🌱 NYC Mayor Adams Visits Texas + 250 Water St. Development Blocked

Good morning, New York City!

• Mayor Adams visited El Paso, Texas, over the weekend, one of the places migrants are being sent from to New York City by bus.
• An NYPD captain lost his job after being paid for hundreds of hours he didn't work.
• Two planes narrowly avoided crashing into each other on Friday.

But first, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower. High: 43 Low: 40.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in New York City who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

1. Construction on a 26-story tower at 250 Water St. in the Financial District was halted last week after a judge found the developer, the Howard Hughes Corporation, had made a "quid pro quo" with the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission, by advising them how to take "political cover" from the proposal. The Commission had rejected proposals to build towers in the historic district in the past but approved this most recent one in 2020. (AMNY)
2. Mayor Eric Adams visited El Paso, Texas, over the weekend, one of the places from where migrants have been sent on buses to New York City during the past several months. There, he met with El Paso's Mayor and called on the federal government to provide assistance to states like New York. (CBS New York)
3. Williamsburg residents raised concerns of gentrification when a street sign reading "Graham Av.-Av of Puerto Rico" was taken down and replaced with one labeled simply "Graham Av" on Friday. The change was evidently a mistake and was later corrected by the Department of Transportation. (Gothamist)
4. An NYPD police captain was ousted from his job after investigators found he was paid for more than 400 hours of work that he didn't do, adding up to over $60,000. A judge and department prosecutor had recommended the 45-year-old, 19-year veteran officer be fired, but Commissioner Keechant Sewell allowed him to retire. (Subscription/New York Daily News)
5. Gov. Kathy Hochul is rallying politicians — including three NYC Congress Members — in support of her pick for the State Supreme Court, Hector LaSalle. At least a dozen Democrats have publicly announced they would vote against him, citing his past decisions as anti-union and anti-abortion. (Gothamist)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• Wellness in the New Year: Panel and Book Signing — Chelsea Piers Brooklyn (6:30 p.m.)
• New York City Ballet Winter 2023 — season starts today (7:30 p.m.)
• CoacheLOL: World's Funniest Music Festival — Piano's Bar (8 p.m.)
• Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life — Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• In honor of "dry January," or for any people that don't regularly drink, here's bars across the city that cater well to a sober crowd. (Subscription/The New York Times)
• Two airplanes came within 1,000 feet of crashing into each other on a runway at JFK airport on Friday. (Gothamist)
• A new pilot program beginning in February will be monitoring sound levels across the city. (Pix 11 New York)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Church of the Heavenly Rest — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Berkeley College Honors Program Information Session (January 18)
• High School and Middle School Admissions Workshop (January 19)
• Author A.J. Jacobs in Conversation with Freakonomics’ Stephen J. Dubner (January 19)
• 5Rhythms Dance — 19 Forms of Ice (January 20)
• Empire Beats LIVE at Silvana Harlem Fri Jan 20, 2023 (January 20)
• Opening Reception (January 21)
• Organic Cold Process Soap Making Class NYC (January 28)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update!

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com