Latest news with #Mastro
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi Bike agrees to curb e-bike speeds at 15 mph after service suspension threat from NYC Mayor Eric Adams admin
NEW YORK — Citi Bike has agreed to curb the speed at which its e-bikes can go at 15 miles per hour — a move that came in response to a service suspension threat from Mayor Eric Adams' administration. The electric Citi Bikes can currently ride at 18 miles per hour, a limit the service's operator, Lyft, previously set as part of an agreement with Adams' Department of Transportation. But late Thursday, Citi Bike general manager Patrick Knoth said that due to 'direction from City Hall,' the new speed cap will be 15 miles per hour. 'We're working to meet that mandate and best serve our riders,' Knoth added without offering a timeline for how soon the lower speed cap could be effective on the hundreds of e-bikes Lyft operates across the city. Knoth's announcement came after the Daily News first reported Wednesday that Adams, citing growing concern in neighborhoods over the dangers posed by e-bikes, would enact a 15 mph speed limit on all e-bikes in the city. In response to The News' report, Knoth said late Wednesday the mayor's office had not told Lyft of the policy shift and said he would 'express deep concern' about it. Randy Mastro, Adams' first deputy mayor, then sent a letter to Lyft late Thursday saying that due to its refusal to comply with the demand for a new 15 mph speed limit he was declaring the current 18 mph speed limit an 'emergency threat to life and property.' Under that declaration, Mastro's letter, which was also signed by Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, said Lyft had to come into compliance with the new 15 mph speed limit within 15 days. If it didn't, Mastro suggested Adams' administration could invoke a provision of Lyft's contract that says the city government reserves the right to start 'removing, replacing, relocating, reinstalling or locking all or any portion' of Citi Bike's fleet if doesn't comply with rules set by the city in the event of a 'threat to life' emergency. Within hours of Mastro making that threat, Knoth announced Citi Bike was 'working' on complying with the new mandate. Mastro, a controversial attorney who served in the Giuliani administration, cited the need to invoke such a drastic emergency to the fact that 11 people have died on electric Citi Bikes since 2021. He also noted 1,170 have been injured in that stretch. Since becoming Adams' top deputy at City Hall in early April, Mastro has been at the center of several other controversial policy disputes, including signing a legally disputed order to let ICE back on Rikers, issuing a directive to freeze certain fines on landlords and pressuring a concert promoter to cancel a performance by a pro-Palestinian singer. Most private e-bikes can currently ride at 20 mph, a limit that would have to be lowered under the Adams administration's new regime. It remains unclear how exactly the administration will enforce the new speed limit, but Mastro acknowledged in the letter to Lyft that the matter still needs to go through a formal rulemaking process, meaning its official implementation is likely still over a month away. Since Adams took office in 2022, the Department of Transportation has fallen way short of bike lane construction targets set as part of a citywide master plan. In his letter to Lyft, Mastro argued the city's progress on bike lane construction is being inhibited by e-bike fatalities. 'The lack of action to address this issue is hindering the city's ability to advance bike lane and micro-mobility infrastructure and safety across the city,' he wrote. The mayor has recently portrayed cracking down on bike riding as a matter of public safety amid widespread concern. Last month, his NYPD started handing out criminal instead of civil summonses to bike riders for running red lights or otherwise riding recklessly, a drastic shift that has outraged transit advocates and City Council members who note car drivers do not face such penalties for similar infractions.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amid bid to save Elizabeth St. Garden, Adams aide Randy Mastro finds a plan B for housing
Randy Mastro, Mayor Adams' top deputy at City Hall, is seriously exploring a proposal to spare Manhattan's Elizabeth Street Garden from an affordable housing development by instead building the apartments on a nearby lot once reserved for a public school, according to multiple sources familiar with his efforts. Mastro first ordered the Elizabeth Street Garden redevelopment paused shortly after becoming Adams' first deputy mayor last month, saying he wanted to review it. The move drew pushback as Adams' administration had been expected to get started in April on the long-delayed effort to build housing for senior citizens in the garden, a plan a group of A-list celebrities and other politically-influential individuals have for years sought to block in court. The revelation that Mastro's looking into the possibility of moving the housing development, known as 'Haven Green,' to an entirely new location — especially one local residents hoped would become a school — is triggering another round of outrage. Open New York Executive Director Annemarie Gray, whose group advocates for affordable housing development, said such a move would require an entirely new land use application for the alternative site — a process that could take years. 