MAYOR ADAMS UNVEILS RESTORED SOCCER FIELDS ON RANDALL’S ISLAND AFTER MAKING $5 MILLION INVESTMENT

 

Former Site of Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center Serving Migrants Has Been Transformed Into Four Soccer Fields With New Synthetic Turf and Pathways 

  

New York City Has Helped More Than 87 Percent of Migrants Move Out of Shelter, Take Next Steps in Their Journeys Towards Self Sufficiency

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, and the Randall’s Island Park Alliance today announced the re-opening of four restored soccer fields at Randall’s Island Park. Funded with a $5 million city capital investment by Mayor Adams, the restoration project transforms the former site of the Randall’s Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC) that once served the city’s migrant population with new synthetic turf and pathways — fully revitalizing the area to serve New Yorkers and the surrounding community.  

  

“Today marks yet another a milestone in demonstrating the immense progress we have achieved in turning the corner on an unprecedented humanitarian effort, and delivering this vital public space back to the community. Randall’s Island Park is a premier destination for sports and recreation, and the restoration of these highly used fields marks the return of this important city resource. I’m proud to reopen these restored soccer fields with $5 million in improvements for all to use,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “While the Randall’s Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center was key to helping manage the unprecedented migrant crisis and care for more than 240,200 migrants — over 25,000 of whom were sheltered at this one site alone — we have effectively managed our operations and helped more than 87 percent of asylum seekers take the next steps towards lives of self-sufficiency. Now, thanks to the partnership of NYC Parks and the Randall’s Island Park Alliance, we are bringing this park back to life, allowing it to serve a new role where children and families can gather, play, and create lasting memories.” 

  

“Parks and open spaces are the heart of our communities — places where people come together to play, connect, and recharge — and we’re so proud to welcome New Yorkers back to these beautifully restored soccer fields on Randall’s Island,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “Thanks to Mayor Adams’ investment and our partnership with the Randall’s Island Park Alliance, these new fields will once again serve tens of thousands of athletes, families, and visitors each year. This project is a powerful reminder of how our city continues to transform and reinvest in spaces that support recreation and connection for all New Yorkers." 

  

“We are thrilled to reopen these fields and welcome back kids and sports leagues in time for the fall season,” said Deborah Maher, president, Randall's Island Park Alliance. “These fields serve tens of thousands of children each year and act as a recreational space for kids to get outdoors and play, one of the many reasons why Randall's Island Park is a vital resource for our city. As an island connecting three boroughs, the park serves more than 4 million visitors a year from near and far. We appreciate the partnership of Mayor Adams and NYC Parks in restoring these fields and look forward to continued collaboration on future improvements to Randall’s Island Park.”  

  

Thanks to the $5 million investment by the Adams administration, the fields have been outfitted with brand-new goals to enhance the playing experience for athletes of all ages. Adjacent to the fields, picnic areas and lawns were also restored this past spring by the Randall’s Island Park Alliance and NYC Parks Maintenance and Operations.  

  

The restoration of soccer fields 82, 83, 84, and 85 was completed by William A. Gross Associates under a NYC Parks citywide services contract. As part of the extensive work, crews removed the old turf and repaired worn pathways and fixed fences. The project also included re-grading and leveling the subsurface to create a safer and more durable foundation for play, followed by the installation of new, state-of-the-art synthetic turf designed to withstand heavy use while reducing long-term upkeep.   

  

The new fully restored field has officially been reopened to the public. The HERRC on Randall’s Island opened in August 2023 and closed at the end of February 2025 and helped provided shelter to over 25,500 asylum seekers.   

  

Since the first asylum seekers arrived in the spring of 2022, New York City has continued to focus on the support needed to help migrants take their next steps towards self-sufficiency. The city’s Asylum Application Help Center  — a first-in-the-nation entity — helped complete more than 140,000 applications for work authorization, Temporary Protected Status, and asylum. New York City Department of Small Business Services and their workforce development teams have connected this population to hundreds of job opportunities, and the administration’s case management and resettlement teams — in conjunction with teams across multiple city agencies — continue to find creative ways to assist recent arrivals through direct outreach, resource fairs, and onsite English as a second language courses at shelters, to name a few examples.  

