The "Sheds be Shedding" Edition
Some things are forever, like sidewalk sheds.
How would you like to write an edition of The Briefly? I’m looking for people interested in having their voices and stories heard in April. I want to find some people interested in taking over for a day. You don’t have to write them in the same way that I do. You can write an essay, a diary, photos, a list of your favorite bartenders, poetry, or any way you’d like to express yourself. Reply to this email if you’re interested. You don’t need a solid idea, just an interest.
• The LaGuardia AirTrain is finally dead. The Port Authority is looking to expand bus access to the airport. (Ben Brachfeld for Queens Post)
• Some folks tried to protest against congestion pricing and it did not go well. Every attempt to argue against congestion pricing is met with embarrassing real-world statistics. (Christopher Robbins for Hell Gate)
• Take a look at the pedestrian plazas headed for Broadway between Madison and Herald Squares. (Jake Offenhartz for Gothamist)
• There are new trains on the A and C lines as well as the Staten Island Railway, the first new cars to hit the subway since 2017. The new trains are replacing trains from the 70s. In the 2070s, these new trains might be decommissioned. (Jose Martinez for The City)
• Former NYPD cop and January 6 rioter Sara Carpenter is guilty of two felonies and five misdemeanors. Carpenter will be sentenced in July. (Matt Troutman for Patch)
Only 45% of you would never use a subway bathroom. 16% of you already have.
• When federal funds went out to help renters, it only applied to private-sector renters, with NYCHA renters not receiving any aid. There are over 70,000 NYCHA tenants that are $466 million behind in rent, which is starting to cause a strain on NYCHA's ability to continue upgrades. The state legislature is expected to propose $389 million to fill some of the gap. As with any relief project of this size, details must be hammered out, but the goal is to first undo the damage of prioritizing private-sector tenants (and landlords). (Greg B. Smith for The City)
• The city continues its shell game for migrant housing, as the last Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center set up in the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will close after two months. The reason for closing the shelter? It's not because it was referred to as "inhumane," but instead because keeping it longer would disrupt cruise season. Two new facilities will open in Bushwick and Midtown. (Catalina Gonella for Gothamist)
• Podcast: Hell Gate dares to ask: Is New york's legal week dank enough? (Hell Gate)
• We've been talking about delayed repairs to the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island for almost as long as I've been publishing The Briefly. (Jada Camille for Brooklyn Paper)
• A look at the situation with street vendors in Flushing, where economic pressures have created a situation that's unfair to everyone involved. (Haidee Chu for The City)
• Over 230 sidewalk sheds have been up for over five years and the average set of scaffolding has been up for about a year and a half. A new report outlines how to cut those times down by reducing delays, reforming design standards, and increasing penalties. (Aaron Ginsburg for 6sqft)
• Photos: Competitive Winter Picnicking, your favorite fake sporting event you never knew about (unless you read about it last year). (Scott Lynch for Brooklyn Magazine)
• A guide to Brooklyn's Little Caribbean neighborhood. (Untapped New York)
• The city's main oversight agency's budget was cut by a projected 10% and is making do with double-digit vacancies, resulting in slowed-down investigations. It's like the Penguin runs this town. (Katie Honan for The City)
• The SNL editorial team is set to strike on April 1 unless they can reach an agreement on a contract. (Matt Tourtman for Patch)
• The Brooklyn Public Library is asking its members to sign an open letter to the mayor in hopes of reversing the mayor's millions of dollars in budget cuts to the library. The total library cuts over the next three years is less than 16% of the money the city paid as a result of lawsuits in 2022. (Brooklyn Magazine)
• Ten old-fashioned candy stores in the city. (Nicole Saraniero for Untapped New York)
• 28 places to watch March Madness. (Aaron Ginsburg for 6sqft)
Top Clicked Links in the Last Edition:
Prospect Park loop to get fresh asphalt, redesign for pedestrians and cyclists
Ghosts, Illegal Flushes, UFOs: Video Shows Most 'Outrageous' 311 Calls
Featured Pet: Dwayne The Cat Johnson!
Today’s featured pet is the people’s kitty! Dwayne The Cat Johnson is not modest. Thanks to Jess for sending in today’s pic! Send your own to thebriefly@gmail.com.
