Senator Gianaris Calls on City, State to Find Solution to Keep CityLights Affordable for Residents

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Senator Michael Gianaris today with residents of the CityLights building outside City Hall urging the administration to address their massive increase in taxes. The property, one of the first major residential developments in Long Island City, is subject to a tax abatement agreement ending this year.

"CityLights residents are the pioneers that helped make Long Island City so desirable. It would be an outrage to allow them to be priced out of the neighborhood they helped build. All levels of government must work together to find a solution to this crisis," said Senator Michael Gianaris. 

CityLights tenants are facing major increases in taxes as a 20-year abatement on their building expires. Monthly charges for some tenants may increase by $1,000 or more. The city must give consent for them to negotiate a new agreement with Empire State Development, the original signatory to their abatement deal.

Photos of today’s event are available here: https://bit.ly/2JuAFZV.