MAYOR ADAMS BREAKS GROUND ON BATTERY COASTAL RESILIENCE TO PROTECT LOWER MANHATTAN FROM SEA LEVEL RISE AND STORM SURGE, CALLS FOR REGULAR FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE

 

State of the City Project Will Protect 100,000 New Yorkers

From Coastal Storms, Create 400 Construction Jobs

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the groundbreaking of Battery Coastal Resilience, a critical, $200-million component of the overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency strategy. Led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), and the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), Battery Coastal Resilience — a key initiative announced in Mayor Adams’ State of the City address earlier this year — will rebuild and elevate the wharf promenade in The Battery, staying true to the character and uses of the park while protecting against projected sea level rise in the year 2100. The project is expected to be complete in 2026 and will protect the 100,000 residents, 300,000 jobs, and 12,000 businesses that call lower Manhattan home. Additionally, the project will create 400 construction jobs.

 

Mayor Adams today also called on the federal government to create a regular, recurring source of federal funding for coastal infrastructure that would enable New York City to complete critical resiliency projects. For every $1 invested in coastal infrastructure projects, $6 is saved in recovery costs. A regular, recurring funding program would help New York City more reliably access federal funding for crucial projects to protect more New Yorkers from climate change hazards.

 

“We’re building a more resilient, more sustainable city for today’s New Yorkers and for generations to come, and our coastal resiliency projects are key pieces of that work,” said Mayor Adams. “The Battery Coastal Resilience project will help protect Lower Manhattan from the stronger storms that climate change is bringing while ensuring that New Yorkers can still enjoy the beautiful green space and cultural icons that The Battery has come to be known for. We’re investing billions in green and grey infrastructure across the city to ensure that New York City is ready for whatever Mother Nature can throw at us. And because the need for these projects isn’t going away any time soon, we need the federal government to establish reliable sources of funding for key coastal resiliency work across the country.”

 

“Climate change is the defining fight of our generation; the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency strategy is a bold effort to protect this jewel of a city. It is also just one tool in a huge and growing toolkit that we are using to protect not just Manhattan but all five boroughs against heat, stronger storms, increased rain, and even smoke," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "From barrier walls to protect us from storm surges to bluebelts to capture rain, we need to commit to every component of our broad-based fight against this crisis. And we need every tool — with better, faster, cheaper capital delivery — to ensure we win."

  

“As we made clear in the recently-published Green Economy Action Plan, the City of New York is the world's leader on climate-forward policies, which includes upgrading our built environment to be more resilient in the face of more frequent and more powerful storms,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I'd like to thank my colleagues across city government for their collaboration on this project, with special thanks to EDC. With this groundbreaking, we are mitigating the threat of sea-level rise to lower Manhattan for decades to come and advancing the city's position as a global pioneer in the fight against climate change.”

 

According to the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC), coastal New York City is experiencing higher rates of sea level rise than the global average. NPCC projects, at the higher end, 23 inches of sea level rise by the 2050s and 65 inches of sea level rise by 2100. The project will protect New Yorkers from that sea level rise and will include the reconstruction of the deteriorating wharf; preservation and enhancement of the park’s character, gardens, and community amenities; memorials and historic monuments; adaptability to future passenger ferry needs, universally accessible design principles; and more.

 

Battery Coastal Resilience has received a Platinum award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision program, which promotes industry-wide sustainability metrics and fosters cost-effective, energy-efficient, and adaptable long-term infrastructure investments. Battery Coastal Resilience is the first major project in the city to meet the commitments of the NYC Clean Construction Accelerator of reducing embodied emissions by over 50 percent. Battery Coastal Resilience will use low-carbon and recycled materials, and it will reduce truck traffic through using barge transportation. This equates to the removal of more than 2,000 trucks from the roadways in Lower Manhattan, avoiding approximately 400 metric tons of carbon emissions. Battery Coastal Resilience exemplifies the way that mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change can be complementary in major capital projects. This strategy will be critical as more coastal resiliency projects continue throughout the city and raises the bar to achieve for future climate solutions.  Battery Coastal Resilience exemplifies the way that mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change can be complementary in major capital projects. This strategy will be critical as more coastal resiliency projects continue throughout the city and raises the bar to achieve for future climate solutions. 

