11 Schoolyards To Public Playgrounds, East New York – Lower East Side Affordable Homes, Challenging $351M Grant Axed For Emergency Preparedness, New Commissioner of Int’l Affairs, Helping Parents W Mental Health Issues, Quality of Life Program Expansion: Mayor Adams

11 Schoolyards To Become Public Playgrounds, East New York Affordable Homes, Affordable Senior Housing Lower East Side, Challenging $351M Grant Terminations For Emergency Preparedness, New Commissioner of Int’l Affairs, Helping Parents With Mental Health Issues, Quality of Life Program Expansion: Mayor Adams

Editor’s note: The grants mentioned below were for emergency preparedness, to help avoid a potential flooding disaster in the future, similar to the recent one in Texas and the previous hurricanes in New York City that flooded basements and subways, downed trees, and wreaked havoc on Staten Island and in the other boroughs. The NYC DEP also put together a helpful guide for New Yorkers seeking to avoid potential flooding in their homes and basements in the future, where the storm challenges are surmountable by ordinary means.  Mayor Adams released a statement after the off-duty officer and others were shot in Manhattan,  along with other politicians. 

MAYOR ADAMS CONTINUES “WE OUTSIDE SUMMER” BY ANNOUNCING 11 SCHOOLYARDS TO OPEN TO PUBLIC AS PART OF “SCHOOLYARDS TO PLAYGROUNDS” PROGRAM 

 

Adams Administration Invests $770,000 as Part of “Best Budget Ever” 

 

New Sites Will Open Schoolyards to New Yorkers During Summer and Weekends, Putting 20,000 Additional New Yorkers Within 10-Minute Walk of Park 

 

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa today announced the opening of 11 new sites in the city’s “Schoolyards to Playgrounds” program, delivering on another key commitment of Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City. Schoolyards to Playgrounds increases access to green space for New Yorkers in neighborhoods not within walking distance of a park by opening up schoolyards to the public when not in use by the school — during the summer, after school, and on the weekends. Beginning this month, these sites will be open beginning at 8:00 AM until dusk year-round. Part of Mayor Adams’ Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget — commonly referred to as the city’s “Best Budget Ever” that was adopted by the New York City Council last month and voted on unanimously last week — the Adams administration is permanently investing $770,000 toward these additional sites, which will put green space within a 10-minute walk of an additional 20,000 New Yorkers. Today’s announcement also continues “We Outside Summer,” Mayor Adams’ new initiative that includes a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer outside.

 

“New York City is the greatest city in the world to be a kid and today, we’re going to make it even better by making it easier for our kids to play close to home,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are delivering on another one of our State of the City commitments by putting 20,000 more New Yorkers within a 10-minute walk of green spaces. Our schools are home to incredible playgrounds, spaces that shouldn’t be locked away after the school day or when the school year ends, especially in neighborhoods without a lot of public green spaces — and now fewer of them will be. We have to keep our city a place where everyone can raise a family, and this announcement is another way we’re supporting families across the five boroughs.” 

 

“Our city’s playgrounds are crucial for the public schools they’re attached to. They’re also civic spaces in their own right, giving parents and families room to play and relax outside of their homes,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. “Opening school yards for the summer, in the evening, and on weekends in areas without a lot of public green space is exactly the kind of common-sense, family-friendly initiative that helps New York become the best big city in which to raise a family.”   

 

“Access to playgrounds is about more than just recreational play; it’s about building stronger, healthier communities where students can develop their social-emotional skills and build healthy exercise habits,” said NYCPS Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “By continuing investment in these spaces, we are providing our children and families with safe, welcoming environments to connect, be physically active, and thrive.” 

 

Advertisement

“Free, accessible public spaces like our parks and these playgrounds make our city safer, more beautiful, and more livable,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “We’re so grateful to our partners at New York City Public Schools who will continue to care for and directly manage these spaces as they open to the public. We’re proud of our work expanding public space access throughout the five boroughs, and I thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to investing in our shared greenspaces and public realm.” 

  

“Having a safe place near home to play with your child isn’t a luxury for New York families — it’s a necessity,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “Every neighborhood deserves access to public space within walking distance, which is why we’re excited to open 11 more schoolyards to the public after hours. This expansion brings 20,000 more New Yorkers closer to a park — and it’s exactly the kind of turnkey solution that makes New York a more family-friendly city.” 

 

As of July 1, the following 11 school sites will open daily from 8:00 AM to dusk and add to the more than 300 existing school yards already open after hours as playgrounds to the public: 

 

 Bronx 

• P.S. X014 Senator John Calandra  3047 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY 10461 

 

Brooklyn 

• P.S. 308 Clara Cardwell  616 Quincy St Brooklyn, NY 11221 

• P.S. 159 Isaac Pitkin  2781 Pitkin Ave Brooklyn, NY 11208 

• P.S. 160 William T. Sampson 1057 52nd St Brooklyn, NY 11219 

• P.S. 179 Kensington 202 Avenue C Brooklyn, NY 11218 

 

Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks and presents a proclamation at the 73 Precinct in Brooklyn. Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Image Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today broke ground on Phase 1A of the “Innovative Urban Village” housing development, which will create 385 affordable and supportive homes in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. Apartments built as part of the first phase will be affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income, and there will also be 94 apartments reserved for households eligible for on-site support services — including those struggling with homelessness — such as case management, legal services, nutritional support, and social services. Phase 1A will also include commercial space for a fresh food grocery store. The nearly $271 million project is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. Once complete, the entire multi-phase redevelopment will create a total of 2,000 affordable apartments in 10 buildings and feature community space with child care, senior services, workforce development, and a new performing arts center. Today’s announcement continues to build 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.

“The best way to tackle our city’s housing crisis is to build more affordable housing, and that is exactly what our administration is doing. ‘Innovative Urban Village’ will bring more homes, more jobs, and more joy to Brooklyn, while giving more New Yorkers access to a brighter future in this vibrant community. By investing a total of $217 million to build 385 affordable homes, we are taking massive steps to make East New York one of the best places to live and raise a family,” said Mayor Adams. “From creating record amounts of affordable housing year after year to passing historic zoning reform that will build new homes across our entire city, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in our city’s history. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Reverend Bernard for their shared vision and partnership in bringing this ambitious project to life.”

“Projects like Innovative Urban Village represent more than the construction of housing — they breathe life into a promise made to the people of Brooklyn and to our city: that development can be rooted in equity, shaped by community, and guided by care,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “Phase 1A is just one piece of a larger vision that spans multiple mixed-use buildings with community amenities and nearly 2,000 homes, including supportive housing for New Yorkers transitioning out of homelessness.”

“HDC is proud to support the financing of this dynamic, multi-phased project that will provide much-needed affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin. “In addition to brand-new affordable homes, Innovative Urban Village will deliver commercial and community facility space that will benefit the broader East New York neighborhood for years to come. Congratulations to all our partners on reaching this latest milestone.”

“New York remains committed to keeping our state affordable and ensuring everyone has a safe and modern home to call their own,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “This project is helping us fight the housing affordability crisis while also prioritizing improvements that will make the neighborhood more livable for families. ‘Innovative Urban Village’ would not have been possible without the cooperation of all our partners, including Mayor Adams and the Christian Cultural Center, who are dedicated to making New York a more affordable place to live. We look forward to the project’s completion and to welcoming residents home.”

“It’s incredible to stand alongside each of the partners, elected officials, and community members that worked together to make Innovative Urban Village a reality,” said Christian Cultural Center Senior Pastor Rev A. R. Bernard. “We are confident that the ripple effects of this dynamic mixed-income community will be felt far beyond East New York, setting an example for all of New York to follow.”

Phase 1A is part of a multi-phase program to redevelop the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. The redevelopment is a joint-venture partnership between Urban Resource Institute, The Gotham Organization, and Monadnock Development. It was designed by Patrice for Architecture and Urbanism. The Urban Resource Institute will also provide on-site support services. The multi-phase program will enhance interconnectivity, promote walkability, and, ultimately, include a total of 2,000 affordable apartments in 10 buildings. New streets are being added as an extension of the existing street grid to maximize walkability through interconnected pedestrian routes and three acres of open space.

Innovative Urban Village will also feature all-electric heating and cooling, solar panels, green roofs with drought-resistant vegetation to reduce heat and water consumption, electric vehicle charging stations, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances.

The City of New York rezoned the project site to accommodate the redevelopment. Innovative Urban Village is supported by $47 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability Program. Additional support will come from the New York state Homes and Community Renewals’ Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which is expected to generate more than $115 million in equity and $47 million from its Housing Finance Agency.

“New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, secure, and modern housing. This development will help revitalize Christian Cultural Center’s campus, deliver critical support services for our most vulnerable, and bring another much-needed grocery store to East New York,” said New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have and will keep fighting for federal funding to expand affordable housing in our state and across the country.”

