Mayor Bloomberg

Even for those of us whose understanding of what police academies should be like is centered around Steve Guttenberg and The Guy Who Makes Noises, the news that NYPD's main training facility is over 40 years old is kind of alarming. This is a big city, it requires a large and well-trained police force and... well, and those are basically the most uncontroversial statements anyone could make. But while the case for a new police academy isn't appreciably more controversial, the LEED Silver Perkins + Will-designed Police Academy planned for the College Point neighborhood in Queens (covered by Stephen here) has nevertheless drawn its share of controversy, for a host of fairly reasonable reasons.

Mayor Bloomberg today is unveiling a four-pronged plan developed by his Sustainability Advisory Board that would soon require New York City building owners to implement a variety of energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings. Four separate bills would require energy audits, efficient lighting installations, including upgrades to commercial and residential common areas, and ultimately the creation of a new city energy code; the DOB has been asked to draft a set of rules based on the bills no later than December 31, 2010.

Early last week, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city has struck a deal with several major automobile manufacturers to guarantee a monthly supply of hybrids to New York City's taxi drivers, securing 200 Altima hybrids from Nissan, 50 Malibus from Chevy, and 50 Ford Escapes.

The purpose of the deal is to place New York cabbies at the front of the line for the hybrids, which are currently in high demand all over the country. 1300 of New York’s taxis have already gone hybrid, saving drivers precious fuel money and, of course, reducing the city’s carbon emissions. The 300 figure was crafted to exceed the 210 per month that the Taxi and Limousine Commission estimates are necessary to satisfy new fuel efficiency standards for the taxicab fleet (25 miles per gallon beginning in October).

• Edmiston and Gauthie BURST* house for MoMA prefab exhibition currently in 1200 plywood pieces in Brooklyn, set for June 20 opening.
• LEED Gold-seeking Greenbelt condo project in Brooklyn receives $15K grant from National Grid to develop green building technology.
• Mayor Bloomberg pushes for high-speed rail link (under two hours) between D.C. and NYC.
• Merrill Lynch may land at LEED Gold Greenwich Street towers.