Map of Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Projects. Credit: NYCEDC

Also highlighted today was the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project (SBPCR), a Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency initiative led by the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) and currently under construction adjacent to the Battery Coastal Resilience site. Creating a physical tie-in with Battery Coastal Resilience, SBPCR will create an integrated coastal flood risk management system extending along the northern border of Battery Park, across Pier A Plaza, through a rebuilt Wagner Park, and to the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

 

Under the Adams administration, the city is embarking on historic, multibillion-dollar work to fight climate hazards and advance environmental justice. The projects in The Battery are part of over $1.7 billion in Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency climate adaptation capital investments. These investments include the $350 million Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resilience, which began construction in fall of 2022. Construction is also advancing on the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project, with the first two public areas opening in 2022 and 2023, and other coastal projects are in progress in all five boroughs. For example, as part of the city’s citywide efforts to reduce coastal risk, the administration recently completed construction on the Old Howard Beach Street project, which will protect New Yorkers from what would have been routine tidal flooding in 2050.

Citywide Coastal Resilience Projects. Credit: MOCEJ

“Climate change presents a real, ongoing threat to New York City, and Lower Manhattan in particular,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “These coastal resiliency projects are important steps toward protecting the area against rising sea levels, flooding, and extreme weather events that continue to happen more frequently. DEP is proud to be a part of New York City’s efforts to improve The Battery’s resilience against climate change and ensure that Lower Manhattan remains a vibrant neighborhood for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”

 

“The Battery first became a critical part of Lower Manhattan's coastal defenses 400 years ago. Today, we are building on that history to respond to the new threat of rising seas, while also restoring its magnificent gardens and enhancing its iconic views,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Parks is proud of our work with our partners on this urgent project to replace the deteriorated wharf and esplanade with a new, higher structure, providing uninterrupted ferry access to the Statue of Liberty for many decades to come and increasing accessibility to the waterfront, using sustainable construction methods and protecting the park's character.”

 

“"Battery Coastal Resilience is a key part of our strategy to protect our ever-evolving shorelines from the intensifying impacts of climate change,” said MOCEJ Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “New York City is executing complex coastal resilience projects in our dense urban environment and this project is a window into the future of sustainable and clean construction practices where we use our waterways and marine highway instead of trucks, and where we use low-carbon and recycled materials for construction in a cost-effective way that reduces construction impacts to our neighbors.” 

 

“The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency project sets the standard for future projects of this kind, marrying coastal protection with an ambitious sustainability agenda,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “Breaking ground on the Battery Coastal Resiliency portion of Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency marks a huge win in advancing the work to protect our city from future sea-level rising and flooding due to climate change. NYCEDC is thrilled to work on this with MOCEJ and NYC Parks to deliver a sustainable and resilient future for all New Yorkers.” 

“DDC installed the city’s first flood gate on Manhattan’s east side in 2022, and we are cumulatively building 3.2 miles of shoreline protection from the Brooklyn Bridge up to East 25^th Street,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Soon we will start similar work in Red Hook, Brooklyn. These projects are protecting New Yorkers in NYCHA and other housing, as well as important public buildings such as firehouse and clinics, from the effects of future storms and anticipated tidal flooding. They also are an opportunity to enhance public recreation spaces and expand access to the river, which our Lower Manhattan resiliency projects are doing. We opened the improved Stuyvesant Cove Park last summer and this fall we anticipate opening the first parts of the new East River Park.” 

“Superstorm Sandy pushed nearly 10 feet of damaging salt water over The Battery that submerged much of Lower Manhattan, including our subways and vehicular tunnels. With shovels in the ground on these coastal protection projects, we are one step closer to safeguarding this critical part of New York City,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner for Coastal Resilience Laurian Farrell. “Similarly, after years of planning and working with our federal partners and local communities, we anticipate several additional coastal protection projects to get under way soon, including in Brooklyn and on Staten Island.” 

 

“As the climate crisis bears down and the impacts of extreme weather become greater and more frequent, it is absolutely essential that New York City takes steps now to build up its coastal resilience before it’s too late,” said Julie Tighe, president, New York League of Conservation Voters. “NYLCV applauds Mayor Adams for launching the Battery Coastal Resilience project, which is a key component of ensuring Lower Manhattan is protected from rising sea levels and remains a robust center of commerce for generations to come.