“We’re excited to be part of the holistic transformation occurring in East New York, and we believe our $162 million investment in ‘Innovative Urban Village’ will benefit this neighborhood and 385 households for years to come,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the City of New York, Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, Monadnock, and all our partners for their vision and dedication to making this project possible.”

“The second construction phase of the ‘Innovative Urban Village’ is a tremendous opportunity to provide more than four hundred affordable homes in East New York,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This project not only helps address housing deficiencies but also promotes equitable and sustainable living for our community for generations to come. I am excited for the future of our community.”

“The ‘Innovative Urban Village’ redevelopment project on the Christian Cultural Center campus is set to be a transformative investment in the 42nd Council District,” said New York City Councilmember Chris Banks. “I’m proud to partner on a project that delivers truly affordable housing. This is how we build and sustain neighborhoods for generations and how we begin to build Black and Brown generational wealth in real, tangible ways.”

“Today’s groundbreaking is a defining moment for Gotham and for the city my family has called home for over a century,” said David L. Picket, CEO, Gotham Organization. “’Innovative Urban Village’ reflects our core values as a company — delivering high-quality housing that meets the needs of real New Yorkers while strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. IUV is the result of vision, partnership, and perseverance, and we’re proud to work with our partners in bringing it to life. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when the public and private sectors come together with purpose.”

“This moment is the result of years of dedicated collaboration with our partners, community leaders, and city agencies,” said Bryan Kelly, president of development, Gotham Organization. “We’re creating a neighborhood that prioritizes affordability, sustainability, and opportunity for all. At Gotham, we believe deeply in the power of thoughtfully planned development to uplift communities, and together with our partners and local stakeholders, have envisioned ‘Innovative Urban Village’ to set a new standard for future housing developments. This is a meaningful step toward a more inclusive and equitable New York City.”

“’Innovative Urban Village’ is about Pastor Bernard, Gotham, and Monadnock deciding to see people in need rather than simply housing units,” said Kirk Goodrich, president, Monadnock Development. “Our collective focus is on transforming lives and communities. I am proud of what we are doing and excited to see the impact the completed vision will have.”

“For over 40 years, Urban Resource Institute — the nation’s largest provider of shelter and support services — has been a leader in trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence and those facing housing insecurities,” said Nathaniel Field, CEO, Urban Resource Institute (URI). “At the ‘Innovative Urban Village,’ we are not just offering housing — we are delivering the full strength of our wraparound services to help residents heal and rebuild. From safety planning and legal advocacy to economic empowerment, we meet survivors where they are and walk with them toward lasting stability. This project is a bold step toward URI’s mission to end the cycles of violence, homelessness, and poverty — and creating a future where survivors don’t just survive but thrive.”

“More than a decade in the making, this project has been a true labor of love,” said Vishaan Chakrabarti, founder and creative director, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism. “It’s about taking an underutilized urban space and creating an inclusive community that offers dignity, stability, and a sense of home for New Yorkers across a broad range of incomes. Seeing it come to life is deeply meaningful.”

“Goldman Sachs sees ‘Innovative Urban Village’ as more than just bricks and mortar,” said Asahi Pompey, Alternatives Urban Investment Group chair, Goldman Sachs. “Our investment is a down payment on East New York’s potential, creating thousands of high-quality, affordable homes and essential services that will fuel the economic vitality of the community.”

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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 New York 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 capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Over the last two years, 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. In the spring of 2024, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation.

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

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 for families. 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 a $24 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 $13 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.

Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks and presents a proclamation in Harlem, Manhattan in the 32nd precinct. Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral photography Office.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, Grand Street Guild, and Catholic Homes of New York today announced the financing of Ridge Street Apartments, a 100-percent affordable building for seniors located at 145 Broome Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The 16-story building — which is part of the city’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program and located at the intersection of Broome Street and Ridge Street — will offer a mix of 190 studio and one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors 62 and older at or below 50 percent of area median income. Additionally, 30 percent of the units will be available to formerly homeless seniors 55 and older. HPD has awarded project-based vouchers for all residential units, and the project will include an additional unit for a superintendent. Ridge Street Apartments — which will offer a robust slate of social services, feature ample tenant facilities, and include an outdoor seating area — is expected to cost $176 million, with the Adams administration contributing $32 million. The entire development will be contained within Grand Street Guild’s existing park-like campus and builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in city history, including announcing records amounts of senior housing. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable and senior housing last year, 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 the Ridge Street Apartments will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032.

