While you consider New York’s rent-stabilized housing inventory, it’s possible you’ll not consider Staten Island.
Certainly, the borough is simply house to lower than 1 p.c of rent-stabilized housing items, 8,200 out of about 928,000.
However that’s the place a gaggle of landlords filed a petition to undo the New York Lease Tips Board’s choice to freeze rents in these items.
Town is now asking the courtroom to vary the venue of the dispute to Manhattan.
It might seem to be a small matter, however the venue is stands to affect both facet’s likelihood of victory.
The decide assigned to the case in Richmond County Supreme Courtroom, Ralph Porzio, is a Republican. He has a historical past of conservative choices, together with putting down masks and vaccine mandates within the 5 boroughs.
Maybe sensing a hostile discussion board, town’s legislation division has stated the petition ought to be determined in Manhattan, the place the RGB technically made its choice. (The vote was held at El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem.)
The plaintiffs and their attorneys have argued that Staten Island is an acceptable venue as a result of the lead plaintiff owns two rent-stabilized buildings within the borough (the opposite plaintiffs personal buildings in different boroughs). And the board’s choice and course of had been made partially in Staten Island. (The board, for instance, accepted testimony from landlords in Staten Island as a part of its course of.)
“On this case, each one of many 5 counties in New York Metropolis can be a correct venue for this continuing as a result of materials occasions came about, and none of them is extra ‘correct’ than one other,” Randy Mastro, lead legal professional for the plaintiffs, wrote to the courtroom.
The difficulty is about for a listening to in Staten Island on the finish of the month.
What we’re occupied with: Functions to run the city-backed property and legal responsibility insurance coverage program are closing this week. Who’s within the operating? Discuss to us at ben.miller@therealdeal.com and lilah.burke@therealdeal.com.
A factor we’ve realized: The typical internet revenue for grocery retailer chains was simply 2.1 p.c in 2025, a slight enchancment from 1.7 p.c the 12 months prior, in line with the Meals Business Affiliation. Quite than counting on revenue margins, the business is held up by its massive quantity and excessive turnover price.
— Spencer Davis
Elsewhere…
— Council Speaker Julie Menin introduced that Metropolis Council will pursue a sweeping legislative overview of e-bike and e-scooter security after a teenage e-bike rider crashed into an SUV close to Metropolis Corridor and died, Metropolis & State reports. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he may even prioritize cracking down on autos already labeled as unlawful.
— Mayor Zohran Mamdani dismissed the entire enterprise and civic leaders advising a city-affiliated nonprofit that facilitates private-public partnerships, Bloomberg reports. Mamdani will announce a brand new board of advisers for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York Metropolis later this 12 months, his spokesperson stated.
— Over 2,000 toddlers will obtain a 2-Ok supply as a part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push to construct common childcare in New York Metropolis, Gothamist reports. The determine is sort of a 3rd of the 5,700 households that utilized for town’s inaugural preschool program for two-year-olds.
— Spencer Davis
Closing time
Residential: The most costly residential sale recorded Tuesday was $12.9 million for a 3,800-square-foot multi-family house at 332 Degraw Avenue in Cobble Hill. The property final traded for $4 million in 2024.
Industrial: The most costly business transaction was $5.7 million for a 6,096-square-foot multi-family property at 349 West 71st Avenue on the Higher West Aspect. The property final offered for $3.6 million in 2005. Stanley Wong at Compass had the listing.
New to the Market: The best worth for a residential property hitting the market was $4.4 million for a 1,283-square-foot condominium at 25 Columbus Circle on the Higher West Aspect. Douglas Elliman has the itemizing.
Breaking Floor: The most important new constructing allow filed was for a proposed 48,016-square-foot, nine-story mixed-use challenge with 80 items at 149-07 97th Avenue in Flushing. Joseph Frankl of JFA Architects & Engineers filed the allow on behalf of Joel Weiss of Heartfelt Townhouse Construct.
— Matthew Elo
Learn extra
NY Dirt: Who’s who in the rent freeze lawsuit
Landlords sue Rent Guidelines Board over rent freeze decision
NY Dirt: Here come the rent freeze lawsuits
