City Planning Director, Social Services Director, Federal Housing Help, Maternal Infant Health, Weeksville Restoration, Small Biz Cmr, Predatory Tow Company, Park Reconstruction, Closing Bellevue Shelter: Mayor Mamdani – UPDATED Protest At Gracie Mansion

Interested readers can check out reporting on this incident from the New York Times, The Guardian, Gothamist, and DW.  Jake Lang organized a stated anti-Muslim rally, and counter-protestors showed up to make their voices heard in opposition to the far-right group. 

This is how DW defined ‘what we know’ about the events: The incident occurred as two protests were taking place outside Gracie Mansion at 11 a.m. local time (1600 UTC), the official residence of the New York mayor —  a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” called by conservative influencer Jake Lang and a much larger counterprotest called “Drive the Nazis Out of New York.”

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Mayor Mamdani Appoints Sideya Sherman as City Planning Director and Chair, Reappoints Eric Enderlin and Edith Hsu-Chen to Housing and Planning Leadership 

Enderlin will continue to serve as President of the Housing Development Corporation, Hsu-Chen will continue as Executive Director of the Department of City Planning

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani appointed Sideya Sherman as Chair of the City Planning Commission (CPC) and Director of the Department of City Planning (DCP), and reappointed Eric Enderlin as President of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and Edith Hsu-Chen as Executive Director of DCP.   

Sherman most recently served as New York City’s Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice. She brings extensive experience in community and economic development, urban planning and racial justice. Sherman previously served as Executive Director of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity and spent more than a decade at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). She also worked in planning and economic development at the Municipal Art Society and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, helping communities better navigate the land use process.   

Hsu-Chen has served as Executive Director of DCP since 2022. She began at the agency as an intern in 1997 and has gone on to serve in several leadership roles, including Manhattan Director. She was a part of the leadership team that delivered the City of Yes zoning reforms for sustainability, economic development and housing, and has led efforts to strengthen commercial job centers citywide.  

At DCP, Sherman and Hsu-Chen will oversee the City’s long-term growth strategy, including neighborhood planning, land use and zoning. The agency will play a central role in advancing the Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) and Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) task forces to accelerate affordable housing on public land. The department will also implement recent City Charter changes aimed at delivering affordable housing faster and more equitably.   

On Friday, the Mamdani administration announced the start of public review on the first-ever Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) for an affordable housing proposal in Mott Haven, the Bronx. Under Sherman and Hsu-Chen’s leadership, the department will also guide the city’s strategic approach to economic development, resiliency, transportation and capital planning.  

Enderlin has served as President of the HDC since 2016. Under his leadership, the nation’s largest municipal housing finance agency has issued more than $2 billion in bonds annually and financed the creation and preservation of thousands of affordable homes each year. He brings more than 20 years of experience in public policy and affordable housing, including roles at HPD, NYCHA, the Louis Berger Group and the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing.  

“Sideya Sherman understands that planning is not an abstract exercise – it is about whether working people can afford to live in the city they call home. Her record in community engagement and equitable development makes her exactly the leader we need at City Planning. I’m confident that she and Edith Hsu-Chen will move with urgency to deliver affordability, advance fair housing and build a city that works for everyday New Yorkers — not just the wealthy and well-connected,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Eric Enderlin will continue to lead HDC’s groundbreaking work as the nation’s largest municipal Housing Finance Agency, bringing innovative financing tools to bear to build a more affordable city, starting with the homes that dot the five boroughs.”  

“The Department of City Planning shapes the lived reality of our city — from whether families can find stable housing to how neighborhoods grow and thrive,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “I’m proud to welcome Sideya and to continue working with Edith and Eric as we fight for a New York that is not only affordable, but genuinely livable.”  

“It’s an honor to join the Mamdani administration and work to advance the mayor’s affordability agenda at DCP. It’s an exciting time for city planning, with a mandate to deliver a city that New Yorkers can afford, and new tools to help make that a reality. I look forward to working with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Bozorg, the public servants at DCP, and communities across New York as we advance equitable and community-focused land use policy,” said Sideya Sherman, incoming City Planning Commission Chair and City Planning Director.  

