William Meehan
@meehan.nyc
Software engineer by day, NYC transit and housing advocate by night
He/him 🏳️🌈
He/him 🏳️🌈
This is a really good bill, and it'll give us some solid insights into the effectiveness of the incoming Mamdani administration at accomplishing its goals
🎉🎉 🎉 Transparency Groups Cheer NYC Council Passage of Landmark FOIL Reform Bill
Statement on the passage of Intro 1235-A, sponsored by @galeabrewer.bsky.social here: buff.ly/XfnWNK0
Thank you @stopspyingny.bsky.social @beta.nyc @legalaidnyc.bsky.social
@citizensunionny.bsky.social + more!
Statement on the passage of Intro 1235-A, sponsored by @galeabrewer.bsky.social here: buff.ly/XfnWNK0
Thank you @stopspyingny.bsky.social @beta.nyc @legalaidnyc.bsky.social
@citizensunionny.bsky.social + more!
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM
This is a really good bill, and it'll give us some solid insights into the effectiveness of the incoming Mamdani administration at accomplishing its goals
There are thousands of New Yorkers who sleep in shelters or the subway system right now who could rent an SRO if they were more plentiful
Relegalize SROs. Relegalize single stair buildings to enable larger, family sized homes. Legalize townhomes everywhere. Legalize ADUs everywhere. Legalize apartment buildings in more places. Yes to all the homes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
The ‘New’ Solution for the N.Y.C. Housing Crisis: Single-Room Apartments
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
There are thousands of New Yorkers who sleep in shelters or the subway system right now who could rent an SRO if they were more plentiful
Reposted by William Meehan
This is a phenomenal example of how people advocating for the "character of the neighborhood" are often actually advocating to *change* the character to be less dense and more suburban. Which, if you go play with the city's n'hood GIS explorer, is what has happened all over Boston!
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This is a phenomenal example of how people advocating for the "character of the neighborhood" are often actually advocating to *change* the character to be less dense and more suburban. Which, if you go play with the city's n'hood GIS explorer, is what has happened all over Boston!
Reposted by William Meehan
Worth noting: both of these neighborhoods are in the 12 lowest-producing districts.
Thanks to the passage of @yesonaffhousing.bsky.social props 2-5, new affordable housing in these neighborhoods can be approved with a fast-track.
Thanks to the passage of @yesonaffhousing.bsky.social props 2-5, new affordable housing in these neighborhoods can be approved with a fast-track.
The first upzoning Zohran should push for is the Upper East & Upper West Side, two of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city with the least housing production.
things have gotten so bad on the UES that apartment buildings are being torn down and replaced by *smaller* buildings with fewer units
things have gotten so bad on the UES that apartment buildings are being torn down and replaced by *smaller* buildings with fewer units
![FIGURE 2
Percent Change in Housing Supply by New York City Neighborhood, 2010 to 2023
Total Percent Change in
Housing Stock
] 0.0% to 2.6%
2.6% to 5.0%
5.0% to 8.5%
8.5% to 15%
15% to 25%
25% or more
Note: "2010 to 2023" refers to the period between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2023.
Sources: New York City Department of City Planning, Housing Database, Unit Change Summary Files: OSC analysis](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gouysuoxatjdb5bjcqe4sfh7/bafkreife56rbkigeaakviy7m3ao7pdhzytdsgaktyngyfaxc76jzwwnkt4@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Worth noting: both of these neighborhoods are in the 12 lowest-producing districts.
Thanks to the passage of @yesonaffhousing.bsky.social props 2-5, new affordable housing in these neighborhoods can be approved with a fast-track.
Thanks to the passage of @yesonaffhousing.bsky.social props 2-5, new affordable housing in these neighborhoods can be approved with a fast-track.
Reposted by William Meehan
ouroborbus
In Oslo, four articulated buses trapped themselves in a roundabout yesterday.
"I don't know what I'm most impressed with: That they managed to get into the situation, or that they got out of it."
"I don't know what I'm most impressed with: That they managed to get into the situation, or that they got out of it."
– Vet ikke hva jeg er mest imponert over: At de klarte å komme seg inn i situasjonen, eller at de kom seg ut av den
Mandag kveld bød på komiske scener fra Alexander Kiellands plass.
www.ao.no
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 PM
ouroborbus
Reposted by William Meehan
It's out now: @egoldwyn.bsky.social is on the Mamdani transition team committee on transportation, climate, and infrastructure. mailchi.mp/zohranfornyc...
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Announces Transition Committee Appointments to Advance His Affordability Agenda
mailchi.mp
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
It's out now: @egoldwyn.bsky.social is on the Mamdani transition team committee on transportation, climate, and infrastructure. mailchi.mp/zohranfornyc...
Left YIMBY holy alliance time!
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Left YIMBY holy alliance time!
Reposted by William Meehan
When you look at this map, it's hard to justify the subway not going into Jersey City, Hoboken etc. Hudson County is closer to midtown than most of NYC, and yet trips there require 1-2 *separate* fares and often riding a commuter bus.
A prerequisite for regional housing plan.
A prerequisite for regional housing plan.
