Planned Political Violence Averted, Municipal Worker Childcare Pilot, Scholarship Program, Connecting Fmr. Rikers Residents To Jobs, Childcare Parent Survey, Improving Sewers Citywide, City Worker Innovation, Preliminary Budget, Childcare Map, Snow Operations & Composting Facilities In Brooklyn: Mayor Mamdani – UPDATED

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MAMDANI ON THREAT TO NERDEEN KISWANI

NEW YORK – In response to news of an arrest made in connection with a threat to Nerdeen Kiswani, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:  

A member of an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League — designated by the FBI as a “known violent extremist organization” — was allegedly building explosive devices to target the home of Nerdeen Kiswani in a chilling act of political violence. The defendant reportedly planned to flee to Israel following the attack. 

This comes amid an alarming rise in threats and violence across the country targeting Palestinian human rights advocates. 

I am thankful that the NYPD and FBI thwarted this plot, which could have endangered Nerdeen’s life and those of other New Yorkers. 

Let me be clear: We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy. I am relieved that Nerdeen is safe. 

Our city must meet hate with solidarity, and meet fear with an unshakable commitment to justice and to one another.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani meets with Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

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MAYOR MAMDANI ADVANCES NEW YORK CITY’S FIRST FREE CHILD CARE PROGRAM PILOT FOR MUNICIPAL WORKERS    

Approximately 40 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years will receive free, year-round childcare 8 AM to 6 PM Monday – Friday 

All City workers based out of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building are now eligible in addition to all DCAS employees regardless of work location

Applications will launch on April 30; Program will kick off this fall following the completion of $10 million renovation of 4,000-square-foot facility 

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES CITY’S FIRST UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MUNICIPAL WORKERS   

The Mayor’s Scholarship Program builds on 60 years of success connecting City employees with graduate scholarships

Applications for undergraduate scholarships are open March 30 through April 27; graduate applications scholarships to open mid-September

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF “NEXT MILE NYC” TO RIKERS ISLAND, CONNECTING INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS TO HIGH-PAYING JOBS    

Program Expands Job Training, Reduces Recidivism & Invests in Opportunities Over Costly Incarceration 

Participants Will Begin Commercial Driver’s License Training While in Custody and Complete Certification After Release

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE PARENT SURVEY

Parents and caregivers can make their voices heard here

MAYOR MAMDANI INVESTS $108 MILLION TO IMPROVE SEWER PERFORMANCE CITYWIDE, ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY   

City will replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade  

Spending builds on $20 million purchase of 40 modernized catch basin cleaning trucks  

Modernized catch basins feature bike-friendly redesigns and improved water drainage

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia today announced that the City is investing $108 million to upgrade and replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade to ensure the City’s street drainage network is resilient in the face of more frequent and intense rain events. This investment follows the City’s $20 million purchase of 40 new catch basin cleaning trucks — ensuring neighborhoods are better protected as extreme weather becomes more frequent.  

“Investing in resiliency is an affordability strategy we cannot take for granted,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By investing in our sewer system, we’re protecting our neighborhoods from the destruction and devastation severe storms bring. These new and improved catch basins are a recognition that climate preparedness must be built into every feature of our City.”  

“This administration is making smart, targeted investments in the infrastructure New Yorkers rely on every day,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “By combining data-driven inspections, modern equipment and long-term capital upgrades, we are improving sewer performance citywide while delivering faster service and greater accountability to the public.”   

“As we modernize our water and sewer infrastructure and advance major projects, we’re also investing in local improvements that make a real difference at the neighborhood and block level. No project is too small when it comes to protecting New Yorkers,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “We’re seeing more intense rainfall than ever, and these investments in catch basins, more commonly known as storm drains, and specialized cleaning trucks will help keep streets passable, protect communities from flooding, and ensure our stormwater system is ready for climate challenges.”   

New York City has more than 150,000 catch basins, also known as storm drains, that are an important part of the City’s 7,500‑mile sewer network. These curbside grates channel stormwater into underground pipes that carry it to one of DEP’s 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities or directly into local waterways.   