“Getting older should not mean having to move out. We want our older New Yorkers to stay right here in the city they love, and this investment in 190 new affordable apartments for older adults will help us meet that mission,” said Mayor Adams. “From creating a record amount of senior housing last year to educating over 1,600 frontline health care workers on helping older patients age in place, our administration is proud to be delivering the housing, help, and health care that senior New Yorkers, and all New Yorkers, deserve as we make our city more affordable and the best place to live and thrive.”

“The Ridge Street Apartments is yet another example of this administration’s commitment to supporting older New Yorkers across the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrion, Jr. “As the most pro-housing administration in city history, we are providing 190 older adult households affordability, stability, and comfort through our historic investments in housing. Congratulations to our partners for advancing such an impactful project.”

“The Ridge Street Apartments project represents 190 important steps in the right direction — one for every affordable senior housing unit this project is creating. Each unit helps us advance HPD’s core mission of providing a safe, affordable place to call home for every New Yorker,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Tigani. “At 145 Broome Street, we are excited to support our city’s older New Yorkers and provide 100 percent affordable housing right in the heart of the Lower East Side. By creating recreational, educational, and outdoor spaces, we are working to keep residents connected with one another by developing buildings that are more than just places to live — but instead, places to thrive.”

“Senior New Yorkers deserve a stable, decent home. Catholic Charities is proud that 145 Broome Street’s 191 apartments will provide an affordable home to seniors and their families, allowing them to age gracefully and remain in their communities,” said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. “Thanks to our work together with the Grand Street Guild, and financing from our partners in government, we will be providing a new home to our lower-income senior neighbors at a time when they need it the most.”

“Our mission is to provide quality housing that offers stability and allows our diverse community to grow and thrive,” said Kevin Cronin, chair, Grand Street Guild’s Board of Directors. “For over 50 years, we have carefully managed this 3.75-acre complex on the Lower East Side. Given our city’s urgent need for truly affordable housing, Grand Street Guild’s goal is to create new housing, enhanced social services, and amenities for those who need it with a special emphasis on the growing population of senior citizens.”

Designed by world-renowned firm Handel Architects, the building will be constructed by Monadnock Construction, an industry leader in the creation of affordable housing. The project — which has been awarded a New York state Energy Research and Development Authority Future Housing Initiative incentive award — will be all-electric and achieve Passive House certification. Wavecrest Management is the lease-up agent and property manager, and Forsyth Street Affordable Housing is the project’s financial consultant. The project is financed by HPD, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Richman Housing Resources, and Citibank National Association. This project was also made possible, in part, by federal HOME funds administered by HPD.

As with all Grand Street Guild’s affordable buildings, a robust slate of social services will be offered at Ridge Street Apartments by Catholic Charities Community Services, the New York City Human Resources Administration-approved senior service provider. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2025, with anticipated completion in the first quarter of 2028.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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 New York 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 capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Over the last two years, 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. In the spring of 2024, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation.

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

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 for families. 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 a $24 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 $13 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.

Ridge Street Apartments will deliver 190 truly-affordable homes for seniors on the Lower East Side. Image Credit: Handel Architects LLP.

CITY OF NEW YORK SIGNS DECLARATION CHALLENGING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S TERMINATION OF MORE THAN $351 MILLION IN GRANTS HELPING WITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS

19 Resiliency Projects Slated for BRIC Funding Face Delays, Risking Increased Flooding and Extreme Heat Impacts for Thousands of New Yorkers

NEW YORK – The City of New York today submitted a legal declaration in support of a challenge by the Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 states from around the nation challenging the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) illegal termination of more than $351 million in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program funding to protect against natural disasters. BRIC funding — appropriated to New York City by Congress — was established during the first Trump administration with bipartisan support to aid with emergency preparedness. In New York City, funds have been put to great use to prevent the kind of devastating impacts experienced during Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida. Studies have shown that $1 spent in advance saves $6 in response and recovery costs down the line — a six-to-one return on investment.

“As we saw just earlier this week, flooding and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and it will take investments from all levels of government, including our federal partners, to keep New Yorkers safe and prepared against these types of emergencies,” said Mayor Adams. “The 19 projects that rely on BRIC funding will protect jobs, neighborhoods, and housing across New York City and we urge the federal government to continue to help protect the nation’s largest city and economic engine against future emergencies, just like it has since the president’s first term. We’re proud to submit this declaration as we fight to ensure New Yorkers receive every dollar they’re entitled to, especially those dollars that keep us safe.”

