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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 26

These are pragmatic steps for faster buses, fewer car crashes, less traffic, funds for transit, and a thriving city.

Doubling down on congestion pricing to free New York from gridlock

How bold congestion pricing moves could help New York capture even greater wins and make our streets thrive

www.sidewalkchorus.com

Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 26

And let’s broaden out to create additional toll zones in Upper Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. These are the densest, most transit-rich areas that are still clogged with cars.

Decongesting them will deliver faster buses, less honking, safer streets, and funding for transit improvements.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 26

Taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts are 35-50% of Manhattan’s vehicles, yet their riders pay only a tiny $0.75 or $1.50 congestion fee per ride. On a typical Uber ride, that’s only 4% of the total fare.

Let’s hike that up to a price that actually makes riders think twice before hopping in a cab.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 26

The congestion price for Manhattan’s core is already scheduled to increase by $3 in 2028 and a further $3 in 2031.

But we don’t need to wait. Let’s bring these price increases forward to further deter unnecessary driving and unclog our streets.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 26

NYC’s congestion pricing is working really well, and now we need to go further. Ways to double-down on congestion pricing:
💲 Raising the toll
🚕 Charging taxis more
🗽 New zones for Upper Manhattan & Brooklyn

My latest post: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/doubling-d...

Doubling down on congestion pricing to free New York from gridlock

How bold congestion pricing moves could help New York capture even greater wins and make our streets thrive

www.sidewalkchorus.com

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 3

It’s not even a very well-arranged green space! When I visited, most of the space was cordoned off and every seat/bench was occupied. We turned around and left immediately.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 3

I wrote last year about the grassroots effort that started this ball rolling to make Third Avenue safer for all road users: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/third-ave

It’s awesome to see what’s worked on the Upper East Side now get extended.

How Third Avenue was made safer and faster for pedestrians, bus riders, and cyclists

Advocates built a movement that successfully convinced New York City's government to install a bus lane, bike lane, and intersection safety improvements on Third Avenue

www.sidewalkchorus.com

Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Jun 3

So great to see @nyc-dot.bsky.social’s proposal to extend the Third Avenue bus lane into Midtown Manhattan.

I regularly take the bus up Third Avenue, and this will help me + thousands of riders each day get to our destinations more quickly.

Cross section of the proposed Third Avenue upgrades in Midtown, from 26th through 59th Streets

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · May 28

Great to see @keithpowersnyc.bsky.social leaning so heaving into building more homes in this mailer we received today. This is the leadership and ambition Manhattan needs for NYC to thrive.

Very easy to see why I’m recommending Manhattanites rank Keith Powers #1 for Borough President.

KEITH POWERS
HAS A COMMON SENSE PLAN FOR REBUILDING MANHATTAN'S MIDDLE CLASS.

IT STARTS WITH A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · May 28

For full details about the races and candidates, check out my latest blog post: sidewalkchorus.com/p/2025-primary

Then make a plan for how you’ll cast your vote!

Who New Yorkers should elect in June 2025

Pro‑abundance picks for a more affordable, dynamic, and thriving city

sidewalkchorus.com

Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · May 28

In June, New Yorkers have the chance to elect pro-abundance government officials to build a more affordable and thriving city.

There’s a lot of names floating around out there. Ranked choice voting makes it even more complex.

Here’s my recommendations for who to vote for:

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · May 13

We’re just 5 weeks from election day, but almost two-thirds of District 4 likely voters have no idea who they’re planning to vote for. Time for the campaigns to kick into high-gear, and endorsements to make their mark.

New blog post from me: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/d4-2025

63% of Manhattan East Side Voters Still Undecided on Their City Council Pick

Only one in five is ready to rank more than one candidate. The race for District 4 is wide-open.

www.sidewalkchorus.com

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · May 11

Fascinating to see how few voters have made up their minds in the upcoming race for Manhattan’s District 4 council seat.

Candidates have hundreds of thousands of dollars still to spend between now and June 24th — expect a flood of comms and ground game.

Third Avenue Institute @thirdavenue.nyc · May 11

New poll results out today on the race to represent Manhattan’s East Side in the NY City Council:

🤔 63% of voters remain undecided about who to vote for in the June primary
🗳️ @virginiamaloney.bsky.social is leading the pack, with 38% of first-choice votes among decided voters

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Apr 12

The proposal will now go to Manhattan Borough President @marklevinenyc.bsky.social, and eventually the city council, where local council member @keithpowersnyc.bsky.social will have big influence.

I hope these officials will support the project, and say YES to great facilities in our neighborhood.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Apr 12

I’m excited about the hospital getting a modern emergency room, larger operating theaters, and a single-bed room for every patient. (Currently 60% of beds are in shared rooms 😭)

Ultimately 60% of CB8 members voted to disapprove the proposal, while I was in the 40% who voted in upgrade the hospital.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Apr 12

I spoke up in a contentious neighborhood debate and told a packed room that I disagreed with many of them.

At this week’s Manhattan Community Board 8 meeting, I spoke in support of Lenox Hill Hospital’s proposal to renovate and enlarge their building at 77th St between Park and Lex.

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Mar 11

Great to see so many candidates I believe in on @abundanceny.bsky.social’s list of recommendations for the upcoming NYC primary elections.

We need to get these abundance leaders elected! I’ve been donating and petitioning this week.

Read the full list here: abundanceny.substack.com/p/announcing...

ABUNDANCE NEW YORK
City Council Candidate Recommendations
Jess Coleman
Crystal Hudson
Pierina Sanchez
Ben Wetzler

ABUNDANCE NEW YORK
Borough and Citywide Recommendations
Keith Powers
Mark Levine
Zellnor Myrie
Brad Lander

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Mar 10

Last year, my wife and I hosted a houseparty to fundraise for Keith Powers’ campaign to be Manhattan’s next Borough President.

Despite never having done something like this before, it went really well! We raised $8k, and introduced a bunch of friends to NYC politics.

I wrote about our experience:

How we raised $8,100 for a New York political campaign — from our living room

Hosting a political fundraiser is easier (and more fun) than you think.

www.sidewalkchorus.com

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Reposted by Sebastian Hallum Clarke

Rachel Cohen Booth @rcobooth.bsky.social · Mar 4

“Yale’s Budget Lab estimates that the new tariffs will cost the average household anywhere from $1,600 to $2,000 a year.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

The Tariffs Are Real, and They Are Spectacularly Foolish

Taxing imports from Mexico and Canada will raise prices for American consumers while producing little economic or political benefit.

www.theatlantic.com

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Mar 4

As a New Yorker with family in Canada, I am alarmed by Trump's plan to apply large tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico from tonight.

This will hurt NY, Canada, and the US – both economically and in terms of our relationships – for no good reason. 🫤🗽🇨🇦

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Feb 27

Music to my ears from the man who I hope will be Manhattan’s next Borough President: @keithpowersnyc.bsky.social

Open New York @opennewyork.org · Feb 27

@keithpowersnyc.bsky.social: “We have a mission in this city and that’s to build more homes and do it fast.

We have to aggressively and ambitiously tackle how much it costs in this city right now. We do that in two ways: good paying jobs, and build homes New Yorkers actually can afford."

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Feb 18

I found this piece by Michael Lange to be an excellent summary of what could lie ahead for New York: all the options for removing a mayor, and how the timing could work out

The End of Eric Adams

What will happen to the Mayor of New York City?

open.substack.com

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Feb 6

I too have found that the NYC Department of Transportation is very quick to respond to my requests to replace destroyed flexposts. I wish we had more robust bollards, but I do at least appreciate that the flimsy posts we do have are quickly replaced when DOT gets notified.

Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · Feb 6

Because city agencies are typically reactive, not proactive; crews aren’t scouring the city for downed flexposts. But in a rare victory for municipal services, explains @johnsurico.bsky.social, if you tell them, they will come.

You — Yes, You — Can Fix New York City's Flimsy Bollards - Streetsblog New York City

An easy Department of Transportation form will get most wrecked flexposts back upright, writes John Surico.

buff.ly

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Feb 5

So pleased to see @alexbores.bsky.social supporting this bill. Looking forward to making AD73 and all of our city safer for pedestrians.

www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...

NY State Assembly Bill 2025-A3730

Provides that cities having a population in excess of one million shall not supersede state provisions relating to the state law prohibition on individuals standing or parking a vehicle within twenty ...

www.nysenate.gov

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Sebastian Hallum Clarke @sebthedev.com · Feb 3

Great to see the strong majority of Manhattanites and transit riders support congestion pricing. Despite all the turmoil, this is a great baseline for the toll’s popularity to grow from.

Third Avenue Institute @thirdavenue.nyc · Feb 3

New poll results out today from the Third Avenue Institute on congestion pricing:

45% of voters support congestion pricing, vs 46% oppose it. Manhattanites are the most supportive, with 57% in favor vs 32% opposed. 66% transit riders support the policy. Drivers strongly oppose with 79% against.

Manhattanites & Transit Riders Strongly Support NYC Congestion Pricing, New Poll Finds

Third Avenue Institute’s survey of registered voters finds NYC evenly split for and against Manhattan’s congestion relief zone, with support highest among transit users and Manhattan residents.

thirdavenue.substack.com

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