Mayor de Blasio speaks at the ribbon cutting for the final section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office.

The addition completes the park’s original design. On December 9, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio, elected officials and community leaders joined together to cut the ribbon on the final section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The section, located underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, will be named Emily Warren Roebling Plaza after Emily Warren Roebling, whose work helped ensure the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge. The section connects the already completed DUMBO section and southern piers of the park. (more…)

Mayor de Blasio announces a $50 million capital investment in the Brooklyn Museum. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

The art museum has served as a community gathering and support space. On November 22, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $50 million capital investment in the Brooklyn Museum. The Brooklyn Museum is an art museum located on Eastern Parkway near Prospect Heights. (more…)

Governor Kathy Hochul speaks with local residents during a visit to a storm damaged neighborhood in Queens, NY earlier this month. (Photo: Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The program offers assistance to those who cannot qualify for federal relief. On September 26, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $27 million will be available for relief from Hurricane Ida for undocumented New Yorkers. Undocumented New Yorkers who suffered from the historic flooding and storm damage are not eligible to receive storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program or other programs due to their undocumented status. The New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) will manage the program. (more…)

Rendering of what the new pet adoption center will look like once completed. Image Credit: NYC DDC/Studio Joseph

The Department of Design and Construction is completely renovating an old garage in East Harlem into a new facility for the specific use of providing animals to adopt for the city. On June 4, 2021, the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced the beginning of construction on a new Pet Adoption Center located at 328 East 109th Street in East Harlem. The Center will work with adoptable dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and other animals. (more…)

Image Credit: NYC DOT

One year ago, in January 2020, the Expert Panel assigned by Mayor Bill de Blasio to study the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway issued its Final Report. Mayor de Blasio in 2019 appointed the seventeen-person Expert Panel* of which I was a member, following the angry rejection of New York City DOT’s plan for reconstructing the section of the BQE adjacent to Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo and Downtown Brooklyn. City DOT presented its plan publicly September 2019. The plan caused immediate outrage. (more…)