Atlantic Avenue Corridor Approval, Central Park Quality of Life, New NYC Parks Commissioner, Lowest Number Of Shootings, Illegal Guns Removed, Bronx Senior Housing Development, Fireworks Return To Brooklyn Bridge, Inclusive Early Childhood Center, School Budget Stabilization, E-Bike/Scooter Speed Limits: Mayor Adams

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF ADMINISTRATION’S LAN TO CREATE 4,600 NEW HOMES, 2,800 PERMANENT JOBS ALONG ATLANTIC AVENUE CORRIDOR IN CENTRAL BROOKLYN 

Plan Includes $235 Million in Community Investments,  Infrastructure Upgrades, and Open Space 

New Housing Will Include Approximately 1,900 Income-Restricted Affordable Units 

Atlantic Avenue is Second Neighborhood Plan from Adams Administration to Pass,  On Track to Pass All Five by End of 2025, All Five Plans Could  Create Up to 50,000 Homes Over Next 15 Years 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director and City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick today celebrated the New York City Council’s approval of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, the second DCP-led neighborhood plan approved under the Adams administration. The plan will bring approximately 4,600 homes — including 1,900 income-restricted, affordable homes — and 2,800 permanent jobs to the Atlantic Avenue corridor near Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant, where outdated zoning rules have long limited housing and job growth. The plan also includes approximately $235 million in investments from the Adams administration to improve open space and traffic safety, bolster tenant protections, and enhance other neighborhood infrastructure and amenities. If all five neighborhood plans proposed by the Adams administration are adopted, they will deliver more than 50,000 housing units to New Yorkers over the next 15 years. 

“The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan marks a major milestone in our mission to build a more affordable, vibrant New York City, and today marks an excited victory for Central Brooklyn as we take the next steps towards building more housing and creating more jobs in the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “By advancing this plan, we’re not just creating homes — we’re investing in jobs, streets, and parks that strengthen our city. Our administration is grateful to the City Council and Chairs Riley and Salamanca for passing our ambitious plan and for their shared commitment to creating more homes for New Yorkers while still addressing community needs. This is what the ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ is all about: bold, forward-looking action that meets the needs of New Yorkers, today and for generations to come.” 

“With today’s passage of this administration’s Atlantic Avenue neighborhood rezoning plan, we are once again delivering on our promise to New York’s working-class families to improve neighborhoods and provide more affordable housing, more jobs, and a safer city,” said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. “I was pleased to work so constructively with the local councilmembers here to get to ‘yes,’ and look forward to continuing to advance more neighborhood rezoning initiatives in the months ahead.” 

“After over a decade of advocacy from the community to address this neighborhood’s outdated zoning and underinvestment, our administration has delivered,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “With thousands of new homes and jobs alongside hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure investments, the city’s partnership with the community will revitalize this critical corridor and bear fruit for decades to come. I would like to extend an enormous thanks to the team at the Department of City Planning, as well as Councilmembers Hudson and Ossé for their years of work to achieve this victory for Central Brooklyn.”  

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“Today’s approval marks the beginning of a new chapter for Atlantic Avenue. With updated zoning and smart investments, the corridor will offer more of the homes, jobs, safe streets, and open space that Brooklynites urgently need,” said DCP Director Garodnick. “I am grateful to Mayor Adams for his leadership on this crucial issue, as well as Speaker Adams, Chairs Salamanca and Riley, Councilmembers Hudson and Ossé, and the entire City Council for supporting this transformative plan to make Central Brooklyn a more affordable, dynamic, and welcoming place to live and work.” 

“I am thrilled that AAMUP — designed and developed in close partnership between the local communities, councilmembers, and our administration — has officially been approved by the City Council,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “Neighborhood plans like AAMUP are a cornerstone of our effort to fight the affordable housing shortage in New York, and this one will deliver 4,600 new homes, including 1,900 permanently affordable homes, for Central Brooklyn. I’d like to thank Councilmembers Hudson and Ossé for their steadfast leadership, as well as the departments of City Planning, Housing Preservation and Development, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation, for bringing such an ambitious vision to reality.” 

