Smaller Elevators Part of NYC Mayor's Housing Master Plan

Incorporating smaller elevators into some buildings is among measures being looked at as part of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's "Block by Block" master housing plan unveiled on May 26, the New York Post reported. Late this year, the "Affordable and Efficient Code Reform" task force led by the Department of Buildings (DOB) and bringing together engineers, contractors and the DOB will examine NYC's "decades-old" building codes to look for ways to save developers money and bring plans to fruition. Cost-saving measures for new buildings ranging from affordable housing to office-to-residential conversions and schools will be sought. Smaller elevators are already being considered, as the task force's formation comes on the heels of a related DOB program set to launch this year to allow smaller-than-currently-allowed elevators for existing walk-up buildings. According to the city, only 34% of such apartments have elevators. Current city code requires elevators that can accommodate a 7-ft stretcher and wheelchairs, and upcoming discussions about whether to allow the small elevators is expected to be "contentious," according to DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. The DOB and Mamdani's efforts come amid an affordable housing shortage that Tigani describes as a "crisis."