 

“The Waterfront Alliance is pleased to see yet more progress in New York City’s initiatives to work against the acceleration of climate change,” said Cortney Koenig Worrall, president and CEO, Waterfront Alliance. “The Battery Coastal Resilience Project is a vital step forward in the coastal protection portfolio for lower Manhattan. With each new project the city gains the resources, skills, and experience that must bring similar projects faster to neighborhoods across all five boroughs.  Projects that combine resilient infrastructure with waterfront access for boats, ferries, and recreation are essential for a city surrounded by water. We are motivated to continuing to partner and work with the city’s climate teams as the agenda continues to be defined and as tools are developed to deliver infrastructure more quickly.”

 

“The city's investment in fortifying the Battery's coastal defenses is vital to safeguarding this historic neighborhood and iconic public spaces from the increasing threat of storm surge and sea level rise,” said Alice Blank, vice chair, Manhattan Community Board 1. “New York is leading the way in climate resiliency by undertaking critical infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable areas like the Battery to protect residents, businesses, and treasured landmarks for generations to come.”

 

Florida Hospital System Agrees to Pay $1.5 Million to Resolve Liability Relating to Self-Disclosure of Improper Discounts

 

Baptist Health System Inc. (Baptist Health), located in Florida, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing its subsidiaries to offer discounts to patients to induce them to purchase or refer Baptist Health services reimbursed by federal health care programs. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Baptist Health took significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperating with the government’s investigation.

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits parties who participate in federal healthcare programs from knowingly and willfully paying or receiving any remuneration in return for referring an individual to, or arranging for the furnishing of, any item or services for which payment is made by the federal healthcare programs. The United States alleged that Baptist Health subsidiaries provided discounts of up to 50% or more on patient cost sharing obligation balances for certain categories of Medicare beneficiaries, chosen by Baptist Health, without regard to any financial need consideration, during the period from Jan. 1, 2016, through Aug. 15, 2022. The United States contends that Baptist Health subsidiaries provided these discounts in exchange for the beneficiaries’ purchase or referral of services by certain categories of Medicare beneficiaries from Baptist Health subsidiaries.

Baptist Health voluntarily self-disclosed this conduct to the United States. In addition, Baptist Health cooperated with the government’s investigation and took remedial measures, including discontinuing its discount policy, conducting an internal compliance review and providing the United States with a detailed disclosure statement and other supplemental information to assist the United States in its investigation.

“The department will continue to rely on the False Claims Act to address the use of prohibited remuneration to induce federal healthcare business,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We encourage providers to mitigate the consequences of prior improper conduct by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with our investigations and adopting enhanced compliance procedures.”

“This settlement is a great example of our office’s commitment to protecting and preserving taxpayer-funded healthcare programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Self-disclosures like this not only help crucial federal healthcare programs to recoup funds, but are also in the best interests of healthcare providers themselves.”

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.  

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Trial Attorney Michael Hoffman of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Governor Hochul Announces $50 Million Modernization Project at 146-Year-Old Genesee Brewery in Rochester

State Funding Will Support Project Upgrades to Create a World Class Packaging Facility in Rochester, Retaining 500 Jobs and Creating up to 57 New Jobs

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – the Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a major revitalization project for the storied Genesee Brewery in the City of Rochester. The 146-year-old facility will undergo a $50 million renovation to transform the building into a world-class packaging facility, increasing the building’s manufacturing capacity and allowing for greater efficiency at the site. The company is planning to create up to 57 new jobs at the facility over the next two years in addition to retaining more than 500 workers in Rochester, and will use the facility to supplement the Canadian production and shipment of its renowned Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light lines of beer – making this the first facility to produce these lines in the United States. New York State has offered a $7 million capital grant to Genesee’s parent company, FIFCO USA, to assist with the modernization upgrades.

“The Genesee Brewery has been a trusted employer in the Rochester community for well over a century, and this transformative investment will help to keep them in New York State for generations to come,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance, with millions of dollars in investment and countless, good-paying jobs coming to our state, and my administration is committed to helping businesses like the Genesee Brewery expand their presence in New York and help move our economy forward.”

