GMC is transforming New York City’s automotive scene with its premium, versatile vehicles that meet diverse urban transportation needs. It offers everything from compact SUVs to full-size trucks; these models combine luxury and functionality. GMC has also revamped its offerings for 2025 to satisfy city dwellers who are seeking sophisticated design and advanced technology. Here are our top picks for New Yorkers looking for the best 2025 GMC lease deals.
The Rugged-looking Terrain
The redesigned 2025 GMC Terrain emerges with bold styling inspired by its larger Yukon sibling, elevating GMC’s compact SUV offering. Powered by a 175-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, it pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in front-wheel-drive configuration or an eight-speed automatic with all-wheel drive. The 2025 GMC Terrain’s upscale interior distinguishes itself from its Chevrolet Equinox cousin, with premium materials and a striking 15.0-inch vertical-style infotainment display dominating the dashboard.
The Family-Friendly Acadia
The 2025 GMC Acadia returns to its full-size roots, offering adult-friendly third-row seating and generous cargo capacity. It is powered exclusively by a 328-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic, and delivers adequate performance. The rugged AT4 trim adds off-road capability with specialized suspension and protective elements, while the available Super Cruise brings hands-free driving assistance across all trim levels.
The Luxurious Full-Size Yukon
The 2025 GMC Yukon and extended Yukon XL blend full-size SUV capability with near-luxury refinement. Engine choices include a 355-hp 5.3L V8, a muscular 420-hp 6.2L V8, and a newly enhanced 305-hp diesel inline-six delivering 495 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains are mated to a 10-speed automatic with available all-wheel drive. The independent rear suspension ensures composed handling, while the AT4 trim adds serious off-road hardware. Inside, three rows accommodate up to eight passengers, with Denali trims offering premium appointments.
The Capable Mid-Size Canyon Pickup Truck
The 2025 GMC Canyon elevates the mid-size pickup segment with premium aspirations and robust capability. Its sole powertrain, a 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder producing 430 pound-feet of torque, leads the class in muscle. Available exclusively with a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed, it offers a class-leading 7,700-pound towing capacity in most trims. From the versatile AT4X off-roader to the luxurious Denali, precise steering and composed handling distinguish it from traditional truck competitors.
Elevate your driving experience with a 2025 GMC lease in New York City. Our premium lease packages feature well-appointed SUVs and trucks, tailored to discerning urban drivers. Our dedicated specialists handle everything from model selection to contract signing, delivering unmatched rates and same-day convenience. Contact us now at VIP Auto Lease, 1204 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305. 718-477-7888.
The technique for taking a patient’s dental impressions has changed dramatically in the dental sector. For many years, traditional molds—typically composed of silicone or alginate—have been the norm. But the emergence of digital impressions is changing dental lab operations and affecting the patient experience in general.
Knowing the Procedures
Using traditional molds, a patient’s teeth and gums are physically imprinted. The dentist puts the impression material in the patient’s mouth after filling a tray with it. The substance solidifies after a few minutes, forming a negative impression of the teeth. After that, the mold is delivered to the dental lab, where technicians utilize it to make crowns and bridges, among other restorations. Digital impressions, on the other hand, make use of sophisticated 3D scanning technologies. An almost instantaneous digital model is produced by taking comprehensive pictures of the teeth and gums using a handheld scanner. Before shipping it to the lab, this model can be precisely measured and adjusted using computer viewing and manipulation.
Advantages of Digital Images
Compared to conventional molds, digital impressions provide a number of benefits. Accuracy is among the biggest advantages. Because digital scans are so comprehensive, they are less likely to contain flaws like distortions or bubbles that can happen with traditional molds. Better-fitting restorations result from this, potentially increasing patient comfort and happiness. The process’s quickness is another benefit. Dentists can finish operations in a single visit because to the speedy capture of digital impressions. Restoration turnaround times can be shortened by sending the digital files to the lab virtually immediately. Patients can get quicker outcomes and spend less time waiting for their treatments because to this efficiency.