“It’s an honor to continue at DCP alongside Mayor Mamdani and incoming Director and Chair Sideya Sherman. Over my career at DCP, I have seen how smart planning can deliver affordable housing, good jobs, vibrant neighborhoods and a resilient city, and I know we will have even more success with this incredible team,” said DCP Executive Director Edith Hsu-Chen.  

“I am extremely proud to continue leading HDC as a part of the Mamdani administration. The HDC team and I will redouble our work to help deliver a city that every New Yorker can afford,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “I want to thank Mayor Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Bozorg, and our partners across the city for their collaboration in creating and preserving the affordable housing that New Yorkers need.”  

“Sideya Sherman is a principled and visionary leader whose career has been defined by a deep commitment to affordable housing, racial equity, and community development. I am confident she will build on the Department of City Planning’s legacy and help shape a city where opportunity reaches every neighborhood as Director and Chair,” said Maria Torres-Springer, President of The Charles H. Revson Foundation and former First Deputy Mayor. “Congratulations to Sideya Sherman, Eric Enderlin, Edith Hsu-Chen, and the many talented public servants stepping into leadership roles across the administration. These appointments reflect the depth of experience and values-driven leadership New York needs at this moment, and I look forward to the impact they will have serving New Yorkers.”  

“Having served with her, I know that Sideya Sherman’s wide experience in city government and her deep commitment to social equity will enable her to help fulfill Mayor Mamdani’s ambitious agenda for housing and citywide affordability,” said Carl Weisbrod, Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors, Inc. and former City Planning Chair.  

“Sideya Sherman’s wide range of experience in planning, affordable housing, community engagement, and equity make her an excellent choice to lead City Planning as it tackles the job of making every neighborhood contribute to solving the City’s affordable housing crisis,” said Vicki Been, former Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development.  

“ANHD applauds the appointment of Sideya Sherman to lead the Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission. Her deep experience advancing fair housing, equitable neighborhood development, and inclusive planning makes her exceptionally well qualified to guide the city’s planning work during a critical affordability crisis. We look forward to partnering with her to advance thoughtful, equity-centered planning policies that strengthen communities across New York City,” said Barika Williams, Executive Director, Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD).  

“New York City’s housing shortage is inextricably linked with its history of exclusionary zoning, and solving one means confronting the other,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York. “Sideya Sherman brings a deep understanding of the connection between racial equity and fair housing, and I am excited to see her bring her experience to the Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission. Recent charter changes, overwhelmingly approved by voters last November, give the city new tools to approve more homes faster. Under Chair Sherman, DCP and the Commission can use these tools to allow more housing in every neighborhood, ensuring that no New Yorker is forced from their community—or their city—by the high cost of housing. With Edith Hsu-Chen continuing as Executive Director of DCP and Eric Enderlin as President of HDC, the city retains leaders who have been central to many of New York’s housing victories in recent years. Congratulations to Chair Sherman, Director Hsu-Chen, and President Enderlin, and we look forward to working with the Mamdani administration to build a fairer and more affordable New York City.”  

ABOUT SIDEYA SHERMAN  

Sideya Sherman is the incoming City Planning Commission Chair and City Planning Director, with more than two decades of experience advancing equitable neighborhoods across New York City.   

Most recently, she served as New York City’s first Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, where she led citywide efforts to embed equity in policy and practice across government. She previously served as Executive Director of the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity, coordinating cross-agency strategies to direct resources to communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. At NYCHA, she served as Executive Vice President for community engagement and partnerships, leading large-scale resident engagement, service coordination, and cross-sector partnerships to connect public housing residents to critical resources and investment.  

Sherman began her career in the nonprofit sector, supporting neighborhood revitalization initiatives. At the Municipal Art Society of New York, she provided training and technical assistance to community-based organizations to strengthen pubic engagement in planning. She also held roles at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Lower East Side Business Improvement District, supporting commercial corridor revitalization.   

A lifelong New Yorker, Sherman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Utica College and a Master of Science in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. 

