Mayor Mamdani Announces New York City’s First Bus Shelter With a Cooling Green Roof in Brownsville

 

Pilot explores how nature-based infrastructure can help protect New Yorkers from extreme heat and flooding  

  

Green roof delivers on commitment made in Mayor and Governor’s Bus Action Plan

 

Green roof installed atop Brownsville bus shelter  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung today announced the installation of four innovative bus shelter roofs along Pitkin Avenue in Brownsville, testing new ways to make the busy commercial corridor cooler, more resilient and more comfortable for bus riders.   

  

The project includes New York City’s first-ever green roof bus shelter, featuring native plants, grasses and wildflowers that add greenery, support native pollinators and help cool the bus stop. The green roof delivers on a commitment in Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul’s plan to deliver a world-class bus system for New Yorkers.  

  

The pilot also includes three new heat-resilient roofs that use a low-cost, easily installed film to reflect sunlight and reduce temperatures around bus shelters.   

  

“Climate change is already redefining what it means to live in New York City, and our response has to protect New Yorkers where they are, including at bus stops. We are turning everyday infrastructure into an opportunity to make our neighborhoods cooler, greener and more resilient,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This pilot in Brownsville will help us learn what works so we can bring those solutions to more New Yorkers, while making waiting for the bus safer and more comfortable.”   

  

“New Yorkers deserve innovative climate solutions that meaningfully improve their day-to-day lives. The City is excited to kickstart an innovative bus shelter corridor pilot in Brownsville that will reduce heat, capture excess stormwater and make bus riders’ journeys safer and more comfortable,” said Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. “Realizing our vision of fast and free buses starts with improving the commuter experience, block by block. Over the next few weeks, we will work alongside community members and small businesses to understand what works and what can scale across the five boroughs to ensure no neighborhood is left behind.”  

  

“We are excited to work with MOCEJ, Resilient Cities Catalyst and JCDecaux on these pilot installations to explore ways we can address rising temperatures and catch extra rainfall at bus shelters while making bus trips more comfortable for riders,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “As New York City sees hotter and wetter weather due to climate change, we must develop new ways of using green infrastructure to adapt.”  

  

“As part of the Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service plan, we’re not only speeding buses up for riders, we’re also improving the entire bus experience,” said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Advisor for Fast and Free Buses for Mayor Mamdani. “That means adding more benches and shelter for shade and also addressing ways to cool down the bus stop and reduce extreme heat. Extreme heat kills hundreds of New Yorkers a year, and for too long our bus stops — where people can wait exposed for periods of time — have been overlooked in the climate crisis. Today’s announcement piloting NYC’s first-ever bus shelter green roof is an exciting step forward both for bus riders and a more resilient public space.”

 

In partnership with Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC) and the Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the pilot tests practical solutions to improve the passenger experience while addressing extreme heat and heavy rainfall.  

  

The initiative is part of a broader partnership through RCC’s Small Business Climate Resilience Program to strengthen Pitkin Avenue as a more vibrant and climate-resilient commercial corridor. The program brings together streetscape improvements, targeted small business support and preparedness and community-centered public space activations to help businesses and communities prepare for extreme heat and flooding. Brownsville is among New York City’s most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.  

  

Brownsville residents can learn more about the neighborhood improvements and share feedback by completing the community survey, available in English and Spanish. Responses will help inform next steps for these and other improvement projects in Brownsville.  

Trump Administration Delivers 16 Straight Months of Zero Releases at the Border

Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced 16 consecutive months of zero releases at the border, continuing the unprecedented trend of historically low border crossings under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.

“Sixteen straight months of zero releases at the border proves that President Trump’s policies are working,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows. President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would make America safe again, and he has done just that by giving us the most secure border in American history.”

The sustained decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions – now at levels not seen in over three decades – shows the profound impact of robust enforcement policies. With daily apprehensions down 94% from the previous administration, the border remains more secure than at any point in history.

“Border security starts with knowing who and what is entering our country – and controlling it on behalf of the American people,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “That means people who cross illegally are apprehended, detained and removed – not released into the United States. Our agents are enforcing that standard every day.”