This project will increase the brewery’s capacity with the installation of new tanks and equipment, following a $50 million Phase One investment in the Rochester facility in 2018. The company opened the Genesee Brew House in 2012, which features an on-site museum, restaurant and pilot brewery that last year attracted more than 400,000 people to the location along the beautiful Genesee River in Downtown Rochester. Genesee Brew House also received three awards in the New York State Craft Beer Competition in 2023 with their Helles beer, a traditional light lager taking the best in show Governor’s Excelsior Craft Beer Cup award.

Established in 1878, the Genesee Brewery is New York State’s oldest brewery and one of the oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Brewery makes the classic line of Genesee beers, as well as the popular Seagram’s Escapes line, Lipton Hard Iced Tea and several brands for large alcoholic beverage companies across the country.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS, CUT RED TAPE FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

 

$5.3 Million in Grant Funding for BIDs and Community-Based Organizations Will Drive Tourism and Economic Development

$500,000 for New “Trusted Partners” Grant Program Will Support Eligible BIDs With Rising Insurance Premiums

Over $1 Million for Public Realm Design Support Will Be Provided to Underserved Commercial Corridors Through Public-Private Partnership

Since 2022, Adams Administration Has Invested More Than $27 Million in Commercial Revitalization

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim today announced a series of new investments and programs to support and cut red tape for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and community-based organizations as the Adams administration continues to strengthen commercial corridors across the five boroughs. Mayor Adams specifically announced nearly $7 million in investments that will drive tourism and economic impact, support eligible BIDs with rising insurance premiums, and help develop public realm vision plans. New York City is currently celebrating “NYC Small Business Month,” and today celebrates its second-annual “NYC BID Day” — a day for BIDs to conduct business outreach, neighborhood clean-up events, and open street and public space activations, among other activities to drive economic opportunity across their communities.

“Small businesses and commercial corridors are the lifeblood of New York City’s thriving economy,” said Mayor Adams. “Since the start of our administration, we have invested more than $27 million in BIDs and other community development organizations through SBS, and today, we are investing almost $7 million more. As we celebrate New York City Small Business Month, we’re proud to strengthen our decades-long partnerships with New York City BIDs, make our commercial corridors more vibrant and safer, and drive economic opportunity across our communities.”

“Our small businesses and commercial corridors are a big part of what make this city so great, and the Adams administration continues to act on its commitment to support them in every corner of the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Today and every day, I am grateful to the BID community for their partnership in driving traffic to our storefront businesses, enhancing commercial district vibrancy, and fueling our ongoing economic recovery.”

“Our city would not be half as dynamic and half as welcoming without the hard work that our BID partners do day-in and day-out,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “You provide the magic of the public festivals and the dynamic retail and dining that puts our city a cut above the rest. You’ve done this sometimes in spite of the challenging layers of bureaucracy that city government has historically provided. You are great partners to us and now we must be great partners to you. That means giving you the space to do what you do best, enlivening our streets for everyone who lives, works, and travels in wonderful New York.”

“SBS is proud to oversee New York City’s 75 BIDs, which serve over 300 miles of commercial corridors and provide crucial support for the small businesses that form the foundation of our city's neighborhood economies,” said SBS Commissioner Kim. “This ‘NYC BID Day’ we aren't just celebrating 40 years of partnership with our BIDs, but ensuring that their impact and reach continues to grow through important and innovative programs. I want to thank Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor Joshi, ‘New’ New York Executive Director B. J. Jones, and Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu for continuing to invest in the BIDs that have done so much to make New York the ‘City of Yes’ for small business.”

“BIDs are true champions of public space in New York City and are on the ground ensuring these spaces are safe, clean, and vibrant for all New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “We could not do this work without their partnership, and I look forward to continuing to improve the public realm together in years to come.”

“For the past 40 years, BIDs have helped revitalize our city’s neighborhoods from storefronts to streetscapes in all five boroughs,” said “New” New York Executive Director B.J. Jones. “This new wave of investments and partnerships charts a course to enhance livability, cut red tape, and ignite growth in commercial corridors for the next 40 years.”

