By Forum Staff
City Charter Revision Commission Chairman Richard Buery, Jr. on Tuesday announced initial public hearings across the five boroughs, between February and April 2025, for New Yorkers to offer input on potential changes to the City Charter to promote fair housing and make the city more transparent and responsive.
The announcement was made at the CRC’s first meeting, at which the commissioners adopted resolutions establishing its operations and designating staff, including Alec Schierenbeck as executive director.
The first two in the initial round of hearings will take place on Feb. 11 in Brooklyn and Feb. 24 in Queens, with three additional hearing dates to come in March and April in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The first hearing, on Feb. 11, will have a particular focus on housing, and the second hearing on Feb. 24 will focus on government reform.
The public hearing schedule is available below and on the CRC’s Public Meetings and Hearings webpage:
Brooklyn
- Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2024
- 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Fire Department of the City of New York Headquarters, Robert O. Lowery Auditorium, 9 Metrotech Center (enter via courtyard off Flatbush Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11201
Queens
- Monday, Feb. 24, 2024
- 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- City Department of Design and Construction Headquarters, First Floor Multi-Purpose Room, 30-30 Thomson Ave. (enter on 30th Place), Long Island City, NY 11101
Additional details about the hearings — including Zoom registration links for virtual testimony, translation services, and accommodations — are available on the CRC’s website.
Select hearings will begin with presentations from experts on topics of interest to the CRC. The first hearing will focus on fair housing and how the City Charter governs housing and land use in New York City. At each hearing, the public will be invited to testify about ideas for improving the City Charter, with testimony for up to three minutes each. Members of the public can also submit written testimony to CharterTestimony@citycharter.nyc.gov.
“This commission provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at our city’s governing document and examine how it is serving New Yorkers,” said Buery, Jr. “Today, our housing crisis severely limits where New Yorkers can live, what schools they can attend, how they can get to work, and whether their families can stay together. Our housing crisis contributes to our persistent challenges with homelessness. Our task, among others, is to examine the charter to see how we can help solve this generational challenge. I hope New Yorkers from across the city will take this opportunity to share their experiences and expertise so that we can build a more integrated, affordable city.”
“I am grateful to Chair Buery and the entire commission for giving me the opportunity to serve the city in this new role,” added Schierenbeck. “With hearings across the five boroughs, and robust opportunities for in-person, virtual, and written input, we are eager to hear from New Yorkers about how we can improve the charter and help city government tackle the great challenges of our time, from the housing crisis to the climate crisis.”