“New Yorkers know how dire the housing crisis is — and so do we,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “That’s why we’re acting with such urgency: working to build more homes, planning for safer, more sustainable neighborhoods, and investing in ensuring that every New Yorker has a safe, affordable place to call home. Today’s announcement builds on our progress and brings to fruition a long-debated, carefully considered neighborhood plan which will provide desperately needed housing to working Brooklynites — centered on one of the most dynamic avenues in the borough. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to our own Neighborhood Strategies staff; Brooklyn Community Boards 3 and 8; Borough President Reynoso; Councilmembers Hudson and Ossé; the Department of City Planning; Executive Director Bozorg; Deputy Mayor Carrión; and Mayor Adams. I am grateful to all who had a role in shaping the vision to make the Atlantic Avenue Plan a reality. Let’s get it done.” 

A New Atlantic Avenue 

The newly adopted zoning map in the Atlantic Ave Mixed-Use Plan project area. Credit: DCP. 

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan will revitalize a roughly 21-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue and neighboring streets between Vanderbilt Avenue and Nostrand Avenue. Since the 1960s, this area’s zoning has largely banned new housing, allowing only one-to-two story industrial buildings and storage facilities, despite its proximity to job hubs and transit, and the city’s deep housing shortage.  

With the City Council’s approval, the area is poised to become a more vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with new housing — including permanently income-restricted affordable homes through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, which requires new developments to include permanently affordable housing. The plan will also deliver 800,000 square feet of space for ground floor retail, commercial uses and manufacturing businesses, and community facilities. On neighboring avenues and streets, updated zoning will allow for moderately-sized mixed-use buildings with income-restricted affordable housing and job-generating uses. 

A More Affordable, Prosperous Atlantic Avenue 

In addition to the over 1,000 permanently affordable homes that will be built through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, around 900 income-restricted affordable homes will be built on city, state, and nonprofit-owned sites across the neighborhood, including at 457 Nostrand Avenue, 542 Dean Street, 516 Bergen Street, 1110 Atlantic Avenue, 1024 Fulton Street, and 1134-1142 Pacific Street. Developed through programs run by HPD and state funding, these buildings will include units reserved for older, low-income households, families, and formerly homeless New Yorkers.  

To support existing affordable housing, HPD’s Partners in Preservation program will provide nearly $3 million to community-based groups focused on anti-harassment and anti-displacement work. HPD will also hold a series of housing resources workshops this summer to assist tenants and homeowners with their needs. 

The plan will additionally help businesses and connect local residents to jobs, including job training and apprenticeship programs, hiring halls for jobseekers, and other services supporting existing and future businesses. Further, funding will be allocated to study future uses at the Bedford-Atlantic Armory to assess more opportunities for economic and workforce development. 

A Safer, Greener Atlantic Avenue 

The Atlantic Avenue plan includes several measures to protect  

pedestrians and expand green space in the neighborhood. Credit: DCP. 

To help make Atlantic Avenue safer for all, the city will advance several street safety measures, including a $135 million capital commitment for a comprehensive redesign of Atlantic Avenue. Additional, more immediate improvements include painted “neckdowns,” or raised curb extensions that narrow the travel lane at intersections or midblock locations; daylighting to improve visibility at intersections; and bike corrals and a new bike lane on Bedford Avenue. On both Atlantic Avenue and Bedford Avenue, new buildings must now be set back further back from the street, creating wider sidewalks and reducing pedestrian congestion. 

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan also commits a nearly $100 million investment in open space. Multiple public spaces throughout the neighborhood will receive much-needed improvements, including Hancock Playground, Potomac Playground, Dean Playground, James Forten Playground, the PS 93 school yard, and Lefferts Place Community Garden.  

The city has also allocated an initial investment of $24.2 million to improve St. Andrew’s Playground with a new, synthetic turf, multi-use field featuring a running track, upgraded basketball and handball courts, renovated playgrounds, a remodeled public restroom, new seating, plantings, and other green infrastructure. Lowry Triangle, located near Atlantic Avenue and Washington Avenue, will also be enhanced to become a more vibrant community public space. The plan expands a zoning incentive for buildings that will encourage the creation of publicly accessible open space along Atlantic Avenue as well. 

The plan will create a better experience for commuters through enhancements to the Franklin Avenue subway station, which serves the A and C trains. The station will receive several beautification measures, including a new paint job, a public art installation, and general sanitary improvements. 

To better protect the area from flooding, the city is advancing upgraded storm water and sewer infrastructure in tandem with major street and open space improvements, such as the installation of subsurface stormwater detention systems, while continuing improvements already underway, including 140 rain gardens throughout the neighborhood. New buildings will also be required to meet the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s stormwater standards. Together, these measures will increase sewer capacity, greatly reduce flooding, and help the neighborhood better handle and recover from storm events. 

A Community-Focused Atlantic Avenue 

Today’s approval is the culmination of extensive collaboration between DCP, Brooklyn Community Board 8, and local stakeholders to create a more dynamic, mixed-use Atlantic Avenue. The process for the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan kicked off in early 2023 with City Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé, engagement facilitator WXY Studio, Community Boards 2, 3, and 8, and agency partners. The process included over 20 meetings: three public community planning workshops, nine public working group meetings on three topic areas, and nine steering committee meetings to help shape the plan, which culminated in the release of the Community Vision and Priorities Report in 2023.  

During the formal public review process, the plan received favorable recommendations with conditions from Brooklyn Community Boards 3 and 8 and Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso, as well as a positive vote at the CPC. 

The Adams Administration’s Record on Housing  

Even with an impressive track record, where his administration has broken multiple records over the last three years, this year, Mayor Adams has gone even further to double down on his commitment to building more affordable housing across the five boroughs. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams and the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced the next phase of an ambitious, bold new vision for Coney Island in Brooklyn that will deliver 1,500 new homes and invest in the reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk. Additionally, Mayor Adams and HPD celebrated a $82 million investment to put homeownership within reach for more New Yorkers by expanding the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program. Finally, the Adams administration has advanced several bold, forward-looking projects, including reimagining Gansevoort Square to build mixed-income housing, building 100 percent affordable housing at the Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx, advancing the 388 Hudson development in Manhattan to provide hundreds of critically-needed affordable housing units, moving forward on a MTA proposal to transform a long-vacant lot in East Harlem into a mixed-use tower with nearly 700 new homes, and kicking off public review on the Midtown South Mixed-Use plan to create nearly 10,000 homes — all building on this year’s State of the City address to create a “City of Yes for Families,” a multi-pronged approach to housing, zoning, and public space that will create more family-friendly neighborhoods and build new housing. 

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. DCP is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years. In addition to the now-approved Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, DCP is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens. Last year, the City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan, which will create approximately 7,000 homes and 10,000 permanent jobs in the East Bronx. 

Moreover, last December, Mayor Adams celebrated the passage of “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing proposal in city history that will build 80,000 new homes over 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. In June 2024, City Hall and the City Council agreed to an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invested $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and the New York City Housing Authority’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.5 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back calendar years in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. Last spring, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation.  

Further, the Adams administration is using every tool available to address the city’s housing crisis. Mayor Adams announced multiple new tools, including a $4 million state grant, to help New York City homeowners create accessory dwelling units that will not only help older adults afford to remain in the communities they call home but also help build generational wealth.  

In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through an $11 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $9.85 million funding commitment. 

Finally, Mayor Adams and members of his administration successfully advocated for new tools in the 2024 New York state budget that will spur the creation of urgently needed housing. These tools include a new tax incentive for multifamily rental construction, a tax incentive program to encourage office conversions to create more affordable units, lifting the arbitrary “floor-to-area ratio” cap that held back affordable housing production in certain high-demand areas of the city, and the ability to create a pilot program to legalize and make safe basement apartments.     

“The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan is a bold yet common-sense plan to create thousands of homes in a transit rich corridor, support new and existing businesses, and create more vibrant streetscapes for all. To fight displacement, we must build new housing everywhere to ease pressure on the market and meet existing demand,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This is a plan that supports working-class New Yorkers with over 1,900 income-restricted units for moderate low-income residents in addition to a multimillion-dollar investment to support tenants at risk of displacement, a key priority in my ULURP recommendation. The future of Atlantic Avenue is bright, and I am so thankful to Councilmember Chi Ossé, Councilmember Crystal Hudson, and the Department of City Planning for supporting this important work.” 

“I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues today and approve the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, finally bringing Central Brooklyn the community-led rezoning it has demanded for over a decade,” said New York City Councilmember Hudson. “With the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, we will bring 4,600 new homes to Central Brooklyn — 40 percent of which will be affordable for low and -moderate income New Yorkers — along with more than $215 million in dedicated funding for infrastructure upgrades, park renovations, local hiring programs as well as resources for tenant and homeowner protections, and more for our communities. This process has shown what’s possible when planning is driven by community: we build more affordable housing and deliver the lasting benefits that our neighborhoods desire. I’m grateful to Councilmember Chi Ossé for his partnership and advocacy, the communities of Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bedford-Stuyvesant for envisioning a robust future of Atlantic Avenue, and for the support of the many city agencies who worked tirelessly on this project, including the Department of City Planning. I hope AAMUP can be a framework for what’s possible in other communities across all five boroughs — where building consensus through community planning builds stronger communities.” 

“AAMUP is unambiguously good. The plan brings 4,600 units of housing during a dire housing shortage, which has been allowed to drive up rents for too long. It creates 1,900 units of income-restricted housing, which is more than ever before. Hundreds of millions of dollars are coming to our communities for comprehensive safety, efficiency, beatification, and infrastructure upgrades. All of this is in a transit-rich corridor. AAMUP is a massive win,” said New York City Councilmember Ossé. “I am proud to support this excellent necessary rezoning alongside my colleague Crystal Hudson. New York City must recognize the housing shortage and move boldly to counter it. Projects like this are necessary to stopping displacement. The best time to act was yesterday. The second-best time to act is now.” 

“The Adams administration, in cooperation with the City Council, has achieved another breakthrough in rezoning and redevelopment plans for a long-underutilized corridor of the city,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. “This action will stimulate significant private investment and benefits for Brooklyn neighborhoods along this stretch of Atlantic Avenue.” 

“Today’s vote by the City Council sets a precedent for community-driven rezonings that have the potential to create and preserve jobs in the industrial sector and develop permanently affordable homes for seniors and families. This two-pronged approach to spurring economic development and affordable housing will not only benefit this 21-block area, but New York City as a whole,” said Brian T. Coleman, CEO, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC). “GMDC thanks Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Chi Osse, who both advocated for greater protective zoning for industrial buildings and affordable housing measures, as well as the members of Brooklyn Community Board 8 for their continued attention to businesses and residents in their community. Thank you to the agency partners at DCP, HPD, and DOT for crafting zoning and policy incentives that will encourage the generative and productive development of mixed-use and light industrial projects that will anchor working-class families and industrial workers in this vital corridor.” 

“Acacia Network commends the city on leading and moving forward the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, which will create thousands of new homes for New Yorkers in need and spur economic opportunity through job and small business creation,” said Lymaris Albors, CEO, Acacia Network. “As a nonprofit minority housing developer with extensive experience in community revitalization, we are further excited to be part of this plan as we seek to develop a state-of-the-art mixed-use building on 1134-1142 Pacific Street, which will contribute 120 new units to this neighborhood.” 

“The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan is a bold and necessary step forward for Brooklyn — not just in addressing our housing crisis, but in creating real economic opportunity,” said Randy Peers, president and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “With 2,800 permanent jobs and significant infrastructure investment, this plan lays the groundwork for small business growth and long-term neighborhood vitality. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is especially encouraged by the focus on affordability, open space, and safer streets — all of which help our small businesses thrive. We are proud to support a vision that balances inclusive development with the needs of our local entrepreneurs.” 

“AAMUP will bring thousands of desperately-needed new homes to one of Brooklyn’s most transit-accessible neighborhoods,” said Annemarie Gray, executive director, Open New York. “Building more homes is the only way to prevent displacement in high-demand neighborhoods, and that’s what this plan will do. With more than 4,000 new homes, nearly 2,000 of which will be income-restricted, this plan will help longtime residents stay while making room for new neighbors. This effort exemplifies how new housing and transportation improvements can go hand-in-hand to create a more affordable and livable community. Thank you to Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé for their leadership in securing more homes and investments for their communities.” 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES MULTI-AGENCY “COMMUNITY LINK” OPERATION TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE,  IMPROVE SAFETY IN CENTRAL PARK 

Mayor Adams’ “Community Link” Has Provided Intensive Government Response Effort That Has Already Responded to Over 1,500 Complaints, Conducted Over 1,600 Operations 

Coalition Includes More Than 20 City Agencies and Community Partners Working to  Make Central Park Even Cleaner, Safer, and More Vibrant for New Yorkers and Visitors   Partnership Has Resulted in Enhanced Public Safety Outreach and Enforcement Efforts,  in Collaboration with Newly Launched Central Park Ranger Corps 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the “Central Park Conservancy Partnership,” a multi-agency response aimed at addressing public safety and improving quality of life in and around Central Park. The partnership — part of Mayor Adams’ “Community Link” initiative — is focused on improving coordination across enforcement agencies and increasing public education for parkgoers, particularly around illegal vending, unlicensed or unlawful pedicabs, excessive noise, and other quality-of-life concerns. 

“Central Park is the backyard of New York City, and everyone — families, kids, joggers, cyclists, and tourists — must be safe and feel safe while enjoying this iconic green space,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City remains the safest big city in America, the best place to raise a family, and a place where you know your city is looking out for you — on the streets, in our parks, in the subways, and on the sidewalks. Through the ‘Central Park Conservancy Partnership’ — our newest Community Link initiative — we are doubling down on our commitment to tackle quality-of-life complaints like excessive noise, trash, and illegal vending — delivering a safer, cleaner city for all.” 

“This operation is about more than enforcement — it’s about coordination, communication, and long-term strategies to protect one of the most iconic public spaces in the world,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry. “Under Mayor Adams’ direction, our city agencies and community partners are working together with one clear mission: making Central Park safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for everyone. And we’re already getting it done — crime is down, order is being restored, and New Yorkers and visitors alike can see the difference.” 

“Central Park is one of the most visited locations in the country, with millions of visitors every year. This creates unique challenges in how we manage the use of shared space for the benefit of everyone. Through this new partnership with city agencies and the launch of our new Rangers Corps, we are working to make the park more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone,” said Betsy Smith, president and CEO, Central Park Conservancy. “We are grateful to the city, its many agencies that operate within Central Park, and the community that is dedicated to stewarding Central Park for the enjoyment of all.”  

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s (NYC Parks) Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) have increased enforcement efforts in the park, particularly on unlawful pedicab operations and illegal vending. Year to date, this increased coordination has led to 681 summonses issued by the PEP, including 289 for pedicab violations and 294 for unauthorized vending for the first and second offenses. Other summonses include unlawful urination, unreasonable noise, and parking violations. The NYPD’s Central Park Precinct officers have issued 460 summonses year to date, including 194 for pedicab violations and 38 for illegal vending. Crime in the Central Park Precinct is down 50 percent year to date, driven by a 90 percent reduction in robberies and a nearly 29 percent reduction in grand larcenies. 

This partnership is aided by the Central Park Conservancy’s new Ranger Corps, deployed seven days a week to address visitor concerns and quality-of-life issues, protect the park, and serve as a point of contact for the public. The Rangers will not have summonsing authority but will coordinate closely with the NYPD and PEP to monitor compliance with city rules and permit guidelines and assist first responders during emergencies. Their responsibilities include addressing recurring issues like dogs off leash; improper operation of bikes, e-bikes, and mobility devices on park paths and drives; illegal vending; pedicab and horse carriage operators soliciting in unlawful places; and other quality-of-life issues.  

As part of the partnership, the Mayor’s Office has also already convened an interagency task force to address unsafe pedicab operations. The task force — working in partnership with the New York Pedicab Association — is focused on sustained enforcement and compliance with pedicab laws and regulations. Key initiatives include: 

• Crackdowns on unlicensed and repeat-offender pedicab operators: Year to date, the PEP has issued 289 summonses, and the NYPD has issued 194 summonses related to pedicab enforcement. The NYPD has also seized 19 pedicabs — up from just one during the same period in 2024. The task force is also working with Midtown Community Justice Center to identify and address repeat offenders. 

• Education to protect pedicab riders: The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, produced an educational flyer that will be distributed throughout Central Park and shared across multiple communication channels to inform riders of their rights, help them identify properly licensed pedicab drivers, and explain how to report violations. 

Additionally, the NYPD and NYC Parks — in coordination with the partnership — developed new, consolidated vending rules and maps of approved vending locations to improve compliance and better protect consumers from fraudulent or unauthorized vendors selling items in Central Park. NYPD, NYC Parks, and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) are also implementing infrastructure improvements in and around Central Park — including repairing and installing lighting and security cameras — to enhance public safety, deter unlawful activity, improve visibility, and support ongoing enforcement efforts. 