When catch basin grates become blocked by litter or debris, they cannot drain properly, increasing the risk of street flooding. Designs vary across the five boroughs due to evolving standards over time.   

$108 MILLION FOR FULL REPLACEMENTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE  

A full replacement involves rebuilding or replacing the entire underground catch basin structure. DEP will invest $108 million to replace 6,708 older catch basins that no longer meet modern standards. Work will begin this July in Queens. 

$1.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO MODERNIZE EXISTING BASINS   

Catch basin modernization focuses on upgrading existing components, such as grates, to improve performance and reduce blockages.  

Since July 2024, DEP has upgraded 3,273 catch basins and will invest $1.5 million annually to continue this work. The agency expects to upgrade approximately 1,700 basins by June and has already completed 1,176 of those improvements.  

The upgrades pair improved catch basin grates in the road with slotted manhole covers on sidewalks. If the grate becomes blocked, the slotted cover provides an alternate path for stormwater to reach the basin below. DEP has already installed 427 slotted manhole covers and 298 bike-friendly catch basin grates citywide since 2024. 

FORTY NEW CLEANING TRUCKS   

DEP is modernizing its fleet of catch basin cleaning trucks — specialized vehicles used to clear blockages within underground basins.  

The agency has ordered 40 new trucks, nine of which have already been delivered, with another four expected by December. DEP plans to fully replace its 47-truck fleet by June 2029.  

Over the past decade, DEP has adopted a data‑driven, proactive approach to sewer system maintenance. Its inspection program prioritizes flood‑prone areas and has significantly reduced response times. Catch basin and street flooding complaints are now resolved within three days of a 311 request — well below the legally mandated eight business days. 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Good afternoon, Sunset Park. It is a pleasure to be here, here in Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and I want to just first say it’s a pleasure to be here alongside Council Member Alexa Avilés, as well as our DEP Commissioner, Lisa Garcia, who is here with us. And I also want to acknowledge the second vice chair of CB7, Cynthia Felix Jeffers, who’s here with us, as well as all of the community members and leaders that we have joining us for today’s announcement.   

Now, I want you all to just join me for a little bit of a journey through time. In 2015, Brooklyn rapper 2Milly introduced the term “Milly Rocking.” Now, if you believe as I do that Milly might be short for Milwaukee and, in fact, that this might be a reference to the fact that Milwaukee pioneered sewer socialism many years ago, today we may too be Milly rocking as we speak about the importance of delivering sewer socialism across the five boroughs of the place that we call home.   

Because today is a day when we are delivering the very kinds of public goods and public excellence that, too often for New Yorkers, have been missing in their day-to-day lives, especially in the moments where we see rainfall exceed the kinds that this city had anticipated many, many years prior when our sewage system was first put together. Now, when we’re talking about catch basins in this city, we’re speaking about an essential part of a 7,500-mile sewer network. There are more than 150,000 catch basins in our city. They channel stormwater into DEP’s 14 wastewater facilities or directly into our waterways.   

And when basin grates are flooded — when the basin grates are blocked, rather — neighborhoods are flooded. And so, what we are here to do is to talk about the importance of cleaning and ensuring that catch basins are protected against flooding, extreme weather, and keeping streets in good condition. And so, I’m proud to be here alongside our intrepid City Councilwoman, our DEP commissioner, to announce that City Hall is going to be investing $108 million to replace and modernize older and outdated catch basins across our city.   

Now, this builds on $20 million that has already been invested for 40 new catch basin cleaning trucks because what we’re speaking about in actuality is DEP replacing more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade, starting in Queens and then moving to Brooklyn, Staten Island, as well as the Bronx. This is going to begin in July of this year. And what we’re talking about is building upon the work the DEP has been doing, which has upgraded 1,776 basins since last year across our city and 350 grill replacements, curb pieces, bicycle-friendly grates, and slotted manhole covers added since this January alone.   