Major part of my transit wishlist: I'd love to see NYC embrace a regional map of 🚇 and 🚊 services.
NYC is part of a regional economy and community-- it would be a major win if commuters could visualize PATH, HBLR and Newark City subway alongside the NYC subway system.
NYC is part of a regional economy and community-- it would be a major win if commuters could visualize PATH, HBLR and Newark City subway alongside the NYC subway system.
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
When you look at this map, it's hard to justify the subway not going into Jersey City, Hoboken etc. Hudson County is closer to midtown than most of NYC, and yet trips there require 1-2 *separate* fares and often riding a commuter bus.
A prerequisite for regional housing plan.
A prerequisite for regional housing plan.
Reposted by William Meehan
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
Reposted by William Meehan
Great piece on how density restrictions in zoning are essentially BS.
November 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Great piece on how density restrictions in zoning are essentially BS.
There are some real classic dog whistles in here! You don't hear this kind of racist, right-wing, conspiratorial NIMBYism out loud so much anymore
Will the IBX "destroy" Middle Village by "BRING[ing] DRUGS" and "homeless" to the Queens enclave? Or will it be a "positive thing for [the] neighborhood" by helping residents "save a lot of time ... going to Mets games?"
It all depends on your outlook. buff.ly/lRe4zut
It all depends on your outlook. buff.ly/lRe4zut
Sunday Read: Middle Village Has a Love-Hate Relationship with the IBX - Streetsblog New York City
The IBX light rail project is collecting out a loud group of critics — and a wellspring of support in central Queens.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
There are some real classic dog whistles in here! You don't hear this kind of racist, right-wing, conspiratorial NIMBYism out loud so much anymore
I love how, with the permanent nighttime extension of 3 trains to 34 St, there are a few hours each night where 2 trains still run express but on the local track to avoid conflicts with short-turning 3 trains
November 22, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I love how, with the permanent nighttime extension of 3 trains to 34 St, there are a few hours each night where 2 trains still run express but on the local track to avoid conflicts with short-turning 3 trains
Reposted by William Meehan
mamdani understood what his assignment was, which was to protect funding to the city of new york.
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
mamdani understood what his assignment was, which was to protect funding to the city of new york.
Reposted by William Meehan
TRUMP: and this Daniel, he went into the den?
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
TRUMP: and this Daniel, he went into the den?
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
MAMDANI: The lion's den, yes
TRUMP: surely they ate him
MAMDANI: Here's the part where it gets a little Broadway: they didn't
TRUMP: Unbelievable
Reposted by William Meehan
Mamdani getting Trump to back down & even *compliment* him costs Mamdani absolutely nothing (& indeed actually shows his skills) & probably also saves a lot of vulnerable ppl in this city a trememndous amount of pain if it means Trump is less inclined to act shitty towards us bc of this meeting
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Mamdani getting Trump to back down & even *compliment* him costs Mamdani absolutely nothing (& indeed actually shows his skills) & probably also saves a lot of vulnerable ppl in this city a trememndous amount of pain if it means Trump is less inclined to act shitty towards us bc of this meeting
What the actual fuck
A reporter asks if Mamdani stands by calling Trump a fascist. Mamdani starts to give a delicate answer.
Trump (smiles, pats Mamdani's arm): "That's OK, you can just say yes. It's easier. I don't mind."
Trump (smiles, pats Mamdani's arm): "That's OK, you can just say yes. It's easier. I don't mind."
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 PM
What the actual fuck
Reposted by William Meehan
I've had zero to do with it other than watching as an Orange Line rider, but rapid implementation of dropbacks on the OL is one of the coolest things I've seen in my time at the MBTA. From a process improvement exploration project to full-bore implementation in just a few months.
The MBTA confronts an "unintended consequence" of all its recent Orange Line improvements: traffic www.wbur.org/news/2025/11... @wbur.org
The Orange Line has gotten so much better it has a new problem: Traffic
An "unintended consequence" of all the recent improvements, Orange Line trains are now running into delays due to congestion at the end of the line. However, the MBTA has a plan to ease the issue. Mee...
www.wbur.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I've had zero to do with it other than watching as an Orange Line rider, but rapid implementation of dropbacks on the OL is one of the coolest things I've seen in my time at the MBTA. From a process improvement exploration project to full-bore implementation in just a few months.
Reposted by William Meehan
omg this is THE co-op board drama to end all co-op board drama ... I am obsessed
Forest Hills Stadium lawsuits cause rift in neighborhood — Queens Daily Eagle
A battle is brewing within the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, a wealthy suburban enclave nestled in Central Queens that has been locked in a legal fight with Forest Hills Stadium over concert noise...
queenseagle.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM
omg this is THE co-op board drama to end all co-op board drama ... I am obsessed
This is ridiculous; "uses the same fare medium and provides seamless transfers into the subway" also applies to NYCT buses. Are we suddenly going to start staffing forcing the MTA to staff two people on buses now?
“If the IBX utilizes NYC Transit’s fare medium, and provides seamless transfers into the subway, then it’s TWU 100 work,”
“Automation and OPTO [one-person train operation] are prohibited.“ “Earlier this week, Samuelsen also referred to the [Marron] study as “garbage.’”
www.amny.com/nyc-transit/...
