Another Public School Student Detained By ICE, Lowest Reported Quarterly Overdose Deaths, Affordable Homes In Brownsville, Early Childhood Education Investments, Rise Up NYC Returns, Benefits On Your Block, Concrete Recycling Facility Closed: Mayor Adams

Another Public School Student Detained By ICE, Lowest Reported Quarterly Overdose Deaths, Affordable Homes In Brownsville, Early Childhood Education Investments, Rise Up NYC Returns, Benefits On Your Block, Concrete Recycling Facility Closed: Mayor Adams

 

Editor’s note: Last week, the City filed an amicus brief for another NYC Public School high school student who was arrested during a mandatory routine immigration hearing related to his seeking of asylum status in the United States and NYC specifically.  Once the meeting was adjourned, student was arrested by ICE agents.  Continued use of the immigration courthouses to arrest asylum seekers when their hearings are adjourned without a final outcome declared by the judge creates a culture of fear, making it more likely that fewer immigrants will attend their hearings as required.  In many cases, these immigrants are taken to detention centers outside of the US, without any due process.  This has been covered extensively by other media outlets, including the SCOTUS ruling unanimously that due process rights must be granted to everyone, whether citizen or immigrant. Previously, Mayor Adams announced new childcare center leases and lease renewals to expand options for local residents. Staten Islanders were invited to attend this borough’s Benefits On Your Block kick-off last weekend. You can see our coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup here. 

 

 

CITY OF NEW YORK TAKES ACTION TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER ATTENDING ROUTINE IMMIGRATION HEARING  

Amicus Brief Outlines City is Less Safe When Immigrants Are Afraid to Access Basic Services and Attend Court Hearings

 

11^th Grader Detained Over a Month Ago After His Immigration Hearing Was Adjourned

NEW YORK – The City of New York took action in support of Derlis Snaider — a New York City resident and current 11^th grade student at Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens who was arrested in a Manhattan courthouse on June 4, 2025, after attending a mandatory, routine immigration hearing — by filing an amicus brief in the case of  Derlis Snaider vs. William P. JOYCE, in his official capacity as Acting Field Office Director of New York, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Caleb VITELLO, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Kristi NOEM, in her official capacity as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security; Pamela BONDI, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice.

Derlis Snaider is a 19-year-old citizen of Ecuador who has no criminal history in New York City. He and his family sought asylum in the United States as a result of the discrimination they faced for being indigenous members of the Panzaleo tribe in Ecuador.

 

“Every day, our administration is working to make New York City safer and the best place to raise a family, but we know that when immigrant communities are not able to use city services, it makes us all less safe,” said Mayor Adams. “Once again, we are taking legal action in support of another young, New York City student, who was doing what he was supposed to do in attending a mandatory, routine immigration hearing.”

  

“Once again, as outlined in our brief, creating a culture of fear around court appearances deters people from participating in judicial proceedings — and not just immigration proceedings, but all manner of court proceedings that depend on cooperation from members of the public, whatever their legal status may be,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “These tactics undermine the public trust and violate the principles of fairness and justice. We urge the court to grant Derlis’ writ of habeas corpus.”  

  

The brief — filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York — argues the city is less safe when immigrants are afraid of accessing basic services and attending immigration court hearings. The filing also outlines the important contributions that immigrants have long made to New York City, specifically on its cultural fabric, economic growth, and overall prosperity. 

  

The amicus brief lays out the immigrant community’s — including those who are undocumented — vast contributions to the City of New York. The five boroughs is home to more than 3 million immigrants, comprising nearly 40 percent of the city’s population. Derlis Snaider showed up for his mandatory hearing and then was arrested in the immigration courthouse just outside the courtroom at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, a stone’s throw away from a federal district court; state criminal and civil courts; local criminal, housing, and family courts; and other courthouses. As the brief makes clear, these tactics risk driving underground those otherwise inclined to follow the country’s immigration laws, undermining the very system that those laws are designed to serve. 

                                                                             

Further, in the brief, the city argues that the judicial system itself will suffer if residents fear that simply appearing in court to protect their rights or the rights of others could expose them to detention and removal.

This action follows two similar, amicus briefs the City of New York filed in support of Dylan Lopez Contreras and Jose Luis, two other New York City Public School students who were arrested in Manhattan courthouses after attending a mandatory, routine immigration hearings.

 

 

MAYOR ADAMS, DOHMH ACTING COMMISSIONER DR. MORSE ANNOUNCE LOWEST QUARTER OF OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS IN FIVE YEARS, INVEST IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENTS TO FURTHER DECREASE OPIOID OVERDOSES 

Provisional Overdose Death Count for Third Quarter of 2024 is Lowest on Record Since 2020, Continuing Decrease in Overdose Deaths 

$4 Million in Annual Spending Will Support Providers to Expand and Improve Access to Medication Treatment  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse today announced the lowest quarter in five years for opioid overdose deaths and new investments to drive opioid overdoses even further down. New provisional data from  shows that 498 people in New York city died from an overdose in the third quarter of 2024 — the lowest number of overdose deaths in a single quarter since 2020. In 2023, New York City saw a slight decline for the first time since 2018 when 3,046 people died of an overdose. Additionally, Mayor Adams also today announced contracts with nine treatment providers to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine, to further drive down opioid overdoses and deaths. A total of $4 million in annual funding across all contracts will help recipients improve their existing practices and shift towards a low-threshold model of care to serve people at greatest risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. Each awardee will tailor their services to support their community’s needs, using a model of care focused on same-day treatment entry and medication provision, flexibility, and wide availability across settings.