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Erin Dalton as Commissioner of Department of Social Services  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced his appointment of Erin Dalton as commissioner of New York City Department of Social Services (DSS).   

“New Yorkers deserve leaders who listen and act with urgency. Erin Dalton has spent decades proving that government can and must work better for people who rely on it most. She has expanded access to housing, strengthened social services and protected our most vulnerable neighbors. I’m proud to work alongside Commissioner Dalton to build a city that is more just, effective and accessible for all,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of New York City and to advance Mayor Mamdani’s affordability and community safety agenda. DSS can reduce the painful trade-offs families make between food and medicine, housing and safe childcare,” said Erin Dalton. “We can work to help the best public servants in the country deliver assistance more efficiently and with greater dignity. And we can work relentlessly so that all New Yorkers have access to better resources. I can’t wait to get started.”  

“As many New Yorkers struggle to secure permanent housing and access other critical resources, it is imperative that city leaders employ strategies that are both innovative and compassionate to assist those most in need—which is exactly what Erin Dalton has done throughout her career,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Dalton as the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services and am confident that her experience providing aid to vulnerable populations, while treating individuals with the dignity and respect they deserve, is exactly what our city needs to meet this moment.”  

DSS includes the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), the nation’s largest social services agency, which assists more than three million low-income and vulnerable New Yorkers each year, and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), which provides temporary emergency shelter to New Yorkers in need while helping families transition to permanent housing and long-term stability.  

“Erin Dalton understands the urgent, intersecting challenges facing New Yorkers and brings the kind of executive leadership and vision that large, complex systems require. She has shown what is possible when government acts with dignity, partnership, and accountability, including reducing homelessness and increasing exits from shelter to permanent housing during her tenure in Allegheny County,” said Melanie Hartzog, President and CEO of The New York Foundling and Former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “Her career has focused on reforming public systems to deliver help, not deeper system involvement, and modernizing them to be equitable, accountable, and grounded in evidence. I am confident in her ability to use these skills to strengthen the Department of Social Services and improve stability for New Yorkers.”  

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato thanked Director Dalton for her service and wished her the best of luck with her new position, saying: “While we are terribly disappointed to lose Director Dalton, we know Allegheny County’s loss is New York City’s gain. She has given the majority of her professional career coming up with innovative, data-driven, and compassionate solutions in the human services space to better serve the residents of Allegheny County. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to house our neighbors, support people with substance use disorder, and reimagine public safety and mental health response. I know she will serve the New York City community well.”  

“Under Erin’s leadership, Allegheny County has been a national leader in keeping children safe from harm through effective early interventions and supportive services that strengthen families to prevent the lifelong impacts of unnecessary separations from loved ones. As a child welfare leader, Erin Dalton pioneered ethical, data-informed approaches to improve child protection decisions for all children and families regardless of race, ethnicity, or their economic status,” said David Hansell, Senior Advisor for Child Welfare Policy, Casey Family Programs; former Commissioner, NYC Administration for Children’s Services. “She’s built integrated systems that supported the needs of children and their families, and understands the critical role that economic, concrete and community support play in child and family well-being. I am confident that as Commissioner of DSS, Erin will bring the same vision, integrity, and leadership to New York City.”  

About Erin Dalton  

Dalton most recently served as the Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), where she led one of the nation’s most innovative and integrated human services systems.   

Under her leadership, the department drove measurable progress in crisis response and homelessness, including building a coordinated winter shelter network that reduced the number of people living outdoors by nearly 98%. She also led large-scale reforms across behavioral health and community safety systems, redesigning the county’s mobile crisis response system, deploying behavioral health professionals to respond to human service 911 calls, expanding medication-assisted treatment in the jail and advancing violence prevention efforts. During her tenure, violent crime declined by nearly 20%, and incarceration rates fell by almost 10%.  

Previously, Dalton directed DHS’s analytics, planning and information technology functions, earning national recognition for pioneering ethical uses of integrated data systems to improve outcomes and reduce racial disparities in decision-making.