'You'd be starting from scratch,' she said, noting the Elizabeth Street Garden is finally cleared for building the 123 rent-restricted units for seniors proposed under the Haven Green blueprint after nearly a decade of delays. 'Will the Adams administration listen to a few rich people with Randy Mastro's cell phone number, or the majority of New Yorkers struggling to afford housing?' Adams spokesman William Fowler didn't deny Mastro has looked into moving Haven Green to the other site, but said administration officials haven't discussed any such idea with the private developers picked to build the senior housing. Fowler maintained Adams still supports the project and said his administration is 'always exploring additional locations to build affordable housing.' 'No one location is going to solve the housing crisis on its own, which is why we are exploring multiple locations for housing development both in this area and across the city,' Fowler said. The Lower East Side lot Mastro has been eyeing as a potential plan B for Haven Green is on the corner of Suffolk Street, nearly a mile from the Elizabeth Street Garden, sources inside and outside Adams' administration told the Daily News. Overgrown with weeds and surrounded by a chain-link fence, the 22 Suffolk St. lot is larger than the garden. Like the garden, 22 Suffolk is owned by the city government. The Essex Crossing rezoning plan, first announced in 2013 under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, put a hold on 22 Suffolk reserving the lot for constructing a pre-K-through-eighth grade public school. The thinking at the time was that a school would become needed as the area's population grew amid increased housing development facilitated by the rezoning. But the hold on 22 Suffolk expired in 2023 without the city ever building a school, leaving the lot without a specific designation. The School Construction Authority, the Department of Education's development arm, has argued against the need for a new school, pointing to declining local enrollment rates. It's against that backdrop that Mastro recently directed city officials to start looking into what it would take to have 22 Suffolk become the site for Haven Green, according to the sources. The sources said officials at City Hall, the School Construction Authority, the Department of City Planning and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development have been looped in on efforts to evaluate 22 Suffolk for the Haven Green project. Noah Harlan, president of a local Community Education Council involved in talks about building a 22 Suffolk school, acknowledged enrollment in the area has recently dropped. But he argued there's still a need for a new local school, as existing ones are 'falling apart,' with some being nearly a century old. Harlan also noted the state's new class size law — which have put stricter limits on how many students can be in each class — will necessitate more school space citywide. 'The idea of turning down a brand new [school] just seems crazy,' he said. 'If they want to take this land instead of the community garden to build housing, put the housing on top of the school and solve two problems at once.' Before Mastro intervened, Adams' administration was expected to evict the nonprofit running the garden as early as March in order to get shovels in the ground on the housing. A number of celebrities, including Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, have long opposed housing in the garden, arguing it'd deprive Manhattanites of a cherished green space. As first reported by The News, lawyer Frank Carone, Adams' ex-chief of staff and political confidant who's also close with Mastro, has recently provided pro bono advice to the housing opponents. Meantime, Mastro's garden redevelopment pause is coming up against a critical timeline, according to an Adams administration source. The city would need about seven months of preparation before construction inside the garden could begin, the source explained. If Adams is unsucessful in his re-election bid, a new mayor — who might be against the project – might be in a position to stop it. Haven Green was first proposed in 2017 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration. With Cayla Bamberger
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kehlani Central Park Pride Show Canceled Over 'Security Concerns' From Mayor's Office
