NYC Mayor: Report Potholes For Tomorrow, 2-K Jingle Competition, First 100 Days, ACS Commissioner, Care Provider Portal, Closing Rikers, Deliverista Hub, Mom-And-Pop Czar, Protecting New Yorkers, Lessons From LaGuardia, Delivery App Junk Fees, 35 Years Al Sharpton’s NAN

NYC Mayor: Report Potholes For Tomorrow, 2-K Jingle Competition, First 100 Days, ACS Commissioner, Care Provider Portal, Closing Rikers, Deliverista Hub, Mom-And-Pop Czar, Protecting New Yorkers, Lessons From LaGuardia, Delivery App Junk Fees, 35 Years Al Sharpton’s NAN

Editor’s note: Readers can see last week’s rundown of the Mayor’s Office stories here.  And below, watch video of the 100,000th pothole in 100 days being filled, attended by the Mayor.  Additionally, Staten Islanders should know that they should call 3-1-1 to report potholes in their neighborhood, as tomorrow morning they will be starting a fourth major pothole blitz, with all boroughs anticipated to be covered.  See below for details. 

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES FOURTH MAJOR POTHOLE BLITZ ON 100TH DAY IN OFFICE

NYC DOT has filled more than 102,000 potholes this year

Mayor Mamdani personally filled the 100,000th pothole in Staten Island earlier this week (footage above)

This Saturday’s blitz will focus on daytime pothole repairs and broader “Strip Paves” in the evening

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced a fourth comprehensive weekend blitz to fill potholes citywide. Beginning at 6 a.m. this Saturday, April 11, repair crews will be deployed across city streets and highways, with resurfacing crews following in the evening to complete strip paving on corridors with widespread damage. NYC DOT has repaired more than 102,000 potholes since Mayor Mamdani took office on January 1.

“We know that New Yorkers are measuring the impact of city government in these ways, and they’re saying that if you want me to believe in the promise of universal child care, you have to show that you can deal with the smallest kind of issues that have often been overlooked,” said Mayor Mamdani after filling the 100,000 pothole earlier this week.

“New Yorkers deserve safe, smooth streets, and we’re delivering both immediate fixes and long-term solutions,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We’re filling potholes at scale while accelerating repaving across the five boroughs—because New Yorkers deserve excellence in government and real results.”

New Yorkers are encouraged to report potholes to 311 or by visiting nyc.gov/FixMyPothole. Prime pothole season begins in the spring due to freeze-thaw cycles that damage roadways.

New Yorkers may experience minor travel delays on Saturday as crews complete repairs across the city.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani fills the City’s 100,000th pothole on Olympia Boulevard on Staten Island, marking the highest number of potholes filled in the first 100 days of a year in more than a decade on Monday, April 6, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

NEW YORK — From repairing pesky potholes to taking on a top-ten snowstorm, Mayor Mamdani’s administration has made one thing clear in its first 100 days: there is no problem too big or too small for City government to solve.

Under Mayor Mamdani, the City’s operational agencies — including the Department of Transportation, Department of Design and Construction and Department of Sanitation — have accelerated both rapid-response fixes and transformational projects. The focus is simple: faster, safer commutes; stronger emergency response; and a public realm that works for every New Yorker.

“There is no pothole too far, no trash pile too high and no problem too big or too small for City government to address. In our first hundred days, we’ve shown what it looks like when government delivers: cleaner streets, repaired roads and public spaces that every New Yorker can enjoy,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The best part is the work has just begun. We are building a city where rest, movement, play and love are not luxuries but guarantees.”

“This work is anchored in execution,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “Whether addressing everyday frustrations like slow buses or rising to meet extraordinary challenges like a historic snowstorm, our agencies will move deftly to keep our city running and make it better every day.”

FASTER, SAFER COMMUTES

Mayor Mamdani wasted no time delivering safer streets, faster buses and more reliable commutes for New Yorkers.

At times, he took matters into his own hands.

In his first week in office, Mayor Mamdani was boots on the ground with Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) crews delivering a small-but-mighty fix for cyclists everywhere: repairing the dangerous Williamsburg Bridge bump.

Today, the Mayor picked up a shovel again — this time on Staten Island — to fill the City’s 100,000th pothole, the highest number of potholes filled in the first 100 days of the calendar year in 11 years, as part of an aggressive repair campaign that has deployed 80 crews across multiple citywide blitzes, each filling a week’s worth of potholes in a single day.