At the center of the discussion: securing more than $21 billion in federal grants to construct the world’s largest deck over the site, allowing the City to build 12,000 new affordable homes, including 6,000 new Mitchell-Lama-style homes; create 30,000, good-paying union jobs; and deliver new parks, schools and health care clinics. If realized, the project would mark the largest housing and infrastructure investment in New York City in more than 50 years.  

“New York City is facing a generational affordability challenge,” Mayor Mamdani said. “Working families are being priced out of the neighborhoods they built. To meet this moment, we need a true federal partner prepared to invest boldly and act urgently. I appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with President Trump about building more housing in any single project than our city has seen since 1973.” 

Mayor Mamdani emphasized the need to strengthen financing tools that support affordable development, preserve public housing and modernize regulatory pathways to accelerate construction without sacrificing labor standards or community input.  

He also underscored the city’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and collaboration in deploying federal funds – ensuring every dollar delivers safe, affordable housing for New Yorkers.  

Both parties agreed to continue discussions in the weeks ahead.

Mayor Mamdani Announces $20 Million Investment in Strong Foundations Initiative to Expand Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Programs for Families 

 Investment will dramatically expand eligibility criteria by including parents with more than one child, supporting perinatal and early childhood mental health clinics and expanding workforce opportunities for early childhood staff

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that the NYC Health Department would receive a $20 million investment over three years for the groundbreaking Strong Foundations initiative as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Strong Foundations will expand eligibility for the NYC Nurse-Family Partnership (NYC-NFP) to include parents with more than one child and allow enrollment later in pregnancy. As part of the three-year investment, the NYC Health Department will connect more families to visits from registered nurses that support healthy pregnancies and provide mental health resources for parents and young children while growing the mental health workforce. The funding will also expand training and workforce opportunities for early childhood mental health professionals, by establishing a three-year fellowship to develop a pipeline of clinicians with perinatal and early childhood experience. 

“The cost-of-living crisis hits New York City families well before the birth of their kids, which is why our administration is stepping up assistance through Strong Foundations. All parents deserve access to high-quality prenatal and perinatal care, and today’s announcement will ensure that all New Yorkers, and particularly those who face structural barriers to care, are provided with the resources they need at the very beginning of their child’s life,” said Mayor Mamdani. 

“The Mamdani administration is making good on its commitment to provide assistance to as many New York City families as possible. As a mother who has raised four children in New York, I understand the struggles that come with pregnancy, childbirth and infancy — and I know that far too many cannot access the care they need to navigate these experiences,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today, I am excited that this initiative, which has helped tens of thousands of parents throughout the city, will connect even more families to registered nurses, increase access to mental health care and grow training and workforce opportunities for early childhood staff. Through the Strong Foundations initiative, we are delivering another win to working families by providing comprehensive, high-quality health care where it was previously unavailable.” 

“The health of our youngest New Yorkers begins with the wellness of their parents and caregivers,” said NYC Health Department Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “As a parent and the son of a Nurse-Family Partnership nurse, I know the benefits of high quality care and mental health support firsthand. Strong Foundations will enable us to reduce barriers and reach more expecting parents with individualized, compassionate care provided by dedicated nurses and mental health professionals.” 

“ACS is proud to be working with the Health Department to ensure more NYC families have access to the support they need to thrive. We know that parenting, especially a newborn, is stressful. We also know that children’s earliest days provide foundation that impacts their lives in profound ways. This investment provides hands-on, destigmatized support to reduce stress and increase attachment so parents and their children can thrive,” Luisa Linares, Deputy Commissioner of the Family Services Division at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). 

Through Strong Foundations, nurses will receive additional training to serve more New York families and distribute additional supplies such as pack and plays, diapers and developmental toys. 

This initiative will also support expanded capacity and staffing at the Health Department’s Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health (P+ECMH) Network clinics and invest in workforce development by funding specialized mental health certification for 20 practitioners annually and establishing a three-year fellowship program for new graduates to develop a pipeline of staff with the skills to support families with young children.  