Dental Labs Affected
Dental labs are being profoundly impacted by the transition to digital impressions. Labs can increase productivity and streamline processes with digital files. Restorations can be designed and manufactured more quickly thanks to the use of CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology. In addition to improving the caliber of the job, this aids labs in better resource management.
Conclusion
The dentistry sector is undergoing a revolution as a result of the switch from conventional molds to digital impressions. This modification improves accuracy, productivity, and teamwork for dental labs. Digital impressions will probably become more significant as technology develops, improving restorative dental patient happiness and care quality.
Infiniti is carving a distinctive niche in New York City’s luxury automotive landscape. The brand’s recently revamped lineup, ranging from sleek sedans to jaw-dropping SUVs, embodies Japanese precision and urban refinement. As urbanites increasingly seek premium vehicles that balance style and practicality, Infiniti’s growing popularity reflects its ability to meet the demanding expectations of discerning metropolitan drivers. Looking to lease a 2025 Infiniti in NYC? Here are our top picks.
The Elegant Mid-Size QX60
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 presents an alluring blend of style and value in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. With its distinctive curved design and refined interior featuring available quilted leather and massage functions, it offers upscale comfort at a competitive price point. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers 268 horsepower through a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission. While European rivals may command more prestige, the Infiniti QX60’s serene cabin environment and generous feature set make it a compelling choice for luxury-minded buyers seeking affordability and value.
The Jaw-dropping QX55
The 2025 Infiniti QX55 brings distinctive coupe-like styling to the luxury crossover segment, offering a more dramatic interpretation of the QX50’s design language. Its sleek, sloping roofline creates an elegant profile that emphasizes sportiness. Powered by a sophisticated 268-horsepower turbocharged engine with variable compression technology, the QX55 delivers a smooth, comfortable ride. Standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned suspension ensure confident handling, while the refined interior provides a serene environment for daily commuting.
The Sensational Full-Size QX80
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 emerges as a stunning luxury flagship SUV, showcasing a bold transformation with its commanding presence and sophisticated design inspired by the QX Monograph concept. The muscular exterior features an imposing grille, dramatic LED lighting elements, and a striking full-width light bar. Under the hood, a potent 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 with 516 lb-ft of torque delivers exceptional performance while boasting a class-leading 8,500-pound towing capacity. The opulent interior dazzles with three high-tech displays, available massage functions for both first and second rows, and an innovative climate control system with infrared sensing. A standard 24-speaker Klipsch audio system rounds out this remarkable luxury package.
QX50
The 2025 Infiniti QX50 continues to impress with its striking exterior design and luxurious appointments. This sophisticated compact luxury SUV features standard all-wheel drive and a pioneering variable-compression turbocharged engine producing 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Its comfort-focused suspension delivers a composed ride quality that excels on both city streets and highways. Inside, the well-appointed cabin offers premium materials and amenities at a competitive price point in the luxury segment.
Elevate your New York City commute with a 2025 Infiniti lease from VIP Auto Lease. Our collection features the latest performance luxury models, each customizable to your specifications. With market-leading prices and guidance from our performance vehicle specialists and finance experts, you’ll find the perfect Infiniti that balances luxury and dynamism within your budget. Contact us now at VIP Auto Lease, 1204 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305. 718-477-7888.
Digital dentistry is a broad term encompassing any dental technology that involves the use of computer-based components such as hardware devices and software solutions. The purpose is to enable dental professionals to deliver treatment with the help of computer-aided tools. New possibilities such as digital scanning in dentistry enable dentists for example to take impressions, perform diagnostics or plan treatment without the use of mechanical tools. Digital dental solutions for labs such as impression scanners and design software significantly speed up the process of creating dental products and reduce the amount of manual work.
