• Releasing our preliminary city budget – Our balanced $109.4 billion Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget makes the important investments in public safety, public spaces, and people. With a near-record $8.2 billion in reserves, this budget builds on this administration’s record of fiscal responsibility and prioritization of working-class New Yorkers’ needs. 

• Converting unused offices into housing – 46 vacant office buildings have enrolled in our Office Conversion Accelerator program to be turned into apartments. With representatives from multiple agencies, the Accelerator team helps building owners seamlessly navigate the conversion process. This will ultimately create thousands of units of housing!

• Creating NYC’s first magnet high schools – We announced $30 million in federal funding to open NYC’s first six magnet high schools across the Bronx and Manhattan. These schools will offer tailored learning opportunities for public school students to explore their interests and be put on a path for success following graduation.

↳ Four things to know this week:

1. Chances are you or someone you know has a cough. It's always best to test, so please pick up a free rapid COVID-19 test at one of these convenient locations around NYC or visit one of our free Express Testing sites to be tested on-site for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

2. For the first time in more than four decades, the distinctive towers on the Brooklyn Bridge are being lit up. 56 new lights will illuminate the historic elevated walkway as part of the bridge’s new year “glow up.”

3. While we’re “Getting Sheds Down,” we’re giving makeovers to the scaffolding that must stay up for now. The Department of Cultural Affairs’ City Canvas initiative will bring vibrant, commissioned murals to ugly construction sites. Artists can express interest in participating here.

4. It’s finally Broadway Week! Get 2-for-1 ticket discounts at some of Broadway’s most popular productions, such as Hamilton, Wicked, and Aladdin. Don’t forget to use code BWAYWK24 at checkout to secure your deal! 

↳ FREE events this weekend:

...it took 40 million pounds of salt to melt snow on every NYC street, bike lane, and highway during Monday night’s snowfall? NYC Sanitation spent the evening laying down salt so we could all wake up to clean, safe streets by the morning! And in the chilly days following, they added even more salt to prevent icy streets. 

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