  

Over 90 percent of eligible adults in the city’s care either have or have applied for work authorization thanks to the Adams administration’s efforts. The city has also purchased more than 67,200 tickets to help migrants reach their preferred destinations and help reduce long-term costs for New York City taxpayers. Additionally, staff have conducted nearly 1 million case management sessions with migrants, dedicated to helping them identify self-sufficient pathways out of city shelter, in addition to implementing the city’s 30- and 60-day notice policies.   

 

As a result, more than 208,200 migrants who requested services from the city in the last three years have taken the next steps in their journeys towards self-sufficiency. Since intensive case management services began in October 2023, 71 percent more families with children in humanitarian relief centers each week have taken their next steps. Finally, Mayor Adams successfully achieved more than $7.1 billion in asylum seeker savings over three fiscal years.   

Two People Indicted for $2.2 Million Covid Relief Fraud

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the indictment of MARILYN PETER, 54, and MARK ANTHONY, 58, for stealing $1.7 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and $500,000 from Empire State Development (“ESD”) by submitting fraudulent applications for COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. Following an investigation conducted with the Offices of the New York State Inspector General, defendants are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree.[1]

“As alleged, Marilyn Peter and Mark Anthony used false information to steal more than $2 million in funds intended to provide relief to businesses at the height of the pandemic,” said District Attorney Bragg. “They then allegedly used a substantial amount of those funds to purchase an apartment complex for their own profit. We will not tolerate abuse of government funds, and I thank our law enforcement partners for their work on this investigation, particularly the New York State Inspector General’s Office.” 

“COVID-19 pandemic relief programs were created to keep New Yorkers’ families and businesses afloat during an unprecedented crisis,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “Exploiting those lifelines by diverting public funds for personal gain is not only unlawful — it undermines the trust placed in government at a moment when communities needed it most. My office remains steadfast in protecting the integrity of such programs and ensuring that critical assistance reaches New Yorkers in need.”

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, PETER and ANTHONY used the identity of three individuals – two of whom were family members – to submit loan applications for 11 different companies. PETER and ANTHONY controlled email accounts purportedly used by those three individuals and posed as those three individuals when communicating with the SBA and ESD’s grant program administrator, Lendistry, by phone and email. PETER and ANTHONY also executed SBA loan agreements and ESD grant disbursement agreements that contained the names of those three individuals.

From May 5, 2020, to August 10, 2021, PETER and ANTHONY allegedly obtained $1,730,100 in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) advance funds and loan funds for nine companies by submitting applications containing false information about their number of employees, gross revenues, and cost of goods sold. From August 10, 2021, to December 27, 2022, PETER and ANTHONY sought EIDL loan increases for those nine companies. The SBA flagged those applications for EIDL loan fraud. PETER and ANTHONY have since defaulted on the nine loans.

From September 1, 2021, to April 14, 2022, PETER and ANTHONY allegedly obtained $500,000 in ESD grants for 10 companies by submitting applications containing false 2019 and 2020 gross receipts figures. Five of those companies also had not submitted a 2019 tax return with the IRS at the time that the ESD grant disbursement agreement was signed. One company reported approximately $1 million less in 2019 gross receipts to the IRS than it reported to Lendistry.

In October 2021, PETER and ANTHONY allegedly transferred $1.2 million to Fidelity National Title Insurance as part of a real estate transaction to acquire Hayes Court, an apartment building complex in Jackson Heights, Queens. EIDL loan funds and ESD grant funds previously received by PETER and ANTHONY comprised the majority of those transferred funds. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York State Inspector General’s Office, particularly Senior Investigator Ilene Gates and Investigative Counsel Ray Gdula.

D.A. Bragg also thanked the United States Small Business Administration, New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development, and B.S.D. Capital Inc. d/b/a Lendistry for their assistance with the investigation.

