MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW INVESTMENTS, TOTALING OVER $400 MILLION, TO FULLY FUND TRANSFORMATION OF FIFTH AVENUE INTO WORLD-CLASS, PEDESTRIAN CENTERED BOULEVARD AS PART OF “BEST BUDGET EVER”

 

$250 Million in New Investments for Future of Fifth Will Strengthen Historic Corridor’s Economic Engine and Increase Job Creation, Making New York City More Affordable by Providing Good-Paying Jobs for Working-Class New Yorkers 

  

Plan Includes Widened, Greened Sidewalks, Prioritizing Pedestrians, and Expanded Public Space 

  

Since 2022 Project Launch, Corridor Has Seen Nearly $4 Billion in Real Estate Sales, Showing Significant Enthusiasm in Future of Fifth 

  

Announcement Follows Mayor Adams’ Unveiling of “Best Budget Ever,” Which Invests in Affordability, Public Safety, and Quality-of-Life Issues New Yorkers Care Most About

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that total investments of over $400 million to fully fund the city and the Future of Fifth Partnership's plan to transform Fifth Avenue — between Bryant Park and Central Park — into a world-class, pedestrian-centered boulevard, cementing the iconic corridor's status as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in New York City. Mayor Adams is providing an additional $250 million in new investments today to build on the $152.7 million initial investment he first announced in December 2024. Part of Mayor Adams’ Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget — referred to often as the city’s “Best Budget Ever” — the total $402 million project represents the first major redesign in the avenue's 200-year history and is projected to pay for itself in less than five years through increased property and sales tax revenue. The project is the culmination of years of support building through the administration’s remarkably successful Holiday Open Streets along Fifth Avenue. The event temporarily pedestrianized the avenue and nearby streets for the holiday season and boosted the sales of nearby businesses.   

  

“Fifth Avenue is a bustling boulevard of shopping, restaurants, businesses, and tourism, with more people walking down the street every hour than fill Madison Square Garden during a sold-out Knicks game. Thanks to hundreds of millions of new dollars we are infusing into Fifth, we are finally making what has been called ‘America’s Street of Dreams’ a pedestrian paradise by making it more walkable, greener, and safer,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to our ‘Best Budget Ever,’ we are bringing total investments up to over $400 million as we reclaim space for New Yorkers, their families, and tourists, and cement Fifth Avenue’s status as an economic engine and job creator for all five boroughs. What’s more is that these investments will pay for themself within five years of completion, marking a huge win for New York City. Thank you to the Fifth Avenue Association, Grand Central Partnership, Central Park Conservancy, and the Bryant Park Corporation, as well as our local elected officials, for their partnership throughout this generational project.” 

Courtesy of the New York City Economic Development Corporation 

“Fifth Avenue has long been our ‘Street of Dreams,’ so it’s time to invest in its future,” said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. “And when this project is done, from Midtown Manhattan to Central Park, we will have a tree-lined, pedestrian mecca that rivals the Champs Elysees thanks to Mayor Adams’ foresight and commitment to this transformational project. The greatest city in the world deserves to have the greatest boulevard in the world, and now, we will have it.” 

  

“Strolling Fifth Avenue during the holidays and year-round should be a delight, not a contact sport,” said New York City Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “Thanks to $400 million in funding from the Adams administration, in partnership with Madelyn Wils and the Fifth Avenue Association, it will be. This iconic boulevard is getting the above- and below-ground upgrades it deserves, not only to deliver a great personal experience for the people who live, work, and visit the avenue, but support its outsized economic and social role in our city.” 

  

“This historic investment is going to reinvigorate one of the world’s most important streets and set the stage for another triumphant 200 years on Fifth Avenue,” said Madelyn Wils, CEO, Fifth Avenue Association, and co-chair, Future of Fifth Steering Committee. “Hundreds of thousands of people come to Fifth Avenue every day — and most of them are pedestrians. This visionary plan will rebalance and reinvigorate Fifth Avenue to better serve both New Yorkers and tourists alike. I applaud Mayor Adams for his leadership in advancing this bold vision for Fifth Avenue and look forward to partnering with the city on turning it into a reality.” 

