On October 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced that nine recreation centers across the five boroughs expanded their operating hours. This increase was made possible with $7.1 million in funding by Mayor Adams in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.
Kavanagh is the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the Fire Department. On October 27, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams swore in Laura Kavanagh as commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). With years of prior experience at the FDNY, most recently as acting fire commissioner, Kavanagh will oversee the department’s 17,000 employees and $2 billion budget.
On October 31, 2022, almost 100 of the City’s Open Streets and pedestrian spaces will be open for safe Halloween activities to provide children with an opportunity to have fun on car-free streets. Through the Department of Transportation and community partners, open streets will be available from 4 to 8 pm on Halloween night through the “Trick or Streets” program.
Last month, Mayor Adams announced a new plan to bring automatic, weekly curbside organic waste collection to the entire borough of Queens. Residents can order free compost bins from the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and bins will automatically be sent to buildings with 10 or more residential units.
On July 19, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking concessionaires “for the development, operation, and maintenance of an outdoor market” at Fordham Plaza. The plaza is located at the intersection of Fordham Road, Third Avenue and East 189th Street in the Bronx.
Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.