Tech:NYC Digest: July 2

Tech:NYC Digest: July 2

July 02, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Friday, July 2, 2021Happy Friday! We’re landing in your inbox early for another summer Friday edition of the digest. As a reminder, we’re off on Monday for the holiday, so we’ll see you next Tuesday!Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

A quick round of updates:

  • The MTA has unveiled the first of its brand new subway cars that will begin replacing some of the agency’s trains at the end of next year. The new cars come equipped with improved signal technology and wider entryways intended to reduce dwell time at stations. Twenty of the roughly 500 new cars will also feature an open-gangway design, meaning the cars will be linked by flexible connectors. (Gothamist)

  • Manhattan’s office market is still reeling from the pandemic. A recent report from Colliers International highlighted struggles with decreasing rents and increasing empty space. (Crain’s New York) 

    • While some companies are preparing to call back workers to their offices, the amount of office space available for lease in Manhattan has soared to the highest rate ever, underscoring how the sudden shift to remote work during the coronavirus pandemic upended the city’s commercial real estate industry. (New York Times)

    • At the same time, the Manhattan residential real estate market is back to pre-pandemic levels. (New York Times) Some believe this is due, in part, to tech workers decamping from the West Coast. (Crain’s New York)

  • And it’s Fourth of July weekend! After last year’s Independence Day festivities were mostly halted, New York City is back to celebrating in style:

    • Macy’s iconic fireworks display is back on. The event will kick off Sunday at 8pm with a televised star-studded, two-hour special. Then, fireworks will illuminate the New York skyline around 9:25pm with more than 65,000 shells and effects launched from five barges positioned on the East River. (NBC New York)

    • Here are some of the designated viewing spots to watch the fireworks, plus some suggestions for rooftop bars and other venues where you can catch a good view.

    • And here’s a roundup of some other ways to celebrate this weekend.

In other reading:

  • Board of Election Vote-Count Bungle Could’ve Been Avoided, Consultant Says (THE CITY)

  • When New York Was Ours Alone (New York Times)

  • What Happens to the ‘Weed Spot’ Now That Weed Is Legal? (New York Times)

Have a good weekend! And see you on Tuesday!

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