Who Gets It Done and How
Content
WHO IT DONEGETS & HOW A People’s Guide to Development in New York City
WHO IT DONEGETS & HOW A People’s Guide to Development in New York City
Generously supported by:
A B O U T M AS
BOA R D O F D I R E C TOR S
Founded in 1893, the Municipal Art Society (MAS) has helped create a more livable city by advocating for the
Chair: Frederick Iseman President: Vin Cipolla Treasurer: Tre asurer: James M. Clark, Jr.
Sophia Koven David W. Levinson Christy MacLear
quality of the built environment through excellence in urban planning, design, preservation, and placemaking. From saving Grand Central Terminal and the lights of Times Square to establishing groundbreaking land-use and preservation laws that have become national models, MAS is at the forefront of New York’s most important campaigns to promote our city’s economic vitality,, cultural vibrancy, environmental sustainability vitality sustainability,,
Secretary: Frances Resheske General Counsel: Earl Weiner, Esq. Enid L. Beal Elizabeth Belfer Eugenie L. Birch Serena Boardman Gabriel Calatrava Lisa Smith Cashin Vishaan Chakrabarti Kathryn C. Chenault, Esq. Carol Coletta Michael P. Donovan Mark Fisch Susan K. Freedman Kitty Hawks Manuela V. Hoelterhoff
Chris McCartin Joseph A. McMillan, Jr. Gregory Morey Richard Olcott Barbara Koz Paley Julio Peterson Carlos Pujol David F. Solomon Kent M. Swig Yeohlee Teng Thomas Vecchione Thomas L. Woltz William H. Wright II Gary J. Zarr
and social diversity. MAS has played a critical role in the creation of the New York City Planning Commission, Design Commission, and Landmarks Preservation Commission, and has served as an incubator for such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory, and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.
MAS A PEOPLE’S GUIDE TEAM
DIRECTORS EMERITI Kent Barwick David M. Childs Joan K. Davidson Hugh Hardy Philip K. Howard John E. Merow, Esq. Frederic S. Papert
Alison Brown, Joanna Crispe, Mike Ernst, Aileen Gorsuch, Sami Naim, Kate Slevin, Casey Uy, Karyn
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Williams
Mary Rowe
Charles A. Platt Janet C. Ross Whitney North Seymour, Jr., Esq. Jerry I. Speyer Stephen C. Swid Helen S. Tucker
TABLE OF CONTENTS GRAPHIC DESIGN Pure and Applied
02 04
[ 1 ] Introduction [ 2 ] New York City Government
20 36 44 48 54 58 62 70
[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
72 77
You? ? [ 11 ] Who Represents You [ 12] Glossary
Understanding the Development Process Affordable Housing Parks Streets Neighborhood Economic Development Community-Based Resilience Budgets Public Hearings
The Municipal Art Society of New York
1
1 INTRODUCTION
FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW YORK CITY
Many New York City communities seek a larger role in shaping their built environment and in planning for their future. Public involvement is critical to achieving a more just and equitable city and is a fundamental component of successful planning. But effective community participation requires basic knowledge of existing structures and processes by which plans, policies, and day-to-day decisions are made.
THE BRONX MANHATTAN
QUEENS
BROOKLYN
This document intends to explain the planning and development processes in New York City and give communities basic information about who controls what, why they make decisions, and how to influence those decisions. With these tools, citizens can become more effective advocates for their communities.
STATEN ISLAND
MANHATTAN:
NEW YORK COUNTY
QUEENS:
QUEENS COUNTY
BROOKLYN:
KINGS COUNTY
BRONX:
BRONX COUNTY
STATEN ISLAND:
RICHMOND COUNTY
New York City’s political geography is unique. The City is made up of five boroughs. The boroughs belong to their own county. 2
Who Gets It Done & How
The Municipal Art Society of New York
3
WHO IT DONEGETS & HOW A People’s Guide to Development in New York City
Generously supported by:
A B O U T M AS
BOA R D O F D I R E C TOR S
Founded in 1893, the Municipal Art Society (MAS) has helped create a more livable city by advocating for the
Chair: Frederick Iseman President: Vin Cipolla Treasurer: Tre asurer: James M. Clark, Jr.
Sophia Koven David W. Levinson Christy MacLear
quality of the built environment through excellence in urban planning, design, preservation, and placemaking. From saving Grand Central Terminal and the lights of Times Square to establishing groundbreaking land-use and preservation laws that have become national models, MAS is at the forefront of New York’s most important campaigns to promote our city’s economic vitality,, cultural vibrancy, environmental sustainability vitality sustainability,,
Secretary: Frances Resheske General Counsel: Earl Weiner, Esq. Enid L. Beal Elizabeth Belfer Eugenie L. Birch Serena Boardman Gabriel Calatrava Lisa Smith Cashin Vishaan Chakrabarti Kathryn C. Chenault, Esq. Carol Coletta Michael P. Donovan Mark Fisch Susan K. Freedman Kitty Hawks Manuela V. Hoelterhoff
Chris McCartin Joseph A. McMillan, Jr. Gregory Morey Richard Olcott Barbara Koz Paley Julio Peterson Carlos Pujol David F. Solomon Kent M. Swig Yeohlee Teng Thomas Vecchione Thomas L. Woltz William H. Wright II Gary J. Zarr
and social diversity. MAS has played a critical role in the creation of the New York City Planning Commission, Design Commission, and Landmarks Preservation Commission, and has served as an incubator for such civic organizations as the Public Art Fund, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council, the Park Avenue Armory, and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.
MAS A PEOPLE’S GUIDE TEAM
DIRECTORS EMERITI Kent Barwick David M. Childs Joan K. Davidson Hugh Hardy Philip K. Howard John E. Merow, Esq. Frederic S. Papert
Alison Brown, Joanna Crispe, Mike Ernst, Aileen Gorsuch, Sami Naim, Kate Slevin, Casey Uy, Karyn
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Williams
Mary Rowe
Charles A. Platt Janet C. Ross Whitney North Seymour, Jr., Esq. Jerry I. Speyer Stephen C. Swid Helen S. Tucker
TABLE OF CONTENTS GRAPHIC DESIGN Pure and Applied
02 04
[ 1 ] Introduction [ 2 ] New York City Government
20 36 44 48 54 58 62 70
[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
72 77
You? ? [ 11 ] Who Represents You [ 12] Glossary
Understanding the Development Process Affordable Housing Parks Streets Neighborhood Economic Development Community-Based Resilience Budgets Public Hearings
The Municipal Art Society of New York
1
1 INTRODUCTION
FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW YORK CITY
Many New York City communities seek a larger role in shaping their built environment and in planning for their future. Public involvement is critical to achieving a more just and equitable city and is a fundamental component of successful planning. But effective community participation requires basic knowledge of existing structures and processes by which plans, policies, and day-to-day decisions are made.
THE BRONX MANHATTAN
QUEENS
BROOKLYN
This document intends to explain the planning and development processes in New York City and give communities basic information about who controls what, why they make decisions, and how to influence those decisions. With these tools, citizens can become more effective advocates for their communities.
STATEN ISLAND
MANHATTAN:
NEW YORK COUNTY
QUEENS:
QUEENS COUNTY
BROOKLYN:
KINGS COUNTY
BRONX:
BRONX COUNTY
STATEN ISLAND:
RICHMOND COUNTY
New York City’s political geography is unique. The City is made up of five boroughs. The boroughs belong to their own county. 2
Who Gets It Done & How
The Municipal Art Society of New York
3