The history of digital dentistry does not stand alone — it saw daylight for the first time when French dentist Dr. Francois Duret applied principles of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture) for dental impression taking. This was in 1984 — almost 40 years ago! Since that day, dental professionals from many countries around the world have invented and patented a lot of digital dental solutions to optimize the dental treatment process. However, as it turned out, adoption of this digital technology by dentists is taking its time — our market research shows that nowadays around 85% of dental clinics globally still take impressions the conventional way: with an impression tray
Digital scanners in dentistry can be classified into different types depending on where and how they are used: in dental clinics, facing the patient, or in dental laboratories, not facing the patient. Dental scanning equipment for clinics can be categorized into CBCT or intraoral scanners. Dental Cone beam CT (CBCT) scanners are used for taking X-rays of the mouth area, and intraoral scanners or dental 3D scanners replace the conventional impression method, where patients are asked to sit with gooey impression material in their mouth in order to get an accurate impression. The two scan types can be combined for example when full denture treatment is needed.
Intraoral scans are built up by polygons and can be combined with an image taken by an intraoral camera3. The result is a realistic 3D image of the patient’s dentition on a computer screen or tablet, and allows the dentist to see even the smallest problems and defects of teeth, and other parts of the cavity, that cannot be noticed with the naked eye. Some scanners can even detect caries in the very early stages (which also helps to prevent its further development).
Dental anxiety is a common barrier that prevents many individuals from seeking necessary dental care. Digital dentistry offers innovative solutions to alleviate dental anxiety and create a more comfortable experience. Intraoral scanners eliminate the need for traditional impression materials, reducing discomfort and minimizing anxiety-inducing triggers. Virtual reality (VR) technology is also being integrated into dental practices, providing patients with immersive and engaging experiences that distract from dental procedures, easing anxiety and enhancing overall well-being.
Contributed By Ultimate Dental, Denture, Crown & Implants Lab – Serving The Greenpoint Area and all of NYC https://ultimatedentallab.com/
In the bustling segment of compact sedans, the Hyundai Elantra shines with its exceptional execution of small car responsibilities. With a range of fuel-efficient powertrains, it seamlessly blends performance and economy while boasting a plethora of driver assistance features, modern convenience technologies, and solid value. For those seeking an extra thrill, the Elantra offers the option of donning the prestigious N badge, delivering a turbocharged punch and sporty enhancements to elevate its performance prowess. To learn more, you can check out this 2024 Hyundai Elantra review. Let’s see how the compact Hyundai stacks up against its key rivals.
Design
The design of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra captures attention with its sharp and visually appealing aesthetics. Its exterior boasts sleek lines and curves, imparting a distinctly contemporary appearance. At the forefront, the bold and striking front grille enhances the car’s overall appeal, accentuating its sharper front end. Compared to other sedans in its segment, the Elantra has the most distinctive styling, making it an excellent choice for shoppers who want to stand out.
Build Quality
It’s normal to see low quality materials in segments with low-priced vehicles. However, the Elantra does well to provide impressive materials. The Hyundai Elantra may not be the most equipped model, as hard plastics are visible in some parts, but its attractive layout masks these flaws.
Performance
The 2024 Elantra’s standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that coughs out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Compared to other compact sedans in this segment, the Elantra’s base engine is the least powerful. But don’t fret, as Hyundai makes up for this with a gutsier 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder providing a robust 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque for the N Line model. That’s more power than you’d get in the Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra. Also, only the Hyundai Elantra along with the Toyota Prius and Corolla offers hybrid powertrains. The hybrid Elantra merges a naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-powered N Line model sprints from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 7.0 seconds, which is slightly quicker than other sedans with similar power output.
Fuel Economy
Elantra models with the base engine achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. The Elantra is slightly more frugal than it’s classmates. Only the entry-level Honda Civic matches these numbers.
The refreshed Elantra is one of the sportiest compact sedans in the market. From its out-of-the-box styling to its hybrid and performance-oriented offerings, the sedan caters to the needs of various category of shoppers. To lease a brand-new 2024 Hyundai, such as the facelifted 2024 Elantra, VIP Auto Lease is your top choice. We assure you of the industry’s lowest prices and lightning-fast delivery to your driveway.
At the Brooklyn Heights intersection where Katherine Harris was hit and killed by a speeding driver in April of this year, Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher introduced legislation that would impose hindrances on drivers going more than five miles per hour above the speed limit. According to a press release, the bill would mimic the model of drunk driving legislation where convicted drivers must prove that they are sober by blowing into a device before they can start their car. Similarly, the legislation would only impact driver’s with six or more speeding tickets in one year.
In a statement, Assemblymember Gallagher said the bill is important to take precautionary measures to ensure that people like Katherine Harris do not have to die.
“As more Americans continue to die from motor vehicle crashes than in any other country in the world, we need to take proactive and common sense measures to reduce traffic violence,” Gallagher said. “Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly, and people who have repeatedly demonstrated they will endanger lives while operating vehicles should be limited in how fast they can drive.”
According to Kate Brockwehl, the survivor of a near fatal car crash and an advocate for the organization Families for Safe Streets, the legislation is a big step in reducing serious car accidents and deaths. Brockwehl said that many people in the United States think of traffic fatalities as just an unfortunate part of life, something unpreventable, and said she wants people to understand that serious car crashes can be avoided by infrastructure like this bill. According to Brockwehl, she was hit by a speeding car as a pedestrian in 2017, and spent a year and a half in recovery from the incident.
‘I’m a huge fan of the bill,” Brockwehl said. “To me, this bill is incredibly straightforward. It doesn’t remove your keys, it doesn’t affect your ability to drive, you can go all the places you need to. It says you can’t go more than ten [sic] miles over the speed limit. You don’t get a ticket until that point.”
According to Brockwehl, bills such as the one that Gounardes and Gallagher are putting forward were nonexistent in the United States until recently because the technology to safely slow down cars did not exist in American markets, though some form of speed reduction technology has been used in the European Union on all new cars since 2022, according to Autoweek Magazine.
Under the new legislation put forward by Gounardes and Gallagher, offending drivers that try to go more than five miles will have their speed reduced by intelligent speed assistance . The bill has a precedent in an ISA pilot program installed on New York City fleet vehicles, in which 99 percent of vehicles successfully remained within the speed limit parameters.
Brockwehl said that the legislation is just one step in fighting traffic violence, and said that Families for Safe Streets is also pushing to introduce alternative street configurations that would slow down drivers, including something called a “road diet” which would add more room for bicycle paths and turning lanes. Brockwehl said that her ultimate goal is for fatal and near fatal traffic incidents to be a thing of the past.
“There’s nothing preventing my being killed next time, or like someone I love, unless I never go outside again in my life,” Brockwehl said. “I think we’re just so incredibly used to [traffic deaths] in the United States to the point that it affects so many more people than people who are involved in Families for Safe Streets, but I think people don’t realize it yet.”
In a statement, Councilmember Lincoln Restler said that, if passed, the legislation will ultimately lead to safer and more habitable streets.
“Too many New Yorkers are victims of traffic violence due to reckless drivers,” said Restler. “I’m excited to support Senator Gounardes’ and Assembly Member Gallagher’s common sense legislation that will increase accountability on the most dangerous drivers, make our neighborhoods safer, and ultimately save lives.”
On any given Sunday on the outskirts of the Orthodox Hasidic community in South Williamsburg, passerby might turn the street to see hundreds of migrants gathered outside of Parcare, an unassuming private health clinic on Park Avenue, speaking animatedly in languages like French, Bengali, Arabic and Spanish.
The migrants are there for a drive that Parcare operates in order to help people who have recently arrived in the United States navigate the asylum seeking process, which includes information on how to obtain health insurance, registering for an IDNYC card and an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, getting in contact with immigrant lawyers or finding permanent housing. Gary Schlesinger, founder and chief executive officer of Parcare, said the drive emerged when patients who spoke little English started turning up at Parcare around Nov. 2022 without insurance, identification or long-term housing.
