The Little Engine Who Could: March Madness , the Real Hero of the Storm, Spring Almost Here
February 27, 2026
Hello,
The great blizzard of 1888, which brought anywhere between 20–50” of snow and caused hundreds of deaths,
prompted the relocation of the subway system underground. Thanks to that wise move, New Yorkers (myself
included), were able to move around the city throughout most of the 248 miles of tracks and 472 stations during
Monday’s blizzard.
This weather-defying grit, born from that 1888 chaos, makes NYC uniquely resilient: few other U.S. cities have a
subway this vast and mostly subterranean that powers through extreme conditions like a true lifeline, mobilizing
the essential workforce and the broader public in the toughest of conditions.
While never too far away in Manhattan, a subway station’s proximity to a property of residence or workplace has
a significant impact on its value, more so in Brooklyn and other geographically large boroughs.
Another item to watch in the coming months is the mayor’s proposal to raise property taxes by 9.5%. Although it
is the easier option for politicians versus, say, cutting spendings, we hope such a move, which would mostly
burden the middle and lower classes, could be avoided, especially since NYC property taxes are among the highest
in the country and among major cities around the world.
Lastly, this month we also appreciate The Real Deal magazine’s continued recognition of the work we do in the
new-development condominium space.
Stay Warm, Stay Safe!
Ariel and the team
