News in New York – NYC 2024 DNC, Penn Station Deal, NYS Admin Appointments

Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul Make In-Person Pitch to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention

Last Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul hosted officials from the Democratic National Committee to make their pitch to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention in NYC. Adams and Hochul made their in-person pitch to DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and technical advisers, taking them on a tour of Madison Square Garden and the Javits Center, as well as some of NYC’s iconic hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions. The Mayor estimates that the event will bring in more than 30,000 people and generate over $230 million in economic development. Three other cities have submitted proposals to host the 2024 convention, and the DNC is expected to announce their decision later this fall. The last time the city hosted the DNC was in 1992, where Bill Clinton was nominated as the Democratic candidate for President.

Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Penn Station Deal

Last Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced the outline of a deal to rehab and redevelop Penn Station and the surrounding area. The announced deal will grant private developers, mainly Vornado Realty, tax breaks to help fund the improvements, using a system known as Payments in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOTs. The plan was announced as the State prepared to apply for funding from the Biden administration’s federal infrastructure package. The proposal calls for a complete overhaul of Penn Station, transforming it into a light-filled single-level train hall with wider corridors and an easier layout to navigate, as well as the creation of about eight acres of public space and new protected bike lanes nearby. Further, developers plan to build 10 skyscrapers, containing mostly office space, and add 1,800 units of housing, of which about a third would be rent-regulated. Under the announced agreement, the amount of PILOT payments collected in excess of existing property taxes will help fund the project. On Thursday, the Empire State Development Corporation approved the plan, and the proposal now heads to the Public Authorities Control Board for a final vote this Wednesday.

Governor Hochul Announces Several Administration Appointments

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced several administration appointments. The Governor appointed Stacy Lynch as Chief of Staff to the Governor and Edgar Santana as Deputy Secretary to the Governor. Lynch most recently served as Senior Advisor to the Governor, and before that was Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor. Santana has previously served as Director of Downstate Regional Affairs in the Executive Chamber. Hochul also appointed Minelly De Coo as Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Sita Fey as Deputy Secretary for Appointments and Human Resources, Nicole Migliore as Chief of Staff to the Director of State Operations, and Todd Westhuis as Deputy Director of State Operations. In addition to the above administration appointments, the Governor recommended Justin E. Driscoll to serve as President and CEO of the New York Power Authority.