“For too long, opioid overdoses have ripped families and communities apart, but there is light on the horizon with opioid overdose deaths citywide seeing their lowest numbers in five years,” said Mayor Adams. “We are committed to maintaining this downward trend by continuing to invest in the programs and treatments that support those who are struggling. With smart investments, including those awarded through opioid settlement funds, we are making our city safer, healthier, and the best place to raise a family.”

“While overdose deaths in New York City show signs of continued decline, we must keep our foot on the gas pedal to continue to save more lives,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene remains committed to investing in equitable access to harm reduction, treatment, and services that will not only keep our neighbors alive but help them thrive. Using these dollars to support evidence-based interventions through trusted community partners will allow us to reach more New Yorkers and keep people engaged in these lifesaving services.”

The contracts being announced today further the city’s ongoing commitment to supporting New Yorkers in their journeys to stability and recovery and reducing overdose deaths by 25 percent by 2030 as part of “HealthyNYC,” the Adams administration’s ambitious plan to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers. Methadone and buprenorphine have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of overdose death by more than 50 percent. Traditionally, delivery of medications for opioid use disorder have included strict requirements for treatment entry and continuation, increasing barriers to care for people with opioid use disorder. In addition to funding programs to implement low-threshold access to these medications, DOHMH will also facilitate trainings and provide technical assistance to awardees, allowing organizations to focus on providing high-quality, individualized care.

This funding will also support programs that help build bridges across health care and social service systems to strengthen the continuum of care for people with opioid use disorder. Funded programs will conduct engagement and offer services in locations where people with opioid use disorder spend time, which may include non-traditional settings such as shelters, supportive housing programs, and syringe service programs.

In January 2018, the City of New York sued manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids to remedy the harms caused within the city by the misleading marketing and improper distribution of these drugs. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a similar lawsuit in March 2019. Settlements reached by both the city and the state, as well as a court victory by Attorney General James, have provided the city with over $154 million to date, which is expected to grow to a total of more than $500 million by 2040. In June 2022, Mayor Adams and Attorney General James announced allocations for the first of hundreds of millions of dollars coming to New York City to combat the opioid crisis. In September 2024, Mayor Adams announced city funding will ramp up to an annual $50 million for opioid prevention and treatment.

Ongoing funds from opioid settlements through DOHMH have supported wraparound services for syringe service programs, including on-site medical care, connections to health care and social services, and support for basic needs. Between July 2024 and April 2025, syringe service programs that operate Overdose Prevention Centers provided more than 38,000 harm reduction services to approximately 6,600 participants, reducing the risk of overdose and infectious disease and providing referrals to treatment and other health and social services. In 2023, the Adams administration also allocated $3 million to eight providers on Staten Island through a request for proposal to directly support the expansion of buprenorphine treatment, outreach and engagement, and care navigation services in the borough. Procurement to expand the number of hospitals participating in DOHMH’s emergency department-based nonfatal opioid overdose response program called Relay remains ongoing.

Since beginning to receive funding through opioid settlements, NYC Health + Hospitals has had over 8,600 patient engagements with expanded substance use services at Street Health Outreach and Wellness vans, nearly 70,000 encounters with patients in emergency departments with addiction services provided by the Emergency Department Leads program, and has successfully launched a cutting-edge addiction simulation training for emergency department prescribers. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals has provided comprehensive addiction consultations at over 20,700 inpatient admissions through the Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals program. Additionally, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group program has offered support services to more than 2,000 individuals following the death of a loved one from an overdose. 

Today’s investment and all of the actions taken by Mayor Adams and the Adams administration to prevent overdose deaths also underscore the administration’s efforts to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers through “HealthyNYC” to 83 years by 2030. HealthyNYC sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19.

New Yorkers looking to access substance use services can call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Resources can also be found on the “NYC HealthMap” and on DOHMH’s website.

