Happy Friday the 13th!

This weekend brings several Valentine’s day events, comedy, an off-broadway promotion, and puppy yoga. In local news, Mamdani endorses Hochul for reelection, and Downtown Brooklyn housing market is booming.

More events and news in today’s issue. Let’s get to it.

– Sofia Kurd.

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1. NYC Names New Commissioner of Department of Investigation

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the nomination of Nadia Shihata as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Investigation, a key agency responsible for rooting out fraud, waste, and corruption in city government. This appointment follows recent senior staff reshuffles across multiple agencies. Shihata’s background includes private sector and government oversight roles; the mayor frames the choice as strengthening transparency and accountability amid scrutiny of public funds and contract practices. This nomination could influence enforcement posture on contract fraud and internal controls. Council review and confirmation processes will test political alliances within city governance, with advocates watching closely for substantive policy direction from the DOI under new leadership.

2. Record Downtown Brooklyn Housing Construction Ushers in New Era

In 2025 Downtown Brooklyn saw an unprecedented construction surge with 4,421 new housing units completed — a 51% increase over prior records. Projects like Rocklyn, The Brook, and Everly anchor the growth via strong StreetEasy search rankings. Median asking rents reached about $4,448 with sales prices near $1.15 million, even as some affordability units expanded. Over 6,000 affordable units have been delivered in the area over the last decade. With a pipeline of 11 active development sites and 26 more planned for 2026, Downtown Brooklyn is positioned to solidify its status as a top mixed-use hub, with residential density and retail and transit access.

3. Mayor Mamdani Projects Narrower Budget Shortfall on Wall Street Taxes

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city’s projected two-year budget deficit has declined from roughly $12 billion to about $7 billion, primarily due to stronger-than-expected Wall Street bonus tax revenues and cost controls. Wall Street’s strong year, fueled by deal-making and tech-sector activity, has boosted income tax projections, providing temporary relief to fiscal planners. Mamdani leveraged the data in Albany lobbying efforts for increased state aid. Analysts caution that reliance on volatile financial sector taxes could expose future budgets to swings when markets cool. Negotiations with the City Council and state legislature will shape the next budget cycle. The mayor’s framing influences ongoing debates about progressive taxation versus economic competitiveness.

4. Gran Premio New York City Cycling Race Returns in 2026

The third edition of the Gran Premio New York City road cycling event has been announced for May, bringing professional and amateur riders into a multi-stage competition. Municipal planners will integrate public transit adjustments and safety measures to accommodate road closures. Return of the event underscores NYC’s growing calendar of international sporting events.

5. Mayor Mamdani Endorses Governor Hochul for Reelection

In a significant alignment of city and state Democratic leadership, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly endorsed incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul ahead of the 2026 reelection campaign. The endorsement bridges progressive urban interests with statewide institutional politics, potentially bolstering crossover appeal among suburban and downstate voters. Hochul’s positioning on issues like transit, housing affordability, and public safety dovetails with many of Mamdani’s priorities, though intra-party dynamics will shape campaign narratives. The move also signals strategic calculations about unity versus factionalism heading into midterm season.

6. NYC’s Largest Indoor Pickleball Facility to Open in Times Square

CityPickle will launch its flagship 37,000-square-foot indoor pickleball venue in Times Square on February 20, marking NYC’s largest dedicated court facility yet. Occupying the historic Paramount Building’s eighth floor, the space blends sport with social amenities like a café, bar, private event areas, and advanced tech features for scorekeeping and replays — a hybrid fitness-lifestyle format.

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Gary Muhrcke was the first winner of the New York City Marathon, which took place in 1970 on a four-lap course inside Central Park. He was a New York City firefighter who ran to stay fit between overnight shifts. When the first New York City Marathon took place in 1968—just a handful of runners looping Central Park in brutal heat—he showed up in work shoes, ran without any strategy or gear, and ended up winning first place. His prize for winning was a wristwatch and a recycled trophy. On September 13, 2020, for the marathon’s 50th anniversary, Muhrcke returned to Central Park and ran a lap of the original course to commemorate the race’s beginnings

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