Daniel Trubman
@danieltrubman.bsky.social
Who wants to grab a beer and talk about land-use regulations and building codes?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieltrubman/
https://muckrack.com/daniel-trubman-1/portfolio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieltrubman/
https://muckrack.com/daniel-trubman-1/portfolio
Some of the scaffolding at NYCHA's Abraham Lincoln Houses is so far from any buildings it's hard to even guess which facade it's supposed to be protecting residents from.
With NYC's Housing Authority funding at risk I really wish they weren't wasting precious dollars like this.
With NYC's Housing Authority funding at risk I really wish they weren't wasting precious dollars like this.
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Some of the scaffolding at NYCHA's Abraham Lincoln Houses is so far from any buildings it's hard to even guess which facade it's supposed to be protecting residents from.
With NYC's Housing Authority funding at risk I really wish they weren't wasting precious dollars like this.
With NYC's Housing Authority funding at risk I really wish they weren't wasting precious dollars like this.
Believe it or not, this is Manhattan.
NYC might not have as much transit oriented surface parking as other cities, but there's still a lot!
NYC might not have as much transit oriented surface parking as other cities, but there's still a lot!
November 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Believe it or not, this is Manhattan.
NYC might not have as much transit oriented surface parking as other cities, but there's still a lot!
NYC might not have as much transit oriented surface parking as other cities, but there's still a lot!
This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for the construction workers building a bigger and better New York. Even on a holiday!
355 Exterior St. will add 755 new homes to Mott Haven, with 30% of them affordable.
Unfortunately the 421-a Tax Incentive program used here has since expired 😥
355 Exterior St. will add 755 new homes to Mott Haven, with 30% of them affordable.
Unfortunately the 421-a Tax Incentive program used here has since expired 😥
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for the construction workers building a bigger and better New York. Even on a holiday!
355 Exterior St. will add 755 new homes to Mott Haven, with 30% of them affordable.
Unfortunately the 421-a Tax Incentive program used here has since expired 😥
355 Exterior St. will add 755 new homes to Mott Haven, with 30% of them affordable.
Unfortunately the 421-a Tax Incentive program used here has since expired 😥
Fascinating how my NUMTOT posts about subway automation often provoke angry replies about presumed loss of union jobs (unlikely to actually occur) but rarely any discussion about how improving off-peak frequencies would be a boon to the whole working class.
Much larger constituency!
Much larger constituency!
November 27, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Fascinating how my NUMTOT posts about subway automation often provoke angry replies about presumed loss of union jobs (unlikely to actually occur) but rarely any discussion about how improving off-peak frequencies would be a boon to the whole working class.
Much larger constituency!
Much larger constituency!
If we automated our subways in NYC maybe the service frequency wouldn't be atrocious on holidays?!
November 27, 2025 at 5:48 PM
If we automated our subways in NYC maybe the service frequency wouldn't be atrocious on holidays?!
Originally built under the HUD Section 202 program, the 100 unit Section 8 senior housing Abyssinian Towers in Harlem was renovated with LIHTCs.
The facade is aggressively boring, so I really don't get why NYC requires this subsidized housing bother with SO much scaffolding 🤔
The facade is aggressively boring, so I really don't get why NYC requires this subsidized housing bother with SO much scaffolding 🤔
November 27, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Originally built under the HUD Section 202 program, the 100 unit Section 8 senior housing Abyssinian Towers in Harlem was renovated with LIHTCs.
The facade is aggressively boring, so I really don't get why NYC requires this subsidized housing bother with SO much scaffolding 🤔
The facade is aggressively boring, so I really don't get why NYC requires this subsidized housing bother with SO much scaffolding 🤔
Everyone thinks cities transformed to make room for cars after WWII, but so many of the lots in NYC dedicated to cars were already gas stations, garages, repair shops etc much earlier.
Like this stacked parking in Lower Manhattan, which used to be a service station.
1940s➡️2025
Like this stacked parking in Lower Manhattan, which used to be a service station.
1940s➡️2025
November 26, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Everyone thinks cities transformed to make room for cars after WWII, but so many of the lots in NYC dedicated to cars were already gas stations, garages, repair shops etc much earlier.
Like this stacked parking in Lower Manhattan, which used to be a service station.
1940s➡️2025
Like this stacked parking in Lower Manhattan, which used to be a service station.
1940s➡️2025
It would obviously be easier to maintain at least halfway decent Regional Rail frequency on holidays if they weren't set up to require so many conductors.
The current practice of slashing service seems especially dangerous on holidays like Thanksgiving when many folks drink.
The current practice of slashing service seems especially dangerous on holidays like Thanksgiving when many folks drink.
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
It would obviously be easier to maintain at least halfway decent Regional Rail frequency on holidays if they weren't set up to require so many conductors.
