MAYOR ADAMS KICKS OFF “WE OUTSIDE SUMMER” BY ANNOUNCING NEW EFFORT TO TRANSFORM VACANT, ABANDONED LOTS INTO GREENSPACE ACROSS NEW YORK CITY

Adams Administration Has Committed $80 Million to Acquire New Parkland Since Taking Office

Targeted Acquisitions in Neighborhoods Without Parks Access Will Bring New Greenspaces to Communities That Need Them Most

City Has Added Over 86 Acres of Parkland During Adams Administration, Bringing Greenspace to an Additional 37,000 More New Yorkers

“We Outside Summer” Kicks Off, Will Include Range of Announcements, Investments, and Programs Across Five Boroughs 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Departments of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue today announced a new effort to transform vacant, abandoned lots into green space for New Yorkers and put more residents of the five boroughs within walking distance of a park. Since taking office, the Adams administration has committed a total of $80 million to expand New Yorkers’ access to the citywide greenspace network — $50 million has already been spent over the past three years to acquire new parkland in all five boroughs, adding over 86 acres of parkland and bringing greenspace within a 10-minute walk of an additional 37,000 New Yorkers.

As part of the “Vital Parks for All” initiative, Mayor Adams announced that an additional $30 million was being allocated to transform vacant, underutilized, and abandoned lots into parkland, playgrounds, and open green space in neighborhoods that do not currently have access to such space. By transferring land from other city agencies and using neighborhood-wide Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) applications, this initiative furthers the Adams administration’s work to ensure that more New Yorkers live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Mayor Adams announced the start of this effort with the submission of the first two neighborhood-wide ULURP applications in Brooklyn and Queens earlier this month.

Mayor Adams used today’s announcement to also kick off “We Outside Summer,” a new initiative that will include a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer.

“As we kick off the 'We Outside Summer,' we know New Yorkers across the five boroughs are looking for more places to enjoy the warmer weather with friends and loved ones,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we're announcing a new effort to turn vacant, abandoned lots into parks — bringing more green spaces to neighborhoods across New York City that don’t currently have access to them. This initiative builds on our administration's commitment to put a park within walking distance of a park because access to parks is critical, and as summer arrives, we're working hard to deliver green spaces to the areas most in need across the five boroughs.”

“Parks aren’t just a nice to have — they’re a need-to-have.  New Yorkers find respite in the public realm, a place to connect and recharge outside,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. “There’s no better way to celebrate the summer than by creating new outdoor spaces in busy neighborhoods, like Jackson Heights and East New York, within walking distance of tens of thousands of New Yorkers who went without these space for too long. We look forward to continuing this process with local communities.”

“Access to high-quality parks is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the health and wellness of our communities. Expanding our green spaces is just one of the ways we’re making New York City the best place to raise a family,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “We’re committed to supporting creative efforts to add more open space in the city so that every New Yorker — regardless of your zip code — has room to play, grow, and gather outside.”

“In just three and a half years, we’ve added the equivalent of over 86 football fields of new public space — and NYC Parks has been a critical partner in that transformation” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “By turning vacant, underutilized lots into parks, we are working towards making sure as many New Yorkers have easy, local access to the public realm. These are the kinds of investments that bring neighborhoods together and spark joy and connection in our shared public spaces.”

The acquisition plan includes multiple strategies, including pursuing neighborhood-wide ULURP applications in communities that lack access to parkland. In collaboration with the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP), NYC Parks has identified 19 community districts that are underserved by the existing parks network and has begun submitting one ULURP application per community district, encompassing many smaller sites within the district. While not every site included in the applications will be acquired, the successful ULURP applications will allow NYC Parks to purchase the sites, pending a willing private seller.

Mayor Adams’ Get Stuff Build initiative made this new strategy possible – neighborhood-scale ULURPs – which allow multiple locations to go through the ULURP process in one application, thus cutting red tape and bureaucracy throughout city government. NYC Parks recently submitted ULURP applications for 44 sites in the first two communities identified through this initiative: Brooklyn Community District 5, which includes East New York and Cypress Hills, and Queens Community District 3, which includes Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and Corona. Not all of the sites will be turned into parkland, and additional community districts and sites will be shared in the coming months.