SummerStage has canceled Kehlani's upcoming Central Park Pride concert over pressure from Mayor Eric Adams' office, which claimed the event posed 'security concerns' due to the singer's pro-Palestine stance that led to Cornell University canceling a show of hers as well last week. In a letter addressed to City Parks Foundation executive director Heather Lubov, New York's First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote that 'we have security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani's scheduled performance at Cornell University (causing University officials to cancel the appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Blackpink's Jennie and Lisa Dazzle at 2025 Met Gala Zach Bryan Signs New Deal With Warner Records Beyoncé Replaces Sphere Visual in Cowboy Carter Tour After Cease-and-Desist Mastro also suggested in his letter that Kehlani's show could've jeopardized the Parks Foundation's other SummerStage events as well, writing that 'if the Foundation does not promptly take steps to ensure public safety, the City reserves all rights and remedies with respect to the Foundation's license.' Lubov wrote back to Mastro on Monday, confirming that the event was canceled. In a statement Monday afternoon, SummerStage referenced the concern from the mayor's office and said that 'we strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds,' but further added that 'the safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance and in light of these concerns, the concert has been cancelled.' 'SummerStage is proud to be a platform for artists from around the world to perform and make arts accessible for all New Yorkers in their neighborhood parks,' the Parks Foundation said. 'While artists may choose to express their own opinions, their views may not necessarily be representative of the festival. SummerStage events are intended to bring together all sectors of the New York City community and we look forward to welcoming more guests throughout the summer.' Kehlani has been vocal in her support for Palestine in the past, most notably in a music video for her 2024 song 'Next 2 U.' That video featured Kehlani dancing and singing in front of a Palestinian flag and concluded with a message about 'honoring the names of thousands of deceased children' who died in Gaza. The video opened with the message 'long live the intifada,' which groups like the American Jewish Committee have called antisemitic. As Billboard reported, after the Cornell show was canceled, Kehlani posted a video on Instagram saying, 'For the millionth time, that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew.' 'I am anti-genocide, I am anti- the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti- an extermination of an entire people,' Kehlani said. She took to Instagram following the Central Park show cancellation on Monday, writing that 'I just found that one out on Instagram, by the way.' 'I'm so deeply grounded in my purpose, my mission, my art, my contribution,' Kehlani wrote. 'Back to this album. See you this weekend LA.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New York's SummerStage Cancels Kehlani Concert Amid ‘Concerns' From Mayor Adams' Office
New York City's SummerStage canceled Kehlani's scheduled performance in Central Park this June, citing 'safety issues' raised by Mayor Eric Adams' office. The news arrives after Cornell University nixed her planned concert at their campus over the singer's public support of Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war against Hamas. 'We write to advise you that we have security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani's scheduled performance at Cornell University (causing University officials to cancel the appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time,' First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote in a letter obtained by Rolling Stone, which was addressed to the City Parks Foundation, organizers of SummerStage, on Monday. The letter added that the mayor's office intended to refer the issue to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and if it found 'serious safety concerns,' the office would have to determine the 'status of the Foundation's license.' More from Rolling Stone Sean Combs Sex Trafficking Trial Begins With Jury Selection Lil Durk's Lyrics Dropped From Murder-for-Hire Case Def Jam's Ex-President Says Rape Accuser Can't Sue After 2005 Settlement with UMG Mastro added that they expected to hear back by 'close of business tomorrow' in order to decide whether the NYPD needed to investigate the foundation. In response to the letter, Heather Lubov, Executive Director of the City Parks Foundation, wrote to Mastro on the same day: 'The safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance and in light of these concerns, the concert has been cancelled.' On Monday afternoon, both SummerStage and City Parks Foundation released a statement, acknowledging they were 'notified by the mayor's office that they have concerns for security and safety issues regarding the June 26 Kehlani concert, produced and presented by Live Nation.' The statement continued, 'Those concerns are due to the controversy surrounding Cornell University's decision to cancel Kehlani's concert at the university, as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the city for other pride events during that same time period.' The organizations said that 'in light of these concerns, the concert has been canceled,' adding that they 'strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds… While artists may choose to express their own opinions, their views may not necessarily be representative of the festival.' Reps for Kehlani did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone's requests for comment. According to Central Park's website at press time, the singer was scheduled to appear on June 26 for a 'Pride with Kehlani' benefit concert. Kayla Mamelak Altus, Press Secretary for the Office of Mayor Adams, said in a