Report - September 2014
Re-Envisioning New York’s Branch LibrariesWhile more New Yorkers than ever are using the city’s public libraries, a significant share of the branches suffer from major physical defects and are poorly configured for how New Yorkers are using libraries today. This report provides a comprehensive blueprint for bringing these vital community institutions into the 21st Century.
Data - September 2014
Data from Re-Envisioning New York’s Branch LibrariesCharts and tables from our Re-Envsioning New York's Branch Libraries report which found that while more New Yorkers than ever are using the city’s public libraries, a significant share of the branches suffer from major physical defects and are poorly configured for how New Yorkers are using libraries today. The report provides a comprehensive blueprint for bringing these vital community institutions into the 21st Century.
Report - September 2014
Bridging the DisconnectNew York City is facing a youth unemployment crisis, but the city’s youth workforce development programs reach only a fraction of those in need of help and are too often misaligned to the developmental needs of young New Yorkers.
Data - September 2014
Data from Bridging the DisconnectCharts and tables from our Bridging the Disconnect report which found that while New York City is facing a youth unemployment crisis, the city’s youth workforce development programs reach only a fraction of those in need of help and are too often misaligned to the developmental needs of young New Yorkers.
Commentary/Op-Ed - July 2014
Gotham Gazette: Desperately Needed Infrastructure Improvements Must Be Given Dedicated FundingIn this op-ed in Gotham Gazette, the Center’s Adam Forman argues that while dedicating part of the recent $4 billion settlement between New York State and BNP Paribas for infrastructure projects makes a world of sense, it will not be sufficient to tackling the city’s massive infrastructure needs. He urges to identify new dedicated revenue streams and ensure that existing revenue streams are no longer raided for other purposes.
Testimony - July 2014
A Call for Better Transit Outside of ManhattanAt a July 2014 hearing before the MTA Transportation Reinvention Commission, the Center’s David Giles highlighted New York City’s rapidly changing economic geography and called on the MTA to make addressing non-Manhattan commuting a top priority.
Commentary/Op-Ed - July 2014
The Federal Workforce Overhaul: Good News for New York City?After more than a decade of inaction, Congress has finally passed a new federal workforce law. In this July 2014 commentary, CUF senior fellow David Jason Fischer explains why the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act bodes well for New York City.
Testimony - June 2014
Testimony: Aging Infrastructure - New York City’s Gas, Steam and Water InfrastructureIn this testimony before a joint Economic Development, Environmental Protection and Consumer Affairs City Council hearing, the Center’s Adam Forman highlights numerous vulnerabilities in the City's gas, water and sewage infrastructure. He recommends that the city prioritize the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and better coordinate its capital planning process across agencies.
Testimony - June 2014
Testimony: Aging out of Foster CareAt a June 2014 City Council hearing on youth aging out of the foster care system, CUF Senior Fellow Thomas Hilliard testified on the importance of exploring the developmental outcomes of foster care, such as high school graduation rates, early predictors of dropout and use of city services after leaving care.
Data - May 2014
New York’s Design EconomyAs New York City opens its second annual design week, this data analysis documents the continued economic importance of New York City’s design sector. It shows that New York has 65 percent more designers than any other metro area in the U.S., and that employment at city design firms increased by nearly 10 percent since the 2008 recession.
Data - March 2014
The Start of a NYC Manufacturing Revival?This data analysis shows that New York City's manufacturing sector is finally showing signs of strength. The city lost at least 5,000 manufacturing jobs every year from 1997 to 2010, but over the past three years employment in the sector has held steady, with job totals in 2013 the same as in 2010.
Commentary/Op-Ed - March 2014
8 Ideas for Improving and Expanding NYC’s Workforce Development SystemIn this commentary, Center senior fellow David Jason Fischer lays out a number of specific steps that Mayor de Blasio should take to create a more effective workforce development system, from appointing a workforce czar to shifting the focus from job placements to skills building, job retention and career advancement.
Commentary/Op-Ed - March 2014
Rebuild NYC, create good jobsIn this New York Daily News op-ed, the Center's Jonathan Bowles and Adam Forman write that to succeed in tackling income inequality, one promising option for Mayor de Blasio is a public works program to modernize New York City’s aging infrastructure.
Commentary/Op-Ed - March 2014
NYC’s Silent Infrastructure Challenge: Aging Public BuildingsWhen New Yorkers think about aging infrastructure, bridges, roads and pipes come to mind. But in this City Limits op-ed, the Center's Adam Forman notes that schools, hospitals, jails and other public buildings aren't getting any younger, either.
Commentary/Op-Ed - March 2014
New York Times Room for Debate: A Smoldering View of Broader ProblemsIn this Room for Debate essay in the New York Times, the Center's Jonathan Bowles argues that much of America’s essential infrastructure is well past its prime and in need of repair.
Commentary/Op-Ed - March 2014
TIME: New York City Is CrumblingIn this op-ed for TIME, the Center's Adam Forman writes that while tragedies are rare, the city's aging infrastructure is responsible for countless disruptions and malfunctions. Billions will need to be spent—but the price of inaction is worse.
Report - March 2014
Caution Ahead: Overdue Investments for New York’s Aging InfrastructureWhile Superstorm Sandy focused much-needed attention on key pieces of New York City’s infrastructure, the city faces a number of other infrastructure vulnerabilities that have little to do with storm-preparedness—from aging water mains and deteriorating roads to crumbling public schools. If left unchecked, they could wreak havoc on the city’s economy and quality of life.
Data - March 2014
Data from Caution AheadCharts and tables from our Caution Ahead report which found that while Superstorm Sandy focused much-needed attention on key pieces of New York City’s infrastructure, the city faces a number of other infrastructure vulnerabilities that have little to do with storm-preparedness—from aging water mains and deteriorating roads to crumbling public schools. If left unchecked, they could wreak havoc on the city’s economy and quality of life.
Commentary/Op-Ed - February 2014
State of the City: A Promising New NYC Human Capital Agenda from Mayor de BlasioIn this February 2014 commentary, Center senior fellow David Jason Fischer applauds Mayor de Blasio for pledging a new focus on job training and skills building in his State of the City address.
Commentary/Op-Ed - January 2014
Strengthening NYC’s Community Colleges is Key to Restoring the Middle Class DreamIn this January 2014 commentary, the Center’s Tom Hilliard argues that the de Blasio administration could tackle income inequality and make a huge difference in the economic opportunities available to New Yorkers by strengthening the city’s community colleges.