Record-Funding for BIDs and Other Local Institutions

Cementing the Adams administration’s first-of-its-kind support to expand services in smaller BIDs and cultivate the formation of new BIDs and merchants associations, the Fiscal Year (FY) 25 Executive Budget includes $5.3 million in grant funding to help drive visitors and New Yorkers alike to commercial corridors, storefront businesses, and neighborhood institutions. Specifically, Mayor Adams’ executive budget invest in three programs: Merchant Organizing, BID Formation, and Small BID grant programs. These grants — launched for the first-time in FY23 — support economic vitality in small and underserved commercial corridors. This builds on long-standing grant programs for BIDs, including through the Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization and Neighborhood 360° programs.

BIDs as Trusted Partners

The city is creating a new ‘Trusted Partner’ program to cut red tape for BIDs and ensure they can focus on delivering vital quality-of-life services to New Yorkers every day. This program will make it easier for BIDs to operate by streamlining and removing many cumbersome requirements. The program makes the city’s responsibilities clear, helping to reduce frivolous litigation where BIDs are clearly not responsible. The city will also consolidate and clarify multiple agreements, making it easier for BIDs to operate.

The city will establish a first-of-its-kind $500,000 grant program administered by SBS to help offset insurance costs for smaller BIDs or those facing financial hardships. SBS will also offer technical assistance to BIDs that are struggling to obtain insurance.

Connected Corridors

Implementing one of the key recommendations of the “‘New’ New York Action Plan: Making New York Work for Everyone,” the city is piloting a new program model to build the capacity of under-resourced BIDs, specifically as it relates to reimagining their public spaces. The “Connected Corridors” program — a unique partnership between the city, the Urban Design Forum, and the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development — will provide funding and technical assistance to BID partners in under-invested corridors to develop districtwide public realm vision plans, lighting projects, and other activations, and plan both near-term activations and longer-term improvements. The initial BIDs selected for the 2024 program are:

• 161st Street BID, Capitol District, Bronx
• Pitkin Avenue BID, Brownsville, Brooklyn
• Sunnyside Shines BID, Sunnyside, Queens

This innovative program model is made possible with a commitment of over $1 million ($600,000 of which is leveraged through private dollars) from National Grid Foundation and SBS, with additional major support from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, Deutsche Bank, and the NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund. It further leverages the relationships with the architecture and design community, local community partners, and connects into the work of the deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce and the chief public realm officer to amplify cultural and economic vibrancy in public spaces across the five boroughs. The National Grid grant also supports the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, the district-wide parks conservancy, in their efforts to maintain and cultivate public space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Key findings of the FY23 NYC Business Improvement District Trends Report

A new report released today by SBS on the economic output of BIDs found that, in FY23, New York City BIDs:

• Invested $194 million into their neighborhoods, supporting nearly 300 miles of commercial corridors and nearly 24,000 storefront businesses.
• Collected nearly 4 million trash bags of litter, cleaned 400,000 instances of graffiti, maintained more than 6,600 garbage receptacles, and launched multiple containerization pilot programs.
• Held 4,561 public events that drew in a combined 25.8 million participants, and contributed to the public realm by installing 235 miles of holiday lighting.
• Provided supplemental public safety staffing across 190 linear miles, including through neighborhood patrols, security cameras, additional lighting, pedestrian traffic management, and other supportive services.
• Invested $16.9 million in neighborhood beautification by maintaining 26,303 streetscape elements, including 6,760 tree pits and 4,298 planters, and sponsoring 160 public art installations.

The Adams administration is committed to rebuilding New York City’s economy. Through its “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity“ proposal — a commonsense set of reforms to revitalize commercial corridors, fill vacant storefronts, and boost our economic recovery — the Adams administration is supporting small businesses, clearing red tape, and creating opportunities for working-class New Yorkers. As the partnership between the city and BIDs enters its fifth decade, the Adams administration is ushering in a new era of partnership with BIDs centered on three pillars and with five-borough equity at its core. First, driving visitors and New Yorkers alike to commercial corridors, storefront businesses, and neighborhood institutions in all five boroughs through merchant organizing and branding. Second, maintaining a clean and safe public realm and streetscape, through major city initiatives like waste containerization, rodent mitigation, micro-mobility, and retail theft. And third, envisioning and building world-class public spaces in both central business districts and in neighborhood centers across the five boroughs.