Brooklyn Community District 5 sites. Credit: NYC Parks

Queens Community District 3 sites. Credit: NYC Parks

In addition to acquisitions from private property owners, NYC Parks also plans to acquire new parkland through transfers from other city agencies. The majority of new acquisitions by NYC Parks over the past three years have been property transfers from other agencies at no cost. To advance the Adams administration’s priority of building more affordable housing, NYC Parks collaborated with DCP and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development to determine which sites were better suited for housing development or parkland, depending on factors like size, location, and status of adjacent properties.

Since the beginning of his administration, Mayor Adams has made transforming the city’s public spaces for families to enjoy a central focus, creating over 85 football fields of new public spaces and adding 86.5 acres of parkland, from smaller additions like a new overlook at Starlight Park in the Bronx to major public space projects like the new Freshkills Park in Staten Island on the site of a former landfill. In his 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Adams announced that New York City will open more schoolyards in underserved neighborhoods for use during the summer, after school, and on the weekends, and put another 20,000 individuals within a 10-minute walk of a park. By transforming these vacant, abandoned lots into green space for New Yorkers, this announcement builds on Mayor Adams’ State of the City commitment to give even more New Yorkers in under-resourced areas access to valuable public spaces as his administration continues its efforts to make New York City the best place to raise a family.

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Do you hear what I hear?

 

On Thursday, June 5th at 8pm, the New York Philharmonic will partner with NYC Parks to present a free concert on the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground. Come early to snag a seat, or bring a picnic blanket and a meal to hear this special concert for all New Yorkers. 

 

This year the soon to be Music and Artistic Direction Gustavo Dudamel will conduct the concert! Known for his active and joyful conducting style, this Venezuelan native will become the first Latin American artistic director ever to lead the NY Phil, and the youngest, in 2026. It’s sure to be a lively concert. 

 

We hope to see you there!

Our Contact Information Van Cortlandt Park Alliance 80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1 Bronx, NY 10463 718-601-1460 http://vancortlandt.org

North Cove Nears Completion at 3875 Ninth Avenue in Inwood, Manhattan

 

Construction is nearing completion on North Cove, a 30-story residential building at 3875 Ninth Avenue on the Harlem River waterfront in Inwood, Manhattan. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Maddd Equities, the 295-foot-tall structure will span 544,000 square feet and yield 611 affordable rental apartments. The project will also include 60,000 square feet of lower-level retail space, residential amenities, and 120 parking spaces. The property is alternately addressed as 373 and 375 West 207th Streets and is bounded by West 207th Street, Ninth Avenue, and the Harlem River.

The building was constructed to its pinnacle and almost entirely enclosed in its façade since our last update in early February 2024, when the reinforced concrete superstructure had recently passed the halfway mark. The following photos show the look of the tower’s red and beige brick exterior and grid of rectangular windows with black metal spandrels. Some scaffolding remains standing around the lower levels as crews finish installing the floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

The property was formerly vacant, as seen in the below aerial image from before construction broke ground.

Joy Construction Corporation and Maddd Equities are completing the project with the help of $288 million in financing secured in 2023. Wells Fargo’s Community Lending and Investment provided the financial package, which includes a $155 million letter of credit to back NYC-issued tax-exempt bonds arranged by CLI Debt. The remaining $133 million was provided by CLI Equity as an equity investment through the purchase of Low Income Housing Tax Credits and New York State Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credits.

Residential amenities at North Cove will include bicycle storage, recreation rooms, shared laundry facilities, outdoor lounge and recreation spaces, and picnic areas. The property will also offer public access to an adjacent waterfront park on land provided by the city.

The nearest subway is the local 1 train at the elevated 207th Street station to the west.

Governor Hochul Directs State Landmarks to Illuminate Red, White and Blue in Honor of Memorial Day

Sixteen Landmarks To Be Lit Statewide at Governor’s Direction To Honor and Mourn Members of the U.S. Military Who Died in Service

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that landmarks across New York State will be illuminated red, white, and blue tonight, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

“Every year on Memorial Day we remember those who have fallen and mourn the ultimate sacrifice they made to protect their fellow citizens,” Governor Hochul said. “Their bravery and commitment to fight for and uphold our nation’s freedoms will never be forgotten — we will always be grateful for their service.”

