by: Adam Roberts
Community board applications for most boroughs are due this Friday, February 8.
Community boards are an important way for architects and other land use professionals to use their professional skills in a volunteer capacity. Community boards have many responsibilities, most notably overseeing land use policies within their districts. Community board service is also a great way to meet other land use professionals serving and become involved in local politics in your community.
Serving on a community board is a significant time commitment, requiring attendance at two to three meetings each month, each of which lasts two to three hours. The board you apply to may be either the one in which you live or work. When making this decision, please consider if you have the time and if you are applying to the board you feel most connected to personally or professionally.
Again, AIA New York strongly encourages all interested members to apply. Please reach out to Adam Roberts, Director of Policy, at aroberts@aiany.org so he can advocate on your behalf. He will keep track of your application and will follow up with your Borough President’s and Council Member’s office to advocate for your appointment.
Applications for the boroughs are found below:
- Manhattan: Deadline 2/8/2019. See the Manhattan Board Map.
- Brooklyn: Deadline 2/15/2019.
- Bronx: Deadline 2/8/2019.
- Queens: Deadline 2/8/2019.
- Staten Island: No deadline.
Pulse Points:
- The Governor and New York State Legislature are currently debating the 2019 Budget. Recently, the Governor released his proposed budget, which most notably includes plans for congestion pricing to fund NYCT’s Fast Forward Plan. AIA New York took a stance in favor of funding the Fast Forward Plan last year. You can read more about the congestion pricing proposal in the budget here.
- A number of bills have been introduced in the City Council and State Legislature over the last few months pertaining to harassment of rent-stabilized tenants. Some architects have been implicated in this unethical behavior. While many of these legislative solutions seems beneficial, a few target innocent architects for the actions of others in their firm. AIA New York is working with elected officials to ensure that tenants are protected, while those punished are those responsible for putting tenants in danger.
- As we move into Tax Season, we want to remind members that beginning in tax year 2018, architects and architecture firms will be subject to the provisions of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act. AIA Advocacy efforts contributed to the exclusion of architects and engineers form the “Specified Services Businesses” Legislation, allowing firms to continue to take the the 20% deduction on qualified business income. The new deduction does come with some limitations on what qualifies as QBI for higher income earners. AIA recommends that you consult with a tax professional on the implications of the new law to your corporate or individual tax liability.