Since 2022, the Adams administration has allocated over $27 million in grants to BIDs, merchants organizations, and other community-based development organizations, including through four programs that were newly conceived under the administration as part of “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for Economic Recovery“ and the “New” New York Action Plan.

“The 161st Street BID is grateful to be working with the Metropolitan Urban Design Workshop, Habitat Workshop, and Sighte Studio in the revitalization of our public space, Lou Gehrig Plaza,” said Trey Jenkins, executive director, 161st Street BID. “Over the past two years, our BID has helped small businesses in the district, increased our marketing and events for visitors and everyday New Yorkers, and started the task of beatification to spruce up our business district. Lou Gehrig Plaza has been a useful asset for our BID and community organizations as a public space for events. From event activations, art and lighting installations, and pop-up markets, this grant opportunity will allow our BID, and our friends on the design teams, to really show the world how this public space can transform a community in a variety of ways this year and beyond.”

“Brownsville has a long history of using public space to promote economic development and community building,” said Tiera Mack, executive director, Pitkin Avenue BID. “The Pitkin Avenue BID’s participation in the ‘Connected Corridors’ program will help us grow and sustain investments in our streets, parks, and plazas, while preserving our existing cultural traditions. In Brownsville, we also believe that when we all do a little, no one has to do a lot, so we are incredibly thankful for the collaboration between the private, public, and non-profit sectors that made this program a reality.”

“We want to thank Mayor Adams who understands the critical role BIDs play in our neighborhoods, from promoting and supporting small businesses, helping to improve the quality of life, and to creating economic opportunities for our local communities,” said Peter Madonia, chairman, Belmont BID.

“It’s fantastic that New York City is recognizing the essential role that BIDs play in building thriving neighborhoods all across the city,” said Samara Karasyk, chief executive officer, Hudson Square BID. “BIDs do work, often out of public view, that ensures New Yorkers have access to the kind of vibrant public spaces, experiences, and businesses that make New York City the best place to live on the planet.”

“BIDs are critical to keeping New York City neighborhoods safe, clean, and enjoyable for New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world,” said Madelyn Wils, interim president, Fifth Avenue Association. “Since the pandemic, marketing our local businesses and creating a safe and beautiful public realm, have become a growing need for many BIDS. The work we do every day wouldn’t be possible without the support of SBS and we are looking forward to continuing to build on our partnership.”

“The Steinway BID is honored to celebrate BID Day,” said Marie Torniali, executive director, Steinway Astoria Partnership. “As small business advocates dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of our district and neighborhood, we are proud to be part of a group that makes New York City communities stronger.”

“The Washington Heights BID is thrilled to be part of the citywide initiative celebrating the vibrant tapestry of small businesses,” said Isidro Medina, executive director, Washington Heights BID. “Today, we embark on a mission of community engagement, conducting door-to-door outreach to extend vital city resources and promotional materials to the heart and soul of our neighborhood, the small businesses of Washington Heights.”

“Small businesses are what make New York City what it is, not only by providing a rich tapestry of goods and services, but as our friends, neighbors, and shared places,” said Francesca Fernandez Bruce, executive director, Grand Street BID. “BIDs are here to support the communities these small businesses help create. Through savvy partnerships, programming, and a dedication to safe, beautiful, and inclusive public spaces, BIDs help us preserve and grow the city we share.”

“The Jerome Gun Hill BID is proud to continue our participation in the second annual ‘NYC BID Day,’” said Daniela Beasley, executive director, Jerome Gun Hill BID. “BIDs are essential in uplifting our small business communities from merely surviving to thriving commercial corridors. With the added support for BIDs in the past couple of years, I hope to see more formed, particularly in historically underserved and overlooked neighborhoods throughout the city. Most BIDs’ programming is informed by residents, shoppers, BID members, and local workers sharing their needs and wants. Use this BID Day to inform your closest BID of what changes you would like to see.”