Now, we are going to continue to invest about $1.5 million per year for basin modernization. We’re also going to be speeding up the catch basin cleaning. I’m proud to say that DEP has now managed to exceed the eight-business-day requirement for catch basin cleaning and is reporting being able to do so within three days of a complaint being filed with the city. Now, from 1910 to 1912, the Mayor of Milwaukee, Emil Seidel, once said, “Yes, we wanted sewers in the workers’ homes, but we wanted much, oh so very much more than sewers.”  

We are here today to talk about one part of what City government must do, but when City government can show that when it rains in the city it doesn’t have to flood, it also shows New Yorkers that we can dream of a tomorrow that is better than today. So, thank you all so much for joining me, and with that being said, I’m going to pass it over to our incredible new commissioner, Lisa Garcia.  

Commissioner Lisa Garcia, Department of Environmental Protection: All right. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mayor Mamdani. It’s a pleasure to be here in Sunset Park. ¡Buenas tardes! Sunset Park. I’m Lisa Garcia, the commissioner of DEP, as the Mayor mentioned, and we know that New York City’s most intense rainstorms have all come in the past four years. Many of us have felt them and have seen some of the flooding that follows that. That means our infrastructure has to work harder and smarter.   

Today we are here to talk about the ways we are modernizing the first line of defense against street flooding, catch basins, or, more commonly known as storm drains, right, where the water goes when it rains. New York City has more than 150,000 catch basins, the curbside grates that drain rainwater off the streets into our sewer system. When they are working properly, they keep the streets passable and reduce flooding during those storms and heavy rain. When they are blocked or outdated and not catching the debris, they unfortunately create ponding on the streets and flood intersections.   

That’s why we are investing, as the mayor said, $108 million to improve the street drainage system that protects our neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Beginning in July, we’ll be fully starting to replace over 6,700 catch basins. As the mayor mentioned, these replacements modernize underground structures to increase capacity and take in more water. And as the storms continue to increase, we are seeing more rainfall and more water. And that’s not all we’re doing. We’re not just upgrading the catch basins, [and] the storm drains, we’re upgrading the vehicles that service them.   

This $108 million investment in catch basins or storm drains builds upon the city’s $20 million purchase of the catch basin trucks, which help us clean out those drains. And nine are already online, with four more expected over the rest of the year. You’ll actually get to see a truck in action later today when we try this out over here in Sunset Park. These investments are in addition to the $1.5 million that DEP spends every year to upgrade existing catch basins. We’ve already installed more than 400 slotted manhole covers to provide an alternative drainage path if catch basins are blocked with litter or leaves. And we’ve made nearly 300 catch basins bike-friendly. I’m a biker, so I appreciate that. So, when your bike goes over one of them, you don’t dip into it. You actually can glide through on our wonderful bike paths.   

At DEP, we’re always looking [for] ways to efficiently improve our service. That’s why we’re embracing a proactive data-driven approach to catch basin inspection and maintenance. This will allow us to perform better. As a result, our storm drains and catch basins and street flooding complaints are now resolved within three days. As the mayor said, please call 311. If you see a clogged catch basin, call 311. We are here to serve. We’re committed to building a more resilient, reliable, and climate-ready city.   

Neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, and basin by basin. We can’t control the weather. We can’t control many things. But we can control how we prepare. So, New York, let’s prepare for flooding and hurricane season together. If you see a drain that is blocked, please call 311. But DEP is out there already clearing and preparing for hurricane and flooding season. So, I want to say a big thank you to Acting COO Anastasios Georgelis and to Mike Farnan, acting deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations, and all of their staff for doing all this work and continuing to help us prepare for each storm. So again, gracias, Sunset Park. We are here to serve. Y ahora, with that, I’m so pleased to introduce Council Member Alexa Avilés. Thank you.  

Council Member Alexa Avilés: Hola, Sunset Park. So, I am so excited to be here to host the mayor and to host our new commissioner at the Department of Environmental Protection, Lisa Garcia. Thank you both for your incredible leadership. Catch basins, you know, not sexy, but something we talk about all the time. We have community members who do 311 walks because as an environmental justice community that deals with the burdens of polluting infrastructure here in our community and persistent flooding, we know how important catch basins are.   