“It started affecting us because all of a sudden, we started seeing people coming to our front desk asking for help,“ Schlesinger said. “So we jumped in, trying to help. I felt, ‘This is the right thing to do. This is the moral thing to do.’”
Levi Jurkowiz, community liaison for Parcare, said that Parcare runs three drives a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for anyone that might need assistance, but migrants are the primary visitors. Jurkowiz said Parcare is trying to help with the migrant crisis as much as they can, but he said he feels frustrated that there is no broader plan of action from the city and federal government.
“There is no plan, there’s an immigrant crisis. The people here are really, all of them, just looking to work, pay taxes and get their papers. We should help them get that,” Jurkowitz said. “I think there’s an issue with the federal government, they have to figure out what to do.”
According to Jurkowitz, the people who come into Parcare often live in shelters and speak little English, which makes it difficult to obtain health insurance, bank accounts, or a job as you need a permanent address to register, and it is difficult to find work if you do not speak the language. Jurkowiz said the system is incredibly difficult to navigate, and many newcomers arrive after long and arduous journeys with debt from cartels and other predatory lenders who make enormous profit off of smuggling migrants across the border.
“It costs them thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars to come here,” Jurkowiz said. “And the people who lend them the money aren’t the nicest people in the world.”
Ibrahim, 23, said he had traveled through five countries and several American states to come to New York from his home in Mauritania, a country located in Western Africa. We are only using Ibrahim’s first name to protect his identity. Ibrahim speaks French and Arabic but minimal English, and communicated via a mix of spoken word and Google Translate. According to Ibrahim, life in Mauritania was extremely difficult, and he felt confined by government constraints, social and family pressures as well as a lack of opportunities.
“I have a lot of problems with Mauritania. You can’t be free,” Ibrahim said. “I want to be free in my decisions, I want to do what I like to do.”
Ibrahim said he studied computer science and business in Tunisia before coming to the United States, and hopes to continue his studies. However, he said he has had trouble finding work and resources in the U.S. due to his uncertain legal status in the country. Ibrahim said that immigration services cater to people from Spanish speaking countries, and that many under-the-table job opportunities available to Spanish migrants are not given to African migrants. According to Ibrahim, it has also been hard adjusting to living in the shelters where there is a lack of showers and personal space, and that theft is a big issue.
“It’s very hard to live where I live,” Ibrahim said. “[In the shelter] we live 70 in one room, eight floors. The big problem for me for now is stealing. You have phone? Steal. You have bag? Steal. I have papers, they steal that.”
Schlesinger, who grew up in the Orthodox community in Williamsburg, said he feels an obligation to help the asylum seekers after hearing stories from his parents who escaped the Holocaust from Hungary.
“My father used to always tell me how grateful he was for anyone that used to help them because they came here with nothing. He was talking the immigrant language, you know, he was an immigrant,” Schlesinger said. “So, when I started looking into this, I thought, ‘You know, this is a crisis, let’s do something.’”
As of July 19, there are 54,800 migrants under New York City’s care with hundreds of people arriving in the city each day. In a press conference, Mayor Eric Adams said the crisis has reached its breaking point as news broke that newcomers have been turned away from overflowing shelters and forced to sleep on the streets; Adams urged President Joe Biden to give aid to the city in order to alleviate the issue.
According to Jurkowiz, squabbles between Republican and Democratic politicians have caused the situation, and that the migrants have been caught in the middle. Since April 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abott has been sending busloads of migrants to sanctuary cities like New York and Washington D.C. in order to protest the Biden administration’s border policy. Since last spring, New York City has seen an influx of 90,000 migrants and asylum-seekers. Schlesinger said that the work Parcare does is not enough to help all the people arriving into the city, and that there needs to be more money and infrastructure to deal with the issue.
“Let’s face it, the money really comes from the federal government, that’s where the billions are,” Schlesinger said. “And if they don’t recognize this as a crisis, there’s a big issue here because there’s thousands of people and if the money isn’t going to come from Washington, God knows where this is going to end. Private people like us can only do so much.”