Since day one, the administration has restarted major projects that had stalled for years, including:

• McGuinness Boulevard redesign in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
• 31st Street redesign in Astoria, Queens, one of the borough’s most dangerous corridors.
• Madison Avenue double bus lane extension in Manhattan.
• Fordham Road Bus Lane in the Bronx’s busiest bus corridor.
• Ashland Place Bike Lane on a Brooklyn block known as ‘Crashland.’
• Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush Bike Lanes.
• Brooklyn and Kingston Ave Bike Lanes.

The administration is also advancing new streets projects by:

• Launching engagement on the next phase of Manhattan’s famously successful 14th Street.
• Breaking ground on improved Bronx crosstown bus service near Yankee Stadium.
• Preparing for the World Cup with major street upgrades, including:
• Ninth Avenue redesign in Hell’s Kitchen.
• Expanded bike lanes and pedestrian spaces from SoHo and the East Village to Union Square.
• A new, dedicated bike connection to the Brooklyn Bridge’s Manhattan entrance.

To tackle street safety head on, Mayor Mamdani:

• Announced the largest Sammy’s Law expansion in City history, committing to 15 mph Slow Zones at every eligible school.
• Activated red light cameras — which reduce red-light running by 73%, T-bone crashes by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% — at 250 intersections, with plans to reach all 600 intersections by year’s end.
• Ended criminal enforcement for minor traffic offenses for cyclists and e-bike riders, ensuring these violations are addressed through the same civil summons process as motorists, while launching comprehensive safety training for deliver workers.

STRONGER EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days included the coldest feels-like temperature in two decades and a top-ten snowstorm.

During January’s cold snap, Mayor Mamdani released a video PSA urging New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC. The response was immediate: 51,000 new subscribers joined in just one week, with more than 142,000 new subscribers so far this year — surpassing nearly all of 2025’s growth in under 100 days.

Through the winter emergencies, Mayor Mamdani mobilized the City at every level:

• Coordinated dozens of agencies during the first-ever 24-hour Enhanced Code Blue.
• Opened new warming shelters, deployed warming buses and launched the City’s first in-person activation of the Strengthening Communities partner network.
• Sent community partners out across all five boroughs to distribute more than 1,300 flyers in bodegas, delis, fast food restaurants and small businesses encouraging New Yorkers to call 311 for those in need.
• Deployed 6,600 sanitation workers for 41 days of 12-hour shifts clearing snow and salting streets and sidewalks.
• Expanded the Emergency Snow Shoveler program from 1,500 to more than 7,800 participants and activated Emergency Snow Shovelers earlier than ever before, clearing out snow even before snowfall ended.

The administration also introduced new tools to improve response, including a geotagged dashboard to track snow clearance at unsheltered bus stops.

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) complemented these efforts by engaging more than 53,000 New Yorkers in fire safety education and installing 4,600 smoke alarms in more than 1,300 homes.

By the end of the winter, the City had:

• Melted 783 million pounds of snow.
• Spread 1 billion pounds of salt.
• Cleared 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops and 29,000 fire hydrants.
• Removed hundreds of downed trees.

New York City now heads into the rainy season. To begin to prepare the city, the Mamdani administration is investing $108 million to replace and upgrade more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade and has already completed more than 350 catch basin upgrades to improve drainage and street safety.

A PUBLIC REALM THAT WORKS FOR EVERY NEW YORKER

The Mamdani administration is reimagining public spaces as essential infrastructure — expanding access, investing in long-neglected neighborhoods and opening civic assets to all.

In his first 100 days, the Mayor:

• Launched a new effort to install public bathrooms at a lower cost and on a faster timeline, beginning with a new public restroom in West Harlem.
• Announced $50 million in new capital investments to reconstruct 10 parks serving more than 116,500 New Yorkers.
• Announced the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building’s tallest tower would open this June to New Yorkers and tourists after $6 million worth of renovations and repairs. Nearly 10,000 people a year will soon be able to take in views from the top of the cupola at 1 Centre Street.
• Made renting 13 iconic civic spaces more accessible through the ‘Halls of the City’ interactive story map.
• Opened the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Flatbush, Brooklyn’s largest recreation center, the first in Central Brooklyn and New York City’s first completely public building to be constructed using the design-build method of contracting — which enabled the City to complete the project at least three years faster than would have been possible under the traditional system.
• Announced that five projects will proceed with similar faster Alternative Delivery methods.
• Completed the $4 million restoration of the historic Hunterfly Road Houses at Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn ahead of schedule.
• Launched the City’s first undergraduate scholarship program for municipal employees.