Below is a snapshot of August’s key figures. Full monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage.

Border Enforcement at Historic Levels

Illegal crossings in August remained historically low:

• U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions decreased in August
  • The U.S. Border Patrol’s apprehensions along the southwest border in August (8,870) were 5% lower than in July. Nationwide, the Border Patrol’s apprehensions in August (10,939) were 3% lower than the previous month.
• Southwest border apprehensions were 94% lower than under Biden
  • The U.S. Border Patrol’s apprehensions along the southwest border in August were 94% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration; 97% below the peak of the Biden administration (December 2023); and less than what was apprehended in 5 days in August 2024.
• Zero parole releases 
  • The U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens in August, compared with 10,186 released by the Border Patrol under the Biden administration along the southwest border in August 2024.

Drug Interdictions That Save Lives

CBP remains on the frontline against drug smuggling, seizing dangerous narcotics before they reach American communities.

• Fiscal year drug seizures 73% higher than under Biden: CBP has seized 73% more drugs this fiscal year through August than it seized during the same period of FY 2024.
• Fiscal year drug seizures 61% higher than the last four years’ average: CBP has seized 61% more drugs this fiscal year than it seized on average during the last four years in this same period.
• Cocaine seizures up: Cocaine seizures increased 28%, with 6,724 pounds seized in August 2026.
• Fentanyl seizures continue: Fentanyl seizures remain high, with 773 pounds of fentanyl seized in August 2026.
• Significant precursor chemical seizure: CBP, in coordination with ICE, seized over 120,000 pounds of precursor chemicals used to make illicit drugs in August 2026.

Trade and Tariff Enforcement

CBP plays a central role in enforcing U.S. trade law and supporting economic security.

• $349 billion in imports processed in August 2026.
• $24.6 billion in duties identified for collection in August 2026.

Agriculture Stats/Seizures – Securing American Agriculture

In August, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.

• CBP issued 5,681 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products.
• CBP conducted 112,180 positive passenger inspections and issued 790 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items. 

Downtown L.A. Residents Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging Possession of More Than 42 Kilograms of Fentanyl, Small Alligator in Stash House

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159.

A man and woman living in a luxury downtown Los Angeles apartment that law enforcement believes was a stash house have been arrested for allegedly possessing more than 42 kilograms of fentanyl, more than seven kilograms of cocaine, firearms, drug-making materials, and a small alligator, the Justice Department announced today.

Marvin Angelito, 27, and Susan Gonzalez, 26, were arrested on September 10 and are charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Both defendants made their initial appearances on Monday in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. United States Magistrate Judge Karen L. Stevenson ordered Angelito detained and ordered Gonzalez released on $15,000 bond. Angelito’s arraignment is scheduled for October 2, and Gonzalez’s arraignment is scheduled for October 9. No pleas were taken on Monday. 

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, the apartment was a known drug trafficking location. On September 10, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Angelito and Gonzalez’s apartment. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 42.6 kilograms (93.9 pounds) of fentanyl pills and powder, approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin, 7.2 kilograms (15.9 pounds) of cocaine, laboratory equipment such as beakers, mixers, stirrers, and torches, and a hydraulic press.

Law enforcement also seized an AR-15 rifle with ammunition located in a hallway closet, a gold-plated Desert Eagle .50-caliber pistol with ammunition located on the kitchen counter, a police radio, and a small alligator, which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents seized.

David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, said, “DEA Los Angeles Division and our Homeland Security partners continue to save lives. With more than 42 kilograms of fentanyl taken off the streets of Los Angeles, thousands of lives have been saved from a potential drug overdose.” 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

FBI New Haven Homeland Security Task Force, FBI Los Angeles Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division are investigating this matter.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. 

Two Robinhood Employees Charged With Fraud

 

Robinhood Engineers Hefu Chai and Huaisong Xiang Traded Perpetual Futures on the Basis of Confidential Business Information

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the unsealing of Complaints charging HEFU CHAI and HUAISONG XIANG, a/k/a “Jerry Xiang,” with commodities fraud and wire fraud arising from a scheme to misappropriate confidential business information from their employer, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (“Robinhood”), and use that information to trade perpetual futures on Hyperliquid, a decentralized derivatives exchange. 