Attorney General James Calls on Federal Government to Reverse Naturalization Ceremony Cancellations

New York Attorney General Letitia James today sent the below letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow following the administration’s abrupt decision to cancel naturalization ceremonies in several New York counties, including Broome, Onondaga, Rockland, Schenectady, Tompkins, Washington, and Westchester.

Dear Director Edlow:  

I am writing with grave concern about U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ abrupt decision to cancel naturalization ceremonies in Broome, Onondaga, Rockland, Schenectady, Tompkins, Washington, and Westchester counties in New York State and to cease conducting these ceremonies going forward.

As you well know, and as reflected in the many meaningful ceremonies your agency has organized over many years, taking the oath of allegiance and becoming a United States citizen is a proud and significant moment for our newest citizens and their communities. An oath ceremony represents the culmination of a lengthy process and the beginning of a new chapter for those who achieve U.S. citizenship. For years, New Yorkers have celebrated this milestone with friends and family in their communities, at ceremonies that reflect the best of us as a Nation.   

Hosting naturalization ceremonies within communities in New York has also been an important benefit to our residents, as it allows them to take the oath in an easily accessible place that has become their home and permits families and friends to participate without traveling long distances.  

This sudden change has caused alarm and disappointment from a bipartisan group of county officials, local leaders, and community members. They received this news on short notice, without adequate explanation, and without any effort to address and resolve any obstacles. I ask that you reconsider, and work with our county leadership who will continue to play their part in organizing these important ceremonies.  

Therefore, my office requests written responses to the following questions below within the next 15 days, on or before December 4, 2025:  

Are naturalization ceremonies at these sites canceled permanently, or is this merely a short-term delay due to the recent government shutdown?  

If these ceremonies were impacted by the government shutdown, can you describe the nature of the impacts by the shutdown; and whether those impacts have been resolved by the new federal government funding agreement?  

What additional preparations is USCIS currently engaging in to ensure there is no delay with the processing of New Yorkers’ citizenship paperwork?  

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  

Sincerely,  

Letitia James   

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $66 Million to Replace Lead Service Lines and Protect Drinking Water Across New York

Supports Public Health and Water Infrastructure Improvements in Historically Underserved Communities Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nearly $66 million in State grants awarded to communities across New York State to improve their drinking water infrastructure by identifying and replacing lead service lines. The Governor’s Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation (LIFT) Grants initiative helps local governments throughout the State pay for these projects and demonstrates the State’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and drinking water for New Yorkers.

“Protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers is my number one priority — that’s why we’re investing in grants across the state so that communities can make the critical improvements they need,” Governor Hochul said. “Every family deserves clean, safe drinking water, and these grants will help us make that goal a reality.”

Lead is harmful to human health and can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets and fixtures. Water that has high acidity or low mineral content corrodes these pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead service lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. 

The State funding awarded today will be used by municipalities to help cover the costs of lead service line replacement projects that received funding through the federal Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA), but whose costs were not fully covered by IIJA grant. These loan forgiveness grants will, at completion of a project, pay off the financing component of the municipality’s funding. This will ensure local ratepayers in these communities will not bear the full financial burden of these vital water quality projects.

The LIFT initiative delivers on Governor Hochul’s affordability, clean water, and safety agendas. Coupling State and federal funding takes the fiscal pressure off local governments, allowing them to protect their residents by replacing more lead service lines. The State’s comprehensive approach continues to provide communities with the resources they need to improve their water infrastructure. 

The State funding awarded today is specifically targeted to historically disadvantaged communities. The awards prioritize communities that meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• The community’s median household income is less than 80 percent of the regionally adjusted statewide median household income
• The community’s local poverty rate is higher than the statewide poverty rate
• At least 50 percent of the community’s lead service line project serves an environmental justice community

The communities receiving these awards are: 

• City of Buffalo $3,454,800
• City of Gloversville $1,352,484
• City of Lockport $10,477,044
• Mohawk Valley Water Authority $3,822,000
• New York City (Areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn) $14,000,000
• City of Oswego $4,774,962
• City of Poughkeepsie $14,000,000
• City of Rochester $14,000,000 

In addition to this funding, New York State’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program has invested $30 million to identify and replace lead service lines across the State. To date, $23 million has been spent through the program replacing 3,574 lead service lines in New York. 

