March 1, 2023
by: AIA New York
NY Governor Kathy Hochul speaking at a podium
Kathy Hochul. Photo: Marc A. Hermann/MTA via Flickr.

On February 1, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul revealed her 2023 State budget proposal, which included many suggestions that could deeply impact the built environment in New York City. Among other items, Governor Hochul offered steps to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers, including proposals to require zero emissions from new construction and to phase out fossil fuel from space and water heater equipment, as well as effective and affordable cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. AIA New York congratulates Governor Hochul for planning to implement multiple programs that will end our dependence on fossil fuels for both new and existing buildings. 

We also applaud the Governor’s forward-thinking approach to addressing the ongoing housing crisis by committing to the construction of 800,000 new affordable housing units over ten years. The budget will extend the completion deadline for vested 421a projects by four years to June 2030. However, the chapter believes that more should be done to incentivize the construction of affordable housing, including a replacement for the J-51 tax abatement. 

The budget proposal also recognizes the importance of investing in our state’s infrastructure. The Central Business District Tolling Program, also known as the congestion pricing plan, will address gridlock in Manhattan and help finance the MTA’s capital improvements. Improving accessibility by making 70 more subway stations ADA-accessible and continuing work on Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 to extend service from 96th street to 125th street and connect with Metro-North are crucial steps towards a modern, efficient, and accessible transportation system. 

Read AIA New York’s full Statement on Governor Hochul’s Budget Proposal on our website.

 

Policy Points 

  • Earlier this month, AIANY members joined AIA Lobby Day 2023 on Capitol Hill. Lobby Day provides architect members with a platform to directly advocate for legislation impacting the profession before members of Congress and congressional staff. The chapter highlighted two bipartisan pieces of legislation: 
    • The Democracy In Design Act, which would ensure that communities across the country maintain a voice in the design of federal buildings consistent with their preferences, topographies, and design traditions. 
    • The Resilient AMERICA Act, which would make significant changes to the federal government’s ability to prepare communities for future natural disaster events by increasing funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, supporting additional BRIC programs, and setting aside funding for resilient building code adoption and implementation. 
  • AIANY celebrates the appointment of Ya-Ting Liu as NYC’s first Chief Public Realm Officer. The Chapter lobbied for the creation of the position as part of the Alliance for Public Space Leadership, which includes MAS, Open Plans, and New Yorkers for Parks.  

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