On Cadman Plaza, nestled amongst a cluster of institutional buildings like the Brooklyn Borough Hall, the County Clerk’s office and various other courthouses criminal and otherwise, stands an institution in its own right: Brooklyn’s own Biggie Smalls. A nine-foot tall interactive sculpture of the late rapper was unveiled on Wed. Aug 2 and was celebrated with speeches from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and other community leaders, a dance performance by Victory Music & Dance Company as well as a marching band concert.
Sherwin Banfield, the artist who created the sculpture, said he was inspired to make the piece because of his connection to Biggie’s creativity and artistry.
“I was exposed to Biggie my first year of Parsons School of Design, my next door neighbor, he invited me over and said ‘You’ve got to hear this, this album just dropped,’ this was in 94, it was ‘Ready to Die,’” Banfield said. “When I listened and I heard it, I was completely blown away. It was completely unlike anything I’d ever heard before. It was cinema, cinema as music.”
The sculpture, dubbed “Sky’s the Limit in the county of Kings,” is cast with Biggie’s face in bronze, complemented with a variety of different materials such as resin, stone and stainless steels and also includes an audio component powered by solar panels that run alongside Big’s back. Hip-hop is not just being honored in Cadman Plaza: there is a world-wide movement to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music, with multiple events happening in New York City this summer. Banfield said he was heavily inspired by hip-hop music, and that he wanted to mix different artistic mediums to mimic the genre’s amalgamating of different sounds and musical styles. In an interview, he also said he wanted the statute to inspire young people.
“This sculpture is not for everyone, but for kids that find themselves in unusual circumstances that are hurtful, or they might feel like the world is against them,” Banfield said. “You know, they can look towards this sculpture as an achievement for someone that took their talents, that took their God-given talents, and ran with it. Biggie said, ‘If you find something that’s in you, just develop it.’”
Biggie Smalls, who also went by the Notorious B.I.G, Biggie or just Big, was born 1972 as Christopher George Latore Wallace in Clinton Hill. He is often named by critics and other musicians as one of the best rappers of all time. Biggie was multi-faceted, and touched upon deeper subjects like struggle, depression, compassion, love, and suicide in a way that other hip-artists at the time would not speak about publicly. Oftentimes, he was also vulgar, rapping bluntly about sex, violence and drugs, and was controversial for the darkness of his lyrics. Overall, his rumbling voice, melodic lyricism and gritty storytelling came to represent East Coast hip-hop alongside peers such as Nas and Jay-Z.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said that hip-hop was incredibly important to young people growing in the city, and it was heartwarming to be celebrating such an influential artist in his birthplace.
“Hip-hop was, and is, the soundtrack of our lives,” Williams said. “To see the impact hip-hop has is amazing. To be celebrating 50 years [of hip-hop], to be able to unveil a Biggie Smalls, Notorious B.I.G bust and statue in front of Borough Hall…who would have thought that it going to be what it was when we were bumping our heads on the train, on the bus, listening to “Ready to Die,” listening to Biggie. It’s just amazing.”
An attendee of the event who goes by K.C., short for King Crust, went to the same school as Biggie, and said that watching someone from Brooklyn become such a big name in the music industry inspired others from the neighborhood to follow their own passions. According to King Crust, Biggie represents the essence of Brooklyn.
“Hip-hip is life, hip-hop is everything. The rhythm of how you carry your everyday is hip-hop,” King Crust said. “Biggie Smalls is the illest. That should be known all across the world. He was the illest to ever do it.”
The statue will be available for viewing on Cadman Plaza until November.
Article 12A is an important piece of legislation that affects the real estate industry. It is a section of the New York State Real Property Law, and it outlines the disclosure requirements for real estate transactions. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Article 12A and how it impacts real estate transactions. Fasten your seat-belts as you are about to get the full scoop and low down on everything related to Article 12A by a local Greenpoint, Brooklyn Real Estate & Business Lawyer.