For more than 20 years, NYC-NFP has supported more than 25,000 expecting parents with a registered nurse through pregnancy, childbirth and through the child’s second birthday. The program prioritizes families who face structural barriers to care, including Medicaid enrollees, families involved in the foster care, child welfare or criminal justice system, and those facing housing instability. Clients report higher rates of breastfeeding, on-time childhood immunizations and improved economic self-sufficiency.

Mayor Mamdani Announces Completion of Weeksville Restoration, Preserving One of the Nation’s Oldest Free Black Communities

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Kenny Minaya as Commissioner of Small Business Services  

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Kenny Minaya as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).  

“From the bodega on your corner to the laundromat that’s anchored your block for decades, small businesses are the lifeblood of New York City. They’re where working people build dreams — and for too long, City Hall has made that harder than it needs to be, burying storefronts in red tape while corporate chains get the fast lane. That ends now,” said Mayor Mamdani. “With Kenny Minaya as Commissioner of Small Business Services, we’ll cut the bureaucracy and make it easier to start and run a small business — because when our neighborhood businesses thrive, New York thrives.”   

Minaya has served as the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) since 2022, after joining the agency in 2016 as Deputy Chief of Staff. As First Deputy Commissioner, he oversaw agency operations and finances.   

Before joining City government, Minaya worked at Catholic Migration Services and Make the Road New York, where he represented immigrant tenants in Brooklyn and Queens fighting to keep their homes affordable in the face of predatory landlords.  

“Under Mayor Mamdani, we are ushering in a new era for small businesses in our city. I am deeply thankful for the Mayor’s trust and confidence and am proud to take on this responsibility,” said Kenny Minaya, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “As the son of immigrant small business owners, I know firsthand the challenges that our entrepreneurs face. I am excited to partner with the dedicated public servants at SBS — whose work every day supports businesses in every neighborhood — and to bring both my experience in City government and my lived experience to this role as we work side-by-side with small business owners in all five boroughs.”  

“Small businesses are where New Yorkers take risks, create jobs and build generational opportunity,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Commissioner Minaya will lead SBS with a clear mandate: make it simpler to open, operate and grow a small business — and ensure every neighborhood entrepreneur has a fair shot at success.”  

“The NYC BID Association welcomes the appointment of Kenny Minaya as the next Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. SBS is a critical agency that provides support to our small businesses and is the advocacy agency for the city’s 78 Business Improvement Districts. Commissioner Minaya has a strong background in city government and a personal connection to small businesses, which are the backbone of our city’s economy,” said Jeffrey LeFrancois and Erin Piscopink, Co-Chairs of the NYC BID Association. “We’re eager to work with Commissioner Minaya, SBS, and City Hall to further the partnership with the City’s BIDs that play an integral role in delivering supplemental city services and support to small businesses and commercial corridors throughout the five boroughs.”  

“Kenny Minaya has long been a champion for working class New Yorkers, including those who dream to build their own small businesses,” said Arlenis Morel, co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York. “Kenny has worked tirelessly to harness the economic potential of regular people so that they may contribute to our City. He will be a visionary commissioner for the Department of Small Business Services, bringing a unique combination of skills, experience in City government and strong connections to the communities that make up our vibrant City.”  

“On behalf of the Yemeni American Merchants Association, we extend our sincere congratulations to Kenny Minaya on his appointment as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services,” said Youssef Mubarez, YAMA Action President. “His experience, integrity and dedication to public service make him exceptionally well suited for this important role. The Yemeni American business community greatly values the strong and productive relationship we have built with SBS. We are excited to continue our close collaboration under Commissioner Minaya’s leadership and are confident he is the right choice to build on the progress that has been made and further strengthen opportunities for Yemeni small business owners across the five boroughs. We look forward to working together to ensure that immigrant-owned and community-based businesses have the resources and support they need to grow and thrive.”  

“Congratulations to Commissioner Kenny Minaya on his appointment to the Department of Small Business Services,” said Sandra Jaquez, President of the NYS Latino Restaurant Association. “Having grown up visiting his family’s bakery, I know that he and his family understand the dedication and hard work small business ownership demands. I look forward to working with Commissioner Minaya to support small businesses—many of which are still struggling—and to advance policies that help small businesses across New York City grow and thrive.”   

