City Launches Fair Share NYC to Help Small Businesses Access Relief Funds

New federal relief funds are available for minority-owned, female-owned, and other small businesses. On January 13, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris launched Fair Share NYC. The campaign aims to support small businesses and to keep thousands of New Yorkers employed by connecting small business owners to federal relief funds.


New Entrances to Prospect Park Completed

The entrances are part of a $40 million series of park improvement projects citywide. On January 27, 2021, the Parks Department cut the ribbon on two new completed entrances to Prospect Park along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The new entrances are the first additional entrances added to Prospect Park since the 1940’s. NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been, Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Council Member <Read More>


City Awards $38 Million in Infrastructure Grants for City Science Institutions

Four New York City leading scientific research facilities are receiving infrastructure grants to advance innovation and public health. On January 21, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced that Columbia University, Montefiore-Einstein, the New York Stem Cell Foundation, and Rockefeller University are the four winners of $38 million in infrastructure grants for research and development departments. These grants come as a part of LifeSci NYC, a $500 million project with the goal of establishing New York … <Read More>


Mayor Appoints Two Co-Executive Directors for Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City

Last year the Mayor’s Fund helped immigrant families access relief funds and provided healthcare workers with food and essential care products. On January 19, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Daniele Baierlein and JL Paniagua Valle as Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. The Mayor’s Fund is a non-profit organization that works with City agencies and hundreds of institutional funders to advance initiatives that improve equity across New York City.


Mayor’s Office Announces Record Total Bike Lane Expansion for 2020

The addition of protected bike lanes comes as more people opt for cycling as a transportation option during the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 29, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 28.6 miles of new protected bike lanes have been constructed across the five boroughs throughout 2020. The announcement brings New York City’s total bike lane network to 1,378 miles. Of that, 545 miles are protected bike lanes. 


Open Storefronts Program Extended Through September 2021

The program provides expanded space for businesses to safely operate during the pandemic. On December 29, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the Open Storefronts Program would be extended through September 30, 2021. The Open Storefronts Program allows storefront businesses to use a portion of the sidewalk to display merchandise, complete transactions, sell goods and provide queuing areas to provide businesses with more space to expand and safely operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The <Read More>