What is Article 12A?
Article 12A is a New York State law that was enacted in 1985. It is also known as the Real Property Law Disclosure Act. The purpose of Article 12A is to ensure that buyers of real estate have access to important information about the property they are considering purchasing. Article 12A applies to residential real estate transactions that involve one to four dwelling units. This includes single-family homes, condominiums, co-ops, and townhouses.
What Does Article 12A Require?
Article 12A requires sellers of residential real estate to provide buyers with a Property Condition Disclosure Statement. This statement outlines any known defects or conditions that could affect the property’s value or safety. The Property Condition Disclosure Statement must be provided to the buyer before the purchase contract is signed. The statement must also be signed by the seller and dated. The Property Condition Disclosure Statement covers a wide range of issues, including:
The presence of lead-based paint
The condition of the roof, foundation, and other structural elements
The condition of the plumbing, electrical, and heating systems
The presence of pests or other nuisances
The existence of any environmental hazards or other factors that could affect the property’s value or safety.
If the seller is not aware of any defects or conditions, they must still provide a Property Condition Disclosure Statement indicating that they have no knowledge of any such issues.
How Does Article 12A Impact Real Estate Transactions?
Article 12A is an important piece of legislation that protects buyers of real estate. By requiring sellers to disclose any known defects or conditions, buyers can make informed decisions about whether or not to proceed with the purchase. Failure to provide a Property Condition Disclosure Statement can result in legal action against the seller. In some cases, buyers may be able to rescind the contract or sue the seller for damages if they can prove that the seller knew about a defect or condition and failed to disclose it.
Conclusion
Article 12A is an important piece of legislation that protects buyers of residential real estate in New York State. By requiring sellers to disclose any known defects or conditions, buyers can make informed decisions about whether or not to proceed with the purchase. Failure to provide a Property Condition Disclosure Statement can result in legal action against the seller, so it is important for sellers to comply with this law. Buyers should also carefully review the Property Condition Disclosure Statement and consider hiring a home inspector to ensure that they are fully informed about the condition of the property.
Grand Street, Morgan Ave. and Metropolitan Ave. Discussed
By Iryna Shkurhan
ishkurhan@queensledger.com
With stickers, markers and post-its in hand, North Brooklyn residents set out to redesign some of the most widely used, and problematic, corridors in their neighborhood.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted the revisioning event on Thursday evening at the Swinging Sixties Senior Center on Ainslie Street. With over a hundred community members in attendance, no seat was left empty. The strong turnout and vocal attendees reflected the desire for a long awaited redesign that prioritizes safety and accessibility in the community.
The conversation centered around three main roadways — Grand Street, Metropolitan Avenue and Morgan Avenue — which are heavily utilized by pedestrians, cars, bus commuters, bicyclists and trucks on a daily basis. The event directly showed that accommodating everyone’s interests is tricky, with several possible solutions to consider.
A presentation by Lauren Rennée, a DOT project manager, outlined the changes implemented at these three locations over the past decade to address usability, especially for the growing number of cyclists. A “toolbox” of possibilities to address the issues that remain included one-way car conversion, removing a lane of parking, reducing travel lanes and sheltering bike lanes with either parking or jersey barriers.
The area that encompasses Williamsburg and Greenpoint ranks in the top-third of high-crash corridors in Brooklyn, according to the DOT. On Grand Street, 22 people were seriously injured between 2016 and 2020. Since 2016, there have also been seven fatalities. The crash rates were only slightly lower on Metropolitan Ave and Morgan Ave.
“There are a lot of challenges with the current design,” said Jennifer Gutiérrez, Council Member of District 34 representing Bushwick and Williamsburg, in her opening remarks. “We’re also here because there have been very real collisions and deaths along these corridors. Our goal before anything is to prevent all of those deaths.”