“New York City has worked hard to protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather events, and now that work is severely undermined by the federal government’s termination of this important program,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “We applaud Attorney General James for her advocacy on behalf of current residents and future generations of New Yorkers.”

As detailed in the declaration, the City of New York currently has 14 projects funded through the BRIC program currently in progress from federal Fiscal Years 2020 through 2022 and an additional five projects selected for BRIC funding from federal Fiscal Year 2023. For these projects, the city expected to receive $351,424,696. The city will continue working to receive the funds it has been granted, in an effort to proceed on projects that protect residents and infrastructure from rising sea levels, increased rain events, and the impacts of extreme heat.

Some examples of current and future BRIC projects in New York City impacted by the funding cuts include the Seaport Coastal Resilience Project, which would reduce flood risk and integrate flood protection into the South Street Seaport historic district; the Tottenville Shoreline Protection Project, which would protect the Tottenville neighborhood from increased flooding, erosion, property damage, interruption of transportation, and injuries from tidal surges and extreme wave impacts; and the Corona East & Kissena Corridor Cloudburst Hub Projects, which would turn existing outdoor public spaces into surface and subsurface infrastructure that can absorb, capture, and divert precipitation to reduce the probability of local flooding.

There are 19 New York City-based projects that were supposed to be funded by the BRIC program.

Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at the street co-naming for New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective Joseph “Scooter Joe” Willins. 263 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn. Monday, August 4, 2025. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at the funeral for NYPD Officer Didarul Islam in the Bronx, one of the victims killed in Monday’s mass shooting in Manhattan, on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Image Credit – Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

MOST PRO-HOUSING ADMINISTRATION IN CITY HISTORY: MAYOR ADAMS, HPD, INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY LIVING ADVANCE 103 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN BROOKLYN TO HELP PARENTS EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES REUNITE WITH THEIR CHILDREN

$77 Million Redevelopment of Emerson-Davis Family Residence Will Create 61 Supportive Apartments and 41 Affordable Units

Follows Historic Investments in Supportive Housing Creation Over Last Three Years

Closing Comes Ahead of Adams Administration Fiscal Year 2025 Production Announcement

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, and the Institute for Community Living (ICL) today announced that construction will begin on a redevelopment of the Emerson-Davis Family Residence, a one-of-a-kind supportive housing model that helps parents living with serious mental illness (SMI) or substance use disorder (SUD) stay connected with or reunify with their children. The new 11-story, 103-unit development at 161 Emerson Place in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn — a high-opportunity neighborhood — will replace the outdated structure that ICL has operated for nearly 30 years. The redeveloped residence will include 61 supportive housing apartments and 41 affordable units for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, with one unit reserved for a live-in superintendent. The redevelopment is expected to cost $77 million, with the Adams administration contributing nearly $20 million in city subsidies. The building will also meet Passive House standards for energy efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and reducing costs for residents and ICL.

The project — which is made possible with support from HPD, the New York state Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the New York state Office of Mental Health, Richman Group, TD Bank, New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso — builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in city history, including building the most supportive housing. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable and supportive housing over the last two years in a row, Mayor Adams announced earlier this year — as part of his “Best Budget Ever” passed unanimously by the New York City Council — that New York City will revitalize the city’s 15/15 Supportive Housing Initiative to create and preserve 5,850 additional units of supportive housing. New housing, like this development, will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032.

“We are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history, and that includes supportive housing that helps New Yorkers rebuild their lives. The Emerson-Davis Family Residence does exactly that, which is why we are excited to help expand this critical program, invest in our city’s families, and get even more people the mental health and substance use services and support they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “Whether it’s working with partners like ICL, creating historic amounts of supportive housing, or helping a record number of families move out of our shelter system and into affordable housing, our administration is focused on making our city more affordable and uplifting every New Yorker, every single day, no matter their background.”

“Through this administration’s record investments in housing, we are committed to supporting families in need of mental health services and stability,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrion, Jr. “The redevelopment of the Emerson-Davis Family Residence is a unique model, bringing tailored support to families to help them remain whole. I congratulate the Institute for Community Living on a fantastic project and exciting milestone to deliver for New Yorkers.”

“Every family deserves the chance to stay together. For parents navigating mental health or substance use challenges, that path can often feel impossibly out of reach without the right support. The Emerson-Davis Family Residence is a one-of-a-kind model that provides that support — offering healing and stability for parents and making it possible for families to reunite and move forward,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Tigani. “We’re proud to partner with ICL to bring this vision to life, providing 61 families with a foundation to rebuild their lives and 41 additional households with deeply affordable housing that offers dignity, security, and hope for the future. This is how we build a stronger, more resilient New York.”