“For almost 30 years, the Lincoln Square BID has provided key supplemental sanitation and public safety services, which have helped boost Lincoln Square as a premier cultural and business destination and created a clean and safe environment for residents to live, tourists to visit, and businesses to thrive,” said Monica Blum, president, Lincoln Square BID. “Lincoln Square has evolved into the city’s newest culinary destination with nearly 20 new restaurants and eateries – many small businesses – that have opened since the pandemic. We thank Mayor Adams and his administration for understanding how BIDs can be community game changers and deliver economic opportunity for our commercial corridors, and we are proud to support ‘NYC BID Day.’”

“During these challenging economic times, BIDs serve as an additional lifeline for our brick-and-mortar businesses to understand new rules and regulations being issued to help them be in compliance while also being the eyes and ears of our neighborhoods,” said Wilma Alonso, president and chief executive officer, Fordham Road BID. “The Fordham Road BID is pleased to see the Adams administration doubling down on the important role BIDs play to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and vibrant.”

“On Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, every month is small business month,” said Kelly Carroll, executive director, Atlantic Avenue BID. “This funding is essential for our citizenry to keep being able to shop small from real people and preserve New York City's spirit. Our commercial corridors are special because they have small businesses you can't find anywhere else in the world.”

“‘NYC BID Day’ is a day to celebrate the originality and diversity of our bustling district, full of beloved mom-and-pop businesses that make this Brooklyn neighborhood so vibrant,” said Melissa Coburn, executive director, Park Slope 5th Ave BID. “Named New York City’s ‘coolest street’ for 2024 by Time Out New York, we are happy to support our small businesses on 5th Avenue, maintain public space, and green our corridor with the goal of improved economic development 365 days a year.”

“The second annual ‘NYC BID Day’ is a special way to celebrate the impact that BIDs and small businesses make throughout New York City,” said Daniel J. Bernstein, executive director, 

“The Morris Park BID is grateful to Mayor Adams and SBS for recognizing the role of BIDs as strategic partners in the economic development and sustainability of New York City,” said Dr. Camelia Tepelus, executive director, Morris Park BID. “BIDs are advocates, planners, managers, trouble-shooters, cultural ambassadors, and most importantly, problem-solvers in so many New York City neighborhoods. We thank all agencies assisting us in keeping NYC clean, green, diverse, vibrant, and prosperous for all.”

“The Third Avenue BID has worked closely with the city for over 35 years to ensure our commercial district is safe, clean, and well-programmed,” said Pedro Suarez, executive director, Third Avenue BID. “We deeply appreciate the investments that the Adams administration is making in BIDs, particularly in the Bronx. We look forward to our continued partnership with Commissioner Kim and his dedicated staff in supporting a thriving small business community.”

News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

LAD COMMUNITY LAUNDRY ROOM GRAND OPENING 

 

Stopped by the The Longwood Academy of Discovery for the grand opening of their LAD Community Laundry Room, funded by a $200,000 grant from my office. 

 Throughout Bronx schools, we are witnessing students from low-income families get bullied for not having access to clean clothing. With the opening of this community laundry room, parents now have a space to do laundry and ensure their kids are maintaining healthy hygiene.

HELMET DISTRIBUTION WITH NYC DOT

 

 The South Bronx is officially ready to enjoy the warmer season with brand-new bicycle helmets! 

Thank you to NYC DOT for your continued partnership with our free helmet distributions and your commitment to ensuring the safety of Bronx youth.

CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS IN THE BRONX

CINCO DE MAYO

 

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Cinco de Mayo!!

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH!

 

Celebrating the start of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the Bronx!

UPCOMING EVENTS

PRESS CONFERENCE & FAMILY FUN DAY WITH NYC PARKS

 

Please join Team Salamanca and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for an afternoon of fun in celebration of Mother's Day, as we announce the installation of Diaper Changing Stations in all New York City Park bathrooms. 

I hope to see you there!

2024 MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION 

 

Thank you to everyone who RSVP’d for our 2024 Mother’s Day Celebration! 

Due to overwhelming popularity, we have already reached maximum capacity and will no longer be accepting reservations for this event.

AL QUIÑONES PARK RE-NAMING CEREMONY

 

 Please join us on Saturday, May 18th, as we honor Bronx hero Albert “Al” Quiñones with a Park re-naming ceremony. 

Immediately following will be a Salsa concert by Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power, courtesy of Acacia Network!

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov