In the middle of my first term, it’s time to look back and celebrate our collective achievements.
After four years of stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City is back on track. With a decrease in crime rates, an increase in employment, a historic boom in tourism, and comprehensive economic development, we are experiencing the best year ever.
Even for a resilient city like New York, recovering from a pandemic is no easy feat. However, with strategic thinking and incentive programs, we have created favorable conditions for the economic prosperity of the city and the success of New Yorkers.
Over the past two years, we have not only recovered all the private sector job losses during the pandemic but also created the highest total number of jobs in the city’s history. We have raised wages for workers, including city employees, delivery workers, taxi drivers, and nonprofit staff. We have negotiated contracts with 95% of union members (including 100% of military and police personnel), providing our public servants with the salaries and benefits they deserve. But we won’t stop there – through the “Jobs NYC” initiative, we are directly bringing job opportunities to people, offering high-paying jobs in both the public and private sectors across the five boroughs for New Yorkers.
In addition to witnessing strong economic growth, we are helping more New Yorkers access affordable housing. Thanks to our partners in Albany, this year’s state budget includes the “every part” of the housing agenda we have been advocating for. Providing the necessary tools to build affordable housing for New Yorkers in need. These new initiatives and incentives will bring us closer to our “moonshot” goal of constructing 500,000 new housing units in the next 10 years.
We have also initiated large-scale infrastructure projects, including the largest affordable housing project in the city located in Willets Point, Queens. This project will construct 2,500 housing units and the city’s first football stadium, transforming the entire neighborhood. When the New York City Football Club lifts the trophy again, 25,000 fans will celebrate here.
Just last week, I proudly announced the addition of a new striking skyscraper to our city’s skyline – a 62-story office tower in Midtown Manhattan. This building alone will accommodate 6,000 employees and serve as the New York City headquarters for top financial firms Citadel and Citadel Securities.
Midtown Manhattan has more projects in the pipeline, including our “Broadway Vision” plan that will create new public spaces between Madison Squares and Herald Squares, enhancing safety on the streets. Additionally, we are investing $10 billion to expand the Port Authority bus terminal.
For the first time in over a century, we are reimagining the city’s most famous retail destination, creating a pedestrian-friendly boulevard welcoming more New Yorkers and tourists to Fifth Avenue. This plan will create more green spaces in our city and highlight Midtown as a premier shopping district.
These visionary large-scale public construction projects will define our city for generations to come. We are investing in our city, our future, and every hardworking New Yorker who loves this city.
We have also achieved all this through a focus on public safety. This year, crime rates have consistently decreased across the five boroughs. Over the past year, homicides and shootings have significantly dropped by double digits, following similar declines in the previous years.
In February, bus crime rates decreased by 15%, followed by nearly a 24% decrease in March, ending the first quarter of the year with a decrease in bus crimes. But it’s not just about numbers. It’s about ensuring that New Yorkers feel safe in our city and trust that we are moving in the right direction. That’s why the city plans to increase investments in fundamental solutions to improve conditions for all New Yorkers, especially young people.
We are investing in our “Fair Futures” initiative to support foster children. Since taking office, this program has increased college enrollment rates by 50%; we are also investing in the “ACS College Voucher” program to ensure they can afford tuition after attending college.
We have expanded the reading disability screening program to screen all children for reading disabilities, ensuring that these children receive the support needed for reading skills and future success.
We are proud of the achievements of the past two years, but we know there is still much work to be done in the future. We will continue to make America’s safest big city even safer, provide more economic opportunities for everyone, and improve the quality of life in all five boroughs. Guided by the success of the past two years, we intend to extend our successful story into the future.