The Municipal Art Society of New York

Join us for the party of the century!  Following the presentation of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal to Dr. Judith Rodin, President, and David Rockefeller, Jr., Board Chair, The Rockefeller Foundation, the MAS Urbanists will host the third annual After Dark Party in Grand Central Terminal.  The party takes place Thursday, June 13 at 9:00 PM and tickets are on sale now.  The fundraiser will support MAS’s mission to make New York a more livable and resilient city for all.  All are welcome to attend. Continue Reading>>

MAS asked four of New York’s most well-known and respected design firms to re-envision New York’s Penn Station – the busiest train station in North America – and Madison Square Garden.  Be there when they reveal their designs LIVE for the first time Wednesday, May 29 at 9:00 AM.  This event is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.  Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online. Continue Reading>>

Over the next several weeks MAS will be participating in a number of international convenings, focusing on urban resilience and livability. On May 16, MAS Managing Director Mary Rowe will be part of CityAge conference in Toronto titled The Modern Metropolis, and will discuss MAS’s experience building a global network of urban resilience practitioners to share granular approaches that improve the livability and resilience of local neighborhoods. Continue Reading>>

This past Saturday May 11, 2013, MAS held its biannual Livable Neighborhoods Training.  Community board members, grassroots organizers, and concerned citizens gathered at Pratt Manhattan to learn the knowledge, skills, and tools to implement community plans in their neighborhoods.  Instructors included city officials, non-profit leaders, academics and experienced community activists. Continue Reading>>

At the first Multi-Board Community Task Force public hearing held this week for the City’s proposed East Midtown Rezoning, City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden announced that the City will hire consultants Jonathan Rose Company, Gehl Architects and Skanska to create an East Midtown Public Realm Vision Plan, which will include a public visioning process meant to coincide with the City’s rezoning proposal. Continue Reading>>

The Municipal Art Society of New York recently participated in a series of community workshops convened by the Mayor’s Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR). Held in 11 of New York City’s neighborhoods impacted by Superstorm Sandy, MAS recruited over 150 facilitators to lead working table discussions at the workshops and collect feedback from the communities.  Continue Reading>>

There’s still time to nominate an exceptional community planner for the 2013 Yolanda Garcia Community Planner Award!  Do know someone who has worked on a place-based community plan?  Is self-taught? Uses an inclusive, community-driven approach to effect change?

MAS and We Stay/Nos Quedamos are now accepting nominations for the 2013 Yolanda Garcia Community Continue Reading>>

Since its inception in 2007 the annual international phenomenon – Jane’s Walk – has created an opportunity for people to actively engage in city planning. Over the course of one weekend– this year on May 4th and 5th– people in urban areas around the world will lead over 600 walking tours in their own communities to highlight what works about where they live, and what doesn’t.  New York City is host to over 100 Jane’s Walks and (and one bike ride!) in all five boroughs. Continue Reading>>

In a joint effort, MAS, the Landmarks Conservancy and Historic Districts Council sent a letter to Robert Tierney, Chairman  of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  In response to the organizations’ lists of potential landmarks located within the city’s East Midtown rezoning area,  the Commission had identified buildings potentially worthy of landmark designation.  We asked that these historic buildings be calendared as quickly as possible. Continue Reading>>

The NYC Planning Commission certified the City’s proposed zoning strategy meant to encourage the development of taller, more modern office buildings throughout a 78 block section of East Midtown. The certification launches the City’s formal landuse review process. Over the next 160 days affected Manhattan Community Boards, the Manhattan Borough President and the City Planning Commission will develop their position on the proposal, which will then head to City Council for a final vote. Continue Reading>>

MAS and Architizer are pleased to announce the jury that will help choose the next great idea for New York at Pitching the City on Friday, May 3rd at 7:00 PM.  Joining us will be: Nick Denton, Gawker.com; Pat Kiernan, NY1; Roy Kim, Extell; Nazli Parvizi, Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit; Christopher Sharples, SHoP Architects; Megan Sheekey, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City; Yeohlee Teng, designer. Continue Reading>>

On Saturday, May 11, MAS will host the Spring 2013 Livable Neighborhoods Training. This year, Livable Neighborhoods is co-sponsored by the Pratt Institute’s Programs in Sustainable Planning and Development. The day-long workshop series will be held at Pratt Manhattan, located at 144 West 14^th Street.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Click here to register for the event. Continue Reading>>

MAS is teaming up with Architizer to present a signature event of the New Museum’s Ideas City Festival on Friday, May 3rd at 7:00 PM.  Pitching the City will bring you five fresh ideas that use New York’s untapped capital—the theme of this year’s festival—in inventive ways.  The event takes place at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral at the corner of Mott and Prince Streets.  Registration is required. Continue Reading>>

MAS President Vin Cipolla joined dozens of civic organizations and concerned New Yorkers on April 10, 2013 at the City Planning Commission’s public hearing on the application for a special permit for Madison Square Garden to continue to operate an arena, in perpetuity, on the location it currently occupies, which sits atop Penn Station – the most important train station in the country. Continue Reading>>