So, I’m just truly delighted that the city continues and will invest in not only renewing the catch basins but also making sure that we have the equipment that we need to make sure that our infrastructure works. So again, thank you to all the staff at DEP who work so hard. Thank you to the mayor and thank you to everyone who made sure that today happens.   

Let’s continue to be engaged in our community because when we make sure that we are working together, right, clearing those catch basins and telling your neighbors, “Don’t throw trash in the catch basins; that’s for water.” These are all really important investments and steps in the right direction. Gracias a todos.  

Question: I just wanted to ask, how are you deciding which catch basins will be targeted first? Is this based off 311 call volumes? Is it based off areas that have been prone to flooding in the past? What is that process going to look like for actually zeroing in on the specific locations of the catch basins?  

Mayor Mamdani: So, we are beginning in Queens in July. This will be guided by DEP, and I’m really glad to have our DEP commissioner who is here with us today. It is going to be over the course of a decade intensifying the work that’s been done. Before I just get a little bit further into your question, I just want to lay [it] out. If you can see this right here, this is the entirety of a catch basin. Oftentimes, this is considered to be all the catch basin is, but it extends all the way down.   

There have been upgrades that have been made to catch basin grates, as the commissioner was speaking about, making them bike-friendly. We’re also talking about the entirety of the catch basin as a whole, which is critical because our sewage system was built for the rainfall that was anticipated more than a century ago. And as we know, rainfall now is of a very different scale in this city.   

And as the councilwoman said, New Yorkers are well aware of that. We need to have City government also be well aware of it. But ultimately, it’s going to be DEP that guides the question of where do we deliver this, and how is it in line with the needs of New Yorkers? I don’t know if you want to add anything.  

Commissioner Garcia: I’ll just add quickly. We do test the catch basins annually or biannually, so we know which ones we need to fix or repair right away. And then also, we also have flood sensors throughout New York City. And so, we’re also aware of chronic flooding areas, and so those will help us prioritize areas. But the goal is to get to all of them and make sure everything is working well.  

Mayor Mamdani: And part of the reason we’re here in Sunset Park is because we’ve also seen a persistent issue when it comes to flooding. And I appreciate the council member for having been an advocate of this neighborhood and this community so that City Hall is well aware of what’s going on.  

Question: Your commissioner mentioned bike safety. I have a bike safety-related question on that. You know, you’ve restarted several street safety projects that your predecessor either stopped or sabotaged in some way, yet the Bedford Avenue bike lane project hasn’t been conspicuously absent from that list. You know, you committed to finishing this when I asked you about it on the campaign. Several of these projects, including this one, and the conditions there are as dangerous as ever. So, I wanted to hear from you why you haven’t announced this project yet, and do you still commit to restoring the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue?  

Mayor Mamdani: Can you say the last part of the question one more time? Sorry.  

Question: Do you still commit to restoring the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue like you did on the campaign?  

Mayor Mamdani: So, I’m going to follow up with DOT and then get back to you on the specifics of the delay and the implementation. And what I will say when it comes to the announcement that we’re making today, [is] every single one of the investments that are being made when it comes to the replacement of these catch basins is going to be with a bike-friendly grade.  

Question: Government officials use TikTok [and] have TikTok accounts. I wanted to know if any technology or information security officers in your CTO or the NYPD cybersecurity have given you anything about how to make sure, you know, data is safe, [and if] they’re not tracking movements, physical locations [or] things like that.  

Mayor Mamdani: So, when it comes to TikTok usage, there [are] going to be specific procedures, and also it will be authorized users who will be able to use this on city devices. Now, just to remind everyone, the concerns around privacy had to do, as was stated, with the prior ownership of TikTok. That ownership has now changed. We see the federal government is using TikTok. Our goal is to communicate with as many New Yorkers as possible. This is one way that many New Yorkers are engaging with the world around them.  

Question: So, my question is, Governor Kathy Hochul briefly proposed allowing robotaxis earlier this year, and even though it is not in the budget anymore, it is a debate that doesn’t seem to be going away. Some people think autonomous vehicles are inevitable.   

Do you think that robotaxis should be allowed in New York City? And when Waymo reapplies for its testing license in New York City, which it appears to likely do once the state program is reauthorized, will your administration approve it?  

Mayor Mamdani: Look, if a company like Waymo finds itself in New York City, what they will also find is a City government that is committed to delivering for the workers who keep the city running, and those workers also include our taxi drivers who, for far too long, have been sold a dream of being able to work their way to the middle class, only to have the rug pulled out from under them.   

Question: So, you’re continuing your predecessor’s practice of charging the Water Board a rental payment of more than $300 million, which means you have $300 million that you can’t — that DEP can’t invest into projects like this. So, my question is, why are you continuing that practice that he resurrected, and how much do you think it will impact the water rate this year?  

Mayor Mamdani: There haven’t been any final determinations that have been made about this year. This is a practice that is based upon DEP’s use of city infrastructure as part of its delivery of a lot of the essential things that New Yorkers rely upon it for. I don’t know, commissioner, if you want to add anything. No? Okay.  

Question: Court records show former NYPD Sergeant Edouardo St. Fort has been arrested on bribery and conspiracy charges. His security company has received millions in contracts, and they were mostly awarded on an emergency basis. The Comptroller’s Office found these types of emergency contracts are a waste of taxpayer dollars. Is your office still using emergency contracts?  

Mayor Mamdani: I can get back to you on that. I will tell you, however, any allegation and finding of improper behavior and action by a public servant is immensely concerning, and we will be following up on that.  

Question: Do you plan on — that shelter provider, BHRAGS, still has $200 million in city contracts. In light of these indictments, will your administration cancel those contracts? What’s kind of the next step?  

Mayor Mamdani: We’ll definitely be looking into these, because any allegation, especially if it’s being substantiated, of improper action and behavior is one that has to be followed up on. Thank you.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani performs in the Annual Inner Circle Show at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan on Saturday, March 29, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

MAYOR MAMDANI, CTO GELOBTER AND FREDERICK O’REILLY HAYES PRIZE FOUNDATION HONOR FOURTH ANNUAL HAYES INNOVATION PRIZE WINNERS

Award recognizes innovative City workers who are delivering for all New Yorkers   

Awardees measured the impact of the City’s congestion pricing program, strengthened food oversight in homeless shelters, modernized cemetery management at Hart Island and provided 24/7 access to lifesaving overdose supplies

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND   CHILD CARE WEBSITE AND INTERACTIVE MAP   

New tool helps families find and compare child care options across all five boroughs

Includes personalized questionnaire to match families with the right programs

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the launch of a new online child care map and resource center designed to make it easier for families to find, understand and choose child care programs that meet their needs.   

For the first time, families can visit nyc.gov/childcare to search for child care options citywide using a single platform. The site allows users to filter by location, age group and cost, and provides key details about providers, including services offered, eligibility requirements and contact information.  

The new tool builds on the Mamdani administration’s commitment to universal, accessible child care. It follows the addition of more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in high-demand neighborhoods and the launch of 2,000 free 2-K seats in four communities across the city.   

“Parents already carry so much. For too long, finding child care has meant hours of searching, cross-checking lists and relying on word of mouth. In New York City, finding care for your child shouldn’t feel like a second job,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This tool is about making government work for people — simple, clear and accessible — so every parent can make the best decision for their child.”   

“Today’s announcement underscores this administration’s commitment to using technology to make essential government services and benefits more accessible to the New Yorkers who need them most,” said CTO and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “This game-changing child care online map and resource center, featuring 10,000 providers across the five boroughs, provides our NYC families with an invaluable resource to help them locate and select child care that meets their needs so they don’t waste valuable time searching for and sifting through information on dozens of websites. Thank you to all our tireless child care providers across the city and the Office of Child Care for bringing city and state partners together to give families the priceless peace of mind that comes with reliable child care.”  

The first-of-its-kind interactive map — developed with input from parents at every stage — brings together provider information from across the five boroughs into one searchable platform. It offers a streamlined, easy-to-use layout that helps families understand their options and take full advantage of the free and affordable care. The website is available in multiple languages and is fully accessible on mobile devices.   

