Image Credit: NYC DOT

The plan focuses on immediate monitoring and repairs to allow for more time to plan for the future. On August 4, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman announced a plan to extend the life of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) cantilever for at least 20 years with additional plans for the long-term. The plan is in four parts: preserving the structure; maintenance; expansion in monitoring; and developing a long-term vision. (more…)

Rendering of the future protected bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge, set to begin construction on Monday, June 21st. Image Credit: NYC DOT

The protected bike lane will provide safety from cars for cyclists and provide more room on the promenade for pedestrians. On June 21, 2021, the Department of Transportation will begin constructing protected bicycle lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge. The project will begin with removing the innermost Manhattan-bound vehicular lane and transforming it into a two-way protected bicycle lane. Currently, pedestrians and cyclists share access to the bridge on the bridge’s promenade. The two-lane promenade, only divided by a painted line, is often overcrowded and can be potentially dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians. (more…)

Ben Furnas, the new Director of the Mayor’s Office for Climate and Sustainability. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office

The new office combines the Mayor’s Office of Climate Policy and Programs with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability to streamline environmental justice and sustainability efforts more efficiently. On April 19, 2021, Mayor de Blasio appointed Ben Furnas as the Director of the Mayor’s office if Climate and Sustainability. The new office combines the Mayor’s office of Climate Policy and Programs with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. The new office will streamline and build upon the work of the former offices to reduce New York City’s negative impact on climate change, the use of fossil fuels, and further environmental justice. (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…)

John Scrivani is the expected new Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Scrivani is a 14-year veteran of the NYPD with extensive experience in emergency management. On March 17, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the expected appointment of John Scrivani as the Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management. The expected appointment follows the pending approval of current Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by the U.S. Senate.  (more…)