And in the final stretch of these first 100 days, Mayor Mamdani launched the first-ever Mayor’s Municipal Madness — a bracket-style competition of city fixes — to spotlight and solve everyday issues raised by New Yorkers. While every problem will be solved, only one will be fixed by the Mayor on Day 100 of the administration.

New Yorkers cast more than 21,000 votes on 16 local fixes ranging from new windscreens at Staten Island tennis courts to bench repairs in Brooklyn.

On April 10, the winner will be revealed, and on April 11, the administration won’t slow down tackling the problems big and small because the work doesn’t stop at 100 days.

“In just 100 days, we have taken many meaningful steps to make city government more responsive for New Yorkers; whether that’s through opening civic spaces to the public, delivering critical resources during extreme weather, investing in childcare and education or reaching major sustainability milestones. These 100 days are only the beginning, and we will continue building a more effective government for all New Yorkers,” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei.

“In the first 100 days of the new administration, DDC completed the amazing Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center three years faster than a typical project and also celebrated a unique renovation at Weeksville Heritage Center. We plan to keep delivering for New Yorkers over the next four years and beyond,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle.

“We are strengthening our City — neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block. Our infrastructure has to work harder and smarter in the face of climate change, and DEP is committed to preparing New Yorkers for whatever storm comes next,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia.

“The Department of Records & Information Services launched an online exhibit NYC’s Story: The City on Record, illustrating 400 years of city history, introduced a new research services platform to handle more than 30,000 annual requests to the Municipal Archives and Library and welcomed 1,500 people to our public programs and facilities,” said Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) Commissioner Pauline Toole.

“In just 100 days, thanks to the talent and dedication of 6,000 NYC DOT employees, we are thinking big, aiming high and delivering real results — making buses faster, streets safer and communities more vibrant for all New Yorkers,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.

“The Mamdani administration has spent its first 100 days making one thing abundantly clear: New Yorkers can rely on their City to get the job done, every time. New York’s Strongest are proud to be delivering on that commitment, from removing snow to cleaning up illegal dumping to just collecting the trash on time,” said Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Gregory Anderson.

“In our first 100 days, our focus has been on supporting FDNY members, strengthening our operations and continuing to protect the people of New York City. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, and we will continue this work to build a stronger FDNY,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.

“We want all New Yorkers to participate in the city’s clean energy future. We are making good on that vision by deploying heat pumps to NYCHA residents, launching a challenge to develop clean-powered street vendor carts and opening new electric vehicle charging docks. This administration is taking bold steps to cut fossil fuel use and make our city cleaner and healthier. I am excited about the upcoming initiatives this administration will unveil to tackle the interconnected issues of climate and affordability,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung.

“Procurement should not be a barrier to delivering services — it should be an enabler, and that’s the shift we’re driving across the City’s contracting system. In the first 100 days, we’ve taken meaningful steps to make that system clearer, more accessible and easier to navigate,” said Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) Director and City Chief Procurement Officer Kim Yu.

“We know how small issues can become major challenges for nonprofits serving New Yorkers. That’s why for the first time we’re proud to include human service metrics in the Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report to show the Administration’s commitment to transparency. Our team has also resolved over 300 nonprofit issues in partnership with our agency Chief Nonprofit Officers to ensure providers are paid on time and can continue services without delay,” said Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services (MONS) Executive Director Michael Sedillo.

“The accomplishments of the Mamdani Administration’s first 100 days show what is possible when agencies work together efficiently and effects to cut red tape and deliver for New Yorkers,” said Mayor’s Office of Operations Director Dan Steinberg.

“In its first 100 days, this administration has begun building a new era for emergency management, and New Yorkers are showing up to be part of it. With Notify NYC now surpassing 1.5 million subscribers, this administration is proving that no problem is too big and no problem is too small when we prepare together,” said NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Christina Farrell.

“Over this administration’s first 100 days, OTI demonstrated its steadfast commitment to using technology to better serve New Yorkers: from providing trusted information to 800,000 NYC 311 users during the blizzard, to helping working-class families find affordable child care in their communities more easily. We look forward to building upon this early success with Mayor Mamdani’s support and guidance,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter.

“Whether it’s opening new recreation centers, quickly clearing downed trees after a major blizzard or fixing drinking fountains ahead of our busy summer season, Parks is tackling issues big and small to improve quality of life for New Yorkers. We’re committed to ensuring that our parks are free, welcoming and vibrant spaces that every New Yorker can be proud of,” said Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces 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 at the New York Science Museum on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Rebecca Jones Gaston as Commissioner of the Administration of Children’s Services

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Rebecca Jones Gaston as Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

Rebecca Jones Gaston is a nationally recognized human services leader with nearly three decades of experience advancing child welfare and family support systems. Most recently, she served as Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2022 to 2025, where she led major federal efforts to expand prevention services, strengthen kinship and foster care, support youth development and reduce family homelessness.