“On behalf of the National Supermarket Association, we congratulate Kenny Minaya on his appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services,” said Anthony Pena, President, National Supermarket Association. “Commissioner Minaya knows firsthand that independent supermarkets and small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods—creating jobs, supporting families, and serving communities every day. We look forward to working with his office to advance policies that empower local entrepreneurs, expand fair opportunities, and help small businesses thrive across our city. When small businesses succeed, our communities succeed.”  

“As someone who had the honor and pleasure to work closely with Commissioner Minaya, I congratulate him on his appointment to New York City’s Department of Small Business Services,” said Lorelei Salas, former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Supervision Director, and former Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner. “Commissioner Minaya has shown deep commitment to public service excellence in his various roles within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Our small businesses will have no better advocate, with a deep personal connection to what they go through, to represent their interests, navigate city services and regulations, and explore ways to help them thrive and compete with the largest corporations.”  

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of New York City’s communities and local economy, and as a City government we need to do our utmost to ensure that they have the support they need to succeed,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “In the short time that I have come to know and work closely with Commissioner Minaya, it has become abundantly clear that he is a leader with a deep commitment to making government work efficiently and effectively for New Yorkers. As Commissioner of Small Business Services, Kenny Minaya will be a passionate advocate for our small businesses, with a deep understanding on both a professional and personal level of the challenges they overcome every day.”  

Mayor Mamdani has made support for small businesses central to his agenda to tackle New York City’s affordability crisis. Shortly after taking office, he signed Executive Order 11, directing City agencies to create a comprehensive inventory of fees and civil penalties imposed on small businesses and to identify ways to reduce and streamline them. Small businesses must navigate a complex web of more than 6,000 regulations and rules, driving up costs for businesses and customers alike. The executive order directs the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice and seven agencies to review existing fines and fees and advance reforms in the months ahead.   

The Department of Small Business Services helps businesses start, operate and grow by connecting them with resources, training and technical assistance, while also supporting workforce development and commercial corridor revitalization across the five boroughs.  

About Commissioner Kenny Minaya  

Minaya was born and raised in New York City. For 42 years, his parents — immigrants from the Dominican Republic — have owned and operated a small bakery in Inwood. He attended New York City public schools, earned a Bachelor of Arts from the City College of New York and a Juris Doctor from the CUNY School of Law. He lives in the Bronx with his wife. They are expecting their first child. 

MAYOR MAMDANI, DCWP SUE PREDATORY TOW TRUCK OPERATOR FOR JUNK FEES, OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS AND OTHER UNLAWFUL PRACTICES 

Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine vow full restitution for New Yorkers ripped off by Instant Recovery Towing 

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced a lawsuit against Instant Recovery Corp., a Bronx-based tow truck operator, for allegedly engaging in predatory practices and repeatedly violating City law.  

After receiving a high volume of complaints, DCWP launched an investigation that found Instant Recovery consistently charged illegal fees, overbilled customers and used other unlawful tactics to exploit New Yorkers.  

“Tow trucks often meet New Yorkers on their worst days — after an accident or a breakdown,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Instead of offering help, companies like Instant Recovery have taken advantage of people when they need help most, extorting them with price gouging, hidden fees and coercive charges. Today, we’re fighting back — demanding full restitution for every New Yorker harmed and making clear to the entire industry: if you prey on our neighbors and ignore the law, we will hold you accountable.”  

DCWP is seeking full restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties for over a thousand violations and the revocation of the company’s tow truck license. Last week, DCWP also conducted a compliance blitz, issuing warnings to more than 300 tow truck operators citywide to reinforce compliance with towing and booting laws.  

“Instant Recovery’s pattern of predatory behavior of bogus fees, cash-only demands and refusal to provide receipts is exactly the kind of consumer abuse this administration will not tolerate,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “We are pursuing this case without fear or favor and fighting to return every dollar owed to New Yorkers.”   

“From dolly and special tow fees to overcharging for storage and drop fees, Instant Recovery treated the law as optional,” said Commissioner Sam Levine. “Our lawsuit puts the entire industry on notice: DCWP is watching, and we will act.”    

