Morning Reads: Landlord Crackdown, Silver Faces Possible Fines, Little Italy Rebranding

The mayor and State Attorney General today announce “an aggressive new effort to go after property owners who use illegal tactics to force out tenants paying lower rent… The Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force will take particular aim at landlords who rip up apartments under the guise of “renovations” to drive low-income tenants out.” (Daily News)

New mega-projects, including Essex Crossing, are “remaking swaths the city from scratch.” (Daily News)

The city is seeking proposals for a site it owns at 137 Centre St. (Real Deal).

Real estate brokers are stepping up their marketing push, selling Little Italy as a playground for “younger New Yorkers.” (AMNY).

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has sent Sheldon Silver a notice of delinquency for failing to disclose outside income. He could face a $120,000 fine (Channel 2).

When Sheldon Silver returns to Albany next week, he’ll be working out of a much smaller office. Also: While “no final decisions have been made about Silver’s staff allocation… it is widely expected that his former chief of staff Judy Rapfogel will transition to his new office.” (Daily News)

The New York City Panel on Climate Change says sea levels will “swell another 18 inches to 39 inches by the 2080s and as much as six feet by 2100.” (takepart).

Manitoba’s will stay open after a crowdfunding campaign netted $31,000 (EV Grieve).