1. NoHo Historic District Approved

The Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously approved a new downtown historic district called NoHo Extension, the Real Deal reported. The two-block district, bordered by Lafayette Street to the west and Bowery to the east, East 4th Street to the north and Bond Street to the south, runs adjacent to the NoHo and NoHo East historic districts. The three districts will have a combined 223 landmarked buildings, including many 19th- and 20th-century commercial lofts that have since been converted for residential use.

2. Hudson Yards Deal Crumbles

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is searching for a new developer to transform the Hudson rail yards into a residential and commercial area. Its $1 billion project with Tishman Speyer fell through after the developer sought to change the terms of its March 26 agreement with the MTA, which would have dramatically slowed rent payments to the authority. Other firms are now vying for the project, although the collapse of the Tishman Speyer deal will probably result in the MTA getting less money for the 26-acre property. Among those interested are the Durst Organization and Vornado Realty Trust, whose joint bid was edged out by Tishman Speyer’s, and Extell Development, another former bidder. The land is the largest undeveloped parcel in Manhattan, and its development is costly because a platform must be constructed over the rail tracks at a cost of $2 billion.

3. Tax Evasion Case Moves Forward

Eleven New York City real estate brokers will soon face charges following a tax evasion investigation by the Albany County district attorney, the Real Deal reported. A senior vice president at Brown Harris Stevens who allegedly evaded his taxes between 2000 and 2006, Scott Moore, was arraigned on five felony counts last Tuesday, and a June 3 arraignment has been set for a senior vice president and associate broker at the Corcoran Group, Miriam Sirota. Other top brokers at Corcoran, Brown Harris Stevens, and Sotheby’s are soon to face charges. The accused are among 31 real estate brokers in the state who allegedly evaded more than $650,000 in taxes, and failed to report more than $13 million in income. Brokers who did not file taxes in a single tax year or in two nonconsecutive years face misdemeanor charges, while those who failed to file taxes for three consecutive years will face felony charges.

4. Ikea To Sponsor Red Hook Water Taxi

Ikea will launch a free ferry service between Red Hook and downtown Manhattan when it opens its Brooklyn outpost next month. The water taxis will dock at a 6.5-acre public esplanade built by the Swedish furniture giant, the New York Post reported. The ferry service, provided by New York Water Taxi, is intended to reduce the congestion that local residents predict Ikea will bring, and will help connect the isolated neighborhood to other parts of the city. Ikea is providing shoppers with 1,400 parking spots, although its environmental impact statement anticipates that on Saturdays 14,000 cars will come to the neighborhood, which is more than a mile from the nearest subway station.