statement following the pulled show: 'We are grateful to the City Parks Foundation for responding to our concerns and canceling the Kehlani concert in Central Park.' The decision from SummerStage arrives just over a week after Cornell's president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, accused Kehlani of having 'espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media.' Weeks prior, the White House froze $1 billion in funding for the university, per The New York Times, as the Trump administration investigates alleged on-campus antisemitism. Last year, the R&B singer featured Palestinian flags and dancers wearing keffiyehs in her 'Next 2 U' music video. The YouTube post of the song included a link to an Al Jazeera article listing names of some 16,800 children it reported Israel has killed since October 2023. The music video also included the phrase, 'Long Live the Intifada.' The Times previously reported that some people view the word intifada, which means rebellion, as calling for violence against Israelis and Jews, while pro-Palestinian activists see it as a call for liberation. Kehlani responded to Cornell's decision and allegations of antisemitism in a video posted on Instagram, and stated 'I am not antisemitic nor am I anti-Jew.' The singer continued: 'I am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I'm anti the bombing of innocent children, men women… that's what I'm anti.' The description of Israel's reprisals in Gaza after the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, as genocide has been highly contentious. Humanitarian groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have used that term, as have many others; former president Joseph R. Biden and the American Jewish Committee, among other groups that support Israel, have strongly objected to this framing. This article was updated on May 5 at 8:07 p.m. ET to include a statement from Kayla Mamelak Altus, Press Secretary for the New York City Office of Mayor Eric Adams. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC Mayor Eric Adams appeals order blocking ICE from setting up on Rikers Island jail
NEW YORK — Attorneys for Mayor Eric Adams are appealing a court decision that's temporarily blocking his administration from taking any steps to let federal immigration authorities operate on Rikers Island. In papers filed Monday with the appellate division of Manhattan Supreme Court, attorneys representing Adams, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and the city Department of Correction asked for the expunging of a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from taking any steps to let ICE agents on Rikers at least through a May 29 hearing. The April 25 restraining order, which also prohibits the administration from engaging in negotiations with the feds about letting them on Rikers, was issued by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Mary Rosado in response to a lawsuit brought by the City Council. The suit alleges the Adams administration's executive order to allow ICE on Rikers is the 'poisonous fruit' of a 'corrupt' deal the mayor entered into with President Trump whereby the mayor's federal corruption indictment was dropped in exchange for a commitment to assist in Trump's effort to targeted undocumented New Yorkers for 'mass deportations.' According to the Council's suit, the order violated local ethics law that bar city officials from taking official actions to benefit themselves. On a more technical note, the suit also charges the order itself isn't valid because it was signed by Mastro instead of the mayor. The Monday filing from the lawyers representing Mastro and Adams dismissed the Council's technical argument, alleging the order 'complies with the city administrative code.' The attorneys also wrote in the court papers that the Council's attorneys 'unequivocally failed to demonstrate the imminent, concrete harm' that would warrant the type of temporary restraining order issued by Rosado. Spokespeople for the mayor didn't immediately return requests for comment on the filing. Reps for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who's spearheading the lawsuit, didn't immediately return messages seeking comment, either. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used to maintain an office on Rikers where they coordinated deportation actions until 2014, when the city strengthened local sanctuary laws to bar the feds from the island. The overwhelming majority of inmates held on Rikers are awaiting trial and haven't been convicted of any crimes. Critics of the mayor fear his administration's push to let ICE back on Rikers will result in immigrant New Yorkers accused of minor offenses being swept up in Trump's hard-line immigration crackdown. They have pointed in particular to the Trump administration's willingness to bend the rules, and even outright defy court orders, as part of its aggressive efforts to target undocumented immigrants for deportations. Mastro and Adams' office have countered that the executive order would only allow the feds to engage in criminal enforcement on the island, as opposed to civil deportation proceedings. Mastro has said there would be 'consequences' if ICE engaged in civil enforcement anyway, though he hasn't detailed what those might be. _____
