General Election
New York CityProposal 3
Streets, city property and offices
One vote covers three subjects: fewer required steps before street projects, sales and leases of small city-owned lots without a City Council vote, and city office deals without Council or City Planning Commission approval.
The official question
Official sourceSpeed Up Street Safety Projects, of Unused City Property, Office Leasing
Simplify review of street safety projects to reduce construction timelines. Fast track disposition of unused City property with approval from . Expedite leasing offices used for City workforce.
Official YES and NO descriptions
"Yes" simplifies street project approval, City property disposition and office leasing.
"No" maintains intra-agency consultation for road projects, Council approval for City property dispositions and Council disapproval of office leases.
What your vote means
Street projects need fewer consultations, small property deals end at the , and the commissioner decides office acquisitions.
Keep current street-project consultation, Council votes on city property sales and leases, and Planning Commission and Council review of office acquisitions.
Who decides
Where a decision moves if this passes.
Final approval to sell or lease small city lots and landmark
Today
The City Council votes last, after the community board, borough president and , in a seven-month review.
After a Yes
The City Planning Commission makes the final decision after a 60-day community board and borough president review. The Council does not vote.
Whether the City buys, leases or otherwise acquires office space or office buildings
Today
The City Planning Commission holds a hearing and votes, and the City Council can disapprove by a two-thirds vote.
After a Yes
The commissioner decides, with no public hearing. Local officials get a notice of intent beforehand; the Council and Comptroller get a copy afterward.
Starting a major street project before local officials are notified
Today
Local law allows it when immediate action is needed for public safety.
After a Yes
The transportation commissioner decides, using a “risk of significant injury” standard based on crash rates or other safety factors. Notices follow with “best efforts.”
Who inside a consulted agency must weigh in on a street project
Today
Local law requires the Fire Department, when consulted, to also confer with affected firehouses.
After a Yes
Only the agency head must be consulted, and a missed consultation does not invalidate the project.
Before you decide
Your ballot · Proposal 3
Fill in one oval. Tap it again to return to undecided.
Undecided
Inside this proposal
See every changeStreet projects
1 change
Transportation projects
Consulted agencies need involve only their heads, so the Fire Department need not confer with firehouses, and a missed consultation no longer invalidates a project. The transportation commissioner can order immediate work on finding a risk of significant injury, based on crash rates or other safety factors; work can then start before the community board and local elected officials are notified.
City property
3 changes
Expedited property review
Lots of 10,000 square feet or less that are not , and from city-owned landmark sites, can use instead, which ends with a decision. The City Council no longer votes on these deals.
Sales to neighboring owners
Make that authority permanent.
Additional hearing after a delay
Remove that additional hearing requirement.
Office space
1 change
Acquiring office space
The commissioner decides whether to buy, lease or otherwise acquire office space or whole office buildings, on finding it in the city’s best interests. No Planning Commission or Council approval, and no public hearing, is required.
Who’s weighing in
All statements
Abundance New York
October 16, 2026
“Simplifying office leasing and small plot sales are sensible, and speeding street safety improvements is vital. The amendment should be approved.”
— Abundance New York
Municipal Art Society of New York
October 16, 2026
“Question #3 also raises a critical concern: it could make it easier to sell or transfer valuable public land and development rights without sufficient safeguards to ensure lasting public benefits.”
— Municipal Art Society of New York
Their position
Recommends No. Says faster street-safety projects have merit, but wants clear public-benefit standards, such as affordable housing and parks, before small city lots and landmark development rights can be sold or leased faster. Its NYC Votes statement also objects to combining three issues in one question.