Misappropriating confidential information to trade in the derivatives markets for personal benefit is illegal,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “That is exactly what we allege Hefu Chai and Huaisong Xiang have done. These charges make clear that corporate insiders cannot evade the securities and commodities laws by trading based on misappropriated information in derivatives like perpetual futures, tokenized securities, or other similar financial instruments.”

“Hefu Chai and Huaisong Xiang are charged with commodities fraud and wire fraud for allegedly exploiting confidential business information taken from their employer to trade perpetual futures,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “These charges make clear the FBI with its partners will act when individuals access sensitive business information for their own benefit.” 

According to the Complaints unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:(1)

CHAI and XIANG were employed as engineers at Robinhood. In connection with their roles at Robinhood, CHAI and XIANG had access to nonpublic information regarding whether and when Robinhood would support additional cryptocurrencies for trading on Robinhood Crypto, a Robinhood subsidiary that operates a digital asset trading platform.

Hyperliquid markets itself as a decentralized exchange for trading a wide range of derivative products, including cryptocurrencies and derivatives tied to other underlying assets. Investors on Hyperliquid can purchase, among other things, perpetual futures (“perpetuals”). Perpetuals are derivative products that allow investors to take positions on the price movements of an underlying asset, whether a cryptocurrency or another asset, without owning the asset itself. Unlike traditional futures contracts, Hyperliquid’s perpetuals do not expire and can be maintained indefinitely. To keep a position open, however, traders must make or receive periodic funding payments, which align the perpetual’s price with the spot price of the underlying asset. A trader can settle the perpetual at any time and realize their gain or loss. 

Between 2025 and 2026, CHAI and XIANG repeatedly bought perpetual futures linked to cryptocurrency tokens on Hyperliquid in advance of Robinhood’s public announcements that the underlying cryptocurrency tokens would be listed on Robinhood Crypto. On each occasion, CHAI and XIANG possessed material nonpublic information that Robinhood would list the cryptocurrency token on Robinhood Crypto, and CHAI and XIANG traded on that information in breach of the duties that CHAI and XIANG owed to Robinhood to maintain the confidentiality of this information. CHAI and XIANG each profited more than $50,000 from their illicit trading.

CHAI, 36, of Menlo Park, California, and XIANG, 30, of Jersey City, New Jersey, are charged with one count of violating the Commodity Exchange Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. McDonald further thanked Robinhood for its cooperation with the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra N. Rothman is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

1.  As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and the description of the Complaints set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation. 

ISIS-K Terrorist Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in Abbey Gate and Other Terror Attacks

 

Afghan national Mohammad Sharifullah, a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for his participation in a nearly 10 year conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

“Sharifullah spent nearly a decade at the heart of a horrific campaign of terror, providing critical support for attacks against civilians around the world and, ultimately, contributed to the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers and dozens of others at Abbey Gate,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Today’s sentence holds him accountable for the blood on his hands. The United States will pursue, capture, and bring to justice anyone, anywhere in the world, who takes part in the killing of our servicemembers or citizens.”

“Mohammad Sharifullah has dedicated his life to violence and murder for the sake of hatred,’” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Theophani K. Stamos for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We cannot restore the lives he has taken, but we can bring a measure of justice to the families who lost so much on that day.”

“With today’s sentencing Mohammad Sharifullah will be held accountable, on U.S. soil, for his role in the horrific ISIS-K terrorist attack which killed 13 American service members and numerous Afghan civilians,” said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The bombing occurred in Afghanistan — thousands of miles from the United States — but that did not stop the FBI and our interagency partners from bringing Sharifullah here to face American justice. No matter where you are, and no matter how long it takes, we remain steadfast in our duty to bring to justice those who have harmed our citizens. I’m grateful to the men and women of the FBI, and our domestic and international partners, for their tireless efforts in this case.”

