Domain names are currently expected to become available in late 2013 after ICANN approves the City’s application. "

and

"Upon acceptance of its application for the .nyc domain, the City of New York intends to enter into an agreement with ICANN under which it will have control over the administration and management of the .nyc domain."

Perhaps they know more than us, but they seem very confident that they'll be getting approved. Nobody else applied for .nyc, but I don't recall it ever being indicated that was enough to guarantee approval.