Prior to her federal service, Jones Gaston led child welfare systems in two states under governors from both political parties. As Executive Director of the Social Services Administration in Maryland, she helped reduce the number of children in foster care by 50%, expanded service flexibility and secured early federal approval for the state’s Family First Prevention Plan.

She later served as Director of Oregon’s Child Welfare Program, where she guided a system in crisis through a major turnaround. Under her leadership, Oregon reduced out-of-home placements by more than 2,000 children in just over two years, eliminated out-of-state placements entirely and became one of the few states with a federally approved prevention plan.

The Administration for Children’s Services protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children, youth and families through child welfare, juvenile justice and community-based supports.

“I am proud to appoint Rebecca Jones Gaston as Commissioner of ACS. She has dedicated her career to building smarter, stronger systems that keep children safe and families together,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “With her leadership, we will continue building a city where every child is safe, every family is supported and every young person has the opportunity to flourish.”

“I am honored to serve as Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services at a moment that calls for us to reimagine how we show up for children, youth, and families across New York City. This is our opportunity to move beyond managing crisis and instead invest in prevention, trust and strengthen families, and ensure every family and child has a real pathway to stability, belonging, and opportunity,” said Rebecca Jones Gaston. “In partnership with communities, providers, and those with lived experience, we will turn intention into action by building a system rooted in connection, accountability, and the unwavering belief that every child and family deserves to be seen, supported, and able to thrive.”

“Protecting the safety and well-being of children and families is one of the most critical services New York City provides,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Rebecca Jones Gaston brings decades of experience – from her years of direct practice to her leadership at the highest levels of government – in building systems that keep children and families safe. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Mamdani Administration as the new Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services, and I look forward to working closely with her as she leads thousands of dedicated public servants at ACS to provide New York City’s children and families with the assistance they need.”

“Rebecca brings the rare combination of rich state leadership experience and a national perspective on innovation,” said Bryan Samuels, Executive Director of Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. “She leads with a clear commitment to engaging communities and ensuring that the well-being of children and families remains at the center of system transformation.”

“Rebecca Jones Gaston is a deeply experienced, mission-driven leader who has spent her career fighting for the well-being of children and families. Not only has she led child welfare systems at the state and federal levels, but she brings a personal commitment to this work that cannot be taught. New York City has made real progress in supporting families so that fewer children enter foster care. I’m confident Rebecca will protect that progress and accelerate it. At a time when federal threats to the safety net put our most vulnerable families at greater risk, the city couldn’t ask for a stronger leader. We’re excited to partner with her and the Administration to ensure every family, especially those who have been historically underserved, has the resources and support they need to thrive,” said Richard R. Buery, Chief Executive Officer of Robin Hood Foundation and Former Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives.  

“We congratulate Rebecca Jones Gaston on her appointment as Commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services. This is a pivotal moment for child welfare and juvenile justice in New York City, and Commissioner Gaston brings a combination of lived experience and a proven track record to this role that we hope will serve the children The Legal Aid Society represents,” said Dawne Mitchell, Chief Attorney of the Juvenile Rights Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “ACS must put children and families first by safely reducing the foster care system, prioritizing family preservation and reunification, and keeping families together whenever possible. The agency must also confront the over-surveillance of families and the disproportionate harm experienced by communities of color, while ensuring all children — including those in detention — are treated with dignity and care. As The Legal Aid Society marks 150 years of advancing justice for New Yorkers, we stand ready to work with Commissioner Gaston to build a stronger, more equitable system that truly supports children and families across New York City.”

“I am pleased to welcome Rebecca Jones Gaston as the new Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. Her experience across federal and state systems, shaped by lived experience and firsthand work as a frontline caseworker, brings the depth, perspective, and leadership this work requires. Rebecca has spent her career championing family and community centered approaches, and her commitment to partnering with young people and families closely aligns with the priorities ACS has been advancing,” said Melanie Hartzog, President and CEO of The New York Foundling and Former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “We look forward to working with her to build on that progress and continue strengthening a system that is thoughtful, collaborative, and responsive, so that children and families across New York City have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“We applaud Mayor Mamdani and his team for the appointment of Rebecca Jones Gaston as ACS Commissioner. She brings deep experience supporting children, youth, and their families. We look forward to partnering with Commissioner Jones Gaston to continue our longstanding work with the City and build on decades of progress—particularly by strengthening access to concrete supports for families, investing in a well-trained workforce, and expanding opportunities for young people and families to thrive,” said Kathleen Brady-Stepien, President & CEO, The Council of Family & Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA).