The landmarks to be lit in recognition of Memorial Day include:

• One World Trade Center

• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

• Kosciuszko Bridge

• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

• State Education Building

• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

• Empire State Plaza

• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center

• Niagara Falls

• The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge

• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct

• Albany International Airport Gateway

• Lake Placid Olympic Center

• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station

• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal

• Moynihan Train Hall

 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL

 

"Congressman Rangel has earned a celebrated place in history, and that place has to be Harlem— the community he loved and served throughout his entire life. The Lion of Lenox Avenue is also its pride. His decades of public service had enormous impact that extended beyond Harlem’s corners, throughout our city and nation. An honored veteran before his time in office, a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, he led through difficult moments with resolve and humanity.

"Representative Rangel served as an inspiration for New York’s Black community as the last living member of the influential Gang of Four, helping to shape the generations of Black leadership that followed him into government. As we grieve his passing and pray with his family and neighbors, we resolve to learn lessons from and build upon his legacy" 

ULURP Kicks Off for Kingsbridge Armory Renovation In Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx

 

Rendering of the Redeveloped Kingsbridge Armory. Credit: FXCollaborative

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and 8th Regiment Partners have launched the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. Plans outline a two-phase project that will transform the historic site into a multi-use community hub. The project is backed by over $215 million in city, state, and federal funding and is expected to bring more than $2 billion in economic impact and over 3,300 jobs to the area.

The redevelopment’s first phase will repurpose the Armory’s 180,000-square-foot Drill Hall into a mixed-use space featuring an event venue, sports fields, cultural and commercial areas, over 25,000 square feet of community space, and an educational facility focused on workforce development. This phase is targeted for completion in 2030. Phase two will involve redevelopment of the adjacent National Guard site to construct approximately 450 units of permanently affordable rental housing, projected for completion in 2032.

Launching the ULURP follows a nine-month community engagement process involving over 4,000 Bronx residents and is guided by the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan.” Construction will be carried out under a project labor agreement to ensure fair wages.

Memorial Day 2025

Each year, on the last Monday in May, we pause as a nation to honor the sacrifice made by dedicated members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives to protect the freedoms Americans hold so dear. As we reflect on their bravery and sense of duty, the Civil Rights Division expresses gratitude to our servicemembers, veterans, and the families who support them in service to this Nation.

The Civil Rights Division is proud to house the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative (SVI), which seeks to strengthen and enhance the Justice Department’s efforts on behalf of servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Through targeted outreach, training, and policy development, SVI works with Division attorneys and staff to protect the employment, housing, financial, voting, and disability rights of the military community.

These patriots have given so much to our country and deserve to have their rights fully realized, just as they have boldly risked everything to keep the light of liberty shining bright. The Civil Rights Division reaffirms its commitment to the task of serving the military community as we give thanks for their devotion to our safety and freedom.

To learn more about SVI and the Civil Rights Division’s work on behalf of servicemembers, veterans, and their families, please visit www.servicemembers.gov. 

DEC Announces Start of 2025 'NYHABS' Online Notification and Reporting System for Harmful Algal Blooms

 

Interactive Map Displays Bloom Locations

DEC Encourages New Yorkers to "Know it, Avoid it, Report it"

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald reminded New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms, or "HABs," as the 2025 HABs notification season starts. DEC's New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active, providing New Yorkers the ability to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically via a simple user- and mobile phone-friendly form.

“DEC is committed to continuing its nation leading work to address harmful algal blooms in New York’s waterbodies and lessen the negative impacts they can pose to water quality,” said Acting Commissioner Lefton. “We work closely with DOH on these efforts and reporting any sightings through the NYHABS notification system is a key component in our goal to minimize the frequency of HABs and allow for a more effective response in these areas.” 

DEC and DOH evaluate HAB reports and once confirmed, reports are posted to the NYHABS page. The page hosts resources such as the online HABs map and reporting system, which features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed about potential HABs.

While cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in the environment, certain conditions lead to accumulations that become HABs. Blooms are likely triggered by a combination of factors that include excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and warm temperatures. HAB occurrence and reporting typically increase throughout the season with the most reports received during the warmest months of August and September. Regardless of the presence of toxins, HABs can pose a risk to public health.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “As we enter the summer months and people find themselves enjoying New York State’s waters, we encourage them to avoid and report any Harmful Algal Blooms as they can cause health effects in both people and pets. The Department will continue our work with local water suppliers, beach operators, and the Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor for Harmful Algal Blooms so that we may protect drinking water and recreational use of our freshwaters.”

