Launch of Tracker Fulfills Key Recommendation of Mayor Adams’ Capital Process Reform Task Force
Capital Projects Tracker, Mandated by Local Law 37 of 2020 Allows Users to View Status and Budget of All Capital Projects From Major Agencies
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander today announced the launch of a new capital projects tracker that will serve as a public dashboard that brings radical transparency to the city’s capital spending. For the first time ever, the city will publish a user-friendly tracker that details all projects from major capital agencies. The tracker delivers on one of the key recommendations put forth by the Capital Process Reform Task Force, convened by Mayor Adams in April 2022.
“I’m a strong believer that if you don’t inspect what you expect, it’s all suspect. With the launch of the capital projects tracker, we’re allowing New Yorkers to inspect what they expect from public infrastructure projects,” said Mayor Adams. “This tool is more than just data — it’s a testament to our dedication to serving the public with integrity, clarity, and innovation. As we continue to invest in our city’s infrastructure, it’s paramount that our residents have full visibility and trust in our processes.”
“For over a decade, I’ve been pushing for a comprehensive capital projects tracker to provide public transparency and support managerial improvements to help get New York City’s schools, parks, bridges and roads, resiliency, and other infrastructure projects built on-time and on-budget. I’m thrilled that it has finally arrived,” said Comptroller Lander. “I am thankful to Mayor Adams and his team for delivering the capital projects tracker and for their broader partnership in prioritizing infrastructure and capital process reform. Better capital projects delivery will help to save the city money, create good jobs, nurture flourishing neighborhoods, support a thriving economy, and build a resilient future in the face of climate change.”
“New Yorkers deserve to know how their government is serving them — and that starts with delivering on transparency,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “This new tracker fulfills promises laid out by this administration’s Capital Process Task Force to finally remove the veil covering capital spending. All of this was made possible through the power of breaking down siloes, removing red tape, and bringing together a cross-government approach to bring long-deserved visibility to New Yorkers.”
“New Yorkers deserve to know how our government is investing in our city’s infrastructure,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Insight into construction progress at schools, parks, public space, water treatment facilities, sewers, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure is essential for public accountability — accountability that is even more important as New York City is investing billions of dollars in transformative infrastructure that will protect our city from climate change, delivering high-quality green and public space. This capital projects tracker is another way we’re innovating to get these critical projects done, so New Yorkers can enjoy their benefits.”
“The only way to manage the city's vast infrastructure portfolio is through high-quality data,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations Dan Steinberg. “The capital projects tracker is not just an online tool — it’s an open door for New Yorkers to see how their city evolves and adapts, brick by brick, and to hold their government accountable for the timely delivery of crucial infrastructure projects at every scale.”
The capital projects tracker — mandated by Local Law 37, and which was sponsored by then-New York City Councilmember Lander — provides a detailed view into the city’s construction projects, spanning critical infrastructure such as bridges, sewers, sanitation, and parks. The tracker merges schedule information from agency project management systems with budget information in the city’s Financial Management System. The tracker includes the total cost, current phase, and projected completion date projects, as well as additional details for all construction. In providing greater public insight into the status of capital projects, the tracker will help improve the overall capital process, which hinges on the availability of high-quality data throughout the project lifecycle.
The task force is comprised of leaders from the construction industry, labor, and minority- and women-owned business enterprises, along with city agencies and the Comptroller’s Office. The group was tasked with undertaking a top-down review of the city’s capital process and recommending reforms, from project initiation to closeout. Earlier this year, the task force released a slate of 39 recommendations to cut years off the process for delivering public works — helping to save valuable taxpayer dollars in the process and increasing public participation. In spring 2022, in partnership with elected officials in Albany, the task force delivered on much of its state legislative agenda, and expects to continue work on the remainder of the agenda during this coming session.
Additionally, the Adams administration outlined an ambitious set of future enhancements to the dashboard that further strengthen its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Future improvements to the tracker will include:
- Refining the website design to improve the user experience;
- Adding an interactive map showcasing detailed mapping and geocoding for each project; and
Implementing a comprehensive system of project classifications, enabling New Yorkers to filter projects based on criteria like infrastructure type and climate or environmental priority.
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