“ICL’s Emerson-Davis model has demonstrated what’s possible when you combine supportive housing with family reunification services tailored to the unique needs of parents with behavioral health challenges,” said Jody Rudin, president and CEO, ICL. “Housing is health care — and for families at risk of separation, housing is also the key to staying together. This reimagined building in a high opportunity neighborhood enables us to serve even more families, keeping them together and setting them on a path toward long-term recovery, stability, and connection.”

The expanded Emerson-Davis residence will build on both the Adams administration and ICL’s track record of creating supportive housing and helping more New Yorkers get the services and support they need. The expanded Emerson-Davis residence will feature 44 two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom supportive apartments for parents with SMI and their children, as well as 10 studio units for single adults with SMI who may be pregnant, have infants, or are awaiting reunification. On-site services will include parenting support, trauma-informed therapy, community integration, and access to ICL’s Child and Family Treatment and Support Services. Thoughtfully designed shared spaces — such as a children’s activity room, a community room with teaching kitchen, a fitness center, and a tenant work lounge — will create a family-friendly environment that supports healing and independence. Of the additional 41 affordable housing units, eight units will be supported by federally-funded Project-Based Vouchers, a key source of financing for the project. An additional unit will be reserved for a live-in superintendent.

The project team also includes Dattner Architects, a leader in urban passive house design, and Mega Contracting Group, a general contractor with over 30 years of experience in multi-family and affordable housing. The Emerson Davis Family Residence redevelopment is also supported by $40 million in bonds and subsidy from New York state Homes and Community Renewal.

ICL’s whole health model integrates housing, health care, and behavioral health to support long-term stability. With more than 4,000 New Yorkers housed each night across its 140 programs, ICL meets people wherever they are — whether unhoused, in shelter, in institutions, or ready for permanent housing — and ensures seamless transitions through every stage of their recovery with a full continuum of care.

ICL originally created the Emerson-Davis program in 1999 in response to a gap in New York City’s housing and child welfare systems when parents experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges had no clear pathway to housing that would allow them to regain or retain custody of their children. Emerson-Davis is still the only program of its kind in New York City.

The expansion comes as ICL continues to lead the conversation on solutions for keeping vulnerable families together. Its 2023 policy paper, “Barriers to Reunification,” found that parents living in single adult shelters who are eligible to reunify with their children have no clear path to the appropriately-sized, supportive housing they need — leaving many separated for far longer than necessary. The paper calls for reforms to the shelter, housing, and voucher systems to better support family reunification, especially for those with behavioral health needs.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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 New York 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 capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Over the last two years, 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. In the spring of 2024, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation.

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

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 for families. 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 a $24 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 $13 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.

“Supportive housing is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to addressing New York City’s mental health crisis. The Emerson-Davis Family Residence is an exemplary model of how we can address this crisis with care and compassion, allowing parents living with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders to remain connected with their children,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m proud to have provided support for this project alongside Mayor Adams, NYC HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, Councilmember Crystal Hudson, NYC HPD, NYS HCR, NYS OMH, the Institute for Community Living, Richman Group, and TD Bank.”

“All families deserve to live together in homes they can afford with the support they need. This $77.6 million redevelopment of the Emerson-Davis Family Residence will help more than 100 households stay together and promote long-term family stability,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “It is a great example of New York’s comprehensive approach to affordable and supportive housing. We thank the Institute for Community Living and all our partners for their dedication.”

“For any parent, ensuring a safe and coordinated connection or reconnection with their children can have a tremendous impact on their mental health and recovery. The Emerson-Davis Family Residence in the Clinton Hill neighborhood will offer a structured environment where parents in recovery can reunify with their children and receive the services and supports they need,” said New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “We are proud to partner with the Institute for Community Living on this unique and valuable redevelopment project.”

The new Emerson-Davis Family Residence will deliver 103 affordable and supportive homes to help parents reconnect with their children. Image Credit: ICL

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE EXPANSION OF PROGRAM TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PERSISTENTLY HIGH-CRIME AREAS, ROOT OUT CAUSES OF SYSTEMIC VIOLENCE AND DISORDER

“Every Block Counts” Drives Multi-Agency Resources to Specific Residential Blocks with Historically High Crime Levels

Citywide Expansion Includes Resource Fairs and Direct Outreach to Connect Residents with City Services, Community Support, and Job Opportunities

Adams Administration’s Focus on Interagency Collaboration and Targeted Public Safety Efforts Has Resulted in Six Consecutive Quarters of Crime Reductions, Record Lows for Shooting Incidents and Shooting Victims Through First Half of 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the citywide expansion of the pilot of “Every Block Counts,” a comprehensive program to address historically high rates of violent crime and disorder on specific residential blocks across New York City. Every Block Counts is a data-driven, multi-agency initiative that focuses on blocks that have historically seen high levels of shooting incidents, crime, and quality-of-life issues. Chosen blocks receive intensive support and resources from numerous city agencies in an effort to reduce crime and restore lasting safety and livability.

“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe — where the streets and sidewalks are clean and well lit, where street signs are clear, and where you are safe from gun violence and other crime,” said Mayor Adams. “Every Block Counts is our latest initiative to increase cooperation between city agencies and communities to ensure our city works better for everyone. Since its launch, we’ve seen tremendous success — including a significant reduction in shootings on the targeted pilot blocks. Those reductions have helped drive citywide progress — with shootings and shooting victims at record lows, and major crime down 5.5 percent citywide today. Now, we’re expanding this program across all five boroughs because when city agencies and communities work together, we can achieve real results — block by block, street by street — and make every neighborhood a place where New Yorkers can thrive.”

The pilot program — launched in October 2024 — initially focused on five blocks from each of the two New York City Police Department (NYPD) precincts with the most shooting incidents over the previous five years: the 46th Precinct in the Bronx and the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. Those blocks were:

46th Precinct: Elm Place, Walton Avenue, and three blocks on Morris Avenue
73rd Precinct: Bristol Street, Christopher Avenue, Dumont Avenue, Lott Avenue, and Mother Gaston Boulevard
Since launching in those two precincts, the pilot blocks have seen a nearly 22 percent decrease in overall crime, an over 33 percent drop in shooting incidents, and a 60 percent reduction in shooting victims — demonstrating the program’s early success in restoring safety.

The program has since expanded citywide, now with five blocks in each of the five boroughs. This expansion targets 15 additional blocks, focused in the 34th Precinct in Manhattan, the 110th Precinct in Queens, and the 120th Precinct in Staten Island. These blocks are:

34th Precinct: Arden Street, Post Avenue, 10th Avenue, and two blocks on Sherman Avenue
110th Precinct: National Street, Roosevelt Avenue, 43rd Avenue, and two blocks on 41st Avenue
120th Precinct: Bowen Street, Broad Street, Broadway, and two blocks on Park Hill Avenue
Building on the success observed in the pilot precincts, the Adams administration anticipates that the expanded blocks will demonstrate similar declines in violent crime and enhancements in residents’ quality of life. Today’s expansion draws on the combined efforts of various city agencies to promote safer, more livable neighborhoods across all five boroughs.

“Since its inception, ‘Every Block Counts’ has been laser-focused on making a difference for New Yorkers who face chronic quality-of-life and public safety issues,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “Our innovative approach addresses community-identified concerns, activates enhanced agency collaboration and visibility in areas of need, and maintains a presence. Now we’re doing a much-needed expansion that will bring that work citywide, and I could not be prouder. This administration is committed to using every tool at our disposal to keep New Yorkers safe and our city the best place to live.”

“Every Block Counts is about using real data to deliver real change — block by block,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry. “We’re working hand-in-hand with the people who live in neighborhoods most impacted by violence and disorder, and we’re already seeing measurable results: fewer shootings, less crime, and cleaner, safer streets. And these aren’t one-time fixes — we’re building trust, restoring order, and making sure residents feel the difference on their own blocks. Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, this administration is showing what it means to be proactive and relentless in our commitment to public safety.”

“Every community deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “Initiatives like ‘Every Block Counts’ reflect a growing understanding that lasting safety comes from collaboration, care, and consistent investment. When we center people, not just problems, we move closer to a city where every block — and every life — truly matters. I look forward to seeing this initiative grow in a way that centers equity, collaboration, and care.”

“The Bronx has been under-resourced for so long, leading to persistent crime,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. “This multi-faceted approach of caring for people’s needs and addressing the root causes of crime one block at a time will help the entire community improve and thrive.”

“We know that violent crime in our city is concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and we also know that targeted enforcement is effective, said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “This initiative will increase resources and the focus given to these blocks, including non-law enforcement responses, to enhance safety and quality of life. With Brooklyn experiencing another record year in reducing gun violence, this program can help us to continue this momentum.”

