focus on climate resiliency, with plans to reconstruct the boardwalk using durable, sustainable materials to withstand rising sea levels and extreme weather, informed by technical surveys and lessons from storms like Sandy. The initiative includes community engagement for design and phasing to minimize disruption, with an RFP for boardwalk construction expected in early 2026. Additional efforts involve new streets, sewers, open spaces, and recent developments like 500 mixed-income units and retail nearby.
Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude for Adams’ personal commitment to Coney Island, crediting his long advocacy and the administration’s record on affordable housing. During the Q&A, officials noted no final decisions on materials or exact timelines yet, emphasizing community input and resiliency measures, while acknowledging the incoming administration could review ongoing projects. The announcement was celebrated as a transformative step for a resilient, thriving Coney Island.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that GFP Real Estate has been selected to transform the city-owned site at 100 Gold Street in Lower Manhattan into a major mixed-income housing development with approximately 3,700 new apartments, including more than 900 permanently affordable units created without HPD subsidy. The project will convert the outdated office building into a vibrant residential community featuring about 40,000 square feet of new public open space, a publicly accessible fitness center, and a modern, purpose-built older adult center, while relocating HPD and other city agencies to improved office space without disrupting services. Advanced under the Adams administration’s “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” and broader pro-housing agenda, the redevelopment is part of a larger effort that has already created, preserved, or planned over 433,000 homes citywide and leverages new state tools like tax incentives for multifamily construction and office-to-residential conversions. NYCEDC, HPD, and GFP Real Estate will continue robust community engagement as the project moves through environmental review and aims to enter ULURP in 2027, with business, labor, and housing advocates highlighting 100 Gold Street as a model for using city-owned land to deliver large-scale, transit-oriented, mixed-income housing in a neighborhood rich with amenities.
Most Pro-Housing Administration in City History: Mayor Adams Announces Next Steps for Thousands of New Homes, Older Adult Center at 100 Gold Street
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the next steps in the transformation of a city-owned site at 100 Gold Street in Lower Manhattan into a new, mixed-income residential building. The city has selected GFP Real Estate to build approximately 3,700 units of high-quality, mixed-income housing, with a minimum of 25 percent of the homes required to be permanently affordable as more than 900 units of affordable housing are created without any subsidy from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Additionally, proceeds from the disposition of the city-owned site will be used to acquire new office space for HPD and other agencies that currently occupy 100 Gold. GFP Real Estate will also build and maintain approximately 40,000 square feet of new public open space as well as a new state-of-the-art, publicly-accessible fitness center inside the building. Finally, the development will include an upgraded older adult center for the community. After Mayor Adams issued a historic executive order last year requiring city agencies to review their portfolios and identify potential sites for new housing, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) led a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process to identify a developer for 100 Gold. Along with proposals to build thousands of new homes on city-owned sites like Flushing Airfield, Gansevoort Square, 390 Kent Avenue, and more, today’s announcement will help the Adams administration create, preserve, or plan over 433,000 homes for New Yorkers.
“From an abandoned airfield in Queens to an old office building in Manhattan, our administration is using every piece of land we have to build the housing we need,” said Mayor Adams. “With today’s announcement, we’ll give thousands of families an affordable place to live, thousands of city employees new high-quality office space, and all New Yorkers new public space and amenities to enjoy. Whether it’s passing the most pro-housing legislation in city history, creating record amounts of affordable housing, or issuing a historic executive order to turn city land into new homes, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history, and our record reflects exactly that.”
“100 Gold is exactly the kind of bold step New York needs to meet the moment on housing,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “With GFP Real Estate on board, we are creating thousands of homes, expanding affordability, and delivering new community amenities. And as this work advances, the city will secure a modern home for HPD, the dedicated-team driving our affordable housing mission”
“For decades, 100 Gold Street has been the physical nerve center of our work to expand affordable housing across the city. Transforming our headquarters into new homes at the scale made possible under this proposal is a bold expression of that mission. A building that has supported the people fighting for affordability will soon provide real homes for the New Yorkers we serve,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “With a dynamic and highly skilled team leading this commercial-to-residential conversion, we are leveraging our newly established land use tools and proven expertise to reimagine office space as a vibrant, mixed-use community. This project unlocks the full potential of the site, maximizes its transit-oriented development advantages, and welcomes new individuals and families into a neighborhood rich with amenities. By rethinking how we plan for city offices and applying every tool for thoughtful development, HPD is strengthening its ability to serve New Yorkers, deliver the housing this city urgently needs, and pursue our mission with renewed focus.”
“Transforming outdated city-owned sites into mixed-income housing is at the core of NYCEDC’s mission, and bold projects like 100 Gold are critical to tackling New York City’s ongoing affordability crisis,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “The historic redevelopment will deliver thousands of high-quality, mixed-income housing units and public amenities for New Yorkers, and NYCEDC is proud to partner with GFP Real Estate to bring this extraordinary vision to life in Lower Manhattan.”
GFP Real Estate is a proven family-owned real estate firm with over 70 years of experience in New York City. Their development experience positions them as a key driver of the Financial District’s shift from a traditional office hub to a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, including 25 Water Street, the largest office-to-residential conversion in the country. GFP is also a leading developer of housing in the Financial District, with nearly 2,500 units completed or under development, including more than 620 designated as permanently affordable.
The current building — which was constructed in the 1960s and requires significant investments — currently houses the Hamilton-Madison House older adult center. The proposed development will include a new, purpose-built facility for the older adult center on site, reflecting feedback from months-long community outreach and engagement, that will deliver a substantial improvement in space, accessibility, and overall experience. During construction, a temporary facility will be provided nearby to ensure no disruption in service.
The release of this RFP follows public engagement with elected officials, Manhattan Community Board 1, and other key stakeholders. To date, NYCEDC has hosted two public engagement meetings and released a public survey. Following today’s announcement, the development team will conduct site due diligence and environmental review. The project anticipates certifying into the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) in 2027, where robust community engagement will continue.
“On behalf of GFP Real Estate, we are honored to have been selected by NYCEDC and HPD to advance the redevelopment of 100 Gold Street. We look forward to a collaborative process with the community, local leaders, and our partners in government,” said Brian Steinwurtzel, co-CEO and principal, GFP Real Estate.
“When public land is leased to private developers, the affordability of the upcoming project is always our top priority,” said New York City Councilmember Christopher Marte. “We look forward to working with the city and the development team to achieve this project to meet the affordability crisis that our city is facing.”