 

Fifth Avenue is currently 100 feet wide, comprised of five lanes of vehicular traffic and two 23-foot sidewalks. Even though pedestrians make up 70 percent of all traffic on the corridor, sidewalks account for only 46 percent of the space. Each block serves approximately 5,500 pedestrians an hour on an average weekday and up to 23,000 people an hour during the holidays — the equivalent of a full Madison Square Garden plus 4,000 additional people. The current configuration can no longer accommodate this volume of foot traffic, especially given that only 15 feet on either side is unobstructed for walking; the rest is occupied by street infrastructure like signage, bus stops, lighting, and trash cans. 

  

The redesign along this stretch of Fifth Avenue will expand sidewalks by 46 percent, shorten pedestrian crossings by a third, reduce the number of traffic lanes from five to three, and add plantings and lighting to make for a more walkable, greener, and safer avenue. The city will begin construction to update much-needed underground sewer and water main upgrades, which will enable underground and aboveground work to be done concurrently and efficiently.  

  

The design nearly doubles the width of the sidewalks to 33.5 feet each, expanding clear pedestrian space to 25 feet on each side and adding another 8.5-foot-wide section for trees, planters, and an alternative pedestrian path. These changes will reduce crossing lengths by more than a third, boosting pedestrian safety along the avenue. Beyond rebalancing Fifth Avenue's space to reflect its usage, the new design also greens the corridor with more than 230 new trees and 20,000 square feet of planters, new seating and activation space, better lighting, and more.  

  

Greening Fifth Avenue will create additional shade cover to protect against heat and innovative stormwater infrastructure to prevent flooding. The design draws inspiration from Fifth Avenue's historic landmarks and art deco influences, heightening the iconic architectural features integral to the avenue's visual identity. It is also inspired by other iconic shopping street redesigns, including the Champs Elysees in Paris; Calle Serrano in Madrid; Bond, Oxford, and Regent Streets in London; and Ginza in Tokyo. The effort builds on the core tenets of the "New" New York action plan, which identified public space as a key force for the city's economic recovery. 

  

Fifth Avenue has long been a major driver of economic growth for New York City. The avenue is responsible for 313,000 direct and indirect jobs, which, in turn, generate $44.1 billion in total wages and $111.5 billion in total economic output each year. Moreover, since Mayor Adams announced this project in December 2022 , Fifth Avenue has experienced an unprecedented wave of investment in commercial renovations, record-breaking sales, and leasing activity. Since 2023, there have been more than 10 commercial real estate sales on Fifth Avenue, totaling $3.9 billion. And while the street has made huge strides in rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic — with 80 percent of foot traffic having returned — this project will help propel this growth and attract more people back to this vital stretch of Fifth Avenue for decades to come. 

  

In 2023, the Adams administration launched the Future of Fifth public-private partnership, which brings city agencies together with the Fifth Avenue Association, the Grand Central Partnership, the Central Park Conservancy, and the Bryant Park Corporation to further this project. The group selected firms Arcadis, Sam Schwartz, and Field Operations to lead the design and study, and schematic design is underway and slated for completion by the summer of 2025.  

  

“The redesign of Fifth Avenue will help turn this iconic corridor into a world-class public space that’s safer, more vibrant, and welcoming for everyone who walks, shops, and works there,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Thanks to critical funding from the Adams administration, we’re transforming this iconic street into a greener, more accessible space that reflects the needs of a thriving city. The Future of Fifth is a bold investment in our public realm — and a major step toward making this project a reality.” 

  

“This investment in the transformation of Fifth Avenue is a major step forward for public space,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “By expanding sidewalks, planting hundreds of shade-giving trees, and integrating green infrastructure, we’re not only making the corridor more beautiful — we’re creating a more sustainable, livable city. Our agency is proud to support a project that reflects a shared commitment to a greener, more pedestrian-friendly future for New York.” 

  

“Transforming Fifth Avenue, from Bryant Park to Central Park, to better serve the flow of pedestrian traffic also means investing in the vital underground infrastructure that keeps our city flowing,” said New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This redesign presents a unique opportunity for DEP to efficiently upgrade century-old water mains and sewer pipes along this iconic corridor, while our project partners carry out aboveground improvements. Thanks to Mayor Adams’ leadership, the creation of a world-class public space on this renowned stretch of Fifth Avenue is now within reach.” 

