MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — When is a public bench not public?
The answer is never, unless management in a NYC building with public space is breaking an agreement with New York City.
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There are nearly 600 privately owned public spaces in NYC that are regulated by the NYC Department of Buildings. The law, which went into effect in the 1960’s, requires buildings to maintain public spaces in exchange for being allowed to build bigger and bulkier than would normally be permitted by zoning laws.
Last week, the NYC Department of Buildings posted a reminder on social media that buildings with public plazas are required to abide by the agreement. Failure to do so can result in fines from $5,000 to $25,000…