 

MOST PRO-HOUSING ADMINISTRATION IN CITY HISTORY: MAYOR ADAMS, GILBANE DEVELOPMENT, BLUE SEA DEVELOPMENT, ARTSPACE ADVANCE PLAN TO BUILD 283 AFFORDABLE HOMES, NEW ARTS CENTER IN BROWNSVILLE 

Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments Project Will Bring Hundreds of New Affordable Homes, Residential Space, and Cultural Arts Center to Brooklyn 

All-Electric Project Earned NYSERDA’s Blue Ribbon Award for Design Excellence, Construction Expected to Start in July 2025 and Finish in December 2027

Closing Comes Ahead of Adams Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Production Numbers Announcement

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, Gilbane Development, Blue Sea Development, and Artspace Projects, Inc., today announced the financing of the Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments (BACA) project. Located on a city-owned site at 366 Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn, BACA will create 283 new affordable rental apartments available to households earning between 30 percent and 70 percent of the area median income, including a mix of studios to three-bedroom apartments, as well as dedicated units for formerly homeless individuals. Additionally, BACA will deliver a 28,000 square-foot cultural arts center with a 3,440 square-foot multi-purpose performance, rehearsal, and studio space for community arts groups. Along with nearly 263,000 square feet of residential space, the new cultural arts center and affordable housing will serve as a vibrant and inclusive community hub. BACA is expected to cost $254 million, with the Adams administration contributing nearly $100 million in city subsidies. BACA marks a major step forward in bringing transformative, affordable housing and dynamic community-centered space to the heart of Brownsville and builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in city history. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row, passing the first citywide zoning reform in 60 years, and advancing five neighborhood plans to create jobs and new housing across the city, new housing like his one will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032.

 

“New Yorkers need affordable homes and vibrant community spaces. This dynamic project in the heart of Brownsville will deliver both. It will give more New Yorkers an affordable place to live, a welcoming place to express themselves, and a quality place to spend time together,” said Mayor Adams. “Projects like this that deliver affordable homes and help cultivate community are at the heart of our administration’s work. From creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row to passing historic zoning reform to build tens of thousands of new homes across all five boroughs, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history.”

“The Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments project represents what the Adams’ administration stands for — affordable, sustainable housing paired with community spaces that strengthen the fabric of our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “This project is an investment in Brownsville’s future; we are creating homes, nurturing creativity, and building a stronger, more vibrant neighborhood for generations to come.”

“BACA is more than a meaningful investment in quality, affordable housing — it’s a powerful example of what a holistic response to community needs can look like. It stands apart as a commitment to creating accessible space for the performing and visual arts, a safe and vibrant place to celebrate our cultural diversity, and a catalyst for building real connections that bring out the best in our communities,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Tigani. “The Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments will deliver 283 affordable homes alongside a new cultural hub, reminding us why we must invest not just in buildings, but in people. When we create space for creativity and expression, we strengthen our neighborhoods and open doors for every New Yorker to feel seen, discover their passions, and feel truly at home. We thank our partners for making this bold and beautiful vision a reality.”

“The Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments exemplifies how affordable housing and cultural investments can be combined to strengthen communities,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin. “HDC is proud to support the financing of this development, which will bring 283 affordable homes and lasting benefits to the residents of Brownsville.”

“Arts and culture are the building blocks of safe, vibrant, and connected communities,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “With the Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments, we’re creating affordable housing and planting deep roots for cultural expression and community pride right in the heart of the neighborhood. Thanks to a tremendous investment from the Adams administration, this project is a testament to what’s possible when a city prioritizes the well-being of its people, equity, and culture. It affirms that every community deserves access to the arts and that Brownsville’s artistic voices matter. This project gives local creatives the space to thrive and inspire, while opening the doors for the whole community to experience, participate in, and be uplifted by the arts.”

“Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments is a powerful expression of our commitment to equitable development through design, collaboration, and community,” said Yarojin Robinson, senior vice president, affordable & mixed-income housing, Gilbane Development. “This project goes beyond housing — it’s a cultural and residential anchor that will uplift and inspire Brownsville for years to come. We’re proud to partner with Blue Sea Development and Artspace to bring this vision to life — made possible in no small part thanks to the vital financial support from both the city and the state.”

“The future Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments will provide much-needed affordable housing and serve as a vibrant cultural hub,” said Raquel Diaz, vice president and New York City business leader, Gilbane Building. “Gilbane is proud to help bring this vision of affordable, creative community living to life and we look forward to constructing this model, energy-efficient project.”

“It means a great deal to all of us at Blue Sea Development and Gilbane Development to be part of a project that treats cultural infrastructure and affordable housing not as separate needs, but as shared pillars of community life,” said Jacob Bluestone, Blue Sea Development Company. “When you pair affordable housing with dedicated cultural spaces to perform, practice, and gather, you create more than a place to live—you create a place to thrive.”

Following the completion of a competitive request for proposals process led by HPD, BACA will pair deeply affordable housing with opportunities for cultural expression and community connection. Gilbane Development, Blue Sea Development, and Artspace Projects, Inc. will serve as joint venture development partners; Gilbane Building will serve as general contractor; and Aufgang Architects will serve as architect. Gilbane Development is the real estate development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, Inc. With over $11.8 billion in development and more than 25,000 units of housing either completed or underway, Gilbane Development’s projects incorporate every aspect of real estate, including multifamily housing (market rate apartments, student housing, and affordable housing); mixed-used developments; health care facilities; K-12 schools; government facilities; and many types of facilities delivered through public-private partnerships. Additionally, Blue Sea Development Company is a real estate development company known for high-performance multifamily and mixed-use buildings, including the first affordable Energy Star, LEED-Platinum, and Partnership for a Healthier America Active Design-Verified developments in New York state. With its deep commitment to community engagement, every project reflects a belief in providing quality, affordable, sustainable homes to the people who need them most.

Designed as an all-electric building, BACA targets high environmental and building standards, including the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) 2021 CORE standard, LEED Platinum, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Multifamily New Construction Program, EPA’s Indoor airPlus, and Fitwel certifications. BACA has been recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of its Buildings of Excellence and Building Cleaner Communities Competitions. With construction starting in July 2025 and completion expected in December 2027, BACA represents a transformative investment in the social and cultural fabric of the Brownsville neighborhood.

This project will be made possible through funding from HPD and HDC, who collectively provided $88.1 million in housing subsidies. Funding for the project also includes $8.2 million of city capital subsidy provided by DCLA for the arts center, as well as grants from NYSERDA and the Empire State Development Corporation. Additional funding sources also include $2 million in RESO A funding provided by former New York City Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel, $1 million in Reso A funding provided by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brownfield Tax credit equity and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits syndicated by Raymond James, and construction financing provided by TD Bank.

“The Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments represent the kind of community-centered development that strengthens neighborhoods while generating and expanding opportunities,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “As this innovative project reaches a crucial milestone, we are proud to support this new cultural destination that will provide essential affordable housing for Brownsville families.”

“Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments is a powerful expression of our commitment to equitable development through design, collaboration, and community,” said Yarojin Robinson, senior vice president, affordable & mixed-income housing, Gilbane Development. “This project goes beyond housing — it’s a cultural and residential anchor that will uplift and inspire Brownsville for years to come. We’re proud to partner with Blue Sea Development and Artspace to bring this vision to life — made possible in no small part thanks to the vital financial support from both the city and the state.”

“The future Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments will provide much-needed affordable housing and serve as a vibrant cultural hub,” said Raquel Diaz, vice president and New York City business leader, Gilbane Building. “Gilbane is proud to help bring this vision of affordable, creative community living to life, and we look forward to constructing this model, energy-efficient project.”

“It means a great deal to all of us at Blue Sea Development and Gilbane Development to be part of a project that treats cultural infrastructure and affordable housing not as separate needs, but as shared pillars of community life,” said Jacob Bluestone, Blue Sea Development Company. “When you pair affordable housing with dedicated cultural spaces to perform, practice, and gather, you create more than a place to live—you create a place to thrive.”

“The Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments embodies the goal of NYSERDA’s Building Cleaner Communities and Buildings of Excellence competitions by developing clean, modern living spaces that feature the latest energy efficient and clean heating and cooling technology,” said Susanne DesRoches, vice president of clean and resilient buildings, NYSERDA. “Congratulations to the team on taking this monumental step towards providing Brownsville residents with healthy, comfortable homes while supporting the transformation of the community as a whole.”

“Artspace is honored to support the Brownsville Arts Center & Apartments as a partner, helping steward the commercial spaces where community and culture will flourish,” said Will Law, president, Artspace Projects, Inc. “Through the project, we will create a stable framework that helps local partners remain rooted and active in the neighborhood. This project reflects our commitment to making space—literally and figuratively—for the artists and organizations who help communities thrive,”

“The Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments will be an important new community resource, bringing much needed affordable housing and valuable cultural programming to Brownsville,” said Ariel Aufgang, AIA, principal, Aufgang Architects. “We’re pleased to partner with Gilbane and Blue Sea Development in designing this project to meet the highest environmental standards while strengthening the social and cultural fabric of the neighborhood.”

 

 

 

 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES $80 MILLION IN NEW INVESTMENTS TO BOLSTER EARLY CHILDHOOD IN NYC, BUILDS ON ADMINISTRATION’S HISTORIC COMMITMENT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Mayor Adams Announces $70 Million in Funding to Support Pre-K Special Education Students, Finally Delivering Universal Pre-K for All Students 

$10 Million in Funding for Childcare Pilot Part of Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget, Building On “Best Budget Ever” 

Builds on Adams Administration’s Historic, Permanent Funding for 3-K Citywide Expansion and Special Education 3-K 

Investments Continue Adams Administration’s Commitment to Making New York City Best Place to Raise a Family

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced an additional $80 million in funding to support New York City families and expand access to childcare and early childhood education, putting New York City on the path to universal childcare for low-income families if a pilot is successful. Part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, and building on the FY 2026 Executive Budget — often called the “Best Budget Ever” — Mayor Adams announced $70 million in funding to support pre-K special education students who require occupational therapy, speech therapy, or other related services, as well as $10 million in funding for a childcare pilot program for 0-2 year-olds that will serve low-income families across New York City. The pilot program — a first for a major city in the U.S. to offer — will be administered by New York City Public Schools and seeks to expand access to infant and toddler care in a targeted way, building on the foundation of its already existing early childhood programming.

“For years, the cost of living has driven many New Yorkers out of the five boroughs, but our administration has been taking action because we understand the best way to make the American Dream a reality for New Yorkers is by making our city more affordable for working-class families,” said Mayor Adams. “For too long, working families have struggled with the cost of childcare, which is why we’re proud to build on the historic investments we’ve made. With this $80 million in funding, part of our ‘Best Budget Ever,’ we’re making universal pre-K truly universal to serve students with special needs, and we’re launching a historic pilot to provide childcare to 0–2 year-olds that, if successful, could put New York on the path to becoming the first major U.S. city to provide free universal childcare to low-income residents. This is all part of the budget that my mom and family needed growing up, and as mayor, I’m proud to deliver it to working-class families across the five boroughs.”

“New York City Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Adams administration for their continued commitment to supporting our early childhood education programming,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “We are not only listening to what our families and communities need — but we’re delivering it to them, too. It is our mission to provide high-quality and equitable educational opportunities for all students, starting from their earliest years, and we are building upon the strong foundation of early childhood programming we’ve already established.”

Under this adopted budget, New York City Public Schools will be able to reduce meeting wait times for parents of the nearly 1,200 children with special education needs in integrated classes and evaluate close to 1,800 more students annually for special education classes — doubling the amount of Preschool Regional Assessment Center teams. A total of $50 million of the $70 million allocated for pre-K special education seats will expand access to related services, such as speech or occupational and physical therapy for preschool students. An additional $10 million will support increasing the number of administrators to reduce caseloads and adding more community coordinators to better support families. Finally, $10 million will help increase New York City Public Schools’ internal capacity to conduct initial preschool special education evaluations, reducing the burden on families to locate private providers.

Additionally, beginning this month, New York City Public Schools — in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Early Childhood Education — will begin outreach to childcare providers to gauge interest and capacity to care and expand learning opportunities for 0-2 year-olds as part of their existing work in the communities that need it most. The city will also undertake an analysis to understand demand among low-income communities before beginning an enrollment effort for the pilot program. The city expects that the childcare pilot for 0-2 year-olds to begin in January 2026. These efforts combined will move the city closer to a truly inclusive early childhood system that begins at birth and supports every learner.

These investments all build on the Adams administration’s historic investments in early childhood education and universal childcare. Mayor Adams’ Best Budget Ever included investments totaling $167 million to support young children and their families that strengthened funding to preserve and protect critical early childhood education programing benefiting the most vulnerable children across the five boroughs. These investments committed — for the first time — to annual funding for a citywide 3-K expansion and for the pre-K students with disabilities program to ensure continuity.

Over the FY 2025 budget cycle, Mayor Adams protected more than $600 million in key, long-term education programs that had been previously funded with expiring stimulus dollars by making investments in Summer Rising, a citywide 3-K expansion, special education pre-K, community schools, social workers, and arts education. This investment also included one-time funding of $92 million to support a citywide 3-K expansion. Additionally, the Adams administration invested $20 million to ensure that every student on a 3-K waitlist was offered a seat if they applied on time, and $55 million to provide more than 700 new seats for three- and four-year-olds with special needs.

A thriving early childhood education system is crucial to making New York City more affordable, particularly for women and families. The Adams administration’s child care and early childhood blueprint found that almost 375,000 parents left or downshifted their jobs because of COVID-19 and a lack of access to quality child care. For mothers, the decision to leave the workforce to care for a child can cost up to $145,000 in foregone earnings across their lifetimes; that is why the Adams administration has prioritized developing an early childhood program that works for the long-term and has seen results in terms of access and affordability.

Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city has also made significant investments and enacted policies to support working-class families and put money back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers by reducing the per child co-payment or out-of-pocket cost of subsidized child care for a family earning $55,000 a year from $55 a week in 2022 to just $4.80 a week today — more than 10 times less. The city has also reduced the co-payments all families pay for subsidized care, bringing the average co-payment per child to less than $220 per year, down from $1,500 annually in 2022.

“This investment is a game-changer for working families across New York City,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, chair, Committee on Social Services. “By expanding access to early childhood education and supporting children with special needs, we’re laying the foundation for a stronger, more equitable future. I’m especially proud to see the city leading the way with a pilot program for infants and toddlers, which is a bold and necessary step to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. I commend the Adams administration for their strong commitment to supporting New York City’s children and families.”

“I applaud Mayor Adams for continuing to build on the city’s investment in pre-K and special education services,” said New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “This vital $80 million commitment to early childhood education directly uplifts our city’s low-income and immigrant families. The $70 million allocated for universal pre-K access for special education students, along with the $10 million childcare pilot program, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families across our city. By expanding universal pre-K to include special education students and launching a pilot program for our youngest learners, this administration is breaking down longstanding barriers to opportunity. These initiatives reflect a deep and ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and the future of our children – ensuring that working families, especially in underserved communities, have the support they need to thrive.”

