Progress on the East Side Access Project, which will dramatically reduce commute times for LIRR riders, is moving forward. On Monday, ground was broken on a new entrance to Grand Central at 47th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues. The entrance will cost $14 million to construct and will open in 2011. The entrance, however, will not be completed until 2016.

As part of the East Side Access Project, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is building a new entrance to the Grand Central Terminal on East 47th Street between park and Lexington avenues. The entrance is projected to be complete and open to the public by September 2011.

City Council approved the long-awaited Hudson Rail Yards rezoning plan. The approval came after negotiations between Council members and the project’s developers, Related Companies and Goldman Sachs. The negotiation finalized an agreement where the developers would develop 1,294 affordable apartments.

The first phase of the 7 subway train extension project is complete. This first phase of the $2.1 billion project included mining through 2,900 feet to the 34th street station at Eleventh Avenue. The tunneling work is expected to be completed by Spring 2010, while the train extension project will be open for service in December 2013.

The City Council approved the West Side Rail Yards rezoning, which will cover 13 yards of a 26-acre complex with commercial and apartment buildings. The approval was made after the developer struck a deal with the City Council to include affordability requirements. At least 431 units will be set for low-income families.

The Access to the Region's Core (ARC) project awarded its first tunnel boring contract on Wednesday to a joint venture between two firms, one of Montana and the other of New York. ARC is expected to increase commuting capacity between New Jersey and New York, by allowing for 48 trains an hour to travel to Midtown Manhattan.

Representatives from Community District 4, the Hells Kitchen Neighborhood Association, and Friends of the High Line, are all expected to testify Monday at the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchise’s on the proposed Hudson Yards rezoning.

The decision to landmark the the B. F. Goodrich building, a 100-year old structure, is at the heart of a debate amongst members of the City's Landmarks Preservation Committee. A second building, at 57th Street and Broadway, did not receive landmark designation, though it was constructed during the same time period and by the same architect.

The City Council approved the Nouvel Museum of Modern Art tower. The 1,000 foot tall building, which will cost about $750 million, will have exhibition space, and luxury hotel and residential units.

During a speech at NYU, Mayor Bloomberg stated that in his third term he will see to it that the City will have better mass transit infrastructure, access to waterfront, and more parkland. He reaffirmed that the Number 7 subway train extension to the Far West Side will be completed.