The partnership is led by the Mayor’s Office and the Central Park Conservancy, in collaboration with community partners from: 

• American Museum of Natural History 

• Center for Justice Innovation 

• Central Park Boathouse 

• Central Park Zoo 

• Delacorte Theater 

• Metropolitan Museum of Art 

• New York City Community Boards 5, 7, 8 and 10 

• New York Pedicab Alliance 

• New York Roadrunners 

• Tavern on the Green 

• Wildlife Conservation Society 

• Wollman Rink 

Participating city agencies in this Community Link include: 

• DCWP 

• DOT 

• Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health 

• Mayor’s Office of Municipal Services Assessment 

• New York City Department of Environmental Protection 

• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) 

• New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) 

• New York City Department of Sanitation 

• New York City Department of Veterans’ Services 

• New York City Office of Technology and Innovation 

• NYC Parks 

• NYPD 

In May 2023, Mayor Adams launched Community Link to bring together various city agencies and local community and business leaders to address complex and often chronic community complaints that require a multi-agency response. Community Link has previously convened seven community improvement coalitions throughout the five boroughs. Focused on “hot spot” areas, Community Link is active at 125th Street, on the 110th Street Corridor, in Midtown West, and on East 14th Street in Manhattan; on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens; and at “The Hub” in the South Bronx. Since its inception, Community Link has responded to over 1,500 complaints and conducted over 1,600 operations to address quality-of-life concerns raised by the communities they serve.  

The Central Park Conservancy Partnership builds on the work conducted by the Community Link team on the 110th Street Corridor bordering the north side of Central Park, which began in April 2024. To date, this Community Link has made 111 arrests, issued 1,031 summonses, and seized five scooters on 110th Street. In addition, DHS and DOHMH conducted outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, resulting in over 1,000 clients engaged and over 25 placed in shelters. 

Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Adams administration’s emphasis on taking a community-driven approach to public safety concerns. In October 2024, Mayor Adams announced the “Every Block Counts” pilot program, a data-driven multi-agency and community partnership that aims to permanently transform the conditions and culture on residential blocks that have historically seen high levels of crime and quality-of-life issues. Efforts are informed by volunteer residents known as “Block CEOs” and include infrastructure improvements, such as repaving sidewalks and removing graffiti, as well as social services and resources for block residents. In April 2025, Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch launched the NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division, a citywide initiative that brings together specially trained officers from existing NYPD community-oriented roles to address chronic quality-of-life issues and strengthen community trust. 

“It is paramount New Yorkers feel safe and heard within their communities — something this hub aims to address through effective and strategic investments by multiple-agencies, community leaders, and law enforcement collaboration,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “The ‘Central Park Conservancy Partnership’ is thoughtfully crafted to target chronic community concerns and find proactive fixes to quality-of-life complaints to restore the community’s faith, trust, and wellbeing. We look forward to our continued collaboration with our city and community partners to achieve long-lasting public safety.”

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS IRIS RODRIGUEZ-ROSA AS NYC PARKS COMMISSIONER, CELEBRATES $23 MILLION TRANSFORMATION OF PLAYGROUNDS AND PUBLIC SPACES AT SIX NYCHA DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH NYC PARKS PARTNERSHIP 

An NYC Parks Veteran, Rodriguez-Rosa Oversaw Revitalization of Lifeguard Workforce Through Nationwide Shortage 

Adams Administration’s Investment Has Renovated Nearly Three Acres of Public Space in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, Putting Additional 10,000 Residents Within 10-Minute Walk of a Park, Delivering on Promise Made in 2022 

Mayor Adams Cuts Ribbon on Newly-Renovated Playgrounds at Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights, Final Project as Part of Initiative    

“We Outside Summer” Continues, Delivering Announcements,  Investments, and Programs Across Five Boroughs 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Iris Rodriguez-Rosa as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks), making her the first Latina to hold this position. Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa is a NYC Parks veteran of nearly four decades, serving in different roles throughout the department during the course of her career; most recently as first deputy commissioner, where she oversaw the city’s lifeguards and helped rebuild the workforce despite national lifeguard shortages.  

On her first day as commissioner, Mayor Adams, Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa, and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt also announced that the city has completed a $23 million investment to revitalize nearly three acres of NYCHA open space — including playgrounds, sports equipment, and seating areas — across three developments in Queens, two developments in the Bronx, and one development in Brooklyn. The announcement continues Mayor Adams’ “We Outside Summer” —  a new initiative that will include a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer — by making investments to replace outdated playgrounds and dilapidated public spaces with new equipment, seating, landscaping, and more — delivering on a promise Mayor Adams made in 2022. As part of today’s announcement, Mayor Adams cut the ribbon on two newly-renovated playgrounds at Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — the final transformation through this investment.  