  

“New York City’s Fifth Avenue is a global destination that has long been an engine for the city’s bustling economy” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “This historic investment will transform the iconic thoroughfare into a safer, greener, and more accessible pedestrian-centric area, poised to drive economic activity and job creation for the city. The Future of Fifth project symbolizes this administration’s commitment to leveraging public space as fuel to bolster our economy, and deliver 24/7 live, work, and play neighborhoods.” 

  

“This transformative investment reaffirms Fifth Avenue’s status as one of the world’s most iconic destinations. said Hilary Spann, executive vice president, New York Region, BXP. “With the mayor’s support, we’re creating a more elegant, accessible, and pedestrian-focused corridor — one that will continue to attract global businesses and serve as a vibrant hub for generations to come.”  

 

“Fifth Avenue is one of the world’s most famous and iconic commercial corridors and its significance and vitality will only multiply by the financial commitment being made by Mayor Adams and his administration,” said Fred Cerullo, president and CEO, Grand Central Partnership. “Implementing this new plan will strengthen the continued revitalization and envisioning of Midtown East and serve to establish a whole new Future of Fifth!” 

 

 “We’re thrilled to see the Future of Fifth project moving forward,” said Dan Biederman, president, Bryant Park Corporation. “Fifth Avenue’s streetscape has long needed a thoughtful update, and we’re proud that Bryant Park anchors one end of this ambitious plan.”  

  

“The Future of Fifth plan is a bold initiative that will transform Fifth Avenue between Central Park and Bryant Park into a world-class, pedestrian-friendly boulevard,” said Betsy Smith, president and CEO, Central Park Conservancy. “I commend Mayor Adams for steering this public-private partnership and committing the necessary resources to get the job done. The Central Park Conservancy is proud to have partnered on a plan that will bring beautiful new trees, plantings, and more pedestrian space to every single block and restore a sense of refinement to one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world.” 

  

Permits Filed for 581 East 161st Street in Morrisania, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for an 11-story mixed-use building at 581 East 161st Street in Morrisania, The Bronx. Located between Eagle Avenue and St. Ann’s Avenue, the lot is near the Prospect Avenue subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Edward Poppiti of H.O.G.A.R., Inc., a non-profit known as Housing Options and Geriatric Association Resources, is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 111-foot-tall development will yield 49,893 square feet, with 29,276 square feet designated for community facility space and 20,616 square feet for residential space. The building will have 83 residences, with an average unit scope of 248 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have two cellar levels and a 31-foot-long rear yard.

Anthony Shitemi of Urban Architectural Initiatives is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

KRVC - Join us for Riverdale Celebrates Pride!

 

Join Us for Riverdale Celebrates Pride! 

KRVC is proud to sponsor this amazing event! 

Organized by:

The 4Bronx Project 

Sunday, June 1, 2025

2pm-5pm

Riverdale Neighborhood House 

5521 Mosholu Ave

Bronx, NY 10471

 Join us for an amazing time of love and community! This event is to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. 

Thank you to Riverdale Neighborhood House for hosting. They are an amazing community partner in this event and a major ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Thank you to the top-tier sponsors for supporting the celebration.

Our PLATINUM SPONSOR! 

RiverSpring Living 

Thank you to our DIAMOND SPONSORS! 

NY Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital

Aaron and Geoff Team at Compass

Riverdale Country School

The Riverdale Y

More levels of sponsorship will be announced soon! 

What you can expect:

• Drag Queens
• Resources 
• Giveaways
• Live Entertainment 
• DJ
• Musical BINGO
• Karaoke Idol
• Pop-up shop with local artisans 
• Art Station 
• Family Fun Activities
• Games and Prizes
• Dozens of organizations tabling 
• Dog Parade 

More exciting announcements to be made! 

Join us! There is still time to sponsor and be part of the fun!

We also have a couple of spots available to become a vendor.

Please email laura4bronx@gmail.com for information. 

Please follow @laura4bronx to stay "in the know"! 

Riverdale, we are excited to celebrate Pride with you!

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES WORKS FROM INDIVIDUALS RECOVERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS FEATURED AT THE EMPIRE STATE PLAZA IN ALBANY

 

Temporary Gallery of Artwork from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center’s ‘Living Museum’ in Queens Now on Display at the South Concourse Through May

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced that the Empire State Plaza will host a public exhibition of work produced by artists from the Living Museum, an internationally renowned hub of artists who are recovering from mental illness at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens. Hosted in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, the gallery features 60 reproductions and will be on display on easels at the south end of the plaza’s concourse level through the end of May.

 

“This beautiful artwork by artists from the Living Museum is on display at the Empire State Plaza Concourse through the end of May for Mental Health Awareness Month,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “It showcases the remarkable talent of these artists and is a powerful message of hope and recovery for all New Yorkers living with mental health challenges. I encourage all visitors to our Capital Region to take a moment to visit this temporary gallery and see the important role the arts can play in mental well-being.”

 

“OGS is proud to join the Office of Mental Health during Mental Health Awareness Month in providing the public with an opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by artwork from the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center’s Living Museum in Queens,” Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. “We hope this exhibit at the Empire State Plaza will help erase the stigma associated with mental illness and that art will continue serving as an outlet for those on the way to recovery.”

 

The gallery features reproductions of work from 16 artists working in the Living Museum, each living with mental illness, along with their pictures and a personal statement about themselves. The work featured at the concourse can also be viewed in a special gallery OMH is featuring online.

 

Located on Creedmoor’s campus in Queens Village, the Living Museum provides an art studio dedicated to artwork produced by residents of Creedmoor programs. The studio was established in 1983 after Dr. Janos Marton, a psychologist at Creedmoor, invited Polish artist Bolek Greczynski to join the hospital staff.

 

Together, Marton and Greczynski –who became the museum’s first director –transformed an abandoned cafeteria building on the campus into the studio. Now one of the largest of its kind, the museum supports roughly 70 individuals and has served as an international inspiration for recovery through the arts.

 

“The Living Museum is a world-class program of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, the largest state operated psychiatric center in New York City and the second largest in New York State,” Creedmoor Executive Director Dr. Martha Sullivan said. “This exhibit is representative of the recovery so many of our patients have achieved and the high-quality inpatient, residential and outpatient care we provide to individuals and their families to have stable, meaningful lives in the community.”

 

The museum now features 45,000 square feet of space, more than 10,000 individual pieces of artwork, and includes a performance space for musicians. Watch a video feature on the Living Museum.

“Free from outside pressures, the Living Museum provides an inviting space for Creedmoor patients to express themselves, process their feelings, and communicate their thoughts,” Museum Director Dr. Mitra Reyhani Ghadim said. “With international recognition, this facility continues to serve as a junction where art connects with life through creative work, and as an inspiration for countless others living with mental illness.”

Governor Hochul Announces Dramatic Decline in Overdose Deaths in New York State

Historic 32 Percent Drop Reported in Overdose Deaths Across State in 2024

Lowest Overdose Death Toll Since Before COVID-19 Pandemic

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced preliminary figures from the Centers for Disease Control verifying her fight to reduce drug overdose deaths in New York State. Findings reveal a 32 percent drop in drug related deaths in 2024, compared to those in 2023. New York State’s historic investments have been important in contributing to addressing the opioid and overdose epidemic and bringing new services to all areas of the state. The Governor continues her pledge to reach high-need and underserved individuals and populations.

“These numbers are further validation of our commitment to investing in real solutions which address the negative impacts of the opioid epidemic,” Governor Hochul said. “We continue to expand and enhance services across the state, ensuring New Yorkers in need can access these lifesaving resources.”

An estimated 4,567 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose in 2024, compared to 6,688 in 2023. Approximately 77 percent of these deaths involved an opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl. More information about these figures can be found on the NYS Overdose Death Dashboard.

New York State has instituted a series of innovative new programs that have helped contribute to this drop in overdose deaths. This includes making nearly $400 million in Opioid Settlement Funds available, which is the most of any state in the country. This funding is supporting various initiatives including efforts to increase medication for addiction, linking high-need individuals to services through outreach and referral programs as well as transportation services, funding recovery centers to provide recovery support services, supporting initiatives to recruit and train the addiction workforce, and public awareness activities to inform people on the risks of substance use and where they can find help.

In addition, OASAS established a new online ordering portal that allows any state resident to order fentanyl and xylazine test strips and naloxone for free. To date, more than 13.2 million fentanyl test strips, 10 million xylazine test strips, and 296,000 naloxone kits have been ordered through this portal. The State Department of Health has distributed more than 537,600 naloxone kits from January 2024 to April 2025.

The New York State Department of Health has over 1,300 opioid overdose registered programs with over 5,000 sites across New York State who provide opioid overdose prevention trainings and naloxone at no cost to the participant. Further, the State has increased funding to amplify the range of services provided by community-based drug user health hubs. These act as a safety net for the most vulnerable New Yorkers and offer services including information on opioid overdose prevention, hepatitis C treatment, access to harm reduction services, and more rapid access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. The Department of Health’s opioid data dashboards also provide opioid-related data to support statewide prevention efforts.

The State has also funded Mobile Medication Units (MMUs) which provide medication for addiction treatment and other services and resources, bringing these services directly to underserved communities and addressing barriers that keep some people from seeking treatment. Funding has been provided to establish 11 of these units across the State, and the FY26 Enacted Budget includes additional funding to further increase the number of MMUs.

New York's MATTERS referral network has contributed to the increase in linkage to care and access to treatments like buprenorphine. MATTERS is a statewide rapid referral network to outpatient services for individuals with opioid use disorder in emergency departments, obstetrician and gynecologist offices, correctional facilities, inpatient units, pre-hospital settings, community-based clinics and peer navigation services.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential or outpatient care can be found on the NYS OASAS website.

 

Attorney General James Urges Federal Court to Keep U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Civil Rights Offices Open

Coalition of Attorneys General Opposes DHS’s Closure of Three Offices Created to Address Civil Rights Violations within DHS and Provide Direct Case Assistance to Noncitizens

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to maintain three offices within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that are meant to oversee the agency, protect people’s civil rights, and help noncitizens with immigration matters. In March, DHS announced plans to shut down three offices within the agency, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman), and the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), that were created by Congress to exercise oversight of various DHS programs. The offices’ sudden closure affects pending complaints and investigations and did not provide individuals or employers any alternative avenue for redress. Attorney General James and the coalition argue in an amicus brief that DHS‘s unilateral closure of congressionally mandated offices exceeds its statutory and constitutional authority and will harm the states’ residents and employers who interact with DHS.

“The Department of Homeland Security cannot singlehandedly shut down congressionally mandated offices that were created to ensure the agency abides by the law,” said Attorney General James. “Shutting down DHS’s civil rights office and other offices that provide immigration services is dangerous and unprecedented. I stand with my fellow attorneys general in urging the court to keep these offices open so that people can continue to get the services they need, and DHS can be held accountable if and when it violates the law.”

In March, despite congressional objection, DHS announced that it would unilaterally abolish three offices, CRCL, the CIS Ombudsman, and OIDO, through reductions-in-force. Attorney General James and the coalition write in their brief that shutting down these offices will impact residents in New York and other states who rely on these offices for various services. For example, prior to its closure, the CIS Ombudsman provided direct assistance, ranging from employment authorization to naturalization, for noncitizens and employers in tens of thousands of immigration benefits cases each year. In 2023 alone, the CIS Ombudsman received 2,757 requests from New York.

The attorneys general assert that without the services provided by the CIS Ombudsman, thousands of individuals in New York and other states will likely face denials or extreme delays in obtaining vital immigration benefits such as work and student visas, work authorizations, and green cards. Moreover, the coalition argues that the closing of the CIS Ombudsman will be costly for many states that issue grants to fund legal assistance programs to help their residents apply for T- and U-visas, asylum, or temporary protected status.

In their brief, the attorneys general warn that without the ability to make complaints to OIDO or to rely on OIDO’s site visits and unannounced facility inspections, detained individuals are likely to face unsanitary and dangerous conditions. Prior to its abrupt closure, OIDO’s case managers conducted hundreds of monthly site visits and unannounced inspections at detention facilities across the country. At site visits, case managers provided direct, face-to-face assistance to detained individuals. The inspections allowed OIDO to identify and remedy systemic conditions such as critically low medical staffing levels, leaking roofs, and mold in living areas. The OIDO also responded to thousands of complaints from detainees annually about issues related to living conditions and medical care.

Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the court to restore these offices to continue the services that employers and residents rely on and to continue oversight of various DHS programs.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Head of Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Sentenced to 87 Months for $62.8M Investment Fraud Scheme

 

A New York man was sentenced yesterday in the Northern District of Georgia to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay over $45 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to defraud investors in connection with commercial real estate investments in Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida.

According to court documents, beginning in May 2022, Elchonon “Elie” Schwartz, 46, of New York City, engaged in a scheme to defraud commercial real estate investors that invested through the crowdfunding investment website, CrowdStreet Marketplace. Schwartz raised over $62.8 million from hundreds of investors through CrowdStreet, including approximately $54 million for a large commercial real estate complex in Atlanta, Georgia, and approximately $8.8 million for a mixed-use building in Miami Beach, Florida. When soliciting investments, Schwartz represented to CrowdStreet investors that he would safeguard their funds in segregated bank accounts, not commingle the investors’ money, and only use it to fund the investment in each property.

Over the course of the scheme, however, Schwartz directed substantially all the CrowdStreet investor money into his personal bank account, personal brokerage account, and accounts for unrelated commercial real estate investments he controlled. He used the CrowdStreet investor funds to purchase luxury watches, invest in stocks and options in his brokerage account, and cover payroll expenses for his unrelated commercial real estate businesses. Ultimately, in mid-July 2023, the two corporate entities that Schwartz had formed to receive funds from CrowdStreet investors both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“Yesterday a federal judge sentenced Elchonon Schwartz to 87 months for defrauding investors out of more than 60 million dollars through lies and deceit as part of a real estate scheme,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Criminal Division. “The defendant made fraudulent representations to investors and misappropriated their money to buy luxury watches and to deposit into his brokerage and bank accounts instead of investing it as promised. The Criminal Division remains dedicated to prosecuting fraudsters who steal investors’ hard-earned savings to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Schwartz’s greed was boundless,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “He callously abused the trust of hundreds of investors to line his own bank accounts, purchase expensive watches, and buy additional luxury items. Schwartz’s sentence reflects our office’s commitment to hold fraudsters accountable for exploiting investors who innocently rely on their false representations.”

“This sentencing underscores that those who exploit the trust of investors for personal gain will be held accountable,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office. “Mr. Schwartz’s actions caused significant financial harm to hundreds of individuals, and hopefully today’s outcome delivers a measure of justice for the victims.”

In February 2025, Schwartz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case. The Justice Department appreciates the valuable assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES ARTIST AND UNVEILS DESIGNS FOR NEW MEMORIAL HONORING FALLEN POST-9/11 SERVICE MEMBERS

 

Douwe Blumberg Chosen as Artist for “Flames of Honor,” Queens Memorial Recognizing at Least 100 Service Members Who Sacrificed Their Lives in Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan 

  

Full Designs for Memorial Available Online 

  

Part of National Military Appreciation Month, New York City’s Fleet Week, and Lead up to Memorial Day, Adams Administration Launches “Veterans and Service Members’ Week,” Uplifting City’s Efforts to Serve those Who Have Served the United States  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) Commissioner James W. Hendon today continued “Veterans and Service Members’ Week,” as part of national Military Appreciation Month and the lead up to Memorial Day, by unveiling initial designs for a new memorial honoring the at least 100 fallen post-9/11 service members from New York City who made the ultimate sacrifice during their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The memorial — titled “Flames of Honor” and which will be located in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens — was first announced during last year’s Fleet Week reception and will be designed by artist Douwe Blumberg. During Veterans and Service Members’ Week, Mayor Adams is paying special tribute to the over 13,000 active service members who call New York City home, the 210,000 veterans who live in the five boroughs, and all those who lost their lives while serving their nation and who resided in New York. 

“Flames of Honor” — designed by nationally-recognized artist Douwe Blumberg — will pay tribute to the 100 service members who lost their lives in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Credit: Douwe Blumberg. 

