ASC's Intersections Newsletter — September 19th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Walking Together. This September has been a month of working in communities for the Arch Street Communications team, a highlight of which was a meeting of nearly 50 residents to talk about the future of the Rockland Riverway Trail. Attendees gathered September 17 in the Harry & Thelma Adler Room at the Palisades Center Mall to share input on the trail’s development. The meeting built on walking tourswe implemented this summer, where community members explored the proposed trail firsthand. The Rockland Riverway Trail is envisioned as a signature public space connecting people to nature, recreation, and one another. We're grateful to support this meaningful dialogue about Rockland’s future.
Transportation
NYC DOT will begin installing center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue this fall, between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza, to improve service and safety on one of Brooklyn's busiest corridors. The project adds separate lanes, concrete boarding islands, and new pedestrian space, aiming to boost speeds and reliability for more than 132,000 daily riders. Learn more about how this Vision Zero priority corridor is being redesigned to serve everyone safely. (Source: Mass Transit Magazine)
AMNY: Brand-new subway cars now make up Staten Island’s only train line
Transportation Today: FAA seeks alternatives for runway safety lighting system
PIX 11: 17M fewer cars entered NYC since start of congestion pricing
Climate
A piece of aviation history is now part of the clean energy future. The nation’s first airport terminal, Newark Liberty’s Building One, has been fully electrified by the Port Authority, blending Art Deco charm with modern sustainability. The retrofit replaced fossil fuel systems with electric boilers, heat pumps, and chargers, cutting energy use by 25%. Learn more about this achievement, and how historic preservation can support climate action. (Source: Canary Media)
Inside Climate News: Department of Energy allocates $134 million for fusion funding
Grist: California’s first solar-covered canal is now fully online
Happy Eco News: A 13-year old’s discovery shows promise for solar panel winter efficiency improvement
Economic Development
Lexington, Massachusetts became the first community in the state to ban gas hookups in new construction, and housing has continued to grow—adding about 1,100 new units, including affordable housing, in just two years. The policy aligns with state net-zero goals, attracts clean energy investment, and strengthens long-term resilience. Learn more on Lexington’s experience and how it offers a model for other municipalities balancing climate action with housing and economic development. (Source: The Cool Down)
Smart Cities Dive: With an executive order, Maryland aims to build more houses faster
Chalkbeat: NYC to give 350,000 students new laptops with free internet
Waste Dive: EPA opens up $20M in SWIFR (Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling) grant funding for tribes and intertribal consortia
Digital
California is on the brink of passing the nation’s first law regulating AI companion chatbots. SB 243 would require safeguards to protect minors, including reminders that users are talking to AI, bans on discussing self-harm, and annual transparency reports. Lawmakers argue the rules are necessary as teens increasingly turn to chatbots for advice, risking misinformation or emotional manipulation. If signed by Gov. Newsom, it takes effect January 1, 2026. Learn more about California’s AI regulation advancements. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Route Fifty: How one local government is making payments easier for residents
GovTech: NYC seeks gov tech suppliers for workflow challenge
Inkl: E-government and small business: turning digital tools into real growth
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
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