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch provide a media briefing on the fatal shooting of a 7-month-old in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Mamdani Launches Child Care Provider Permitting Portal  

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the launch of a new child care center provider permitting portal, replacing a fragmented and outdated system with a streamlined, fully online process that makes it simpler and easier to open child care centers across New York City.

The new portal consolidates application requirements, simplifies communication with the Health Department and provides real-time updates on application status — removing barriers that have long made it difficult for providers to open their doors. Developed in close collaboration with child care providers, the system is a key step toward delivering universal child care for both families and the providers who serve them.

“Until now, opening a child care center meant navigating a disjointed maze of paperwork and appointments. Today, we’re cutting through that red tape. We’re making it easier to open new child care centers, expand access to care and support the providers who are essential to this work — all while prioritizing the protections that keep our kids safe,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Our child care providers are our first partners in the work to roll out universal child care – common-sense tools like this prioritize their needs, making our city’s child care system stronger for all.”

“The health and safety of our youngest New Yorkers starts with ensuring child care providers have the support they need to succeed,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “With this new, modern digital portal, we are removing administrative hurdles that can delay the opening of high-quality centers. Getting more kids into free, safe, regulated environments faster will enable more New York City families to thrive.”

“New York City’s efforts to use technology to drive meaningful change should always center around the New Yorkers using these services,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Today’s announcement is a direct result of the City engaging with the voices and experiences of our child care providers to deliver the simplified permitting solution they deserve. Through this modernized portal, our providers will be empowered to spend more time focusing on what matters most: caring for our kids.”

Previously, applicants were required to submit documents to the NYC Health Department, often via dispersed emails, with no clear way to track progress, coordinate inspections or receive timely updates.

The new system allows applicants to: 

• Complete applications and upload documents online, eliminating the need for multiple paper forms and email attachments. 
• Centralize communication with the Health Department, reducing the need for separate emails and phone calls. 
• Schedule required inspections with a single online interface. 
• Track application status and next steps in real time.  

The portal was developed in direct response to provider feedback and tested by child care providers across the city. The administration will continue to refine and expand the platform based on ongoing input from providers.

Today’s announcement builds on the Mamdani administration’s broader commitment to universal child care. With support from Governor Kathy Hochul, the City will launch an initial 2,000 2-K seats this fall. Earlier this month, Mayor Mamdani announced more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in high-demand neighborhoods and access to free 2-K programs in four communities across the city. The City will continue growing 3-K capacity for fall 2026 through partnerships with community- and home-based providers. 

Mayor Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Tisch announce crime statistics from Jan-March 2026. One Police Plaza, Manhattan. Thursday, April 2, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Mamdani Announces Opening of First-of-its-Kind Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit as Part of Plan to Close Rikers Island 

New York — Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the opening of the City’s first Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue — a major step towards the Mamdani Administration’s commitment to closing Rikers Island.

The 104-bed unit will serve people in custody with complex medical needs by transferring the most clinically vulnerable detainees from Rikers Island into a therapeutic setting with closer access to specialty care. It is the first of three planned Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units across the city.

The Bellevue site represents a fundamental shift in how New York City delivers care to incarcerated people — moving away from a system defined by delays towards one rooted in dignity, access and prevention.

“Opening this new clinical facility at Bellevue Hospital is how we begin to close Rikers Island — not with promises, but with action,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, people with serious medical needs have been left to suffer in a system that was never designed to care for them. Today, we are building something different: a system that delivers real care, treats people with dignity and makes our city safer for everyone—incarcerated people, corrections officers and all New Yorkers.”

“Today’s announcement represents an important step forward on the journey to closing Rikers,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. “The Mamdani Administration is sending a clear message to New Yorkers that we will govern with compassion, transparency and a willingness to tackle our city’s most complex issues”

“The Mamdani Administration takes its responsibility to protect the health and well being of every New Yorker seriously. Medical care has been difficult to access for those in the correctional system, particularly those at Rikers Island. That ends now,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today, our city takes a monumental step toward righting historical wrongs by opening the first of three Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units that will treat more quickly and humanely individuals with the most acute medical conditions currently detained at Rikers. This is a reaffirmation of Mayor Mamdani’s commitments to reimagine correctional care and provide healthy, dignified spaces to every person in New York City.”

“When people come into our care, we must use every resource available to us to meet their individual needs with compassion, innovation, and effective support,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Providing high-quality healthcare is among the most essential services we can offer. While this facility may be small, its impact will extend far beyond its walls, helping to shape a new model of correctional care that will open new possibilities for the future.”