“This project is a smart, innovative means of addressing the city’s ongoing housing crisis while opening more accessible pathways for hardworking people to pursue the middle class,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “Thanks to the wage and workforce development standards outlined in 485-x, the redevelopment of 100 Gold Street will not only help generate much-needed affordable homes but also help create family-sustaining union careers for our city’s tradesmen and tradeswomen. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with city leadership and GFP Real Estate to help this come to fruition in a manner that will improve the lives of countless New Yorkers.”
“By taking advantage of City of Yes zoning changes, this project will bring an incredible 3,700 new homes to Lower Manhattan,” said Andrew Fine, chief of staff and policy director, Open New York. “As we face rising rents and a critically low 1.4 percent vacancy rate, we must maximize opportunities on city-owned land to build more housing in every neighborhood. The scale of this project should be a model for the future.”
“The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce congratulates GFP Real Estate on being selected to lead the 100 Gold Project, which represents a pivotal moment in the continued evolution of Lower Manhattan into a vibrant, 24/7 mixed-use community,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “This development hits all the right notes: creating massive housing stock, upgrading community facilities, and expanding public space. We are proud to support this initiative, which will drive foot traffic to local businesses and ensure the Financial District remains a dynamic place to live, work, and visit.”
“The New York Building Congress applauds NYCEDC and GFP Real Estate for advancing this transformative vision for 100 Gold Street. This project delivers exactly what New York needs right now: thousands of new, premium mixed-income homes, including more than 900 permanently affordable units, 40,000 square-feet of new public open space, and a modern older adult center that strengthens services for our neighbors,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “Our city is in a real housing crisis, and 100 Gold is proof that we can rise to the moment with bold action, smart planning, and a commitment to building for every New Yorker. We are excited to support this effort and keep pushing for more projects that move our city forward.”
Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams announced that his administration has created, preserved, or planned approximately 426,800 homes for New Yorkers through its work through the end of the last fiscal year — a number which has already grown to over 433,250 homes to date. Mayor Adams also announced that, in Fiscal Year 2025, the Adams administration created the most affordable rental units in city history and celebrated back-to-back-to-back record-breaking years for producing permanently-affordable homes for formerly-homeless New Yorkers, placing homeless New Yorkers into housing, and connecting New Yorkers to housing through the city’s housing lottery.
In addition to creating and preserving record amounts of affordable and market-rate housing for New Yorkers, the Adams administration has also passed ambitious plans that will create tens of thousands of new homes as well. Last December, Mayor Adams celebrated the passage of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the most pro-housing proposal in city history that will build 80,000 new homes over 15 years and invest $5 billion in critical infrastructure updates and housing.
Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” strategy in his State of the City address earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.
Further, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The “Partners in Preservation” program was expanded citywide in 2024 through a $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.
Finally, Mayor Adams and members of his administration successfully advocated for new tools in the 2024 New York state budget that are already helping spur the creation of urgently needed housing. These tools include a new tax incentive for multifamily rental construction, a tax incentive program to encourage office conversions to create more affordable units, lifting the arbitrary “floor-to-area ratio” cap that held back affordable housing production in certain high-demand areas of the city, and the ability to create a pilot program to legalize and make safe basement apartments.
This video report covers a shocking attack in the New York City subway, where a homeless man was set on fire while sleeping on a train in Midtown. Reporters recap the details of the incident and emphasize how brutal and senseless this act of violence was. The story fits into a broader conversation about safety on public transit and raises serious questions about how vulnerable people are protected in the city’s subway system.
The segment provides an important update on the victim’s condition. Viewers learn that he has already undergone one surgery and will need another due to severe burns. The report shows a photo from the hospital shared by his family and notes that doctors expect a long and difficult recovery. The coverage also highlights the medical challenges ahead and the kind of support the man will need as he fights for his life.
Another key part of the story focuses on his family. Relatives explain that they had been searching for him for weeks and only recently learned that he was the victim of this attack. Their emotions—shock, pain, and relief that he is at least alive and found—give a deeply human dimension to the news. The segment concludes with information about the ongoing investigation, a call for witnesses to come forward, and renewed discussion about safety measures and support for people living on the streets and using public transportation.
The NYC Workforce Development Board meeting on December 3, 2025, co-chaired by Merryill from Partnership for New York City and Audrey Pal, focused on enhancing discussion time and strategic planning amid a mayoral transition. Key updates included finalization of the 2025-2029 WIOA local plan, receipt of delayed federal funding tranches, and anticipation of a 2026 federal compliance audit. The board approved October meeting minutes and recognized members appointed to the incoming mayor’s transition committees. Doug Lafari, Executive Director, emphasized the board’s role in shaping workforce priorities, while the ongoing strategic roadmap—drawing from over 200 participants and 550 ideas—was slated for early 2026 release to guide the new administration.
Valerie Mulligan from the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) highlighted the Community Resources for Employment and Development (CRED) program, a comprehensive initiative for ages 18-40 facing barriers like justice involvement or low income, offering paid training ($20/hour), internships, wraparound services, and job placement across sectors like healthcare and construction. With 16 providers funded at ~$780,000 each annually (scaling to 2,000 slots), success stories included CDL credentialing and culinary placements. Discussion addressed prescriptive staffing requirements and procurement flexibility. Randy from Small Business Services (SBS) updated on Workforce One contracts, noting improved placements, professional development, and Jobs NYC events reaching thousands, while Commissioner Pearson explained a strategic $41.7M carry-in budget to maintain stability amid shrinking federal awards.
Bylaws Revision, SNAP/Medicaid Work Requirements, and Closing
The board voted to revise outdated bylaws to strengthen governance, reporting timelines, procurement oversight, and priority-setting, with a redlined version forthcoming for feedback. Scott French from the Human Resources Administration detailed new federal SNAP Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements (80 hours/month starting March 2026 post-waiver), exemptions, and compliance pathways, plus upcoming Medicaid rules, emphasizing partnerships for community service and workforce connections to minimize benefit loss for potentially hundreds of thousands. Group discussions raised concerns over system strain, nonprofit roles, seasonal workers, and coordination needs. The meeting adjourned after planning 2026 calendars, underscoring collaborative efforts amid policy changes.
In the NYC Mayor’s Office “Week in Review” video for November 29 to December 5, 2025, Mayor Adams highlighted a landmark $38.9 million settlement with Starbucks, the largest worker protection settlement in city history, requiring over $35.5 million in restitution to more than 15,000 baristas for violations of the Fair Workweek Law, emphasizing accountability regardless of company size. The administration also celebrated the opening of the “Harlem Field of Dreams,” an $11 million renovation of Brigadier General Charles Young Playground into a state-of-the-art multi-sport turf field serving over 800 young athletes. Additional investments included creating Brooklyn’s first “blue belt” in Prospect Park with nature-based solutions to combat climate-induced flooding, and $30 million in capital funding for Staten Island public spaces, including the zoo, Bloomingdale Park Playground, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
Combating Antisemitism and Executive Actions
Mayor Adams addressed rising antisemitism by traveling to New Orleans for the Combat Antisemitism Movement Conference and African American Mayors Association discussions. In response to a recent protest outside a Park Synagogue, he signed Executive Order 61 to protect New Yorkers’ right to pray peacefully without harassment, while upholding free speech and assembly rights, directing the NYPD to evaluate protest guidelines around houses of worship. Another executive order prohibited city leadership from boycotting or divesting from Israel, ensuring investment decisions remain financially sound and free from discriminatory practices.
Housing Progress and Ongoing Commitment
The video marked the one-year anniversary of the “City of Yes” housing initiative, declaring the Adams administration the most pro-housing in city history by reforming outdated zoning laws to build more affordable homes in every neighborhood. This revolutionary effort aims to tackle the housing crisis head-on, affirming a commitment to working-class New Yorkers. Overall, the week underscored continued progress in public safety, community spaces, equity, and affordability, with the administration focused on “getting stuff done” for residents.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation allowing local governments to offer property-tax exemptions of up to 65% for eligible senior homeowners, raising the previous cap from 50% for the first time in decades. Under the measure, known as S5175A/A3698A, municipalities can set income limits and other criteria to determine who qualifies, with state officials estimating potential savings of about $300 a year for the average senior on a fixed income. The change is aimed at helping roughly 1.8 million older New Yorkers remain in their homes amid rising housing costs and inflation, and comes as part of a broader affordability push that includes middle-class tax cuts, expanded child tax credits, inflation rebate checks and free school meals for all K–12 students.
Governor Hochul Authorizes Real Property Tax Exemptions for New York Seniors
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that enhanced real property tax exemptions for New York seniors. Legislation S5175A/A3698A allows localities to provide a real property tax exemption for senior citizens who meet the income eligibility limits, among other criteria, up to 65 percent percent of the assessed valuation of their properties. This legislation builds on the Governor’s affordability agenda, which included tax cuts for middle-class New Yorkers.
“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Governor Hochul said. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”
The bill will give localities the option to offer real property tax exemptions of up to 65 percent to seniors living below the maximum income eligibility level set by the locality. Prior to, the maximum percentage of exemption local governments have been able to offer senior citizens was set at 50 percent and has not been raised in decades. Increasing the exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent could translate into savings of up to $300 annually for the average senior.
New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) Acting Director Greg Olsen said, “Governor Hochul is coming through yet again on making New York more affordable for individuals and their families. Property taxes, especially for those on fixed incomes, can often be difficult to afford. With more than 1.8 million older adults who own their own homes, this important law will continue to help older adults remain in the homes and communities of their choice and keeping their vast contributions within New York State.”
State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Seniors have faced rising housing costs and inflation— oftentimes living on fixed income. Signing S5175A into law is an important step toward restoring real affordability for older adults across New York. This law allows localities to offer up to a 65 percent discount to eligible seniors so long-time homeowners can remain in their communities with dignity and security. I thank Governor Hochul, my colleagues and especially Assemblymember David Weprin for partnering to deliver meaningful support for the New Yorkers who helped build this state.”
Assemblymember David Weprin said, “I’m grateful for Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to improving affordability for all New Yorkers, including our senior citizen homeowners. By advancing this bill into law, we will provide relief from the burden of increasing real property taxes and ensure stability for elderly homeowners on low fixed incomes. I look forward to continued partnership with Governor Hochul and my fellow elected leaders to advance this critical affordability agenda.”
This legislation builds on Governor Hochul’s affordability agenda, which includes:
Middle-Class Tax Cut: Approximately 8.3 million New Yorkers will benefit from decreased tax rates, bringing middle-class taxes to their lowest levels in 70 years.
Child Tax Credit Expansion: The Child Tax Credit is increasing to up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children, starting in 2026.
Inflation Refund Checks: Eligible New Yorkers have received up to $200 per person or $400 per family, reaching 8.2 million people.
Free School Meals: All K-12 students now have access to free breakfast and lunch, saving families up to $1,600 per child annually.
New York’s subway system logged fresh post-pandemic ridership highs, carrying 4.61 million riders on Dec. 3 and 4.63 million on Dec. 4, surpassing an October record and coming in roughly 6% above year-earlier levels, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. November on-time performance reached 84.4%, the strongest for that month since the pandemic, extending a run of improved reliability tied to service increases, new equipment and upgraded signals. At the same time, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is accelerating the shift to its OMNY tap-and-ride payment system, with 94% of subway and bus trips now paid contactlessly and MetroCard sales scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2025, ahead of full phaseout in 2026. The MTA, which has rolled out OMNY card giveaways, 2,700 retail locations and 980 station vending machines, projects at least $20 million in annual savings from retiring MetroCard and moving to a single, fully contactless fare system.
Governor Hochul Announces Record Subway Ridership of 4.6 Million Riders and Best November for Subway Performance
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York City Subway surpassed 4.6 million riders, setting a post-pandemic ridership record, while also achieving an on-time performance record for November of 84.4 percent — the best November since the pandemic. On Wednesday, December 3, 4.61 million customers rode the subway, and on Thursday, December 4, 4.63 million customers rode the subway. Both days eclipsed the previous record set on October 29, 2025 of 4.6 million subway customers and were up 6 percent from the same dates in 2024. These milestones come as 94 percent of subway and bus trips are now paid with the MTA’s new contactless tap and ride system.
“The subway is the lifeblood of New York City, and thanks to our investments in safety and reliability, ridership continues to come roaring back,” Governor Hochul said. “We know our work is far from finished, and that’s why we’re investing in new subway cars, upgraded signals and tools like cameras and law enforcement to keep riders safe. The subway is already the best way to get around, and thanks to these investments, we are making it better than ever.”
