New York Extends Eviction Moratorium Again Until January 15

New York’s eviction moratorium has been extended for a few more months

Last week, the New York legislature voted to extend the state’s moratorium on evictions for residential tenants and small businesses, the New York Times reports. The pandemic eviction freeze, which Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law over the weekend, now runs through the next four-and-a-half months, until January 15.

In this extension, the moratorium legislation has been adjusted slightly with more leeway for landlords, according to the Times, including the addition of a “nuisance standard” that allows landlords to push forward with eviction proceedings for tenants that have heavily damaged their property, for example. NYC Hospitality Alliance executive director Andrew Rigie said in a statement last Thursday that while the moratorium extension is “a positive development” for struggling restaurants and bars, the legislative protections are “weaker and will cover fewer businesses” this time around. In the meantime, Rigie is continuing to push the state to reinstall revenue-generating alcohol to-go allowances for restaurants and bars.

The state’s temporary eviction moratorium has been extended several times over the past 18 months — usually for two to three months at a time — as commercial and residential tenants continue to face economic hardship amid the ongoing pandemic. Now, the current eviction protections will kick in just as federal enhanced unemployment benefits expire for over 1.6 million New Yorkers.

In other news

— NYC icon Grand Central Oyster Bar has pushed back its planned September reopening due to “unforeseen operational issues” and delays caused by last week’s storm, according to a spokesperson for the restaurant. The space, which has stayed shut for (almost) the past seventeen months, will now reopen on September 20.

— Plantain enthusiast Kelewele, which opened in Dekalb Market over the summer, is adding an outpost at Barclays Center this fall. It will be the sports stadium’s first-ever vegan vendor, according to shop founder Rachel Laryea.

— Where to find “shatteringly crisp” Thai pork belly in Elmhurst.

— Crowd-favorite NYC pizzeria Joe’s Pizza is opening a Miami outpost.

— Famed Park Slope event space Grand Prospect Hall has been temporarily saved from demolition for a few more weeks, thanks to a court order issued last Wednesday allowing the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to evaluate a case to possibly landmark the building.

— The fashion industry’s favorite delivery-only juice brand, Tom’s Juice, is setting up a permanent shop in the East Village.

— A highly entertaining thread: