Almost Time to Celebrate the Tri-State!

It’s almost time for our Celebrate the Tri-State benefit! While we prepare, we’re also speaking out about safe micromobility and the benefits of congestion pricing.

Regional Roundup

Celebrate the Tri-State is Almost Here

RPA is days away from hosting Celebrate the Tri-State, our annual benefit celebrating the best of our region! Join us on October 15 at Cipriani 25 Broadway to recognize our honorees:

Matt Kissner, CEO of Wiley, will receive the Above and Beyond Award for his dedication to the RPA Board of Directors
Housing experts David Kooris, Jacquelyn A. Suárez, and RuthAnne Visnauskus will receive the Making it Happen Award for their efforts to address our region’s housing shortage
The MTA Capital Plan will be recognized with the Project of the Year for its mission to deliver greater capacity, more reliable service and an improved customer service

Tickets are almost gone — buy yours and learn more about sponsorship opportunities on RPA’s website.

Micromobility in Our Region

Micromobility has exploded in popularity in the tri-state region, and elected officials are now creating legislation that determines what can and cannot be on the roads, including a problematic new law in New Jersey. As New York City held its marathon hearing on micromobility proposals at the end of September, RPA created a guide to explain current device classifications and submitted testimony highlighting the need for consistent, understandable definitions for what is and isn’t allowed, while still encouraging safe micromobility options.

Defending Congestion Pricing in Court

As part of the Congestion Pricing Now coalition’s efforts to defend congestion pricing in court, RPA filed an amicus brief to the Court of Appeals. RPA’s brief joins two others, filed by other coalition members, to detail the benefits of congestion pricing in New York City. This is the second time in roughly a year that RPA has filed a brief to defend the country’s first congestion pricing program, and one of the few times in our over 100 year history that RPA has filed an amicus brief. Find the three briefs here.

The Benefit of Commuter Tax Benefits

As part of the federal tax code, companies with more than 20 employees are required to offer commuter tax benefits. In our recent Lab post, Charles Komanoff joined RPA’s Rachel Weinberger in analyzing the impacts of commuter benefits, estimating that it keeps 6,200 to 11,100 personal motor vehicles out of Manhattan’s Central Business District while saving commuters from New York and New Jersey an estimated $380 million a year in commuting costs. Read their findings on our website.

Building Urban Housing in New York, Thanks to SEQRA

Earlier this year, RPA and OpenNY ran a campaign to modernize the state’s environmental review process, known as SEQR. The new law removes some regulatory hurdles for building housing on previously disturbed land. In a recent analysis, RPA looked at declining housing production in suburban regions surrounding New York City and the growth in urban areas, the land conservation benefits of building in urbanized corridors, and how modernizing SEQRA makes infill development easier and quicker than before. Read the full findings on our website.

The Details

New York City's Charter Revisions

This November, New York City voters will see five charter reform questions on their ballots about making government services faster and more efficient. Learn more about the ballot questions ahead of the election!

Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing

New York City recently announced the 12 community districts where voter-approved Affordable Housing Fast Track will take effect this coming January. RPA’s Moses Gates talked to The City Reporter about the new fast track.

Digging the Hudson Tunnel

RPA’s Josh Berman delivered remarks at the Gateway Development Commission's September meeting, celebrating the launch of the tunnel boring machines for the Hudson Tunnel project. Read Josh’s full comments.

25 Years Since 9/11

This September marked 25 years since the events of September 11, 2001. In the months following the attacks at the World Trade Center, RPA partnered with other civic organizations to involve New Yorkers in the rebuilding process via Listening to the City. On the 25th anniversary, RPA’s Tom Wright reflected on Listening to the City.

Events

2026 Celebrate the Tri-State Benefit

📅 Thursday, October 15

📍 Cipriani 25 Broadway, New York, NY

RPA’s Celebrate the Tri-State will be on October 15! Tickets and more info on RPA's website. Contact lacey@rpa.org with any questions.

The Connecticut Housing Conference: From Vision to Homes

📅 Thursday, October 15

📍 The Omni Hotel, New Haven, CT

Connecticut’s official State conference focused on housing, featuring RPA’s Pete Harrison.

2026 APA New York Metro Chapter Annual Conference

📅 Thursday, October 15

📍 NYU Kimmel Center, New York, NY

RPA’s Moses Gates will be on a panel discussing how New York can deliver 700,000 homes in 10 years. Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President, will be the recipient of the 2026 Andrew Haswell Green Award.

Interborough Express Walking Tour

📅 Saturday, October 17

📍 Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY

As part of Open House New York, RPA’s Moses Gates is leading a one-mile walk along the future IBX corridor in Bensonhurst and Borough Park.

The Fair Share Model: What States Are Learning About Housing Targets

📅 Thursday, October 22

📍 Virtual

This webinar, featuring RPA’s Zoe Baldwin, will bring housing policy leaders and advocates to explore how the state can set meaningful affordable housing targets.

2026 Affordable Homeownership Summit

📅 Friday, October 23

📍 Convene 117 W 46th Street, New York, NY

RPA’s Moses Gates is moderating a panel on the barriers to affordable homeownership in New York at the Center for NYC Neighborhood’s Affordable Homeownership Summit