The November OTP record extends the trend of historically strong subway performance in 2025. Subway on-time performance reached 85 percent in September — the best September in modern history — maintaining August’s 85.1 percent, which was the best August in a decade, and building on May’s record-setting 85.2 percent, the highest non-pandemic OTP on record. These gains coincide with service increases on the A and L lines, reducing wait times for more than 100,000 weekday riders. Beginning Monday, December 8, rush hour service will also increase on the M line.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “No secret: transit is the best way to get around New York. When our subways are safe, frequent and reliable, people will use them more and more. That’s what’s happened and the records are going to keep coming.”
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, “Hitting 4.6 million subway riders as we achieve another on-time performance milestone shows once again that when you deliver safe and reliable service riders will take it. We’re determined to carry this momentum into 2026, as we continue to tout all the opportunities available to riders to seamlessly switch to tap and ride.”
MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara said, “New Yorkers have embraced tap and ride and we’re proud to see that as more and more people return to the city, they are choosing mass transit. As the end of MetroCard sales nears, we are focusing on reaching the remaining 6 percent to make the switch and unlock the benefits and convenience of tap and ride technology.”
In an effort to facilitate the transition to Tap and Ride, the MTA recently launched an OMNY Card Giveaway on November 18, where the first 400 customers at every Customer Service Center could transfer their MetroCard balance to fee-waived OMNY cards. These fee-waived OMNY cards are currently available at the following nine Customer Service Centers while supplies last:
125 St 4 5 6
161 St-Yankee Stadium B D 4
168 St-Broadway A C 1
E. 177 St-Parkchester 6
Fordham Rd B D
Myrtle Av J M Z
St. George, Staten Island Railway (SIR)
Stillwell Av-Coney Island D F N Q
Sutphin Blvd F
By the end of the year, fourteen new Customer Service Centers will open at locations across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. The first 400 customers to visit those new Customer Service Centers and transfer their MetroCard balances to OMNY will also be able to receive the promotional fee-waived OMNY cards.
As announced in March, the last day to purchase or reload a MetroCard will be December 31, 2025, with the acceptance of MetroCards ending in mid-2026. While the Tap and Ride payment system doesn’t require an OMNY card and allows riders to pay fares directly with digital wallets and contactless bank cards, customers will find it twice as easy to purchase or reload an OMNY card with a robust OMNY retail network currently at 2,700 locations — more than double the MetroCard partnering locations.
The MTA has also installed 980 OMNY card vending machines across all 472 subway stations. And, most recently, shared a list of 102 opportunities for members of the public who live in bus-reliant areas to transfer MetroCard balances to the OMNY cards for those who opt to use the physical card.
By eliminating the sale of MetroCard and fully transitioning to one fare collection method, the MTA expects to save at least $20 million annually in costs related to MetroCard production and distribution; vending machine repairs; and cash collection and handling. Moving to a contactless payment also unlocks potential for new customer-friendly promotions and fare discounts.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is marking the first anniversary of his “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” zoning overhaul by touting a 22.8% rise in permitted housing units in 2025 compared with the year before the policy was approved, as well as a growing pipeline of affordable units and office-to-residential conversions. The package, billed as the most pro-housing legislation in city history, relaxes parking mandates, legalizes accessory dwelling units, creates new high-density districts and offers an affordability bonus that has attracted more than 100 projects expected to yield some 5,400 homes, including roughly 900 income-restricted units. New R11 and R12 zones in Midtown South and other locations could add nearly 11,000 homes, while conversions of underused office buildings are projected to produce more than 12,000 apartments, 3,000 of them permanently affordable. Combined with five neighborhood rezonings slated to deliver about 50,000 homes and what City Hall describes as record production of nearly 86,000 affordable units since Adams took office, the administration is seeking to cement its legacy as aggressively pro-development amid a long-running housing shortage.
“One year ago today, our city said ‘yes’ to more housing and a more affordable future for working-class New Yorkers. We turned the page on decades of half-measures and proved that government can still meet the challenges of our time with energy, ambition, and resolve,” said Mayor Adams. “One year later, we are already seeing the results, with thousands of new affordable homes in the pipeline across our city. Whether it’s passing the first citywide rezoning in six decades, investing historic amounts of money into new homes, or creating record amounts of affordable housing, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history.
“With the adoption of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, we have begun to turn the tide on the housing crisis in New York City. The full impact of these changes will take time to be felt, but twelve months in, we’re already seeing success delivering a little more housing in every neighborhood,” said DCP Director Garodnick. “New York City’s housing crisis has been growing for so long that it is easy to take it for granted. But with City of Yes and other policy changes, we are changing course and creating a more affordable city for generations to come.”
The initiative — which was approved by the New York City Council on December 5, 2024 — aims to deliver “a little more housing in every neighborhood” through carefully-crafted zoning changes, including creating a new affordable housing bonus; legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADU) for homeowners; re-legalizing three-, four-, or five-story apartment buildings near transit and along commercial corridors; reducing costly parking mandates for new construction; and allowing underused office buildings to become housing; among other reforms.
Already, many of these new tools are being used to create new housing across the city:
Universal Affordability Preference: Over 100 housing developments across the five boroughs have already applied to use the Universal Affordability Preference, which allows buildings in medium- and high-density parts of the city to add at least 20 percent more housing if the additional homes are permanently affordable. These projects are expected to deliver 5,400 new homes, of which approximately 900 would be affordable to households at an average 60 percent Area Median Income.
High-density zoning districts: New, higher-density R11 and R12 zoning districts created through City of Yes have been mapped in Mayor Adams’ Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan that the City Council approved in August, where they will deliver 9,500 new homes, including 2,800 permanently income-restricted affordable homes. These new zoning districts are also being proposed at the site of the future 125th Street Second Avenue Subway station and at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension in Downtown Brooklyn, which are currently in public review, where they could deliver another 1,800 new homes.
Reduced parking mandates: Rolled-back requirements for off-street parking are also helping to deliver more housing near transit. For example:
At 2060 Walton Avenue in the Bronx, an underused lot close to the 4, B, and D trains is being transformed into 94 new homes — without the 25 parking spots that had previously been required, a change that meaningfully lowers building costs.
At 21 Freeman Street in Brooklyn, a vacant lot close to the G train is set to become over 500 new homes without the 140 parking spaces that would have been required prior to City of Yes.
Meanwhile, as envisioned, new housing in less transit-accessible areas continues to include parking.
Office-to-residential conversions: Together with the 467-M tax incentive — which the Adams administration successfully advocated for in Albany — City of Yes has supported a boom of office-to-residential conversion projects. There are more than 12,000 homes in the pipeline from office conversions, including more than 3,000 permanently affordable units.
Landmark Transferable Development Rights: In the last year, five landmarked buildings have begun seeking approval to transfer their development rights to nearby housing projects through a process that was streamlined and expanded by City of Yes. These transfers will enable over 400,000 square feet of new development, while bringing in additional revenue to support maintenance of landmarked buildings. Those five applications in less than one year compare to a total of 15 applications over more than 50 years before City of Yes.
Accessory Dwelling Units: So far this year, the New York City Department of Buildings has received 98 filings from homeowners in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, seeking to construct ADUs on their properties. Half of these filings have come in just the past two months, since the city finalized rules for safe, code-compliant ADUs and launched the “ADU for You” homeowner assistance program. ADUs like backyard cottages, garage conversions, and basement apartments are a proven tool to support homeowners and expand housing choice in lower-density areas without a changing neighborhood’s look-and-feel.
As these City of Yes tools are deployed, new data shows that New York City permitted 22.8 percent more new homes in 2025 than the same time period in 2024 (through October 23), when the Adams administration was already shattering several housing records for the second year in a row. This permitting increase includes a boom in homes from alterations — more than double the number of permitted units from 2024, many of which are from office conversions — and an increase in units from new construction over the previous year.
The Adams administration has continued working to deliver the full benefits of City of Yes, including successfully defending the policy in court, where a judge recently dismissed a challenge. HPD also recently released the Shared Housing Roadmap, which — building on the City of Yes zoning reforms and in concert with new legislation — clears the way for reintroducing shared homes as a safe, affordable housing option for single New Yorkers.
Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the Adams administration created the most affordable rental units in city history and celebrated back-to-back-to-back record-breaking years for producing permanently-affordable homes for formerly-homeless New Yorkers, placing homeless New Yorkers into housing, and connecting New Yorkers to housing through the city’s housing lottery. HPD has now produced nearly 86,000 affordable homes since the start of the Adams administration, with the last three fiscal years representing the most new affordable homes ever created in a three fiscal-year stretch (FY 2023 to FY 2025).
Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” strategy in his State of the City address earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.
Further, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The “Partners in Preservation” program was expanded citywide in 2024 through a $24-million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.
“A mayoral administration rarely advances a policy that can fundamentally change the future health of a city for generations to come. The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, coupled with the City Council led “City For All” initiative, is such a policy,” said Marc Greenberg, executive director, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing. “With City of Yes, the Adams administration has changed the momentum of a city that has been losing ground on affordable housing for decades and has begun again to lift Lady Liberty’s Lamp beside New York City’s golden door.”
“One year after the passage of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the results speak for themselves. Across all five boroughs, thousands of new homes are being constructed thanks to modernized zoning that promotes transit-oriented development, the elimination of outdated parking mandates, new tools like the Universal Affordability Preference, expanded opportunities for office-to-residential conversions, and more,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “Among the most significant wins are more than 12,000 homes, including 3,000 permanently affordable units, already in the pipeline from office-to-residential conversions, breathing new life into underused buildings and neighborhoods. This is the smart, forward-thinking development New York has needed for decades, and it’s exactly why the Building Congress worked so closely with the Adams administration to get it across the finish line.”
“City of Yes is already proving to be a major step toward achievement of our housing goals,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. “This carefully crafted initiative is encouraging development that is consistent with neighborhood standards by lowering costs and accelerating or eliminating the need for multiple public approvals.”
“As we mark one year since the launch of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, we’re already seeing real progress on housing growth in New York City,” said Rachel Fee, executive director, New York Housing Conference. “Housing continues to be one of New Yorkers’ most urgent needs, and City of Yes shows what a common-sense approach can deliver. By modernizing outdated rules and unlocking new housing in every community, City of Yes is giving New Yorkers the tools to spur affordable housing production. This initiative is clearing the path for meaningful housing victories, including the passage of ballot Proposals 2 – 5, and laying the groundwork for even more progress in the year ahead. We commend the administration for advancing these critical reforms to reduce delays and promote a fairer, more equitable distribution of housing across the city.”
“One year after the passage of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, we’re seeing what happens when New York City chooses vision over fear,” said Emma Pfohman, CEO, Association for a Better New York (ABNY). “ABNY applauds the herculean work of the Adams administration, in partnership with Governor Hochul and the City Council, to pass the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and approve the creation of thousands of units through the successful rezonings championed by the Department of City Planning over the last year. Together, these efforts ensure New York remains a city where every resident has the chance to live, thrive, and build their future.”
“In just its first year, City of Yes has opened the door to more homes in every borough,” said Andrew Fine, chief of staff and policy director, Open New York. “In the Bronx, longtime proposals are finally moving forward with deeper levels of affordability. Homeowners from Staten Island to Queens are excited to add ADUs, and in Brooklyn, new apartment buildings near the subway are being built without costly parking requirements. In Manhattan, the Midtown South rezoning was the first to use new higher-density districts, creating room for more homes through office conversions and new construction. All of this shows what is possible when City leaders work together to break down barriers to housing. And since then, the need for homes and the public’s support for building them have only grown. With November’s historic pro-housing ballot proposals behind us, we are ready to keep working toward a more affordable future for New York.”
“A year on from the most expansive citywide zoning changes for housing that New York City has seen, it’s a great moment to reflect on this achievement, and redouble our commitment to its implementation,” said Howard Slatkin, executive director, Citizens Housing and Planning Council. “City of Yes has opened the door for a generation of new housing achievements, which with sustained effort can stand as a legacy to what we can do when we agree that no challenge is too large for New Yorkers to tackle.”
“One year ago marked a turning point in the fight against New York City’s housing crisis with the enactment of the City of Yes zoning text amendments,” said Baaba Halm, senior vice president for programs, Enterprise Community Partners. “By allowing more housing types, increased density, and more flexible zoning options in a wider swath of New York, we collectively took a major step toward significantly increasing needed housing supply and reducing development barriers which add costs. Importantly, the amendments also specifically increased affordable housing, and came alongside robust new capital and programmatic resources. The results are already evident through more projects in the pipeline, and we look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”
“Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester is driven by a simple goal, to create permanent, affordable homeownership opportunities for New Yorkers who need them most,” said Sabrina Lippman, CEO, Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester. “One year after the approval of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, we’re already expanding our pipeline by nearly 50 percent as a direct result of zoning reforms that remove barriers and make it easier to build. City of Yes is perfectly aligned with Habitat’s work to build stable, inclusive communities and ensure more families can call New York City home.”
