Jayne Appleby BA, MSc’s Post

In 2022, Mayor Adams stood on Eighth Avenue to praise the sidewalk expansions designed to ease pedestrian congestion and reduce traffic violence. These expansions, which began under former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017, reduced the avenue from four lanes to two, providing more space for the significant number of pedestrians and cyclists in the area. At the time, Adams highlighted the benefits of these changes, including a 30% reduction in pedestrian injuries. However, Mayor Adams recently expressed concerns about the project, citing issues such as car congestion and the overuse of mopeds and bikes. His shift in stance was influenced by a walkthrough with Broadway theater operators, who have been vocal opponents of the changes due to their impact on car traffic in the theater district. Despite data showing that three-quarters of theater-goers use foot or mass transit, and 88% of people in the area travel on foot, Adams is considering revisiting the sidewalk expansions. Pedestrian advocate Christine Berthet, co-founder of CHEKPEDS and co-chair of the Manhattan Community Board 4 Transportation Committee, defended the expansions, emphasizing the improved comfort and safety for pedestrians. She criticized the idea of redesigning the avenue to accommodate illegal double-parking. Adams' current stance contrasts sharply with his previous statements and his mayoral campaign commitments to promote biking and walking. This reversal follows a pattern where he has yielded to the driving class on other key projects. The changes to Eighth Avenue's sidewalks are part of a broader effort to make New York City more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. These initiatives address the imbalance where the majority of people use non-car modes of transport, yet space and infrastructure historically favored vehicles. Mayor Adams' recent comments raise questions about the city's commitment to these initiatives and the influence of powerful interest groups. #NYC #EighthAvenue #SidewalkExpansion #MayorAdams #PedestrianSafety #UrbanPlanning #Broadway #CHEKPEDS #PublicTransport #CityInfrastructure #StreetDesign #TrafficSafety https://lnkd.in/ezsVGHKN

Oakland, nestled in the heart of the Bay Area, stands out as an exceptional place to call home. Here's why: 1. Diverse Culture: Oakland's rich tapestry of cultures offers a vibrant, inclusive community. From festivals to art exhibits, there's always something celebrating the city's diversity. 2. Food Scene: Renowned for its culinary diversity, Oakland boasts everything from street food to Michelin-star restaurants, highlighting flavors from around the world. 3. Green Spaces: With ample parks and trails, Oakland provides plenty of outdoor activities. Lake Merritt and Redwood Regional Park are just a couple of the city's natural gems. 4. Art and Creativity: Oakland's thriving arts scene, including street art, galleries, and live music, makes it a hub for creative minds. 5. Proximity to San Francisco: Just a quick BART ride away from San Francisco, Oakland offers a more relaxed pace of life without sacrificing access to big-city amenities. #OaklandLiving #BayAreaBeauty #DiverseCommunity #FoodieHeaven #OutdoorParadise #ArtisticHub #InnovationCity #CommunityStrong

Iconic Signs: Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania Find it at: Downtown Scranton Year put up: 1923 You probably associate Scranton with "The Office" more than with innovation, but this quiet Pennsylvania city was once a pioneer of embracing a groundbreaking new technology called electricity. When Scranton called itself "the Electric City," it wasn't exaggerating. In the 1880s, it was one of the first cities to have electricity and to use electric-powered streetcars. The sign was put up in 1923 to boast these accomplishments, and it used 1,200 lightbulbs just to show the rest of the world how far into the future they really were. As you've probably guessed, the city didn't continue leading the way in innovation during the 20th century, and its iconic sign was actually turned off for several decades. However, it was revitalized in 2004 and then taken down and replaced with an LED sign in 2014. #sign #signs #signcompany #signmaker #signservice

This is a great overview of how the City is working to make streets safer. Good to remember this as Trailnet releases our latest Crash Report https://lnkd.in/gzXZ-mPr

At the heart of Hudson Yards, we're exploring the Vessel, a living artwork drawing in billions. It's a beacon, attracting people to businesses. Learn patience, build something big, and create your own golden carrot to entice people. This game-changer is on every NYC top 10 list.  #VesselNYC #HudsonYards #GoldenCarrot #NYCTop10 #BusinessStrategy

Real talk here. While I’ll never judge people for feeling like they can’t speak truth to power, I’m making a call to all my colleagues who either left Philly city government or those still there to start speaking out because the Cherelle Parker administration is taking #philly down a dangerous path. Watch the Fox 29 Philadelphia, WTXF video in this post and think about these two points. 1. I dare anyone with any experience on city government or community organizing to look at this 13 week cleaning program and think, “That’s going to work.” The hyperbole about how “historic” it is to bring these departments together or how “huge” the investment is feels almost Trumpian. We all know that these big publicity stunts don’t solve anything and will keep a block clean for a few days, maybe a week, while actually accomplishing nothing. Why is it so amazing that the city is doing it’s basic job and doing cleaning, just once? And what about the fine print that now that they cleaned the block it’s up to the residents to keep it clean? We need real systemic solutions and not these smoke and mirror shows that get a bunch of people’s hopes up who have had such little hope over the past 4 years. This could do more damage than doing nothing. 2. Parker’s declaration at the end of this video about not letting the critics divide and conquer “us” is chilling. I’m alarmed by this strong woman tactic of making an us vs them argument that anyone who criticizes “us” is the enemy. Again, I challenge anyone with any experience in city government or community organizing to watch this video and not raise the red flags. If you do watch and that happens please speak out. I am so thankful to my strong community at Circular Philadelphia and my co director Samantha Wittchen who are willing to speak out when needed. We’re at a critical point in Philadelphia to get it right for the next chapter of progression in this city. And everything about this news clip screams that we are on a dangerous path. https://lnkd.in/eH_ynH4C

Last week, we had the opportunity to visit the Playford site in SA that one of the Doorways workers strongly advocated for, encouraging us to see firsthand the impact of the work being done. Walking through the space, speaking with the staff and volunteers really brought to life the progress being made. It’s one thing to review reports and data, but another entirely to immerse ourselves in the environment where the work is actually happening. In this evaluation, the national site visits have been invaluable. They offer us deeper insights and nuances that can sometimes be missed in documentation. By seeing the strengths of a site that’s thriving, we’re also able to reflect on what might be missing in places that aren’t working as well. These visits not only validate what’s working but provide context that informs a more holistic understanding. It's a reminder that there is always something to learn from success stories and real-world observations.

To know #RedHook is to love it, so let’s waste no more time on the former so we can get right to the latter. 🏙 Get to know all the ins and outs of this iconic neighborhood our blog, Inhabit, here: https://bit.ly/3wz6RK7 👈

We sat down at this year’s ISC West Conference to discuss how city leaders are working towards creating safer public spaces. Read to learn how the City of Detroit has made transformative safety improvements in recent years: https://lnkd.in/gGxUfSYt #SecurityScreening #PhysicalSecurity #SecurityTechnology #SaferExperiences #SaferCities

Bushwick: Where Creativity Meets Community in Brooklyn! 🎨🏙️ Have you ever walked down a street and felt the energy of innovation and artistic expression in every corner? That's Bushwick for you! This vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood has become a magnet for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking a unique urban experience. As a real estate professional, I've seen firsthand how Bushwick has transformed into one of NYC's most exciting areas to live and work. Here's what makes Bushwick special: 1. Diverse Housing 🏠: From industrial lofts to classic brownstones, there's a home for every taste and budget. 2. Culinary Paradise 🍽️: Foodies rejoice! The restaurant scene here is an adventure for your taste buds. 3. Art Everywhere 🖼️: The streets are an open-air gallery, with murals and installations at every turn. 4. Nightlife Central 🍻: From cozy bars to pulsing music venues, the nights are as lively as the days. 5. Community Spirit 🤝: Despite rapid changes, Bushwick maintains a strong sense of community. Thinking about making a move or investing in Brooklyn? Bushwick might just be your perfect match. Let's chat about the opportunities in this dynamic neighborhood! What's your favorite aspect of Bushwick? Share your experiences below! #BrooklynRealEstate #Bushwick #NYCLiving #CreativeCommunity #UrbanLiving #CelindaIaboni #RealBrokerLLC #RealBrokerage