Urbanite

Governors Island administrators said last week's implosion of one of its oldest buildings was a Big Bang of sorts, signifying the start of a new era for the island.

The 30-acre section of the island that was once off-limits to civilians will be transformed into a new, modern $250 million park that's set to open for the public next summer, and there's more on the way.

And the excitement...

The mayor's plan to ban Styrofoam may have support from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, but some area business owners say it will hurt their bottom line.

Restaurant owners rallied at City Hall Wednesday as Councilman Lew Fidler introduced the bill at the behest of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While the mayor has said food containers that use certain polystyrene items are dangerous to the...

Downtown Manhattan's footprint could get wider under Mayor Michael Bloomberg plan for a "Stronger, More Resilient New York."

Bloomberg pushed for the creation of a man-made addition to lower Manhattan that aims to abate the excessive flooding that occurs on the Lower East Side. His "Seaport City" proposal would emulate Battery Park City with a new community located south...

Appealing a ruling that nixed the supersized soda ban, city lawyers duked it out in court Tuesday with a coalition of businesses that oppose the controversial plan.

The attorneys for the city argued before four state appellate judges, contending the health department had the legal mandate to enact the law.

"This has been settled in decades of case law that shows the department has the...

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to deliver his long-awaited study Tuesday that will give ideas on how to protect the city from future superstorms, and his team gave a taste of some of its findings Monday.

Officials who helped with the study and FEMA said Monday that climate change will result in a wider range of city areas being affected by flooding.

The weather could also result in longer,...

The next battle in the mayor's war against obesity is set to take place Tuesday in the state appellate court.

The Health Department will argue against the March ruling that blocked its ban of sugary drinks greater than 16 ounces from being sold in any location that gets a letter grade. Judge Milton Tingling contended the approved law was "arbitrary and capricious" and beyond the city's legal...

Many New Yorkers are soon going to have a "hail" of an easier time getting a cab.

Livery cabs in the outer boroughs and northern Manhattan are now eligible to register for medallions to pick up street hails after a unanimous ruling Thursday by the state's highest court.

The decision was a victory for the mayor and a defeat for yellow cab associations who tried to block the...

The City Council announced a series of bills Wednesday aimed at improving the city's emergency response for the next major storm.

The 10 bills to be introduced next week include plans for sheltering New Yorkers, helping businesses recover and fuel management.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said the bill sponsors used the information from months of Superstorm Sandy hearings to come...

The National Park Service revised its plans for security screening for trips to the Statue of Liberty Monday, following concerns from the NYPD and elected officials.

Screenings will take place at Battery Park City instead of Ellis and Liberty Islands when vision starts on July 4, the NPS said.

The mayor, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly urged the federal government...

A new program to aid homeowners is the next phase in rebuilding areas ravaged by Superstorm Sandy, the mayor announced Monday.

The NYC Build it Back program provides free specialists and experts who will help selected applicants with financial aid and other options for their properties, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The initiative, which begins next month, complements other Sandy recovery...