New York’s Commitment to Water Quality 

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $3.4 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2025 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. Any community that needs help with its water infrastructure is encouraged to contact EFC. 

The funding, in addition to other substantial water quality investments, includes the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats; and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms.  

About the Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Lead Service Line Replacement Funding

The Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act invests a historic $15 billion nationwide to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49 percent of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Replacement funds must be provided as grants or loan forgiveness to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for far too long. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects a national total of 9 million lead service lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The federal funding is provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement across the nation and will help New York fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water. To ensure that funding is used for lead service line related activities in the states with the most need, federal Lead Service Line Replacement allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more Lead Service Line Replacement funding. 

Final Phase Of $1.7B Hunts Point Access Improvement Project Completed In Hunts Point, The Bronx

 

Work is complete on the third and final phase of the $1.7 billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project in Hunts Point, The Bronx. Managed by the New York State Department of Transportation, the six-year initiative aims to enhance access to the Hunts Point Market while reducing truck traffic on local streets. Project work introduced new connections to major expressways, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and expanded recreational access along the Bronx River waterfront.

The first phase, completed in October 2022, added three ramps to Edgewater Road, resurfaced streets, upgraded signals, and replaced four bridges spanning Amtrak and CSX rail lines. It also rebuilt the Bryant Avenue pedestrian bridge and introduced green space enhancements at Garrison Park, including Bronx River overlooks and a link to Concrete Plant Park. Phase two, finished in summer 2023, reconstructed sections of the Bruckner Expressway and Bruckner Boulevard, added new ramps to Leggett Avenue, and installed 1.5 miles of shared-use paths connecting to Randall’s Island and the Bronx River Greenway.

The final phase focused on eliminating congestion around the Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard interchange. This included ramp realignment, signage upgrades, new pavement, and pedestrian safety enhancements. A new 111-space parking lot with 24 EV charging stations, including four rapid chargers, was also added. The project builds on earlier efforts to convert the Sheridan Expressway into Sheridan Boulevard, reconnecting neighborhoods to parks and waterfront access previously blocked by highway infrastructure.

Photograph of new Hunts Point infrastructure, via ny.gov.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATION’S SIGNATURE HEALTH INITIATIVE SURPASSES 2030 GOAL EARLY AS CITYWIDE LIFE EXPECTANCY JUMPS TO 83.2 YEARS

 

Adams Administration Launched Ambitious HealthyNYC Plan in 2023 to Increase New Yorkers’ Life Expectancy to 83 Years by 2030 

  

New York City Reaches Highest-Ever Level of Life Expectancy 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse today celebrated the two-year anniversary of the launch of the administration’s ambitious HealthyNYC Plan, and announced that New Yorkers’ provisional 2024 life expectancy rose to 83.2 years, exceeding the 2030 goal the administration set. HealthyNYC — first launched by Mayor Adams in 2023  — aims to build a healthier city that improves and extends the lives of all New Yorkers. The campaign set ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19. While new data shows that New York City has now exceeded its original goal to extend the overall life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030, stark inequities still persist.  

  

“As I have always said, it’s not just what’s in your DNA, it’s also what’s in your dinner. And, as someone who went from pre-diabetic to plant-based, I know that New Yorkers can improve their health, life expectancy, and quality of life if given the right tools,” said Mayor Adams. “When our administration came into office, the COVID-19 pandemic was still having major impacts on the health of our city, but we focused our energy on public health, and four years later, we are showing how our strategies and commitments are paying off. We are thrilled to have broken the record for the highest life expectancy in our city’s history at over 83 years old, five years ahead of our HealthyNYC schedule. Congratulations to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and all of our partners who are changing lives and making our city healthier.” 

  

“HealthyNYC served as our North Star to equitably raise New Yorkers’ life expectancy to its highest level of 83 years. Today, the city has reached its goal of raising the life expectancy of New Yorkers to its highest-ever level of 83.2 years. This is an enormous victory,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “Although we have met this goal, our work is not done, as extreme racial inequities persist among other causes of death in our city. To address this, intentional and targeted public health investments are necessary to ensure longer, more equitable, and healthier futures for every New Yorker who calls our city home.” 

  

Provisional 2024 Data  

  

New Yorkers’ life expectancy rose from 80.7 in 2021 to 83.2 years in 2024 — an increase of 2.5 years. This has surpassed the high of 82.6 years from 2019 and 2023.  

  

The overall increase of life expectancy is largely attributable to a sharp decline in COVID-19 death rates across all racial and ethnic groups, although major racial inequities persist among other leading causes of death. The decline in COVID-19 related deaths did not happen on its own; it was a result of a complete citywide government response to the pandemic, significant investments to reduce racial inequities, and a groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccination campaign, among other interventions. 

  

Between 2021 and 2024: 

  

•   COVID-19 deaths declined by 93.1 percent. 

•   Screenable cancer deaths increased by 0.7 percent.  

•   Among females, screenable cancer death rates are highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals, followed by non-Hispanic white individuals.  

•  Among males, non-Hispanic Black screenable cancer death rates remain highest by a large margin.  

•  Heart-and diabetes-related deaths decreased by 3.4 percent. Rates remain highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals.  

•   Suicides decreased by 2.3 percent. The highest suicide rates are among non-Hispanic white individuals.  

•   Homicides decreased by 26.4 percent. Rates are highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals, followed by Hispanic individuals. 

•   Overdose deaths decreased by 18.2 percent. Rates are highest among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals. 

  

HealthyNYC is supported by Local Law 93-A, which ensures that HealthyNYC is a permanent feature of civic planning in New York City, with the HealthyNYC population health agenda required to be reported on and updated every five years. HealthyNYC’s goals extend beyond life expectancy and demonstrate New York City’s commitment to advancing the health of all New Yorkers. Addressing the key drivers of death not only increases life expectancy but highlights the core work accomplished daily to promote and protect the health for New Yorkers.  

  

Delivering Results for New Yorkers 

  

Today’s announcement builds on the work the Adams administration has done to keep New Yorkers healthy. Other achievements include: 

  

•   Created the DOHMH’s Public Health Corps, a community health worker-led initiative focused on vaccine outreach in priority neighborhoods to ensure that people of color received the information about and access to vaccines. Today, the Public Health Corps ensures community members are connected to services that reduce chronic disease.   

•   Educated New Yorkers on staying safe from COVID-19 and flu through yearl­y citywide paid media vaccination campaigns and community outreach . 

•   Distributed more than 300,000 naloxone kits and more than 54,000 fentanyl test strips. 

•   Provided approximately 39,000 harm reduction services to more than 8,000 participants through syringe service programs that operate Overdose Prevention Centers — reducing the risk of overdose and infectious disease and providing referrals to treatment and other health and social services.  

•   Announced $4 million in annual funding for nine outpatient and opioid treatment programs citywide to increase access to methadone and buprenorphine. Also, contracted for the expansion of the number of hospitals participating in DOHMH’s emergency department-based, nonfatal opioid overdose response program called Relay. 

•   Provided more than 20,000 families with nurse-home visiting and doula support for pregnant and postpartum New Yorkers since 2021  . The Citywide Doula Initiative is also a key part of the Adams administration’s “ New Family Home Visits Initiative,” a $34 million initiative that offers support to pregnant and parenting families by having trained health workers — such as doulas, nurses, social workers, lactation consultants, and community health workers — make in-person or virtual visits to the homes of expectant and new parents.   

•   Released the citywide chronic disease report in collaboration with 22 city agencies and offices, which lays out a series of proposals for how to lower heart- and diabetes-related deaths, as well as screenable cancers, especially in communities with the highest burden of disease.  

•  Operated Neighborhood Health Action Centers, which are located in neighborhoods with the highest rates of premature death in the city and are a critical part of driving resources to areas with the highest need.