“Our fallen soldiers gave their last measure of devotion defending the American Dream, and we could not call ourselves the greatest city on the globe if we did not give them the tribute they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “With this memorial, we will honor a new generation of souls who gave their lives far too early in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and say ‘thank you’ to our service members and veterans every day of the year with a beautiful space for remembrance and reflection. Thank you to Douwe Blumberg for his thoughtful design and, above all, to our service members who put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedom, especially in this post-9/11 world.” 

  

“This memorial will stand as a permanent reminder that the cost of war is not measured in years or deployments but in lives forever changed, birthdays missed, memories unshared, and time with loved ones that can never be reclaimed,” said DVS Commissioner Hendon. “‘Flames of Honor’ will give New Yorkers a sacred space to grieve, to reflect, and to remember those we’ve lost since 9/11 — not just as service members, but as sons, daughters, neighbors, and friends.” 

  

“To the New Yorkers and all service members who gave their lives for our country, we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “We're delighted and honored to work with artist Douwe Blumberg to realize his vision of 'Flames of Honor,' which will pay tribute to our fallen soldiers while providing everyone with a contemplative space to reflect on their lives and honor their sacrifice.” 

  

“I am humbled and honored to use my artistic gifts to help the City of New York pay tribute to those who have sacrificed everything for their nation. My hope is that this piece of fine art reminds us and future generations of their humanity and personhood,” said Douwe Blumberg. “This work is a unique fusion of artistic visions, which will impact and engage a diverse audience with the legacy of these fallen heroes for generations to come.”  

  

Following an open call for submissions by DVS and DCLA, the city received dozens of submissions for the new memorial. A diverse advisory panel of individuals from New York City’s veteran community reviewed these submissions, ultimately choosing Blumberg’s design for its mixture of modern and traditional styles, its deep and meaningful symbolism, and its use of space to promote reflection and remembrance. 

  

Flames of Honor will be built on the waterfront in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens, the borough home to the largest number of post-9/11 service members who were killed in action. Queens is also the borough with the highest population of living veterans. The new memorial is part of the Utopia Parkway Seawall Replacement and Street Improvements project led by the New York City Department of Transportation and the New York City Economic Development Corporation that will incorporate a bike path, pedestrian walkway, and rebuilt bulkheads to revitalize the area and mitigate storm risk for the surrounding neighborhood. 

  

In addition to commemorating the nearly 100 service members from New York City, as well as the total 7,064 service members, who lost their lives in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Flames of Honor will also serve as a lasting "thank you" and "welcome home" to the post-9/11 veteran community. This site will provide a space for future commemorations, honoring both the fallen and the broader veteran community. 

  

The son of a World War II veteran, Blumberg has been widely recognized for his work as a sculptor and artist. After attending the University of Southern California’s Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, as well as four additional years of sculpture and metal working study, he shifted his career to focus on horse training before eventually returning to the arts. Douwe has since completed well over 200 private and public commissions across New York, California, Colorado, Kentucky, and other states. In addition to numerous awards, residencies, and shows to his credit, Blumberg has been hailed by former U.S. President Joseph Biden as being “America’s Greatest Sculptor.” He previously designed “America’s Response Monument” currently located at the World Trade Center site to pay tribute to U.S. Army Special Forces who responded to the 9/11 attacks. 

  

 “Veterans have been overlooked by City Hall for far too long, so these announcements are a meaningful step in the right direction,” said New York City Councilmember Robert Holden. “I look forward to working with both sides of City Hall to deliver what our veterans have earned — including supportive housing, investment in our VSOs, relief from burdensome bureaucratic regulations and fines on our Posts and Halls, and real funding for groundbreaking PTSD treatments like Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories.” 

  

“This memorial is more than just stone and sculpture – it’s a lasting tribute to the 99 heroes from our city who answered the call after 9/11 and never came home,” said New York City Councilmember Vickie Paladino. “These men and women gave everything in defense of our country, and now, right here in Whitestone, we’re giving them a place of honor that will stand for generations. I’m proud that ‘Flames of Honor’ will be built in my district, and even prouder that our city is taking this moment to reflect, remember, and show unwavering gratitude.”