“Iris Rodriguez-Rosa has served New Yorkers for her entire career, with an unwavering commitment to nurturing and growing our precious parks, ensuring they are available for all. I have full confidence that she will carry forward that dedication as NYC Parks commissioner, and we look forward to delivering all New Yorkers safer, cleaner parks across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams. “Here in New York City, parks and playgrounds are not just a bonus, they are our backyards, where we walk our dogs, meet our friends, and take our children to play. Today’s announcement marks the completion of a $23 million investment to reimagine nearly three acres of open space across NYCHA sites and puts 10,000 more New Yorkers within walking distance of a park. Every family across the five boroughs should have a nice, clean place to take their child to play, and today we are one step closer to that reality.” 

“I am excited and honored to assume the position as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the greatest urban park system in the country with over 30,000 acres of parkland,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “Parks are the greenspaces that serve as a great equalizer in our city and ensure everyone can get outside and enjoy our nature areas, playgrounds, beaches, pools, and recreation centers. I thank Mayor Adams for this appointment and look forward to working with him to continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.” 

“Outdoor open spaces and playgrounds on NYCHA campuses serve as important outlets for residents to engage in physical activity and get fresh air, as well as community hubs and gathering spaces for the one in 17 New Yorkers who call NYCHA home,” said NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt. “As NYCHA continues to use every tool at its disposal to invest in and renovate its properties, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Adams administration and our partners at NYC Parks for their support and work in breathing new life into these outdoor spaces, and their ongoing dedication to NYCHA residents.”  

To best understand the needs of residents, NYC Parks and NYCHA met with residents at the Woodside, Pomonok, Redfern, Watson, Sotomayor, and Kingsborough Houses to select specific locations for these transformations and help create the vision for their revitalized open spaces. In addition to renovating these spaces, the city will also open the six playgrounds up for public use so that both NYCHA residents and the surrounding community can enjoy the public space, putting nearly 10,000 more New Yorkers within walking distance of a park.  

At Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn, NYC Parks and NYCHA transformed two playgrounds — one 20,000 square feet and another 16,000 square feet — with the addition of new play equipment, game tables, benches, spray showers, and landscaping. Additionally, NYC Parks created new entrances from the sidewalk to make it easier for the public to access the amenities.  

The Kingsborough Houses playground marks the final public space renovated through this investment. The other five projects are:  

Redfern Houses, Far Rockaway, Queens

The city reconstructed 50,000 square feet of open space, including the Redfern Playground and adjacent area, to include an upgraded ball field, basketball court, and handball court; play equipment; fitness equipment for teens and adults; and a grilling area. 

Legacy Park at Pomonok Houses, Fresh Meadows, Queens

The city renovated 13,000 square feet of open space at Pomonok Houses to include fitness equipment, sensory play equipment, seating, and new landscaping. 

Woodside Houses, Woodside, Queens

The city revamped 9,900 square feet of open space — including a passive seating and landscaped area at Woodside Houses — with new game tables, benches, landscaping, and pathways. 

Watson Houses, Bronx

The city transformed 9,300 square feet of open space to include a revamped playground and seating area with new play equipment, game tables, benches, spray showers, landscaping, and brand new adult fitness equipment.    

Sotomayor Houses, Bronx

The city upgraded 9,000 square feet of public space with new play equipment, spray showers, game tables, benches, landscaping, and brand-new swings. 

About Iris Rodriguez-Rosa 

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa most recently served as first deputy commissioner for NYC Parks, where she oversaw the revitalization and growth of the lifeguard workforce throughout a nationwide lifeguard shortage and worked to establish the Office of Marine Vessel Disposal within NYC Parks. 

Rodriguez-Rosa started her career organizing tenants and the community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the late 1970s under the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program. She then joined public service, working for former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden as a community board liaison and later, in 1979, became the district manager for Community Board 4 in Bushwick, Brooklyn. 

Rodriguez-Rosa began her career at NYC Parks in 1986, serving initially as director of community boards, working as an operations manager in Manhattan, and later serving as chief of recreation in the Public Programs Division in both the Bronx and Queens.  

In June 2015, Rodriguez-Rosa was appointed to serve as the Bronx borough parks commissioner. In this role, she helped work with and merge the Friends of Van Cortlandt Parks and the Van Cortlandt Conservancy to become what is now the Van Cortlandt Alliance. She championed the Orchard Beach Pavilion, and helped execute countless playground renovations for the benefits of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers across the city.  

The Adams Administration’s Work to Transform Public Spaces 

Mayor Adams has made transforming the city’s public spaces a central focus of his administration, creating over 85 football fields of new public spaces since 2022 for families to enjoy. In his 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Adams announced that New York City will open more schoolyards in underserved neighborhoods for use during the summer, after school, and on the weekends, and put another 20,000 individuals within a 10-minute walk of a park. By opening up these NYCHA facilities for use to the broader community, this announcement begins to fulfill Mayor Adams’ State of the City commitment to give even more New Yorkers in under-resourced areas access to valuable public spaces as his administration continues its efforts to make New York City the best place to raise a family. 

From day one, the Adams administration has prioritized public housing, unlocking $1.35 billion in capital repairs for nearly 7,600 residents through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together program in Fiscal Year 2024. The Adams administration also reopened the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist for the first time in 15 years, selecting 200,000 households, and expanded Big Apple Connect to bring free high-speed internet and cable to 150,000 households in 220 NYCHA facilities. 

“Today marks a joyful and meaningful moment for the Kingsborough community,” said New York City Councilmember Darlene Mealy. “This new playground is more than just a space to run and play — it’s a powerful investment in our youth, our families, and our future. Spaces like these empower our young people by giving them a safe, vibrant environment to grow, dream, and build lasting friendships. They also serve as anchors for community development and hubs for social connection — where parents meet, neighbors engage, and the bonds of our community grow stronger. For decades, necessary upgrades were overlooked, and I am proud to stand alongside all who helped make this day possible, as we cut the ribbon on a place that will bring joy and opportunity for generations to come. This is what progress looks like when we work together for the people.” 

MAYOR ADAMS, NYPD COMMISSIONER TISCH ANNOUNCE NEW YORK CITY HAS SEEN LOWEST NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES IN RECORDED HISTORY YEAR-TO-DATE 

From January 2025 – May 20205, City Saw Lowest Number of Shootings and Homicides in Recorded History 

Massive Declines Follow May 2025 Shootings and Homicides Hitting  Lowest Level for Any May in Recorded History 

Comes As Adams Administration Has Removed 22,000+ Illegal Guns Since Taking Office 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch today announced that, from January 1, 2025 through May 31, 2025, New York City saw the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history. The record-low crime statistics come after May also saw historic lows for both categories and builds on the Adams administration’s work to remove more than 22,000 illegal guns from New York City streets since coming into office.  

“When I took the oath of office as mayor, I made a promise that we would make this city safer and that we would drive down crime. Today, the numbers prove that we have not just kept that promise — we have exceeded it. I am exceptionally proud to share that from January 2025 to May 2025, New York City saw the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history. This is not just a statistical win — these numbers represent thousands of New Yorkers who are alive today and safer today, families who can sleep more soundly at night, and communities that are thriving because they know their city isn’t just coming back from the throes of the pandemic — it is back,” said Mayor Adams. “These historic achievements are the direct result of our administration’s commitment to precision policing, strategic deployment of resources, and the tireless dedication of the brave men and women of the NYPD. Our officers have also removed over 22,000 illegal firearms from our streets, including dangerous ghost guns that have no place in our communities. Equally as important, these results reflect our focus on upstream solutions and our unprecedented investments in our young New Yorkers, because we know that preventing crime starts with providing opportunity to the next generation. But let’s be clear: we are not even close to done. It’s not enough for New Yorkers to be safer — they must feel safer, too. We are building on this momentum with our NYPD Quality of Life Division and surging multi-agency resources to neighborhoods that need them most through our Community Link program. Together, and every single day, we are building a safer, stronger city for all 8.5 million New Yorkers.” 

“Today, the mayor announced an unprecedented achievement: the lowest number of shootings and homicides in recorded history over the first five months of the year,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Results like this never happen by accident, and certainly not at a time when the state’s criminal justice laws have made a revolving door out of our criminal justice system. Here’s how your mayor and your NYPD cops delivered the safest January – May for gun violence in New York City: three-plus years of relentlessly going after guns on our streets and a data-driven policing strategy that puts more cops in the right places at the right times to do what they do better than anyone else in the world. We will not let up. Our summer violence reduction plan is bold and aggressive and designed to continue driving the same historic safety gains.” 

From January 2025 – May 2025, New York City recorded 264 shootings. The previous record low was in 2018, when New York City recorded 267 shootings over the same time period. From January 2025 – May 2025, New York City recorded 112 homicides. The previous record low was in 2017 and 2014, when New York City recorded 113 homicides over the same time period.  

In May 2025 alone, New York City recorded 54 shootings and 18 homicides. The previous record low was set in 2019, when New York City recorded 61 shootings and 19 homicides.