“We are pleased that the city budget includes critical investments in early childhood education, including increased funding for preschool special education,” said Kim Sweet, executive director, Advocates for Children of New York. “Throughout the past year, we heard repeatedly from families of young children with disabilities who were distraught that their children were not receiving the legally mandated services they need to learn. We appreciate the addition of $70 million for preschool special education – funding that is urgently needed to provide services like speech therapy and counseling. We thank Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council, particularly Speaker Adrienne Adams and Education Committee Chair Rita Joseph, for responding to this need. If we want young families to stay in New York City, we have to stop making them fight for the special education services their children are entitled to receive. We look forward to holding the city accountable for ensuring that every preschooler with a disability gets the evaluations, services, and placements they need—and that 3-K and pre-K are truly for all.”

“For more than a century, UNH has fought to ensure all children in New York City have access to high-quality early childhood education,” said Susan Stamler, executive director, United Neighborhood Houses (UNH). “In recent years, we have made major advances, with the city first committing to universal pre-K for four-year-olds and then 3-K for three-year-olds. The recent agreement for $10 million to expand free programming to serve 0 to two-year-olds is a critical first step towards meeting the needs of all New York City families, and we look forward to working with our partners in government to scale up to full universal child care in the coming years.”

“At a time when so many critical programs are facing cuts at the national level, this budget takes real steps to support New York City families,” said Matthew Klein, chief program and impact officer, Robin Hood. “It preserves child care availability and affordability for tens of thousands of families with young children, initiates a pilot for universal child care coverage, invests in CUNY students, including through programs proven to increase degree attainment, like ASAP and ACE, and supports a range of critical services for many of New York City’s most vulnerable residents. Robin Hood is encouraged to see these targeted and meaningful investments that will bolster our city’s ability to be a real engine of economic mobility for everyone.”

“The staff and leadership of Day Care Council of New York’s member organizations work tirelessly to meet the needs of families in their communities,” said Tara N. Gardner, executive director, Day Care Council of New York (DCCNY). “Specifically, DCCNY members have identified a critical need for expanded services for young children with special needs. Preschool Special Education services are essential because they help identify and address developmental challenges when they can have the greatest impact. Our members have also consistently heard families’ urgent need for more infant and toddler care options for children under two years old. The investments announced today will provide community-based early childhood education providers with the resources they need to deliver these vital services to our communities.”

“As New York families continue to struggle with the lack of access to affordable and high-quality child care, we are encouraged by the city’s $10 million investment to create new infant and toddler slots for children under age two,” said Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, executive director, Education Trust-New York. “High-quality child care is foundational to a thriving city—it supports children’s healthy development during the most critical years, enables parents to pursue work and education, and sustains a child care workforce largely made up of women of color. Families—especially those of color and those with low incomes—are being pushed out of the city by rising child care and housing costs. Addressing the child care crisis is essential to the city’s long-term success and health. This investment is a promising step forward to support families and the youngest children, and we look forward to partnering with the city to ensure it reaches families with the greatest need.”

“We commend the Adams administration for prioritizing early care and education in this year’s budget,” said Raysa S. Rodriguez, executive director, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York. “These investments will help protect 3-K and pre-K, secure urgently needed resources for preschoolers with disabilities, and create new opportunities to support families with infants and toddlers in high-need communities. At a time when working families are being pushed out of the city by rising costs, disappearing federal supports, and climbing child care costs, these early childhood investments are more important than ever. With more than 80 percent of families in New York City unable to afford child care, there is undoubtedly more work to do to achieve a truly universal system that meets the needs of all families. We look forward to partnering with the administration and partners to keep advancing that vision.” 

 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES RETURN OF ‘RISE UP NYC’ CONCERT SERIES FEATURING WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT IN ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

Free Concert Series Will Include 18 Shows Reflecting Various Music Genres and Cultures, Sounds of Diverse City

 

Full Rise Up NYC Artist Line-Up to Be Announced in Coming Weeks

 

Rise Up NYC Continues Mayor Adams’ ‘We Outside Summer’

 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the return of the “Rise Up NYC” summer concert series, which will provide 10 free outdoor concerts to New Yorkers across all five boroughs this summer. Inspiring all New Yorkers to come together and celebrate the world’s greatest city, the Adams administration’s highly anticipated concert series will also feature shows in collaboration with the City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage as it expands significantly for its fourth season. The select events will feature performances from several critically acclaimed artists like A Boogie, Lisa Lisa, Fabolous, and more. The concert series builds on Mayor Adams’ “We Outside Summer,” his initiative to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer outside through a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs.

 

“Summer is officially here, and it’s time for New York City to ‘Rise Up’ with us as we come together to celebrate the culture and music that make our city so great,” said Mayor Adams. “At a time when many people are still struggling with rising costs, our ‘Rise Up NYC’ free concert series will not only provide a safe space for New Yorkers to enjoy the music they love without paying anything extra, but it is also a great opportunity to explore the five boroughs and deepen our ties to the city we call home during our ‘We Outside Summer.’ Music and the arts are the foundations of our city, and the ‘Rise Up NYC’ concerts are going to light up the city that never sleeps with world-class performances all summer long. We encourage all New Yorkers to join us as we celebrate the vibrant entertainment of our city through our love of music.”

 

“We are excited to announce the return of our successful, and highly impactful ‘Rise Up NYC’ summer concert series,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers from all walks of life will come together to enjoy the best musical performances and entertainment our city has to offer. Art and culture are what make New York the greatest city in the world, and our ‘Rise Up NYC’ concerts will showcase them both — for free.”

 

Kicking off on July 19^th with Beanie Man, Patrice Roberts, and other performers at the Wingate Park in Brooklyn, Rise Up NYC will provide New Yorkers with safe and free access to premier concerts at a time when rising costs are putting a strain on many families. In its previous three seasons, Rise Up NYC featured performances by several critically acclaimed artists, including Chrisette Michele, Patti Labelle, Mary Mary, Ja Rule, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, and many more.

 

From July 19^th through August 17^th, the Adams administration will present 10 free concerts to New Yorkers across all five boroughs:

 

Brooklyn

 

Saturday, July 19

Wingate Park

Brooklyn Avenue Between Winthrop Street & Rutland Road

 

Sunday, July 20

Wingate Park

Brooklyn Avenue Between Winthrop Street & Rutland Road

 

Monday, July 21

Wingate Park

Brooklyn Avenue Between Winthrop Street & Rutland Road

 

Staten Island

 

Saturday, July 26

Midland Beach, Parking Lot 8

Father Capodanno Boulevard & Hunter Avenue

 

Sunday, July 27

Midland Beach, Parking Lot 8

Father Capodanno Boulevard & Hunter Avenue

 

Manhattan

 

Saturday, August 2

West 125th Street between Frederick Douglass Boulevard & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard

 

Bronx

 

Wednesday, August 6

Orchard Beach

One Orchard Beach Road

 

Thursday, August 7

Orchard Beach

One Orchard Beach Road

 

Queens

 

Saturday, August 16

Roy Wilkins Park

Merrick Boulevard & Baisley Boulevard

 

Sunday, August 17

Roy Wilkins Park

Merrick Boulevard & Baisley Boulevard

 

The Rise Up NYC concert series continues to amplify local artists, encourage New Yorkers to support local small businesses near the concert venues, and provide the opportunity for New Yorkers, especially young New Yorkers, to come together to support non-violent solutions to conflicts across the city. For more information about the concert series, including a list of artists that will be updated as each event gets closer, visit the Rise Up NYC website and City Parks Foundation website.

 

MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES “BENEFITS ON YOUR BLOCK,” BRINGING CITY RESOURCES TO THE DOORSTEPS OF NEW YORKERS, AS “WE OUTSIDE SUMMER” CONTINUES

Adams Administration Will Bring Jobs Opportunities, Benefits Enrollment, Housing Support, and Public Safety Resources Directly to New Yorkers Throughout Summer 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today launched “Benefits on Your Block,” a summer-long initiative to bring New York City services directly to the doorsteps of New Yorkers. Led by Chief Engagement Officer Crystal Price, and with the participation of dozens of city agencies, Benefits on Your Block will encompass a range of events, including quality-of-life walk-throughs to address resident concerns, benefit information forums at Older Adult Centers, pop-up resource stations offering job training, small business help, and more. As part of this effort, the Adams administration will also boost its presence at existing summer events, including New York City Housing Authority Family Days, Summer Streets, and other public events so New Yorkers can ask questions about city services all at once, but in multiple locations, and get connected to assistance immediately. The new program 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 outside.

Benefits on Your Block will be anchored by 12 Saturday resource fairs, starting this Saturday, July 12 in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Led by the Public Engagement Unit (PEU), in partnership with the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), the fairs will help New Yorkers enroll in city-run and city-administered benefits from program specialists on-site. From public assistance and health care to tenant support and job resources, these events aim to make it easier for New Yorkers to learn about and more easily apply for services in their own neighborhood. To promote the fairs and share information about how to best prepare documents, PEU outreach staff will proactively conduct community outreach through peer-to-peer texting, door-to-door canvassing, flyer posting, and literature drops.

“We’re bringing government straight to the block, and connecting New Yorkers to the resources they need,” said Mayor Adams. “‘Benefits on Your Block’ will help New Yorkers stay safe, manage the rising cost of living, and access real opportunity as they connect to services through dozens of city agencies. This effort builds on the work our administration has delivered to make it easier for New Yorkers to access their benefits, from free broadband for NYCHA residents to helping relieve medical debt to receiving hundreds of millions in tax relief and more, this is how we make New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to live and raise a family.”

“The ‘Benefits on Your Block’ initiative will allow us to show up where it matters and connect New Yorkers to invaluable resources and information on the spot,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “This administration has been committed to leveraging innovative tools to establish a tangible presence in underserved communities and proactively address the challenges our neighbors face. Our approach consistently prioritizes community-led initiatives because we recognize that no one better understands the issues of a neighborhood than its residents. We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure New Yorkers have access to the vital programs they need.”

“‘Benefits on Your Block’ is a clear example of how government can meet people where they are — by showing up in neighborhoods and making everyday support easier to access,” said Chief Engagement Officer Crystal Price. “With the help of our partner agencies, this initiative delivers real support to communities and connects New Yorkers to resources that empower them.”

“Too often, the people who need support the most face the biggest hurdles,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever. “‘Benefits on Your Block’ is about meeting people where they are and making it easier for every New Yorker to connect with the resources they deserve.”

“We’re breaking down barriers to benefits by not only making it easier and more convenient to apply, but by bringing these resources straight to New Yorkers all summer long through the ‘Benefits on Your Block’ initiative,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “New York City offers a robust range of benefits that help New Yorkers stay healthy, housed, and fed, and we’re proud to increase awareness about these resources and even help New Yorkers apply for benefits on the spot so they can access the supports to which they are entitled.”

Multilingual staff and translated materials will be available to ensure language is not a barrier to accessing support. From public assistance and health care to tenant support and job resources, Benefits on Your Block will make it easier for New Yorkers to learn about and apply for services at multiple locations, but all at one time and right in their own neighborhood.

A full schedule of upcoming Benefits on Your Block events and additional information about available benefits and services are available online.

 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CLOSE DOT CONCRETE RECYCLING FACILITY AT BROOKLYN MARINE TERMINAL, BOOSTING QUALITY OF LIFE 

Concrete Recycling at Brooklyn Marine Terminal Facility Will End by August, With Full Relocation by End of 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced a plan to cease operations at the DOT concrete recycling facility at the Columbia Street Waterfront District by this August and close the yard by the end of the year. The end of concrete recycling operations and closure of the temporary facility comes in response to ongoing concerns raised during the public engagement around the redevelopment plans for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) and will, according to local residents, improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

“With the closure of the concrete recycling facility at the Columbia Street Waterfront District, we are taking an important step toward realizing a greener, safer, and more vibrant Brooklyn Marine Terminal for the residents of this community,” said Mayor Adams. “This move not only clears the way for much-needed housing, open space, and a school as part of our proposed Brooklyn Marine Terminal project, but also reflects our city’s deep commitment to continuing to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. From building safer sidewalks and intersections to reducing noise and pollution in communities, we are investing in the future of this city one improvement at a time as we make New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“While concrete recycling is a critical part of DOT’s work to make our streets safer and more accessible, we’ve heard loud and clear from local residents that this temporary facility has disrupted their quality of life,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “In response to residents’ concerns and as the BMT redevelopment is discussed, we will cease concrete recycling work and accelerate the timeline for the planned closure of this temporary facility.”

The Columbia Street concrete recycling facility — which currently occupies an area of the BMT site that would be redeveloped with housing, open space, and a school as part of the proposed BMT project — will be relocated to an alternate location. The facility was temporarily relocated to a yard on Columbia Street, near Kane Street, in 2024 to accommodate the city’s critical, climate-saving offshore wind hub and the development of renewable energy at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This temporary facility has supported the city’s Vision Zero goals through the construction of sidewalk extensions, pedestrian and bus boarding islands, and more, as well as the upgrading of corners, sidewalks, mid-block crossings, and medians to be safe, accessible, and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DOT will accommodate the yard’s end of concrete recycling operations while continuing its concrete construction efforts to improve safety and accessibility across the city. Additional critical operations that took place in the yard before 2024, including bridge de-icing and traffic operations fiber electricians, will continue to operate at the Columbia Street yard.

“I’m grateful to City Hall for listening to the community and the coalition of elected officials and advocates urging the closure of the disruptive and hazardous concrete facility on the site of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal,” said U.S. Representative Dan Goldman. “I look forward to building on this progress by revitalizing the Marine Terminal to further benefit the neighboring communities.”

“We’ve been working toward this moment for months, and I’m thrilled our community’s voices have been heard,” said New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “As I’ve said time and time again, we shouldn’t have to choose between sustainable recycling and the health of our communities. We can do right by our environment and by our neighbors, and recycle concrete without forcing Brooklyn residents to breathe in toxic dust. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Commissioner Rodriguez, and NYC DOT for doing the right thing, and to all the neighbors and fellow elected officials who helped us get to this moment.”

“After a year of community advocacy, I’m delighted to see the city is moving forward with the promised relocation of the concrete recycling facility to an alternative site. This will be a meaningful improvement in the lives of neighbors who have endured toxic dust, noise, and truck traffic for too long. This relocation cannot happen soon enough,” said New York State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.

“Closing the concrete recycling facility on the Columbia Waterfront is long overdue and will bring real quality of life improvements,” said New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif. “This is a major step forward for the neighborhood and reflects the shared commitment of residents and the city to protect public health. Since last November, my office has worked closely with the community to ensure this site is moved to a more appropriate, non-residential location. Its closure will help improve air quality, reduce truck traffic, and ease noise pollution in an area that has borne environmental burdens for far too long.”

 

Banner Image: New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at Emperor Haile Selassie’s birthday celebration. Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Image Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office