“One year in and we are already seeing the tremendous impact of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. This landmark rezoning has already begun to unlock meaningful opportunities to deliver high quality, affordable homes in neighborhoods across the city. By removing outdated barriers and enabling smarter, more flexible design, we are creating the conditions for a more equitable and resilient city,” said Jesse Lazar, executive director, American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. “Building on the momentum generated by City of Yes, we must continue to explore how we capture the future value of our city today, creating thriving communities and building housing that serves all New Yorkers.”
“The rising cost of housing is chipping away at hard-earned wages and pushing too many New Yorkers out of the city. Last year’s passage of the landmark City of Yes legislation represented a monumental step forward toward addressing the urgent housing affordability crisis,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU. “We’re seeing progress and look forward to continuing this momentum alongside stakeholders, to deliver the housing essential workers and their communities need, while creating thousands of good jobs.”
“City of Yes is a landmark achievement and a testament to the hard work of everyone who helped make these vital zoning reforms a reality,” said Basha Gerhards, executive vice president of public policy, Real Estate Board of New York. “With growing momentum behind adaptive reuse, New York City has the best conversion rules in the country, positioning us to unlock much needed homes across all five boroughs.”
“After one year, City of Yes is delivering on the promise of more affordable housing and giving hope to the over 2 million New Yorkers struggling to keep a roof over their head,” said Rich Buery, CEO, Robin Hood. “By taking an all-of-the-above approach, the city is unleashing the pent-up potential we knew existed. When paired with the recent pro-housing City Charter amendments, overwhelmingly approved by voters, our city is making progress toward being a place where people of all incomes can live, raise children, and flourish.”
“City of Yes set a new bar for what pro-housing policy can look like in New York, and the first year has already shown that the old excuses for doing nothing don’t hold up,” said Aaron Carr, founder and executive director, Housing Rights Initiative. “It’s given us a real foundation to build upon and proven that smarter zoning and bolder reforms can actually make a dent in our housing crisis. This is just the beginning.”
Governor Kathy Hochul announced 19 new nominations to the State and National Registers of Historic Places, positioning communities across New York to leverage powerful economic development tools, including state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits and preservation grants. Spanning urban public housing, energy-efficient commercial design in Buffalo, industrial complexes, rural mill neighborhoods, and architecturally significant churches and residences, these designations help drive private investment, support adaptive reuse, and catalyze community revitalization. New York already leads the nation in the use of historic tax credits, with $7.17 billion in rehabilitation costs between 2018 and 2024 and more than $16.4 billion in project expenditures since 2009, generating over 91,000 jobs and $1.79 billion in tax revenue. The newly nominated sites further align historic preservation with economic growth, offering property owners and municipalities expanded access to incentives that strengthen local economies while safeguarding long-term cultural and real estate value.
Governor Hochul Announces 19 Nominations for State and National Registers of Historic Place
Governor Kathy Hochul… announced recommendations by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation to add 19 properties and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The nominations include an office building with a pioneering design in energy efficiency in Buffalo, an Arts and Crafts church on Staten Island, a new historic district in Essex County, and the Cortland home of a leader in New York’s Women’s Club Movement.
“The history of the people of New York is imprinted in the architecture and places around us,” Governor Hochul said. “These nominations to the State and National Registers show our commitment to preserving New York’s rich and diverse story and making it accessible for future generations. By recognizing these landmarks and the people behind them, we are strengthening our communities, boosting local pride and ensuring that history remains a living part of New York’s future.”
The nominations were reviewed on December 3, 2025, at a meeting of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Identifying and nominating historic resources for the State and National Registers is a key step in preserving our shared past. As stewards for New York’s history, we recognize the positive impact listings in the registers have on communities throughout the state. From recording local history before it is lost to unlocking access to grants and incentive programs, the State and National Register programs create opportunities to inspire pride of place, encourage investment, and catalyze collaborations.”
State and National Register listings can assist owners in revitalizing properties, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel Mackay said, “The Division for Historic Preservation works to ensure that the State and National Registers of Historic Places continue to grow and reflect New York’s remarkable history. With this goal, we are expanding our understanding of our past and providing access to incentive programs that can help preserve and revitalize our historic assets for the future. By connecting property owners with resources, historic preservation becomes a shared, statewide effort. We’re proud to be part of this impactful work.”
New York State continues to lead the nation in the use of historic tax credits, with $7.17 billion in total rehabilitation costs from 2018-2024. Since 2009, the historic tax credit program has stimulated over $16.4 billion in project expenditures in New York State, creating significant investment and new jobs. According to a report, between 2019-2023, the credits in New York State generated 91,386 jobs and over $1.79 billion in local, state and federal taxes.
The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 128,000 historic properties throughout the state listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once recommendations are approved by the Commissioner, who serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, the properties are listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed by the National Park Service and, once approved, entered in the National Register. More information, with photos of the nominations, is available on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.
Capital Region
Dr. Jay McDonald Towers, Albany County – Constructed in 1972, this ten-story senior housing tower is the City of Cohoes’ first example of senior apartments. The building is located in the central business district, anchoring the north end of Remsen Street as a mid-rise, red brick building with an exposed concrete structural system. The design embodies a restrained modern aesthetic with an emphasis on form, materials, and structure. Inside, the apartments follow standard recommendations for senior housing, featuring bathtubs with grab bars, non-skid floors, and wider door openings. The McDonald Towers are associated with the Cohoes Housing Authority’s Model Cities Program, authorized by the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. In addition to funding new, improved housing, the Model Cities program also endeavored to provide additional community services, such as job training, code enforcement, and improved public education. In 1970, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved a $13 million Model Cities grant to Cohoes, and McDonald Towers was among the most significant of the projects proposed.