“By prioritizing investment and improving quality of life in historically high-crime areas, ‘Every Block Counts’ has proven successful in reducing crime and breaking the cycle of violence afflicting New York City’s most vulnerable communities,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon. “These efforts not only provide a path forward for the community but also bring vital city services and job opportunities directly into the neighborhoods that need them most. ‘Every Block Counts’ is more than a slogan — it’s a commitment to equity, safety, and progress for every corner of our city, and I am thrilled to see this data-driven and crime-preventative initiative come to our boroughs.”

The city is leveraging existing resources from multiple agencies to support these blocks, including but not limited to:

• Fire Department of the City of New York
• Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
• Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based & Partnerships
• Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
• Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit
• New York City Department for the Aging
• New York City Department of Buildings
• New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services
• New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
• New York City Housing Authority
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
• New York City Department of Sanitation
• New York City Department of Social Services
• New York City Department of Transportation
• New York City Department of Youth and Community Development
• NYPD
• NYC Health + Hospitals

Since the beginning of the pilot program, Every Block Counts has already achieved tangible results:

Bronx: Of 120 identified complaints, 86 have been resolved, including cleaning and repairing sidewalks, addressing illegal dumping, fixing broken streetlights, and improving visibility at busy intersections through clearer signage and curb maintenance.

Brooklyn: Of 108 identified complaints, 83 have been resolved, including trimming overgrown trees, removing graffiti, repairing damaged fencing in public spaces, and fixing crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety.
Work on the expansion blocks is already underway, with the following results achieved:

Manhattan: Of 84 identified complaints, 62 have been resolved, including painting hydrants, removing graffiti, and resolving building code violations.

Queens: Of 171 identified complaints, 116 have been resolved, including removing graffiti from light poles, cleaning catch basins, and repairing broken street signs.

Staten Island: Of 156 complaints identified, 106 have been resolved, including repairing potholes, removing graffiti, and performing fire hydrant maintenance.

All of these items were identified firsthand by either residents or city agencies, with the goal of creating a safer, cleaner, and more livable environment on each block. Complaints are identified and resolved on an ongoing basis through a regimented maintenance plan, based on each block’s immediate needs.

Every Block Counts is structured in two phases. Phase one focuses on identifying and addressing quality-of-life issues and infrastructure needs on each block. Phase two builds on that foundation by ensuring residents have direct access to city resources, services, and employment opportunities. As part of phase two, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety hosted an Every Block Counts resource fair block party at Betsy Head Skatepark in the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn on June 7, and another on June 21 at Walton Park in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx. These events brought together city agencies and community-based organizations to offer residents support, answer questions, and connect people to vital programs and services.

Additionally, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit conducted door-to-door outreach to 274 households across the Bronx and Brooklyn pilot blocks — sharing information about the initiative, gathering resident feedback, and connecting families with available city services.

Each street included in the pilot program has a designated “Block Community Enrichment Officer” known as a “Block CEO,” a resident who volunteered to represent their neighbors as a liaison to city officials. The Block CEO provides regular status updates on progress and communicates ongoing concerns and suggestions from the community. In partnership with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, the Block CEO ensures residents remain informed and engaged, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing the unique needs of each block.

Every Block Counts’ expansion further demonstrates the Adams administration’s emphasis on taking a community-driven approach to public safety concerns. 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 1,645 complaints and conducted more than 1,826 operations to address quality-of-life concerns raised by the communities they serve. In April 2025, Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch launched the NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division — and expanded it citywide last month — which brings together specially trained officers from existing NYPD community-oriented roles to address chronic quality-of-life issues and strengthen community trust.

As a result of the Adams administration’s relentless focus on public safety, from January 2025 through June 2025, New York City experienced the lowest number of shooting victims in recorded history and tied the all-time low for shooting incidents. These historic numbers have helped drive down major crime categories for the sixth consecutive quarter, with a 6 percent drop in June 2025 compared to the same time last year. Overall index crime across New York City is down 5.5 percent year-to-date — with reductions in homicides, robberies, burglaries, felony assaults, grand larcenies, vehicle theft, shootings, transit crime, housing crime, retail theft, hate crimes, and more. These significant declines resulted in 3,348 fewer victims of major crime in New York City so far this year, compared to the same period last year. The record-low crime statistics build on the Adams administration’s work to remove more than 22,600 illegal guns from New York City streets since taking office, including more than 2,800 illegal firearms removed year-to-date.

Banner Image: Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks and presents a proclamation at the 73 Precinct in Brooklyn. Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Image Credit – Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office.