Details of the Case    

Instant Recovery has operated since November 2024, primarily in the Bronx. DCWP received a high volume of consumer complaints almost immediately after the company began operating, including:  

• Charged more than the legally permitted amounts for tow, drop and storage fees.  

• Conducted illegal tows.  

• Forced consumers to pay in cash.  

• Refused to provide receipts.   

DCWP Actions to Crack Down on Junk Fees    

Under Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order 09, DCWP has led a citywide crackdown on junk fees that inflate costs for consumers and undercut honest businesses.   

In January, the Mamdani Administration issued a final rule prohibiting hotels from charging excessive “destination” or “resort” fees and banning hidden credit card holds. DCWP also filed a landmark lawsuit against solar panel installation company Radiant Solar and its owner for deceiving consumers and embedding undisclosed “dealer fees,” seeking millions in civil penalties and restitution.   

Following the launch of the City’s annual Free Tax Prep initiative, DCWP began a citywide sweep of paid tax preparers to ensure compliance with laws prohibiting illegal overcharging and hidden fees. The agency also continued its “Fee Free February” enforcement actions targeting predatory employment agencies.  

DCWP will continue aggressive enforcement across industries to root out junk fees and protect working New Yorkers.

Towing Services in New York City  

DCWP licenses businesses that perform “non-consensual” tows, including towing cars:  

• Blocking private driveways.  

• Parked on private property including private parking lots.  

• Immobilized after an accident.  

• Stolen, abandoned, or broken down.  

Consumers whose vehicles are being towed in these circumstances should check a company’s license status online or call 311 to confirm the operator is licensed. Additional information is available in DCWP’s Towing Services Guide.  

Vehicles may also be towed by government agencies, including the NYPD, the City marshal or the sheriff. Information about vehicles towed by law enforcement is available through the New York City Department of Finance. DCWP regulates the City’s Directed Accident Towing Program (DARP) and Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW), which oversee accident, abandoned and driveway-blocking tows. The agency also licenses businesses that boot vehicles on private property. Consumers can verify a booting company’s license or file a complaint by visiting nyc.gov/dcwp or calling 311.  

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO RECONSTRUCT 10 PARKS IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS  

Park improvements will benefit more than 116,500 New Yorkers in historically neglected communities  

CUNY releases new study linking park improvements with reduced stress  

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura announced $50 million in new capital investments in 10 parks through the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2027. The initiative reconstructs parks in neighborhoods that have historically been neglected.   

The investments will improve parks in all five boroughs, expanding access to safe, welcoming public spaces. The announcement coincides with new studies from the City University of New York (CUNY) highlighting the mental health and social benefits of improved park space for New Yorkers.  

“For many New Yorkers, the park is their backyard — a place where they can play a game of pick-up basketball, hold a picnic on the grass or kick a ball with their kids. These New Yorkers know the difference between a park in disarray and a park that city government has invested in,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “That is why, today, we are proud to announce $50 million worth of capital investments to ten parks across the city — investments that will allow more than 100,000 New Yorkers in all five boroughs to experience a healthier, cleaner and more accessible city.”   

“All New Yorkers deserve access to clean, safe and high-quality parks — and through our Community Parks Initiative (CPI), we’re proud to announce the next 10 parks that will receive key investments in underserved neighborhoods. These renovations will benefit more than 100,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Along with this new investment, NYC Parks has reimagined and reconstructed 70 CPI sites. We are grateful to the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy for its partnership in studying the health and quality-of-life benefits of these projects through the SPARCS study.”  

“Urban parks are increasingly being recognized around the world as crucial for the wellbeing of citizens. It is exciting to see that CPI has been successful at improving the level of satisfaction and usage of neighborhood parks throughout the city,” said Terry Huang, Distinguished Professor of Public Health, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH). “Importantly, the park renovations created the necessary condition for New Yorkers to benefit from using these parks in terms of their health and wellbeing. We are fortunate in New York to have such strong leadership and efforts to continue improving the park spaces in local communities through the expansion of CPI.”  

Through CPI, local parks are reconstructed through a community-driven design process that upgrades sites, adds new play equipment and recreation amenities for all ages and enhances green space.   

Over the past decade, NYC Parks has reimagined and reconstructed 70 CPI projects in neighborhood parks citywide and currently has another 47 projects underway, representing more than half a billion dollars in capital investment to rebuild parks and playgrounds that had not seen significant upgrades in decades.  

The 10 sites announced today will bring the total number of active CPI projects to 57.  

The following parks will be transformed through CPI:  

Bronx  

Mott Playground (Concourse)

Fountain of Youth Playground (Mott Haven / Longwood)

Morris Mesa Playground (Mount Hope)  

Brooklyn  

Van Dyke Playground (Brownsville)  

Roebling Playground (South Williamsburg)  

Elizabeth Stroud Playground (Bedford–Stuyvesant)  

Manhattan    

Vladeck Park (Lower East Side)  

St. Nicholas Park 133rd St. Playground (Harlem)  

Queens    

Corona Health Sanctuary (Corona)  

Staten Island  

Kaltenmeier Playground (Rosebank / Shore Acres)  

Launched in 2014, CPI provides equity-driven investments to parks that have not received significant capital improvements in at least two decades and are located in neighborhoods with the highest need, based on factors such as poverty levels, population density and population growth.   

One of the most recent CPI investments renovated Jennie Jerome Playground in the Bronx. Completed in 2025, the reconstruction added inclusive play equipment designed for children of all abilities, a spray shower to help children stay cool in the summer, picnic tables and seating for families and new shade trees and plantings to mitigate heat and reduce noise from the nearby expressway.     

CPI investments also have been linked to improved mental health and increased park use, including in recently announced studies by researchers at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (CUNY SPH). According to findings from the recent Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) study, residents in neighborhoods that received CPI park renovations reported: 

• Significant increases in satisfaction with park quality, maintenance and amenities.   

• Reduced stress levels among residents who frequently used renovated parks, suggesting that high-quality parks are a key condition for realizing the mental health benefits of regular park use.  

Citing severe disrepair, the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services have prepared a short-term operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate critical functions to other sites 

NEW YORK — TODAY, the Mamdani Administration announced a plan to close the 30th Street Shelter, also known as Bellevue, by the end of April 2026, and relocate current inhabitants to other facilities.   

Toward the end of the last Administration, new shelter sitings stopped almost entirely – and as a result, the current Administration inherited several shelter sites that had been neglected for years. One of these sites is the Bellevue shelter. Although there is no immediate danger, the site, which originally opened in 1931, is in a severe state of disrepair, and the decision to vacate the site is a proactive measure driven by safety and expert engineering guidance.  

“My administration is focused on ensuring every New Yorker experiencing homelessness not only has access to shelter, but to spaces that are safe, humane and truly livable. We cannot accept a system that treats people without dignity or stability,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “As we move forward, our city will double down on protecting the safety, continuity and quality of services — because every New Yorker deserves a secure place to rest, to recover and to rebuild their life with dignity.”  

The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will immediately implement an operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate the critical functions to other sites. There are approximately 250 individuals in the shelter, and the DSS is working to relocate these individuals by mid-March 2026. The City is maintaining the same level of shelter beds but transitioning services to safer facilities. Shelter intake will remain in Manhattan to ensure continuity of services. New intake for adult men will be at 8 E 3rd St, and intake for adult families, family units that don’t have any minor children, will be at 333 Bowery St. This will be effective beginning May 1st.   

In addition, the City will be engaging in a large-scale communications campaign across the region to update the public on the relocation of this central intake facility. DHS will also maintain a small presence on site for at least a year after the closure to greet anyone who may come to the location for services and direct them to the new location. Direct transportation will also be available throughout the day. Simultaneously, DHS is working with partner agencies and City Hall on a long-term redevelopment plan for the site.    

Mayor Mamdani is committed to opening several new, high-quality shelters and this plan is a necessary step toward safer, more dignified infrastructure that maintains shelter availability citywide.