Roulier Heights Historic District, Albany County – This small complex of ten apartment buildings and one community center in the City of Cohoes was the Cohoes Housing Authority’s first completed project. Built in 1961, the complex was designed around an elliptical drive just west of Cohoes’s central business district. The rows line both sides of the street, face each other, and there are paved paths in front of and behind the buildings. Each apartment block comprises a row of six to ten two-story townhouses, with individual entrances, interior wood floors, and dedicated storage space. Established in 1952 with support from state legislation and federal funding, the Cohoes Housing Authority was formed to respond to post-World War II housing shortage pressures in the city, which was felt even more severely with the significant downsizing of Cohoes’ nation-leading textile manufacturing mills which also happened after the war.
Central New York
Benton-Sherwood House, Cortland County – The house at 79 Central Avenue in Cortland is significant for its association with Jeannette Benton Sherwood (1863-1938) and the Women’s Club Movement of the early twentieth century. A key organizer of women’s clubs in Cortland County and later a leader in statewide roles with the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs, Sherwood hosted numerous meetings at her childhood home, which she occupied from 1899-1921. Sherwood’s father, lumberman and one-time village president Henry F. Benton, built the substantial brick Second Empire style house in 1874. The largest and most elaborate of its type in Cortland, the house features a French-inspired mansard roof, a central tower that contains both the front entrance and spiraling cantilevered stair, as well as fine doors, moldings, and parquet floors. Many architectural details may have been manufactured at Benton’s nearby planing mill. The house’s parlor was a popular meeting space for groups connected with Sherwood; it served as the location of the founding meeting of the Tioughnioga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1900. In addition to her women’s clubs activities, Sherwood was also chair of the Cortland Fresh Air committee, chair of the statewide Victory War Fund during the First World War, participated in the Women’s Suffrage Movement, served as the founder and first president of the Cortland County Historical Society, and served on the board of the New York Historical Association.
Lustron House Westchester Deluxe Model 02, Onondaga County –Located in the city of Syracuse, the house showcases important developments in post-World War II prefabricated houses. It is an excellent example of the Lustron Corporation’s Westchester two-bedroom “Model 02” and includes “deluxe” features such as a pass-through cabinet dividing the kitchen and dining area, a living room bay window, and a built-in vanity in the master bedroom. The Lustron Corporation, located in Columbus Ohio, used an assembly line to produce all-steel building components that could be shipped in pieces across the country and assembled on-site. The technology was an advanced prefab solution to the severe housing shortages in the post-war era.
Mohawk Valley
West Winfield Historic District, Herkimer County – Located in the Town of Winfield, the historic district consists of 315 resources at the intersection of the historic Great Western Turnpike (State Route 20) and County Route 51. The district embodies a community that developed because of these transportation routes and the local mills along the North Winfield Creek and the East Branch of the Unadilla River. The built environment in West Winfield represents its development from ca. 1790 through 1970. Architectural styles convey popular trends from the 1800s to the mid-1900s.
New York City
Bay View Houses, Kings County –Bay View Houses is a large public housing complex for middle-income tenants in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn. It was built in 1955-56 under New York City Housing Authority’s City IV program, the last phase of city-funded public housing before legislation such as the Mitchell-Lama law of 1955 shifted the responsibility for building middle-income housing onto private developers and away from city government. It reflects ideas about public housing, methods of financing, siting, and design at a time when the nation as a whole was grappling with the proper role of government and private capital in developing affordable housing, especially for middle-income residents.
Northwest Bronx Scatter Site Housing, Bronx County (Three Nominations: Bailey Ave-West 193rd St Houses; East 180th St-Monterey Ave Houses; Fort Independence St-Heath Ave Houses) – These three public housing developments in the Bronx, all completed in the early 1970s, are the bricks-and-mortar embodiment of the long, often messy, and ultimately imperfect work of implementing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They were built under New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) scatter site program, a federally mandated attempt to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. That law prohibited discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any federally funded program, including public housing. The federal government’s solution was to require local housing authorities to disperse (or scatter) a portion of new housing developments throughout the city, particularly in middle-class neighborhoods on the periphery, away from areas of racial concentration. New York City’s scatter site program launched in early 1966 during the first months of Mayor John Lindsay’s administration, with NYCHA completing its first scatter site developments in the early 1970s. In developing the scatter site housing program, federal and local housing officials implicitly acknowledged that decades of earlier policies had actively contributed to racial discrimination and residential segregation. Reactions to New York’s scatter site program revealed deep divisions among city residents, as well as persistent prejudice and racism. The first of NYCHA’s proposed scatter site developments met with significant resistance in many of the neighborhoods for which they were proposed, including those in the Northwest Bronx.
Richard Mott House, Queens County – The Richard Mott House is locally significant as a rare, unique, and intact example of Shingle-style architecture in the Bayswater neighborhood of Far Rockaway. Richard Mott, a hotel owner and member of a well-established Far Rockaway family, refashioned a barn or outbuilding into a two-story beachside cottage in 1909 to use as his art studio. After his retirement in 1915, he lived full-time in the house until his death in 1925. With the demolition or alteration of many other Shingle homes in the neighborhood, the Richard Mott House stands as a remnant of a style which was common among coastal vacation towns such as Far Rockaway in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Moreover, the house is significant as an idiosyncratic, vernacular labor of Richard Mott. Mott was a hobbyist landscape artist and builder who customized the house as his personal refuge, studio, and gallery of his work and tastes. The house is replete with Mott’s own murals of Far Rockaway’s scenic marine landscapes, built-in wood furniture, custom wood molding, and stained-glass windows.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Staten Island, Richmond County – The Unitarian Universalist Church of Staten Island (UUCSI) is locally significant as an example of the application of Arts and Crafts principles to a suburban church complex. Designed by Brooklyn-based architect, Quaker, and social reformer Frank Haviland Quinby, UUCSI’s buildings incorporate Tudor Revival, Queen Anne, and Shingle style references in an eclectic mix. Quinby’s choice of Arts and Crafts principles is notable because of their alignment with Unitarian faith’s social and political aims, placing UUCSI’s campus in a tradition of late-1800s Unitarian “Church Home” buildings emphasizing warmth, functionality, natural materials, and modest, residential scales.