“Automation and OPTO [one-person train operation] are prohibited.“ “Earlier this week, Samuelsen also referred to the [Marron] study as “garbage.’”
www.amny.com/nyc-transit/...
NYC’s proposed IBX light rail: Is a fully automated train on its horizon?
Some researchers and New Yorkers suggest the IBX light rail should be automated, while others oppose the idea for various reasons.
www.amny.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This is ridiculous; "uses the same fare medium and provides seamless transfers into the subway" also applies to NYCT buses. Are we suddenly going to start staffing forcing the MTA to staff two people on buses now?
I very much hope this isn't a Lucy-holding-football situation
“The Northern Branch Project”from NJ Transit will bring the Light Rail tracks 10 miles further north to an anticipated terminal at Englewood Hospital
NJ Transit Announces Plans to Expand Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Service
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line will extend service into North Bergen with a proposed station at Englewood Hospital. Read more.
www.hobokengirl.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I very much hope this isn't a Lucy-holding-football situation
Reposted by William Meehan
I'd love to find out more details about this.
Did the MTA raise the speed limit on a curve somewhere too high? Or was there some design defect somewhere?
Seems very odd given the general specifications of railways are really well understood.
Did the MTA raise the speed limit on a curve somewhere too high? Or was there some design defect somewhere?
Seems very odd given the general specifications of railways are really well understood.
DAILY NEWS GETS ACTION:
MTA board just approved a $7.4 million contract for new subway wheels after NYCT says it knows what caused the Daily News' mystery wheel-wear scoop from January: Trains were going too fast around curves.
The $7.4M will get New Yorkers 3,000 new wheels from Standard Steel.
MTA board just approved a $7.4 million contract for new subway wheels after NYCT says it knows what caused the Daily News' mystery wheel-wear scoop from January: Trains were going too fast around curves.
The $7.4M will get New Yorkers 3,000 new wheels from Standard Steel.
Mystery track defect wearing out NYC subway car wheels has MTA shuffling trains
A mysterious track defect somewhere along a major New York City subway line is wearing out the wheels on subway cars, causing a shortage of trains on the lettered lines, the Daily News has learned.
www.nydailynews.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I'd love to find out more details about this.
Did the MTA raise the speed limit on a curve somewhere too high? Or was there some design defect somewhere?
Seems very odd given the general specifications of railways are really well understood.
Did the MTA raise the speed limit on a curve somewhere too high? Or was there some design defect somewhere?
Seems very odd given the general specifications of railways are really well understood.
Reposted by William Meehan
ETA is thrilled to see that, following years of demands by transit advocates & major investments, the Port Authority has committed to better headways on PATH. These major improvements, including four line service on weekends, will restore service to levels not seen in 25 years.
tinyurl.com/3254253m
tinyurl.com/3254253m
November 19, 2025 at 2:12 AM
ETA is thrilled to see that, following years of demands by transit advocates & major investments, the Port Authority has committed to better headways on PATH. These major improvements, including four line service on weekends, will restore service to levels not seen in 25 years.
tinyurl.com/3254253m
tinyurl.com/3254253m
Reposted by William Meehan
I refuse to believe that the best NYC can do is tweak the color of the pig’s lipstick. I don’t want nicer sheds, I want fewer of them.
Could NYC be getting better sidewalk sheds??? Don't get our hopes up if it's not true! (For the "truly unnecessary regulations" archive: why must sidewalk sheds *all* be hunter green? Seriously?) www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/n...
New York City’s Scaffolding Gets a Long Overdue Makeover
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I refuse to believe that the best NYC can do is tweak the color of the pig’s lipstick. I don’t want nicer sheds, I want fewer of them.
Reposted by William Meehan
Around both the world and the US, one-person train operation is standard—with many places looking to move to more frequent automated systems.
Given this ubiquity, there's no serious argument for requiring two-person trains.
This bill would lock NY in the past.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/17/v...
Given this ubiquity, there's no serious argument for requiring two-person trains.
This bill would lock NY in the past.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/17/v...
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Around both the world and the US, one-person train operation is standard—with many places looking to move to more frequent automated systems.
Given this ubiquity, there's no serious argument for requiring two-person trains.
This bill would lock NY in the past.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/17/v...
Given this ubiquity, there's no serious argument for requiring two-person trains.
This bill would lock NY in the past.
www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/17/v...
Reposted by William Meehan
It will depend on activists and many more people backing him up, but I think @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social has the chance to be a truly transformative mayor when it comes to streets. Just dusting off some stalled projects in his first 100 days would go a long way toward changing things for the better.
Mamdani Election Signals Lane Change for Stymied Street Overhauls
From a flubbed Fordham Road bus lane to downshifted bike lanes, the new mayor has a chance to revive projects to improve the city’s streetscape.
www.thecity.nyc
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
It will depend on activists and many more people backing him up, but I think @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social has the chance to be a truly transformative mayor when it comes to streets. Just dusting off some stalled projects in his first 100 days would go a long way toward changing things for the better.