From a Queens theater, Mayor Eric Adams detailed his agenda and the speech convinced some of those present.
“It was a strong speech, I think he highlighted his mission for New Yorkers,” said Rubén Díaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President.
Among his plans is connecting 30,000 New Yorkers with apprenticeship programs.
And he wants to return to Albany to support the proposal to get about 1,700 repeat offenders off the streets.
“Next year is all about expanding that vision of what we can do and what we will do.
“There is no way to stop the greatest city in the world,” the mayor wrote in a message on social networks, taking up phrases from his speech.
This coming year is about expanding that vision of what we can get done, and what we will get done.
There’s no stopping the world’s greatest city. #SOTC2023 pic.twitter.com/y2ge0XcxgL
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 27, 2023
The mayor also committed to a greener city, launching the largest composting program in the country and working to make Uber and Lyft’s fleet electric by 2030.
Adams talked about creating more rent-stabilized housing in Midtown Manhattan, where current zoning only allows office space.
“There is a tremendous shortage of affordable housing, in Manhattan more than anywhere else. But there is a resource available, which is the buildings that are already empty. To vacate them we’re going to turn them into affordable housing, tremendous opportunity,” said Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President.
He also announced a pilot plan for free internet to about 650 Section 8 homes in the Bronx and northern Manhattan, in neighborhoods including Washington Heights and Harlem.
And of course, he talked about the immigration crisis and the lack of federal aid. The mayor emphasized a new initiative so that the homeless who last more than seven days in the city’s shelter system can obtain health insurance.
“And it is important because health cannot wait. Especially if people arrive without their medications, or without attention to their chronic illnesses,” said Manuel Castro, Commissioner, Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Outside, on the other hand, a group of immigrants asked Adams for more stable housing.
“Let him try now that those of us who have fulfilled the time that are more than 90 days in the shelter system, can transfer us to permanent homes, with this issue of controlled rent,” said Jean Carlo García.
The current situation at Rikers jail was another protest issue.
Some elected officials and activists expressed concern that the mayor did not mention any measures on the issue.
“And Riker’s Island is one of the most dangerous places and it’s not doing the job it’s supposed to do, but right now I’m hoping the mayor changes his tune and comes with us to shut down Riker’s island,” he said. Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President.
Adams congratulated New Yorkers for being unwavering pillars in this post-pandemic recovery process, adding that this is just the beginning and nothing will stop the world’s greatest city.
