Q. I’m redoing my kitchen and trying to figure out the best material for the countertops. I like the look of granite, marble, Caesarstone, Silestone, soapstone and concrete. What are the pros and cons of each based on heat, stains, price and the time it’ll take to finish the project?

A. The countertop is a crucial decision in a kitchen–it’s the surface that you interact with the most, it’ll get the most use (and abuse) of any surface in the house, and it’s the visual touchstone of your kitchen. Here’s a rundown of each option you’re considering.

Prices for these six materials fall within the following ranges:

•  Granite: $200/square foot
• Marble/caesarstone/silestone: $175/square foot
• Soapstone: $200/square foot
• Concrete: $300/square foot, starting at a minimum of $10,000 ...

1968: Rockefeller proposes $6B urban revitalization plan

Gov. Nelson Rockefeller

New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller outlined a plan for a new non-profit, public-private corporation that was projected to spend $6 billion or more to redevelop impoverished areas of the state, including New York City, 46 years ago this month.

Rockefeller said the “revolutionary” Urban Development Corporation would have the authority to sell bonds to support the projects, obtain land through eminent domain and circumvent local zoning rules.

He expected the state public benefit corporation would leverage about $1 billion in public financing, with about $5 billion of private financing, to achieve the $6 billion in redevelopment. He cited urban rioting as one impetus for what he described as “drastic” measures...

Last week, New York State’s Home and Community Renewal (HCR) agency released a set of new regulations that aims to strengthen New York’s rent stabilization laws. The 27 new rule changes will make it more difficult for landlords to increase the rent and make it easier for tenants to fight back.

It’s been a landlord’s market these last couple of years. The demand and shortage of rental housing that followed 2007’s housing crisis gave landlords the opportunity to hike up rents in competitive markets like New York City, San Francisco, and Boston. While rental property owners have been able to enjoy record-low vacancy rates, they’ve also been using loopholes in state rent stabilization code that has allowed them to raise rents and evict tenants.

The loss of affordable housing a...

In a development that couldn’t have possibly been predicted by anyone in the year 2014, a Village icon is being torn down and replaced by luxury condos. Although most locals probably have something of a love-hate relationship with the expensive (but fun! but expensive!) Bowlmor Lanes at 110 University Place, they will almost certainly think more fondly of the bowling alley now that word is getting out that new owner Billy Macklowe has plans to tear it down this summer and begin work on a brand new building. Macklowe acquired 110 University Place, which also houses a parking garage, in 2012. Bowlmor has operated in the space since 1938 and is, or will have been, the longest continuously running bowling alley on the East Coast, according to its website.

From: Curbed NY

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