ASC's Intersections Newsletter — April 24th, 2025
Nora’s Note
City Takes a Lead in Climate Resilience. With almost 70% of carbon emissions in NYC coming from buildings and future climate change projections pointing to the need to better prepare infrastructure, it’s rewarding for our Climate Strategy team to have a supporting role as the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) works to ensure projects constructed today can withstand worsening conditions in the future, improve energy efficiency and increase overall resilience. That’s why we cheered from the sidelines to learn that in the middle of Manhattan, ahead of the May 1 deadline set by Local Law 97, a 1960s-era co-op made a smart, wallet- and earth-friendly move by replacing an aging oil boiler with a modern electric heat pump system to achieve emissions reduction targets, ensure the building’s compliance and enhance comfort for residents. While some property owners are daunted by these requirements this co-op board didn’t wait to make a long-term heat pump investment that will pay off for years.
Transportation
Public transportation hub could be developed for New Bills stadium. The Community Benefits Oversight Committee was established to monitor and guide progress under the Bills Community Benefits Agreement. This includes key goals such as creating job opportunities, promoting diversity by involving MWBEs, and developing a dedicated public transportation hub for the stadium. In collaboration with the NFTA, the committee is actively working to ensure the new transportation hub is accessible, efficient, and ready by summer 2026. Read more about the initiative. (Source: WIVB 4)
AMNY: Green means go! New DOT bike lane traffic signals on Upper East Side installed to help protect cyclists and pedestrians
Mass Transit: Amtrak, NJ Transit highlight infrastructure, equipment improvements in new report
Monroe Local News: Georgia DOT joins national public awareness campaign to promote safety of transportation construction and maintenance workers
Climate
House votes unanimously to protect state parks from development. The Florida House of Representatives passed the Sate Park Preservation Act (HB 209) in response to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s proposal to build golf courses and recreational courts in nine state parks. HB 209 will require the DEP to report on the status of Florida’s state parks to the Governor and Legislature and ensure they are managed for maximum public benefit, with increased public input in decision-making. Read more about the preservation of Florida’s state parks. (Source: News from the States)
Canary Media: Multifamily housing needs EV charging. This startup will pay for it.
Happy Eco News: Geothermal heat pumps set to transform home energy use
WHYY: Climate Fixers: Helping kids with autism learn ‘earth-to-table' gardening
Economic Development
CAMBA Housing Ventures Tops Out $238M Affordable Brooklyn Project. By Summer 2026, a former parking lot will be converted into a $238 million affordable housing project with 30,000 square feet reserved for supportive services in Flatbush. The project is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn initiative, which will invest $563 million to create new affordable housing options in Central Brooklyn. Read more to learn how this transit-oriented project fits into Brooklyn’s affordable housing landscape. (Source: Multi-Housing News)
Smart Cities Dive: Jersey City developer completes solar housing retrofit it says is largest of its kind
City of Detroit: Detroit leaders celebrate grand opening of Campbell Street Apartments; $18M affordable housing development in East Chadsey-Condon neighborhood
The Frederick News-Post: Economic development budget proposes multicultural business specialist for Frederick, MD
Digital
Tech With Respect: AI and Indigenous community power. Indigenous communities are pioneering ethical approaches to artificial intelligence, ensuring technology development respects their sovereignty and cultural values. Initiatives like the First Nations Technology Council in Canada advocate for AI systems that support Indigenous rights and self-determination. Similarly, researchers are collaborating with Indigenous groups to develop AI tools that preserve endangered languages, emphasizing community engagement and ethical data practices. These efforts go beyond inclusion. They are a blueprint for ethical innovation. Read more about how Indigenous leaders are guiding AI’s evolution on their own terms. (Source: Forbes)
GovTech: Baltimore’s digital equity strategy: build community trust
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh launches new online affordable housing tracker
Durango Herald: Durango superintendent honored for innovation in classroom technology
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