The central complaint of the evening was that the majority of the time, the bike lanes in all three locations were unusable due to parked cars or trucks blocking them. With poor access and visibility, bicyclists are forced to either disturb pedestrians on the sidewalks or put themselves at risk by riding into car designated lanes. But some business owners countered that bike lanes pose curb access challenges for deliveries and limited parking for visitors.
“I bike on Grand St and it’s very problematic, depending on which way you’re going,” said Francesca Romana Caputo, a Williamsburg resident. “There is always something parked on the bike lane.”
Attendees were seperated into a dozen breakout groups where they spent 45 minutes discussing possibilities for solutions with a map of the area open between them. Using color coded stickers, they marked problematic areas with a corresponding note.
Each group had a DOT representative to guide the conversation, offer their expertise while another representative diligently took notes of popular solutions. It was suggested 15 minutes of discussion is allotted to each corridor, but Metropolitan Ave received the most attention, and complaints.
“We want to design streets that enforce themselves,” said Preston Johnson, a DOT Project Manager who led the discussion in one of the groups.
Metropolitan Ave’s current design bans parking on the peak direction side during rush hour west of the Metropolitan Ave Bridge. And over 1,700 vehicles cross that bridge during the morning rush, according to DOT data. And east of the bridge, the wider section of the road is separated by a median with just a standard bike lane in place.
Cyclists are growing at a fast rate in the city and are a central population that will be considered in the redesign. According to DOT data, 1.8 million Citi bike trips originated in Brooklyn’s Community Board 1 in 2022, not including personal bikes. It is also the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
A popular solution was to implement protected bike lanes that provide a safer dedicated space for cyclists. According to the DOT it is the “most appropriate treatment in areas with commercial and industrial activity.” Pedestrian injuries decreased by 21 percent and motor vehicle occupant injuries went down by 15 percent when protected bike lanes were introduced.
A Department of Transportation representative facilitated the discussion in each group and answered logistical questions that arose.
Grand St, which connects western Queens and Bushwick to Brooklyn and Manhattan via bridges and the BQE, generates high truck volumes and loading demand by serving commercial and industrial areas. Much progress has been made since 2008, when travel lanes had no separation or designation for bike riders. The following year, standard bike lanes were added and in 2018 they became parking protected curbside bike lanes. Last year, jersey barrier protection was also added.
Some bus riders complained that buses are forced to operate at slower speeds due to traffic, which leads to longer commute times for riders. They also complained that there is no enforcement of people illegally parking on bike lanes or blocking bus stops and lanes.
High truck rates stem from North Brooklyn being a hub for Industrial Business Zones. On Grand St, a lack of designated loading zones for trucks is a strong contributor to blocked bike lanes.
Many attendees proposed converting one or more of the three corridors into one-way roads to create more space for bike lanes and reduce congestion created by cars and trucks. Some attendees worried that by redesigning a large street as a one-way, smaller side streets that are currently favorable to biking will receive an influx of truck traffic.
Morgan Ave is one of the few north-south streets in Williamsburg that intersects Grand St and Metropolitan Ave. While a curbside bike lane was installed from Grand St to Grattan St in 2018, there is currently a bike network gap north of Grand St to Meeker Ave, Queens via the Kosciuszko and Pulaski Bridges.
Physically narrower roadways, one example of self-enforcing design, tend to discourage speeding that is present in wider roadways. They will also shorten crossing distances for pedestrians, a significant challenge for seniors.
Seniors make up less than 15 percent of the city’s population but over 45 percent of pedestrian fatalities. And 90 percent of senior and non-senior adult injuries occur at intersections. A proposed solution with seniors in mind is to include a halfway pedestrian island to split up intersection crossing into two parts.
”The other thing that no one has mentioned during this presentation is the pollution,” said Caputo, who lives directly on Grand St. She said that every morning a thick layer of black residue accumulates on the windowsill in her bedroom. “It’s insane. This is what we’re breathing everyday.”
The DOT plans to unveil their redesign proposal, created with resident suggestions in mind, at an upcoming Community Board 1 meeting.