The current practice of slashing service seems especially dangerous on holidays like Thanksgiving when many folks drink.
The current practice of slashing service seems especially dangerous on holidays like Thanksgiving when many folks drink.
Today St. John the Baptist Church in Chelsea is surrounded by tall buildings, but when it was built in the 1870s it was much bigger than the adjacent structures.
A giant Gothic Revival church hardly matched the residential character of the street.
Thankfully this was before zoning!
A giant Gothic Revival church hardly matched the residential character of the street.
Thankfully this was before zoning!
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Today St. John the Baptist Church in Chelsea is surrounded by tall buildings, but when it was built in the 1870s it was much bigger than the adjacent structures.
A giant Gothic Revival church hardly matched the residential character of the street.
Thankfully this was before zoning!
A giant Gothic Revival church hardly matched the residential character of the street.
Thankfully this was before zoning!
I just saw a passenger pay his fare after his request to have the emergency gate opened was declined by a passenger already on the platform.
Sometimes it can be scary to say no in case they get in and are belligerent, but usually you can just stroll down the platform.
Sometimes it can be scary to say no in case they get in and are belligerent, but usually you can just stroll down the platform.
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I just saw a passenger pay his fare after his request to have the emergency gate opened was declined by a passenger already on the platform.
Sometimes it can be scary to say no in case they get in and are belligerent, but usually you can just stroll down the platform.
Sometimes it can be scary to say no in case they get in and are belligerent, but usually you can just stroll down the platform.
NYC really does a good job ensuring there are safe and convenient alternatives when a sidewalk is temporarily closed for construction. At least in Manhattan.
This temporary bike lane is better than a lot of permanent cycling infrastructure in American cities!
This temporary bike lane is better than a lot of permanent cycling infrastructure in American cities!
November 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
NYC really does a good job ensuring there are safe and convenient alternatives when a sidewalk is temporarily closed for construction. At least in Manhattan.
This temporary bike lane is better than a lot of permanent cycling infrastructure in American cities!
This temporary bike lane is better than a lot of permanent cycling infrastructure in American cities!
The City's Checkbook 2.0 from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social doesn't give too much information about expenses, but it looks like the City passed along $15 million to NYCHA for Local Law 11 facade "repairs" just in FY2026. So we're talking about real money.
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The City's Checkbook 2.0 from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social doesn't give too much information about expenses, but it looks like the City passed along $15 million to NYCHA for Local Law 11 facade "repairs" just in FY2026. So we're talking about real money.
I'm sure most of the CDBG money NYC passes along to NYCHA pays for important maintenance, but I have my doubts about all the money going to Local Law 11 inspections and improvements.
So much scaffolding comically far away from the actual NYCHA buildings in Harlem.
So much scaffolding comically far away from the actual NYCHA buildings in Harlem.
November 25, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I'm sure most of the CDBG money NYC passes along to NYCHA pays for important maintenance, but I have my doubts about all the money going to Local Law 11 inspections and improvements.
So much scaffolding comically far away from the actual NYCHA buildings in Harlem.
So much scaffolding comically far away from the actual NYCHA buildings in Harlem.
Ok I generally think it's usually tacky to write your initials in drying cement, but this imprint of a pair of scissors outside a barbershop is pretty funny.
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Ok I generally think it's usually tacky to write your initials in drying cement, but this imprint of a pair of scissors outside a barbershop is pretty funny.
Water fountains can actually do a decent job mitigating the noise pollution of nearby cars and trucks, at least in low traffic neighborhoods.
They'll become even more effective as more vehicles go electric in the coming years. But only if someone keeps the water pumping ⛲
They'll become even more effective as more vehicles go electric in the coming years. But only if someone keeps the water pumping ⛲
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Water fountains can actually do a decent job mitigating the noise pollution of nearby cars and trucks, at least in low traffic neighborhoods.
They'll become even more effective as more vehicles go electric in the coming years. But only if someone keeps the water pumping ⛲
They'll become even more effective as more vehicles go electric in the coming years. But only if someone keeps the water pumping ⛲
I ♥️ the Jenga Tower building so much.
I want to see dozens of variations of this building across NYC 😍
I want to see dozens of variations of this building across NYC 😍
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I ♥️ the Jenga Tower building so much.
I want to see dozens of variations of this building across NYC 😍
I want to see dozens of variations of this building across NYC 😍
I would love to see some of Mamdani's transition committees put forth a plan on how to get the remaining surface parking lots in Midtown developed in offices and/or residences.
Crazy so many of these still exist! Wasn't always like this.
6th Ave and 24th St
~1940➡️ Yesterday
Crazy so many of these still exist! Wasn't always like this.
6th Ave and 24th St
~1940➡️ Yesterday
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I would love to see some of Mamdani's transition committees put forth a plan on how to get the remaining surface parking lots in Midtown developed in offices and/or residences.
Crazy so many of these still exist! Wasn't always like this.
6th Ave and 24th St
~1940➡️ Yesterday
Crazy so many of these still exist! Wasn't always like this.
6th Ave and 24th St
~1940➡️ Yesterday
Not collecting fares on buses would obviously eliminate some expenses, but would still be a net fiscal drain. That's why the plan will need hundreds of millions of new state dollars!
But you can see why members of the public get confused when paragraphs like this get published.
But you can see why members of the public get confused when paragraphs like this get published.
November 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Not collecting fares on buses would obviously eliminate some expenses, but would still be a net fiscal drain. That's why the plan will need hundreds of millions of new state dollars!
But you can see why members of the public get confused when paragraphs like this get published.
But you can see why members of the public get confused when paragraphs like this get published.
1% of NYC's budget to eliminate fares on some transit vehicles doesn't sound like a lot of money until you realize that's more than the ENTIRE Parks Department budget.
Saying yes to fareless busses definitely means saying no to many other good things. Tradeoffs are real.
Saying yes to fareless busses definitely means saying no to many other good things. Tradeoffs are real.
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
1% of NYC's budget to eliminate fares on some transit vehicles doesn't sound like a lot of money until you realize that's more than the ENTIRE Parks Department budget.
Saying yes to fareless busses definitely means saying no to many other good things. Tradeoffs are real.
Saying yes to fareless busses definitely means saying no to many other good things. Tradeoffs are real.
Argument for fareless transit implicitly assumes American cities are incapable of developing even minimal state capacity to do basic tasks like ensuring riders pay their required fare.
Maybe that's true! But that would seem to make the rest of Mamdani's agenda impossible too.
Maybe that's true! But that would seem to make the rest of Mamdani's agenda impossible too.
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Argument for fareless transit implicitly assumes American cities are incapable of developing even minimal state capacity to do basic tasks like ensuring riders pay their required fare.
Maybe that's true! But that would seem to make the rest of Mamdani's agenda impossible too.
Maybe that's true! But that would seem to make the rest of Mamdani's agenda impossible too.
Lots of great names on Mamdani's transportation transition committee, but can't say I love seeing John Samuelsen from TWU here.
After spending the last few years trying to kill congestion pricing his top policy priority now seems to be legislatively mandating fake jobs.
After spending the last few years trying to kill congestion pricing his top policy priority now seems to be legislatively mandating fake jobs.
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Lots of great names on Mamdani's transportation transition committee, but can't say I love seeing John Samuelsen from TWU here.
After spending the last few years trying to kill congestion pricing his top policy priority now seems to be legislatively mandating fake jobs.
After spending the last few years trying to kill congestion pricing his top policy priority now seems to be legislatively mandating fake jobs.
So cool to see so many folks come out to the NYC Parks Foundation rally demanding an increased investment in public restrooms and drinking fountains in NYC Parks.
The public bathrooms in our parks make it so much easier to be out and about.
But only if they're open! And accessible.
The public bathrooms in our parks make it so much easier to be out and about.
But only if they're open! And accessible.
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
So cool to see so many folks come out to the NYC Parks Foundation rally demanding an increased investment in public restrooms and drinking fountains in NYC Parks.
The public bathrooms in our parks make it so much easier to be out and about.
But only if they're open! And accessible.
The public bathrooms in our parks make it so much easier to be out and about.
But only if they're open! And accessible.
You really have to stop yourself from thinking "well at least they installed some cool lighting" if you spend too much time underneath the scaffolding in Manhattan.
Even decades after this bad policy was first implemented it's important to never just give up and accept it.
Even decades after this bad policy was first implemented it's important to never just give up and accept it.
November 24, 2025 at 12:41 AM
You really have to stop yourself from thinking "well at least they installed some cool lighting" if you spend too much time underneath the scaffolding in Manhattan.
Even decades after this bad policy was first implemented it's important to never just give up and accept it.
Even decades after this bad policy was first implemented it's important to never just give up and accept it.
If @nycparks.bsky.social is going to have parks locked up on a beautiful weekend afternoon, I don't think it's too much to ask for a sign explaining what's going on. When will the park open up again??
Not like the park is in the middle of nowhere. This is in the center of Greenwich Village!
Not like the park is in the middle of nowhere. This is in the center of Greenwich Village!
November 23, 2025 at 11:46 PM
If @nycparks.bsky.social is going to have parks locked up on a beautiful weekend afternoon, I don't think it's too much to ask for a sign explaining what's going on. When will the park open up again??
Not like the park is in the middle of nowhere. This is in the center of Greenwich Village!
Not like the park is in the middle of nowhere. This is in the center of Greenwich Village!
You KNOW whoever smashed this screen didn't pay their fare
November 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM
You KNOW whoever smashed this screen didn't pay their fare