In addition to the map, the website offers tools to support parents at every stage of the child care search. These include:   

• Clear, plain-language guides to each seat-types – including 3-K, 2-K, pre-K and other early child care options, so families can understand what’s available.  

• A short questionnaire to help parents identify providers that best match their needs, schedules and preferences.   

• Transparent information on 10,000 child care programs families rely on, including health and safety inspection records, walking and transit directions, and contact details.  

• Live support by phone or email, in partnership with Child Care Resource Centers — trusted, multilingual community organizations with a long track record of helping families navigate the system.     

The platform was developed through multiple rounds of engagement with parents and child care advocates – including focus groups and usability testing — to ensure the information is both clear and accessible. The City will continue to gather feedback and improve the site over time.  

“For years, parents have had to scramble and stress to find child care – relying on Facebook groups and Google spreadsheets just to figure out what was available. Today, that era comes to an end. This website will let parents understand New York’s child care options at a glance, making it easier for families to find the free and affordable care they deserve. And with 2-K on the way, the timing couldn’t be better. This is what it looks like when an administration truly invests into social services – not just expanding child care programs, but making sure parents actually know about them,” said Kellan Calder, Parent and Community Organizer for New Yorkers United for Child Care.  

“The NYC Child Care Resource & Referral Consortium (NYC CCR&R) is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Child Care in this meaningful step forward for NYC’s families. By creating a single entry point to help families navigate the child care system, this platform reduces barriers and makes it easier to access care. As a consortium of community-based organizations, we will continue to serve as a trusted point of contact for families seeking one-on-one support in finding and securing child care that meets their needs,” said the Executive Directors of the Day Care Council, Chinese-American Planning Council, Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, and Child Development Support Corporation. 

Mamdani Administration Completes $24 Million Snow Operations and Composting Facilities in Brooklyn   

Investment strengthens winter preparedness, expands year-round composting and advances major sewer infrastructure to protect Gowanus Canal

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia and Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Gregory Anderson today announced the completion of $24 million in new snow operations and composting facilities in Gowanus, Brooklyn.  

Funded, designed and constructed by the DEP, the DSNY facilities make way for critical sewer infrastructure, including an underground storage tank that will intercept and store up to 4 million gallons of sewage that would otherwise flow into the Gowanus Canal during rainstorms.  

The 7,600-square-foot snow operations facility can store 6 million pounds of road salt — a first line of defense against dangerous conditions. Salt slows snow accumulation, improves plowing and helps keep New Yorkers moving safely during winter storms.  

Built to support that capacity, the facility includes a reinforced underground support structure to distribute the weight, as well as storage for up to 75 plow blades and brine tanks. Rooftop solar panels generate 79,600 watts of renewable energy to power lighting and equipment on-site. 

The composting facility, operated by Big Reuse, can process 600,000 pounds of food scraps, yard waste and wood chips each year, turning waste into a resource for New York City communities.  

“There’s no better way to close out a tough winter than by opening a facility capable of storing six million pounds of road salt and 75 plow blades,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This is what public service looks like: the year-round, often unseen labor of City workers who make our streets safer and our environment healthier. Through collaboration between DEP and DSNY, this site offers a laundry list of public goods, from rooftop solar panels to a composting facility that can process 600,000 pounds of waste each year.”  

“Built by DEP, DSNY’s new snow and composting facilities are public excellence at work, showing what is possible when city agencies collaborate efficiently and effectively,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “These facilities will ensure our neighbors in Brooklyn are prepared for the next blizzard while advancing our work to reduce pollution in our waterways and expand composting citywide.”  

“Every season now tests our resilience, and New York City is meeting that challenge with smart, climate ready investments,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “The new snow operations facility will ensure Brooklynites are protected before, during and after snowstorms and extreme cold like we saw in February, while renewed composting operations in the Gowanus community will help curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Also, once complete, the new wastewater infrastructure will significantly reduce sewer overflows into the Gowanus Canal, protecting the waterway against more frequent rainstorms.”  

“Expanded composting capacity and a new crown-jewel of snow operations mean that New Yorkers will have safer streets and greener gardens,” said Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson. “From the beginning, we were clear that cleaning up the Gowanus Canal could not come at the expense of critical Sanitation services. DEP heard this message, and they delivered. I am proud to cut this ribbon alongside so many partners and advocates today.”  

The design of the snow operations facility reflects Gowanus’ industrial character, incorporating sculptural concrete and textured metal. The project followed extensive public engagement to ensure it aligns with the neighborhood’s history and community priorities.  

Construction was sequenced to maintain uninterrupted winter service during the 2024-25 season using a temporary salt storage facility. Since the facility’s completion in January, sanitation crews have continued to deliver seamless, reliable service through one of the largest snowstorms in recent history. 

“Today is a powerful example of what it looks like when a community fights for climate infrastructure and wins,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “The return of composting at the Salt Lot builds on years of organizing and ensures that food waste is turned into a resource that stays right here in our neighborhood. And beneath our feet, critical investments like the CSO tank will help keep sewage out of the Gowanus Canal and make our infrastructure more resilient. This is exactly the kind of environmental and community-centered investment we pushed for during the Gowanus rezoning, and we will keep working to make sure every promise is delivered.”   

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the completion of the new sanitation and composting facilities, which also allows us to install the second CSO tank. This is a win-win, as the new facilities and tank will not only improve the water quality in the Gowanus Canal, but also strengthen our city’s ability to manage snow operations and expand composting. I am grateful to the Mayor’s Office, DEP and DSNY for their work and partnership in bringing this project to completion,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.  

“Big Reuse is excited to reopen our community composting site in Gowanus! Big Reuse has worked over the last decade in partnership with DSNY to develop and operate innovative composting programs and systems to support parks, communities, and green infrastructure. We are thrilled by the remarkable efforts of the entire team at DEP, who collaborated with the community to rebuild and enhance the site so we can continue this vital work,” said Justin Greene, Executive Director of Big Reuse. “Additionally, we are grateful for NYC Council’s ongoing support that makes community composting possible across the city. We look forward to continuing our relationship with community partner Gowanus Canal Conservancy to bring their essential programming to the new location.”  

“The Salt Lot has long been the eco-infrastructural heart of Gowanus — a site that was full of volunteers, students, community members, environmentalists, horticulturalists, composters, artists and boaters. With the re-opening of the Salt Lot compost facility this spring, we move a step forward in its future — where public space, education and ecological diversity will be knit together with critical resiliency infrastructure like the sewage tank and a salt marsh restoration,” said Andrea Parker, Executive Director of Gowanus Canal Conservancy. “Gowanus Canal Conservancy is excited to also be returning to the Salt Lot as well, re-activating it as a hub for environmental stewardship, processing neighborhood garden waste locally and using compost created there to enrich our street trees and nursery soils. DEP, who supported a robust community design process, has seen the importance and potential of this site, which is reflected in the habitat restoration, water access, educational spaces and community respite all included as part of the long-term site plan. Today the Gowanus community regains access to the Salt Lot, and we all move forward towards a greener Gowanus.”  

“This is the kind of progress Gowanus was promised and deserves. The completion of the composting facility and of the salt shed, and great progress on the CSO facility represent real advances in infrastructure that will serve Brooklyn for years to come,” said Michael Racioppo, District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6. “DEP’s willingness to work alongside the community made a difference. Equally important, this progress has been shaped through meaningful public engagement, ensuring these facilities reflect Gowanus itself: its history, industrial character and the surrounding community.”   

The project clears the way for the Owls Head Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) Facility, part of the Superfund cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. The facility includes a 4‑million‑gallon underground tank and support systems to capture and manage storm-related overflows. DEP recently completed deep underground perimeter walls for the tank, with excavation set to begin this spring.   

Future phases will restore Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s public education outpost and construct two acres of waterfront open space, including restored tidal wetlands and a kayak launch, designed by SCAPE Landscape Architects.   

A second project, the Red Hook CSO Facility, will add another 8 million gallons of storage capacity. Together, the two systems will capture up to 12 million gallons of combined sewage overflow during storms — a major step toward reducing pollution in the Gowanus Canal and strengthening neighborhood resilience.