“For over a decade, NYC Health + Hospitals has been proud to serve patients in the city’s correctional settings, and today marks a new step forward in that care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “The Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue will make it easier for patients with serous medical conditions to access specialty care. This project has been years in the making, and I want to thank the many people who made it possible, including Senior Vice President for Correctional Health Services Dr. Patsy Yang and our colleagues at the NYC Department of Corrections.”

“The opening of the Outposted Therapeutic Housing unit at Bellevue Hospital is a phenomenal achievement for New York City, as it marks another first in carceral care,” said Senior Vice President for NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services Dr. Patsy Yang. “We at CHS have long envisioned the Outposted units as a better way to care for our most medically involved patients.  The units are another milestone in how we see and treat people in a more respectful and decent way.  On behalf of our patients and of all those who care for and care about them, we thank Dr. Katz, Commissioner Stanley Richards, and Mayor Mamdani for making this vision a reality.”

This unit is finally opening after years of delays, reflecting a renewed focus on delivering long-promised improvements to the City’s correctional health system. It will serve patients with serious conditions such as cancer and congestive heart failure who do not require hospitalization but face heightened risks in a traditional jail setting.

Located on the Bellevue hospital campus, the unit provides direct access to a full range of specialty services, including oncology, cardiology and neurology. Correctional Health Services (CHS) clinicians will deliver care on-site, with enhanced monitoring and support in a therapeutic environment designed to improve health outcomes.

CHS will remain the primary provider of clinical care, working in close coordination with Bellevue specialists. The NYC Department of Correction (DOC) will provide security, custody management, programming and other services. The unit meets all standards set by the NYC Board of Correction and the New York State Commission of Correction.

The Mamdani Administration will also open additional Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Woodhull and North Central Bronx (NCB), with 144 and 92 beds, respectively. Those sites will primarily serve CHS patients with significant mental health needs, further expanding access to care and advancing the City’s plan to close Rikers Island for good.

Mayor Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Tisch announce crime statistics from Jan-March 2026. One Police Plaza, Manhattan. Thursday, April 2, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends Easter Sunday services at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

 

 

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Delia Awusi as Mom-and-Pop Czar   

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the appointment of Delia Awusi as the administration’s Mom-and-Pop Czar, delivering on a campaign promise to create a dedicated City Hall advocate for New York City’s smallest businesses.

The new role will focus on helping ultra-small businesses navigate city government and get the support they need not only to stay open, but to grow. Awusi applied for the role through City Hall’s transition hiring portal earlier this year.

Awusi will report directly to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and work across City agencies, in close partnership with the Department of Small Business Services, to strengthen support for ultra-small businesses, family-run stores and intergenerational neighborhood businesses. The role is designed to help reduce the runaround small businesses often face across permits, inspections, fines and other city processes.

“Mom-and-pop businesses help hold neighborhoods together. But as they say, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. For years, small businesses have been pushed aside while corporate giants enjoyed unfettered access to City Hall. No longer,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “With Delia Awusi’s appointment, the smallest businesses will be represented at the highest levels of City government. Delia has spent her career alongside small business owners, understanding their struggles and their power. In this role, she’ll make sure City Hall answers to them, too.”

Awusi brings more than a decade of experience supporting small businesses in New York City. At the Business Outreach Center Network, she worked closely with neighborhood entrepreneurs to provide technical assistance, financial counseling and access to capital. She is also a small business owner herself.

Awusi has deep roots in community-based economic development, with experience supporting immigrant entrepreneurs and longstanding family businesses. A member of New York’s Ghanaian community, she has also been active in the African diaspora and community organizing.

“Mom-and-pop businesses give every block, every neighborhood, every borough its unique identity. Our smallest businesses have unique needs and now, they have a champion to look out for them in City Hall,” said Delia Awusi. “I’m honored to join the Mamdani administration and help make City Hall more responsive to the small business owners who keep our commercial corridors alive.”

In this role, Awusi will coordinate support across agencies, sharpen City Hall’s focus on very small businesses and ensure neighborhood business owners have a stronger voice in city government.

“Delia understands that mom-and-pop shop owners pour their hearts into their businesses and deserve government that respects and values them. That includes government agencies that are predictable, accessible, and consistent,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Her role will help us better align government so neighborhood businesses can spend less time chasing City Hall and more time serving their communities.”

“Delia Awusi is an extraordinary professional whose dedication to community business development continues to elevate and empower the entrepreneurs we serve,” said Nancy Carin, Executive Director of BOC Network, Inc & BOC Capital. “As Director of BOC Network’s SBA Women’s Business Center, her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on our small business owners and our community.”

“I am proud to congratulate Delia Awusi on her well-deserved appointment as the new Mom-and-Pop Czar. Delia brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and an unwavering commitment to supporting small businesses across New York City,” said Nina Flores, Executive Director, Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC)/Forest Ave BID/NYC Small Business Advisory Commission (SBAC). “Throughout her work—especially in Brooklyn—she has been a trusted resource for entrepreneurs, whether guiding them through business registration, developing business plans, or strengthening their marketing strategies. Delia has consistently shown up for our small business community, and I am confident she will continue to be a strong advocate in this new role. I look forward to continuing to work alongside her to support and uplift small businesses throughout New York City.”

“Delia Awusi is a true leader in New York City’s small business community. Through her work at the Business Outreach Center Network and her partnership with us and supporting the PowerUP Business Plan Competition, she has guided countless entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses,” said Winnie Siclait, Programs Manager at Brooklyn Public Library. “She is the trusted voice we turn to for guidance, the mentor who counsels our winning entrepreneurs, and the educator who equips new business owners with the tools they need to succeed. Her passion and unwavering commitment make her uniquely positioned to lead the charge in empowering small businesses in driving economic growth and helping revitalize communities across the city.”

“For many years, Delia worked with small businesses. She has been deeply committed to supporting small businesses throughout the Brooklyn area for decades. She is driven by a passion for helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into sustainable, thriving business ventures. She has had the privilege of working closely with diverse business owners, understanding their unique challenges, and guiding them through critical stages of growth—from startup to expansion,” said Dr. Elaine Powell-Belnavis, Former Economic Development Specialist Small Business Administration SBA NY office. “She plays a key role in assisting women owned businesses by providing them with important workshops needed to help them grow, expand and succeed. Her work with small businesses has reinforced her belief that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Small businesses help our communities to be viable. Small businesses deserve dedicated, hands-on support from the federal, state and city governments as well as the private sector to be competitive in this economy.”

“As a small business owner, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of Delia’s leadership at BOC. Her vision and unwavering commitment to expanding access and equipping businesses to compete for real opportunities have been truly transformative,” said Nicole McCullum, CEO & Founder of Captivate Designs. “Delia leads with intention and heart—she understands the challenges entrepreneurs face and works every day to break down barriers and create pathways to success. She doesn’t just build programs—she creates lasting opportunities for real people on the ground to grow, compete, and thrive.”

“In 2022, I found Delia at the Women’s Business Outreach Center while looking for guidance on how to turn my experience as a physical therapist into contract opportunities with New York City,” said Dr. Lola Omishore – Founder and CEO of TheraMotive. “She connected me with a BOC specialist who supported me from start to finish in becoming a certified Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise which made my bids more competitive. On my first attempt, I won not one, but two contracts with the Department of Probation, thanks in large part to Delia’s guidance and support.” 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends Easter Sunday services at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

NEW YORK — In his first 100 days in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani moved swiftly to deliver on his promise to protect New Yorkers, advancing policies centered on health, safety, and dignity — especially for those most often left behind.

“Protecting New Yorkers demands action rooted in justice, equity and care,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “In our first 100 days, we took concrete steps to increase public health and safety, protect vulnerable and historically disenfranchised communities, and reaffirm New York as a place of refuge and possibility.”

Advancing True Public Safety

Mayor Mamdani advanced a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that prioritizes prevention, transparency and fairness. Actions include: 

• Driving crime to historically low levels in the first three months, including record-low incidents of murder, shootings, and burglaries 
• Appointing the City’s first Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and creating the first-ever Office of Community Safety 
• Codifying the release of body-worn camera footage within 30 days of critical incidents, strengthening accountability  
• Ending criminal enforcement for low-level traffic offenses involving e-bike riders and cyclists 

Protecting Immigrant New Yorkers

In the face of escalating federal threats, the Mamdani administration acted decisively to defend immigrant communities and uphold New York’s legacy as a sanctuary city. Actions include:  

• Launching a Know Your Rights campaign in 10 languages and distributing 30,000 flyers through houses of worship 
• Signing Executive Order 13 to reinforce sanctuary protections by:  
  • Prohibiting ICE from entering City properties — including schools, shelters, and hospitals — without a judicial warrant 
  • Strengthening data privacy protections 
  • Ordering agency audits and creating a crisis-response task force  

Reforming the Corrections System

The Mamdani Administration committed to closing Rikers Island while advancing immediate reforms to ensure humane conditions for those in custody and those who work in the system. Actions include:

• Ordering full compliance with the City’s ban on solitary confinement and Board of Correction minimum standards  
• Appointing Stanley Richards as Department of Correction commissioner, the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the department 
• Opening the first Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, expanding access to specialized care for the most clinically vulnerable at Rikers Island.  

Responding to Severe Winter Storms

During one of the harshest winters in recent years, the administration mobilized a large-scale response to keep New Yorkers safe and the city operational. Actions include:  

• Expanding NotifyNYC to nearly 1.5 million subscribers 
• Implementing the first-ever 24-hour Code Blue, opening new warming centers, deploying new warming buses and transitioning approximately 2,000 placements of unsheltered New Yorkers into shelter between January 19 and March 4 

Keeping New Yorkers Healthy

The Mamdani Administration prioritized access to care and services that allow all New Yorkers to live with dignity. Actions include:  

• Closing the dilapidated 30th Street Shelter, while maintaining overall shelter capacity  
• Opening the City’s first-ever pet inclusive family shelter at Magnolia Gardens and a new HELP Women’s Intake Shelter in East New York 
• Investing $20 million in perinatal and early childhood mental health through the Strong Foundations Initiative 
• Launching a $1 million public campaign to promote vaccinations 
• Expanding overdose prevention services and opening new youth health clinics in Brooklyn and Queens 

Protecting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers

Mayor Mamdani established the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs to lead policies and programs supporting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

He appointed civil rights attorney Taylor Brown — the first openly transgender person to lead a New York City agency — to head the office, marking a historic step toward inclusive leadership.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani releases the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan (REP) and the inaugural NYC True Cost of Living (TCOL) Measure, two reports that together establish a new framework for how New York City measures affordability, understands inequity and plans for a more equitable future. Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn. Monday, April 6, 2026. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

WNYC to Host Mayor Zohran Mamdani for First 100 Days Conversation  

“Mamdani’s First 100 Days: Lessons from La Guardia” to feature interview with WNYC’s Brigid Bergin, followed by audience Q&A at WNYC’s The Greene Space

Event to be livestreamed on WNYC’s YouTube Channel

Monday, April 20, 7-8:30pm 

NEW YORK, NY — April 8, 2026 — WNYC today announced a live public conversation with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to mark his first 100 days in office on Monday, April 20.

Mamdani frequently invokes former Mayor Fiorello La Guardia as inspiration for making the city more affordable through an expansion of public services. “Mamdani’s First 100 Days: Lessons from La Guardia” will explore the mayor’s progress to date, and the historical precedents shaping his approach.

The evening will feature a conversation with Mamdani and WNYC’s Senior Politics Reporter Brigid Bergin, followed by audience Q&A.

The program will also feature a panel discussion with Melissa Mark-Viverito, President of Hamilton Campaign Network, and former Speaker of the New York City Council; Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Library, and former Schools Chancellor and Deputy Mayor under Michael Bloomberg; and Kim Phillips-Fein, Robert Gardiner-Kenneth T. Jackson Professor of History at Columbia University, for insights from past administrations. This history will be illustrated through audio and imagery of Mayor La Guardia from WNYC’s extensive archives, offering context on his legacy.

“We welcome Mayor Mamdani’s visit as he marks his first 100 days and shares his vision for the city,” said Christy Tanner, President and CEO of New York Public Radio. “NYPR is an institution that has long reflected the voices of NYC. Hosting Mayor Mamdani for a public dialogue in The Greene Space, and giving New Yorkers a voice in that conversation, is a fitting testament to that commitment.”

“Mamdani’s First 100 Days: Lessons from La Guardia” will take place before a live audience of CUNY and community college students from all five boroughs in The Greene Space. Seating is extremely limited; the event will be livestreamed on WNYC’s YouTube channel.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani fills the City’s 100,000th pothole on Olympia Boulevard on Staten Island, marking the highest number of potholes filled in the first 100 days of a year in more than a decade on Monday, April 6, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends JFREJ’s Seder in the Streets in Union Square Park on Monday, April 6, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

TRANSCRIPT: MAYOR MAMDANI JOINS REV. SHARPTON TO DELIVER REMARKS FOR NAN’S 35TH ANNUAL CONVENTION RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY  

Banner Image: Mayor Zohran Mamdani releases the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan (REP) and the inaugural NYC True Cost of Living (TCOL) Measure, two reports that together establish a new framework for how New York City measures affordability, understands inequity and plans for a more equitable future. Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn. Monday, April 6, 2026. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.