DSNY Commissioner Edward Grayson announces new clean street initiatives with Mayor de Blasio. Image credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The three new initiatives focus on equitable city recovery, community engagement, and improving the quality of life of New York City. On March 30, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of Sanitation announced three new initiatives to better maintain clean New York City streets. The three initiatives include the Dedicated Litter Basket Service, the Precision Cleaning Initiative, and the Community Clean-up Van. (more…)

Image credit: Mayor’s Office

On April 6, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the City Cleanup Corps, a new economic recovery program designed to help clean and beautify the city through the creation of 10,000 jobs for projects to revitalize public spaces. (more…)

Jamie Torres-Springer. Image Credit: NYC DDC

Torres-Springer, the former First Deputy Commissioner of the department, will be succeeding Senior Advisor for Recovery and outgoing Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. On March 23, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Jamie Torres-Springer as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction. Torres-Springer will be succeeding Lorraine Grillo. Former Commissioner Grillo left the position earlier in March to serve as the City’s Senior Advisor for Recovery. (more…)

Mayor de Blasio signs new bills on February 25, 2021. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

The bills include a study of renewable energy generation and storage on Rikers Island. On February 25, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed two bills regarding energy usage, sustainability and prospective planning on Rikers Island. Both bills were sponsored by Council Member Costa Constantinides. (more…)

Renderings of the new co-op buildings that will be part of the Soundview campus, one of the many projects initiated by the City in 2020. Image Credit: NYCHA

The newly financed homes keep New York City on track to meet its goal to provide 300,000 affordable homes by 2026. On February 9, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City financed the construction and preservation of 29,521 affordable homes in 2020. Fifty-seven percent of the affordable homes financed in 2020 will serve families of three that earn less than $52,000 per year. The city has financed over 177,000 homes through the Housing New York plan since 2014. The city has leveraged over $7.4 billion in city capital subsidy to drive a $39.4 billion investment for the five boroughs. (more…)