When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to “KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT.”

KNOW IT - HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.

AVOID IT - People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.

REPORT IT - If members of the public suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC's website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to DOH at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.

Public awareness of HABs, what they look like, and potential impacts of HABs is a key element of protecting public health. DEC strives to provide resources such as HAB warning signs to be posted locally and encourages reporting to NYHABS as a central piece of raising public awareness on where and when HABs are occurring. DEC’s research on statewide HAB trends suggests successful outreach and increased public awareness is an important reason why DEC confirms HAB occurrence on new waterbodies each year.  

For more information about HABs, including bloom notifications updated daily through fall, visit DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage. The HAB Program Guide, which includes information and links to resources regarding bloom prevention, management, and control, can also be downloaded from the DEC website. Visit DOH's website for DOH’s public health information.  

Using the most up-to-date research on controllable causes, DEC established a holistic approach to managing and reducing HABs in the state that combines long- and short-term strategies along with advancing research. DEC’s approach includes: 

• Deliberate Clean Water Planning to improve nutrient reduction efforts;  

• Funding to implement nutrient reduction;  

• Applied research on HABs; and  

• Short-term HAB mitigation efforts.

Reducing the amount of nutrients in New York’s waters remains a key factor in statewide efforts to address HABs. At the end of 2024, DEC released draft Nutrient Guidance Values for public comment. Once finalized, the guidance values and proposed updates to Technical and Operational Guidance Series (TOGS) 1.1.1: Ambient Water Quality Standards and Guidance Values and Groundwater Effluent Limitations along with updates to TOGS 1.3.6: Phosphorus Removal for Wastewater Discharges will provide an important expansion of nutrient reduction efforts as a key controllable cause of HABs.  

To date, New York State awarded more than $530 million in grants designed to reduce the frequency of algal blooms across the state by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, controllable factors that can contribute to the occurrence of HABs, and more than $14.4 million to research and development, pilot projects, and advanced HABs monitoring.  

Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul is focusing on restoring recreational opportunities in Chautauqua Lake. Capital investments are supporting a study to determine the extent and severity of internal phosphorus loading, advanced monitoring and development of a TMDL watershed implementation plan. Sampling to support this work will begin in Spring/Summer 2025. For more information visit DEC’s webpage Chautauqua Lake Watershed - NYSDEC. 

DEC continues to incorporate HAB monitoring into its core water quality monitoring programs such as the Lake Classification and Inventory Program. These programs conduct HAB monitoring statewide to complement data and information generated by NYHABS, carry out surveys to characterize statewide conditions, and help identify occurrences of HABs that inform statewide HAB trends analyses. These data, available in DEC’s updated Division of Water Monitoring Portal, along with applied research efforts, provide insight into management of HABs and water quality issues across New York. DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage provides access to these research efforts targeting management of HABs in addition to information on understanding HABs, potential health risks, and efforts to develop plans to reduce nutrients as the main controllable factor driving HABs. Additionally, DEC published its HABs Research Guide to inform statewide research priorities.

Further, earlier this year Governor Hochul announced grant awards totaling $102 million to 53 planning and implementation projects aimed at nutrient reduction to help reduce the occurrence of HABs through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG). Grant project types that target reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution include wastewater treatment, non-agricultural nonpoint abatement and control, and land acquisition for source water protection. These grants are now open for 2025 applications as part of the recently announced Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). At least $75 million in funding is available through WQIP and up to $3 million in funding is available through NPG. 

New York's Commitment to Water Quality   

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the recently Enacted 2025-26 State Budget, New York will have invested a record $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. The budget also included an increase to the EPF for a record total of $425 million. Initiatives in Governor Hochul’s State of the State are ensuring ongoing coordination with local governments and helping communities to leverage these investments. Governor Hochul announced $435 million in grants to 102 projects in November, featuring increased awards for wastewater projects for smaller, disadvantaged communities. The Governor also expanded the State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s (EFC) Community Assistance Teams to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC.