HABITAT
Take a peek behind the facades of New York’s co-ops and condos to find out who's fixing things up, and how much it costs. Articles in this section cover dozens of individual projects in co-ops and condos all over New York City. Learn how NYC co-op/condo boards met the challenges of the fix-up, and how you can use their experiences to smooth out yours.
Are you doing capital improvements at your co-op or condo? Email kfarrell@habitatmag.com or emyers@habitatmag.com to have your project included in our column.
Another Increase in Water Rates
Written by Emily Myers on May 14, 2025
The New York City Water Board is considering a proposed 3.7% increase in water rates, the lowest in four years, which would generate $303 million for infrastructure improvements.
Lower East Side Co-op Gets Funding Lifeline to Fix Crooked Staircase
Written by Emily Myers on May 07, 2025
The board at 153½ Stanton St., a HDFC on the Lower East Side, secured a $300,000 loan to repair the building's crooked staircase.
Landmark UWS Co-op Cuts Costs with Fiberglass Replica for Crumbling Cornice
Written by Emily Myers on April 23, 2025
A landmarked Upper West Side co-op replaced its deteriorating terra cotta cornice with fiberglass, a more cost-effective alternative.
City Urges Residents to Report Compost Violations
Written by Emily Myers on April 16, 2025
With fines for non-compliance ranging from $25 to $300, New Yorkers are being urged to report buildings that are not using their brown bins for organics.
Sunnyside Co-op Taps J-51 R Tax Break to Ease Cost of $600K Repairs
Written by Emily Myers on April 09, 2025
41-15 44th St. Owners Corp. committed to two big renovation projects last year and found an unexpected silver lining - the new J-51 R tax incentive, which offers tax breaks to qualifying co-ops and condos for major building renovations.
New Sidewalk Shed Rules Pose Challenges for Co-ops and Condos
Written by Emily Myers on April 02, 2025
The City Council passed new rules on facade inspections, penalties and permits in an effort to reduce hundreds of miles of sidewalk sheds lining city streets.
Brooklyn Co-op Overcomes Years of Neglect to Tackle Long-Ignored Leaks
Written by Emily Myers on March 26, 2025
In Sheepshead Bay, a co-op funds repairs to its facade and replaces its aging oil-fired boiler.
Brooklyn Condo's Ventilation Upgrades Reduce Humidity and Improve Efficiency
Written by Emily Myers on March 19, 2025
One Grand Army Plaza, a glass-clad Brooklyn condo, has undergone a $1.1 million upgrade to its ventilation system, including the replacement of a cooling tower, air intake unit, and exhaust fans, resulting in $40,000 in annual energy savings.
Decarbonization Tool Provides Free Energy Efficiency Guidance to Co-ops and Condos
Written by Emily Myers on March 12, 2025
The Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums has launched a free tool to help co-ops and condos reduce their fossil fuel use and comply with Local Law 97, offering a spreadsheet to help boards plan next steps and visualize the impact of different projects.
NYC's Local Law 97 Carbon Emission Reporting Portal Opens
Written by Emily Myers on March 05, 2025
The online portal for filing Local Law 97 carbon emission reports is now open, and involves a multi-step process to report ahead of the May 1 deadline, with a grace period extending the filing deadline to June 30.
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learn moreLearn all the basics of NYC co-op and condo management, with straight talk from heavy hitters in the field of co-op or condo apartments
Professionals in some of the key fields of co-op and condo board governance and building management answer common questions in their areas of expertise
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