Mayor De Blasio’s new housing plan revitalizes East New York’s businesses, remodels local mass transit stations and offers affordable housing to local residents, but it draws concern in what the City considers vacant land.

According to NYC Open Data’s 2012 report, there are over 300 vacant lots in Councilwoman Inez Barron’s, then her husband’s Charles Barron, 42nd district, which covers most of East New York. Out of these vacant lots, there are roughly 120 parks, urban farms or gardens that is considered “vacant” or “miscellaneous” by the City.

New York City’s economy grew not as fast as the U.S. economy in 2016 and earned 30,000 less jobs when compared to 2015, but economists are slowly optimistic for 2017.

Economists say there will be growth in 2017, but at a slower rate because of the current federal and state tax plans and employment trends. Ken McCarthy, an economist at Cushman and Wakefield, sees another 80,000 jobs being added in 2017. That’s still 20,000 less jobs when compared to 2015. But McCarthy says it will be a healthy year, especially in the second half.

When Donald Trump was elected, markets looked good for Wall Street. When the inauguration happens in January, economists agree Trump will simulate economic growth through tax cuts, less spending and deregulation of Wall Street.

As New York City’s population reached over 8.5 million people and expected to reach 9 million by 2030, Crain’s 2016 Summit addresses what jobs might look like in the future.

It addressed what the city’s innovation companies need to grow beyond the startup stage. But there’s a major issue most industries face in the city and frankly in the country as well: diversity

It’s been in the media and election that people want a diversity of ideas, race and culture. But according to U.S. Census data, 67 percent of people in New York City identify a person of color, but only represents 38.48 percent of nonprofit cultural staff.

The level of enthusiasm for New York State’s minimum wage hike in the city’s economy can be gauged by unionized or non-unionized labor. Even though unions were the main advocates for the new minimum wage hike, it was generally assumed by politicians that only 16 percent of their members would reap the benefits.

 But the new wage will effect union workers at different rates in industries like Public Administration, Fire and Manufacturing from typically 12 to 26 percentage, but a whopping 40 percent of members in one industry that stood to gain the most: leisure and hospitality.

Since the formation of art galleries, people always thought art should be appropriately appreciated in a gallery. However, in the beginning of the post-modern art era, Andy Warhol ushered in a forward-thinking era where many street and Do-It-Yourself type of art we know today was conceptualized.

Adapting old ideas to new times

December 2014 marks the 100-year anniversary of John Muir’s death. Muir is best known for being the founder of Yosemite National Park (YNP) and The Sierra Club. While many people and entities celebrate his legacy, there are some scholars who argue his ideas shouldn’t be used as much in the 21st century.