“Sharifullah, an ISIS‑K operative, pledged allegiance to a doctrine of hate and contributed to more than a dozen terrorist attacks — including the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and dozens of Afghan civilians,” said Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Over the years, he was a critical link in ISIS‑K operations, relaying communications, conducting surveillance, and transporting suicide bombers. His sentence demonstrates the lengths the FBI will go to apprehend terrorists who harm Americans and deliver justice for the innocent.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on Aug. 26, 2021, American and other Coalition military forces were conducting a non-combatant evacuation operation at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thousands of civilians were at Abbey Gate for evacuation.

ISIS-K leadership tasked Sharifullah with surveilling a road to the Hamid Karzai International Airport to ensure it was clear of Taliban checkpoints. At about 2:00 pm, Sharifullah travelled his assigned route and communicated to ISIS-K leadership that the route was clear. At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K operative Abdul Rahman al-Logari, whom Sharifullah knew previously from their time together in an Afghan prison, detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. military service members and approximately 160 civilians.

Additionally, on June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a bomb targeting Nepali security guards protecting the Canadian embassy in Kabul. Prior to the attack, Sharifullah conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and later transported the suicide bomber to the attack site.

On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow. On behalf of ISIS-K, Sharifullah shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles and other weapons with the attackers, and was in communication with them during the attack. The ISIS-K attackers used AK-style rifles to kill over 100 civilians in the attack.

In all, Sharifullah participated in over a dozen ISIS-K attacks from 2016 through his eventual apprehension in 2025. Throughout these attacks, Sharifullah was involved in various aspects of ISIS-K operations, including providing surveillance for attacks, transporting suicide bombers, transporting and cleaning armaments, communicating messages among ISIS-K personnel, and video recording explosions for ISIS-K propaganda purposes.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Gibbs, Avi Panth, and Reed Sawyers for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Ryan D. White for the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-143.

Attorney General James Secures More Than $1 Million in Refunds for New Yorkers Cheated by Westchester Car Dealerships

 

DARCARS Dealerships Misled Consumers and Charged Thousands of Dollars in Junk Fees 

Dealerships Will Refund Customers and Change Practices to Prevent Future Overcharges

New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured more than $1 million in refunds for New Yorkers who were unfairly overcharged by two Westchester car dealerships, DARCARS of Railroad Avenue, Inc. (DARCARS Lexus) and MT Kisco Automotive, LLC (DARCARS BMW). An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the DARCARS dealerships, both located in Mt. Kisco, imposed a two percent charge on consumers that was deceptively presented as a sales commission, even though it was not paid directly to the salesperson, was completely optional, and provided no benefit to the consumer. The dealerships also charged customers for an expensive and needless add-on package by presenting it as a mandatory part of their lease or purchase agreement. The dealerships used these misleading tactics to overcharge customers thousands of dollars when they leased or purchased their car.

As a result of OAG’s investigation, DARCARS Lexus will pay a total of $892,671.26 to reimburse all consumers who were charged the sales commission fee between October 23, 2021 and May 30, 2022. Both DARCARS dealerships will also pay additional reimbursements totaling $281,847.72. Consumers who were charged after May 2022 will also be eligible for restitution through a claims process, potentially resulting in millions of dollars in total consumer refunds.

“New Yorkers save up for years to buy a car, and they deserve fair prices without junk fees that drive up the cost with useless add-ons,” said Attorney General James. “DARCARS took advantage of hard-working New Yorkers, charging them thousands of dollars in misleading fees. My office is making sure that every New Yorker who was defrauded by these dealerships gets their money back.” 

The OAG opened an investigation into DARCARS in February 2022 after receiving a consumer complaint claiming that DARCARS Lexus had added a more than $700 “sales commission charge” to their purchase without telling them. The investigation revealed that DARCARS Lexus began charging a sales commission fee in October 2021 and DARCARS BMW began charging the fee in August 2022. While sales commission fees are typically understood to be paid directly to the salesperson, the fees that the DARCARS dealers charged never went to the employee making the sale. DARCARS included the fee as a pre-printed line in agreements used to sell or lease vehicles to consumers. Although the fee was listed as “not required by law,” the dealerships did not disclose to consumers that the fee was voluntary and not required to buy or lease a car.

