NYC NOW - March 14, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: March 14, 2024

New NYPD data show the number of New Yorkers applying for gun licenses in the city more than doubled last year. Meanwhile, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is proposing that Aqueduct Racetrack in Southeast Queens be converted into housing. Plus, the city Parks Department says it has secured a $117 million federal infrastructure grant to convert a defunct elevated Long Island Rail Road line in Queens into a park.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, March 14th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. New NYPD data show the number of New Yorkers applying to arm themselves with guns in the city more than doubled last year. As WNYC Samantha Max reports, applications have been surging since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down

New York's strict gun licensing licensing in 2022. The police department received more than 20,000 applications in 2023 from people who want to have a gun either at home or in public. Five years ago, about 4,000 people applied. John Deloca owns the Seneca Sporting Range in Ridgewood. He says he's seen a huge spike in customers in recent years. We're selling guns like pancakes. The NYPD did not say how many applications it has approved. A class action lawsuit recently criticized the department for slow processing times.

Goodbye horses and hello housing. That's what New York City Council Speaker Adrian Adams is proposing for the 172-acre aqueduct racetrack site in southeast Queens. The racetrack is expected to shutter in the coming years. Adam says the state-owned site in adjacent city-owned land in her district should be used for new development, especially because the area is served by the A train. Now this presents a generational opportunity to transform this site into housing and homeownership, to transform it into open space and new community amenities. Speaker Adams says she wants to work with state officials on redevelopment plans for the racetrack. The site has separately been floated for a potential casino, hotel, and entertainment project

as the state looks to issue three downstate gaming licenses. Highline-style park is one step closer to reality in Queens. The City Parks Department says it scored a $117 million dollar federal infrastructure grant for what would be known as the Queensway, much like the High Line in Manhattan. Queensway aims to convert a defunct elevated Long Island Railroad line into a park. Two years ago, Mayor Adams said he wanted the green space to eventually run from Ozone Park up through Regal Park. For years, transit advocates have called for the MTA to restore train service on the old route,

which they say would fill in one of the largest holes in the city's subway system. 46 and clear now. In 68 for a high today. Showers coming tomorrow and mid-60s. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day, for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives.

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