North Country
Au Sable Forks Historic District, Essex County – Au Sable Forks Historic District is in the far northern reaches of Essex County and is uniquely positioned on a peninsula where the western and eastern branches of the Saranac River meet. The region’s abundant lumber, waterways, and proximity to iron deposits made it an ideal location for logging and iron ore processing in the 1800s, and it later became a hub for the pulp industry. The J.&J. Rogers Company was the primary driver of industrialization, with Au Sable Forks as their headquarters. The district, which is roughly bound by the branches of the river, essentially developed as a company town for the Rogers Company and remained as such until the early 1970s. The town is notable as one of the few intact company towns in this part of the Adirondacks. Additionally, Au Sable Forks suffered a tragic fire in 1925 that wiped out its entire commercial corridor. The resulting architecture in the wake of the fire was entirely fireproof and provides a good representative example of a Main Street almost entirely composed of 1920s and early 1930s commercial architecture. There are 80 resources within the district, including two properties that are already individually-listed on the National Register: the Graves Mansion and the Tahawus Masonic Lodge.
Hamlet of Schuyler Falls Historic District, Clinton County – The proposed district is located at the intersection of NY Route 22B (Pleasant Street) and Felton Road in the Hamlet of Schuyler Falls and comprises twenty-two resources. After the Turner Grist Mill was established on the Salmon River in 1827, the area developed as a largely residential neighborhood for mill owners, managers, and working-class employees. The extant grist mill and remaining homes express the ways in which residents created a tight-knit rural community that was collectively focused on both industry and agriculture throughout the 1800s. Buildings range from the 1820s to approximately 1900 and include a variety of architectural styles.
Western New York
Buffalo Envelope Company Building, Buffalo, Erie County – The Buffalo Envelope Company Building, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Seneca Street, derives its significance from industrial history for its association with envelope manufacturing and sales between 1909 and 1959. The Buffalo Envelope Company, founded at another location in 1888, moved into the six-story portion of this building (built for speculative purchases in 1899) in 1899. Multiple additions to the building were built during the twentieth century until it occupied an entire city block, attesting to the growth and success of the industry. A spiraling chute is still intact in the tall portion of the building, showing how envelope production started at the top and then step by step the envelopes worked their way down through the building as part of the assembly process. Buffalo Envelope Company was bought by Ohio-based Champion International in 1959, and they in turn sold the building in 1989, when it ceased to be used as a production facility.
Burton H. Hurd House, Erie County – The Burton H. Hurd House in Elmira is locally significant as an early-1900s suburban residence with Colonial Revival style features. The house was built for Burton H. Hurd, a descendent of one of Elma’s earliest families and a regionally prominent business figure in Buffalo’s lumber industry. In 1912, he commissioned architects Harris & Merritt to design a secondary residence for use in the summer months. As a member of a wealthy and prominent family, Hurd desired a space to entertain guests and demonstrate his social status while also allowing servants to discretely perform domestic labor. The emphasis on separation of utilitarian space is evident in Harris & Merritt’s plan, with all such areas housed in the north wing, offsetting the facade’s design. The separation of service space is further emphasized by features such as the small first floor pantry that connects to the kitchen and dining room, and a set of stairs that provides direct access to the maids’ room, kitchen, and laundry room in the basement. These design choices allowed staff to remain virtually hidden while serving the family or guests. Essential elements, including the front and rear porches, balustrades, and windows have all remained largely intact to the building’s original design. While some alterations have occurred, the primary spaces retain the majority of their materials, finishes, and configuration, reflecting their contemporary use and patterns of living.
Center and Pearl Streets Historic District, Chautauqua County – The Center and Pearl Streets Historic District is part of the former village of Forestville in the town of Hanover. Situated between Forestville’s commercial Main Street and the railroad depot, the district encompasses an area that evolved from a collection of mills and houses in forested land in the early 1800s, into a vibrant tree-lined streetscape that was the home to some of the community’s most prosperous families. The district grew in the sparsely developed land between the town center and rail depot following the arrival of the New York & Erie Railroad in 1851. The Center and Pearl Streets Historic District preserves a rare residential enclave that experienced continued changes and expansion over the course of a century as passenger and freight use of the railroad gave way to automobiles and trucks. The residents of the historic district directly contributed to and benefitted from access to railroad, ranging from railroad employees, local business owners, farmers, and locally significant professional lawyers, all who settled along for convenient access to both a major regional transportation route and the nearby town business district. This broad pattern of development was unique to Forestville, providing a rich study in the development of an isolated rural agricultural community into one connected to the larger world through the railroad.
Norstar Building, Erie County – Downtown Buffalo’s Norstar Building, conceived by Mark Mendell of Cannon Design and constructed in 1981-1982, is architecturally significant for its pioneering design in the realm of energy efficiency. In the wake of the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the office building’s design utilizes multiple elements that enabled cost-saving systems, including its dramatically angled site orientation that incorporates passive solar design and wind screening, an emphasis on natural lighting using light shelves and a skylit atrium, and roof-mounted phase change solar collectors for heat transfer. Many of these elements were the first of their kind in downtown Buffalo and represent their first appearance together to provide an innovative approach to energy efficiency. Despite being less than fifty years of age, the building has exceptional significance as an early experiment in what is now recognized as sustainable design.
The Saint Mary of the Angels Complex, Cattaraugus County – Nestled on a small hill rising from the Allegany river in a shady residential neighborhood in the City of Olean, the Saint Mary of the Angels Complex encompasses five buildings: the Roman Catholic Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, the former Saint Mary’s convent, former rectory and carriage house, and the parish life center/former Saint Mary’s Academy. Built in 1915, the basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels is a magnificent twin-spired three-story Gothic Revival stone church, renowned not just for its exterior beauty but also the magnificent Munich-style windows and interior art. The former Academy building and convent, built together in 1924, are themselves stately red brick Tudor-style buildings with limestone trim, and the former rectory and carriage house form a well-preserved example of a Victorian residence. The Saint Mary of the Angels complex has long been a significant part of the spiritual and educational fabric of the Olean community and the basilica – one of only 93 so designated in the United States – is widely regarded as an architectural and artistic gem.
Smith-Henry Building, Erie County – Originally built in 1855 as a two-story single-family residence with a rear extension for hatmaker Samuel Smith, the Smith-Henry Building in Buffalo is an exemplary example of early 1900s adaptive reuse that demonstrates the impact of commercial real estate development on 1800s domestic architecture in an evolving urban setting. In 1914 the brick building was altered and enlarged by lawyer and real estate developer John J. Henry to accommodate two ground-floor storefronts and several apartment units upstairs. Henry’s unorthodox alteration of the building involved enveloping the front of the house with a new three-story portion that expanded the building’s potential to meet the changing rental needs of the neighborhood. The result is a building that contains both mid-1800s details in what otherwise appears as a 1910s two-part commercial block.