When consumers asked DARCARS employees about the charge, they were met with inconsistent, vague, conflicting, or misleading explanations, further obscuring the true nature of the fee. Consumers were told the charge was a “standard dealer fee” or that it directly compensated their salesperson, both of which were false. In other cases, the dealerships falsely told consumers that the fee was required to “offset costs and commissions” paid to employees. On their respective websites, DARCARS Lexus and DARCARS BMW advertised sale and leasing prices that excluded the sales commission fees, making them appear competitive with other local dealerships. By applying the two percent fee to nearly every sale and lease, the dealerships were able to generate millions of dollars in additional revenue by misleading consumers who believed they were paying a fair price.

In addition, DARCARS misleadingly added a bundled aftermarket product known as “DARCARS Assurance” to its sales and lease agreements without properly informing consumers. This bundle included products and services, such as a collision credit and a stolen vehicle credit, that had little value to consumers. For example, the advertised collision credit claimed to offer up to $2,500 to reimburse an insurance deductible in the event the vehicle is deemed a total loss. However, this payout was only available if the consumer purchased or leased another vehicle from the same DARCARS dealership within 60 days of receiving their insurance settlement – essentially a loyalty coupon that provided no immediate financial relief to consumers involved in a crash. The OAG’s investigation found that DARCARS failed to disclose that this product was optional to customers, giving the impression that DARCARS Assurance was a mandatory component of the vehicle purchase or lease, rather than a costly, elective add-on.

As a result of the settlement with OAG, thousands of customers who purchased or leased cars from these DARCARS dealerships will be eligible for restitution. DARCARS Lexus will pay $892,671.26 to reimburse all consumers who were charged the sales commission fee between October 23, 2021 and May 30, 2022. Both dealerships will pay $116,849 back to customers who were misled into paying for DARCARS Assurance and complained to OAG. Additional consumers who informed OAG about the dealerships’ deceptive sales commission fee will receive a total of $164,998.72 in refunds. Other consumers who paid these fees will be mailed claims forms, and the dealerships must also pay restitution to any consumer who submits a valid claim, which may result in millions of dollars in refunds being distributed.

In addition to reimbursement of fees, DARCARS has stopped charging sales commissions and will clearly disclose all future fees and any add-on products or services to consumers. DARCARS is also banned from offering or selling DARCARS Assurance or any similar junk bundle or package at any New York dealership. All employees, including sales and finance personnel, and those involved in marketing and advertising, will be subject to annual training on fair business practices. DARCARS will also pay $700,000 in penalties.

Attorney General James asks any consumers who may have been affected by deceptive or fraudulent lease buyout practices to file a consumer complaint online.

Governor Hochul Launches FloodSafe NY to Build More Resilient Communities

Partnership with U.S. Geological Survey will Develop First-in-the-Nation

Statewide Hydrologic Monitoring Network to Provide Enhanced Data on Flooding Patterns

Initiative will Help Communities Mitigate Flood Risk and Improve Emergency Response

Governor Hochul today announced the launch of FloodSafe NY, a partnership between the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to develop a first-in-the-nation statewide Hydrologic Monitoring Network to help communities better understand and predict flooding, so they can reduce the associated risks. Originally proposed in Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State, FloodSafe NY will enhance the state’s streamgage network, giving local governments access to the water data needed to identify flooding patterns and hydrologic trends. The improved technology will help communities save lives and reduce damage from future flooding events by anticipating flood risks earlier and making smarter infrastructure decisions.

“As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of flooding, New York State is making historic investments to make our infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather,” Governor Hochul said. “This first-in-the-nation initiative will provide communities with data to make life-saving decisions and ensure a safer and more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.”

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “This nation-leading initiative delivers on Governor Hochul’s commitment to mitigate flood risk, support municipal partners and build more resilient communities without increasing costs to New Yorkers. FloodSafe NY builds upon our partnership with USGS to provide flood-prone municipalities with critical data on flooding patterns to adapt to increasing storms, while also producing more accurate flood warnings that save lives and reduce property damage.

DEC is contracting with USGS to expand the statewide streamgage network and modernize existing gages. The improvements will provide near real-time data on what is happening in streams and rivers to create precedent-setting flood prediction and emergency response capacity. The network will also provide water data necessary to detect, respond to and monitor drought conditions, ensure adequate clean water supplies, improve water-resource policy, and fuel economic development. FloodSafe NY is funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and USGS Cooperative Matching Funds.

The FloodSafe NY initiative will upgrade existing streamgages with camera technology, backup data transmission and two-way telemetry to improve functionality while also reducing operation and maintenance costs. Streamgages will be strategically placed in high-priority locations for flood warning, and cost-effective virtual streamgages will be deployed in data-sparse areas.

FloodSafe NY builds upon DEC’s highly successful Resilient NY stream study program by providing high-resolution data to prioritize watersheds and inform additional flood studies and create flood inundation maps that can identify high-risk flood-prone areas that are even more at risk due to climate change.

Mayor Mamdani Brings 17 New Public Bathrooms to Neighborhoods Across New York City

 

$4 million pilot brings free, accessible, high-quality modular bathrooms to public plazas and high-traffic areas

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced that the installation of 17 new public bathrooms has begun across New York City, bringing free, accessible facilities to public plazas and high-traffic areas where New Yorkers currently lack reliable access to a bathroom.

Mayor Mamdani first announced the City’s commitment to a $4 million modular public bathroom pilot in January. In June, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) selected Throne Labs through a competitive bidding process to deliver, operate and service the bathrooms.

Each bathroom will be free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ADA-accessible, fully touchless units include a comfortable interior, running-water sink, flushing toilet, climate control and a baby-changing station.

“Too many New Yorkers know what it’s like to have nowhere to go while they’re on the go,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This pilot is about making sure New Yorkers can count on a clean, safe, accessible bathroom when they need one. We are going to learn from this pilot and build a public bathroom network that meets the needs of New Yorkers in every borough.”

The pilot will run for one year, with installation beginning this week.

Locations include:

• Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Admiral Farragut Playground, Mapes Park and Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square
• Brooklyn: Columbus Park, Milestone Park, Fulton Street and Truxton Street and Avenue C Plaza
• Queens: Astoria Boulevard South and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 54th Street and 34th Avenue and 64th Street
• Manhattan: Cooper Square, Malcolm X Plaza, Delancey Street and Suffolk Street and Plaza Alianza Dominicana
• Staten Island: North Shore Esplanade

Throne Labs operates networks of public bathrooms in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, the Bay Area and Detroit. The self-contained units do not require connections to water, sewer or power infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed, relocated or removed as community needs change.

Throne Labs will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining each unit. Real-time feedback will allow the company to respond quickly to issues and prioritize units that need attention.

New Yorkers can enter the bathrooms by text message, QR code, through the Throne Bathroom Network app or a tap card distributed by local community partners. The app also allows users to find the nearest bathroom, check real-time cleanliness ratings and see whether a unit is available.

“All New Yorkers deserve welcoming public spaces that allow them to get where they’re going with dignity and feel cared for. Public restrooms improve the quality of life for everyone, especially our older adults, parents with young children, delivery workers, people with disabilities and so many more,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We are proud to have partnered with NYCEDC and Parks to help site these public bathroom locations in high-traffic areas across the five boroughs.”

“This modular restroom pilot ensures that more New Yorkers can easily access free public restrooms where they’re needed most across the five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “As the city’s largest provider of free restroom facilities, Parks is pleased to collaborate on an innovative approach to create clean, safe and fully accessible bathrooms more quickly and efficiently.”

“Whether you are making deliveries, working on a construction site, driving a cab or simply spending the day out and about in your neighborhood, you should have reliable access to clean and free restrooms,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Anthony Shorris. “Access to a restroom is a basic matter of dignity, and these new locations deliver on the City’s commitment to bring facilities to the communities and public spaces where they are needed most.”