Good evening New York City,

I hope the beginning of your month has been great. I had a wonderful time meeting with New Yorkers like you across the boroughs, celebrating our neighbors’ vibrant cultures, and sharing very promising news that reminds us all that New York City is the greatest city in the world.

Here’s how we proudly Got Stuff Done for you this week:

We made housing history! We connected more New Yorkers in need to permanent housing with CityFHEPS than any year in our city’s history, and we broke a half-century New York City record for most affordable housing built and preserved.
We announced that crime is DOWN across major categories. While the summertime is typically known for increased incidents, our public safety strategies are working. Murders and shootings are down 35% each. View all the numbers to know here.
Our first citywide participatory budgeting results are in! The People’s Money initiative empowered tens of thousands of New Yorkers ages 11 and above to vote on how the city will allocate $5 million in funds. All winning projects will be completed by June 2024 at the latest.
Our NYC Ferry Forward plan is getting some major wind in its sails with a new contract! This new agreement will bring major improvements for riders, including free onboard Wi-Fi and new real-time seat and bike space availability.

🕶️ 🌻 🏊 Superb summer 🏊 🌻 🕶️

With all of this week’s major accomplishments and announcements, I also wanted to fill you in on new initiatives we rolled out and fun free ways to enjoy this NYC August.

Scroll below to find out how to access 80+ of our beloved cultural institutions and museums for free, where to practice yoga on a boat, and how to get a limited edition t-shirt for hip hop’s 50th anniversary.

↳ Three initiatives to know:

Giving NYCHA residents a say – NYCHA residents in Sheepshead Bay’s Nostrand Houses are the first tenants to vote on unlocking federal funds for repairs. Should residents embrace the Public Housing Preservation Trust, billions of dollars would be put towards much needed improvements. Before the voting period, there will be a 100 day engagement period for residents to learn about their options and make informed decisions when voting.
Enforcing accountability for trucks on the BQE – Overweight trucks will automatically be ticketed on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Trucks weighing 80,000 pounds or more and driving Queens-bound on the tiered section of the BQE will receive $650 fines starting in November, after a 90-day warning period. The Department of Transportation’s new system will detect weight with scales underneath the vehicles and drivers’ license plates will be captured with readers.
Connecting underserved New Yorkers with good jobs – We established the new Office of Community Hiring to get an estimated 36,000 jobs created annually for marginalized New Yorkers, such as those living in high-poverty areas, veterans, immigrants, public housing residents, and people with disabilities. The Office of Community Hiring will provide training, work opportunities, and preparation so underserved New Yorkers can identify and thrive in viable career paths.

↳ In case you missed it:

Summer Streets – Don't worry if you didn’t make it to Manhattan’s Summer Street last week because we’re doing it AGAIN this weekend! The annual New York City event opens up roads to pedestrians, cyclists, and all New Yorkers from the Brooklyn Bridge to 125th Street so you can walk, run, bike, skip, jog, dance, enjoy free food and activities, and even play pickleball.

↳ Free access to museums and more:

Culture Pass – It’s easy to have an Adventurous August when new experiences are free! Available to all New Yorkers ages 13 and older, Culture Pass grants free access to 80+ cultural institutions in the five boroughs. Maybe you’ll spend an afternoon observing modern art at the MoMA or go stroll through a farm at the Queens Botanical Garden. There’s something for everyone, and you can view all participating organizations here.

↳ Don't forget:

Public questions for public safety – New Yorkers like you can submit questions for the weekly Friday public safety briefing here. Our leaders will answer these during the Friday livestream, available on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

↳ FREE events this weekend:

Bronx: Attend a block party with live music
Brooklyn: Take out a canoe in Marine Park
Manhattan: See live dance performances outside
Queens: Cheer on teams at a dragon boat festival
Staten Island: Go to a concert of women-led groups

☞ Of note: There’s so many free exercise classes and ways to stay active in New York City that bring exciting twists to personal fitness. For FREE, why not try...

Practicing Vinyasa yoga on a ship
Taking HIIT classes on the Hudson
Learning how to Double Dutch

Line dancing for aerobic activity
Building strength at a barre class
Taking Zumba in Fort Tryon Park

Taking outdoor dance classes
Playing Pickleball for the first time
Rowing a boat in the Bronx River

🦠 COVID Express testing

Free COVID testing appointments are still widely available through the City and can be made by all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status. If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s always best to test! Please take advantage of this no-cost, quick, and easy service. If you do test positive, you can access oral antiviral medication at these locations or for free through NYC Health + Hospitals ExpressCare.

🐀 New rat map

There’s no need to keep playing hide-and-squeak with rats anymore! Check out our new interactive map to see where we're hot on their tails. This new map shows you up-to-date information on rat inspections in every neighborhood across the city! We also have a brand new rat portal that will equip you with helpful tips and tricks to send your local rats packing for good.

🌱 Nurturing New York’s nature

NYC Parks’ volunteer site just got a makeover! The new website allows New Yorkers to find volunteer projects based on their interests and goals. More than 100 volunteer groups are featured to help you find the perfect fit, whether that’s restoring oyster populations in the New York Harbor or keeping your favorite local park clean. When you give back to our parks now, you give back to future generations of New Yorkers. Find something that interests you and get out there!

🩸 Give blood, get a shirt...

...and maybe even Bronx-themed Nike Air Force 1 sneakers! Here’s how: sign up here to donate blood with the New York Blood Center, receive a free limited edition shirt celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and get entered to win special Nike sneakers. New York needs our blood supply to be as diverse as our communities. Please donate blood if you can.

Before you go, did you know…

There’s a group of NYC teens connecting with peers in states with banned books? The Brooklyn Public Library’s Intellectual Freedom Teen Council helps New York City teenagers virtually meet students in other parts of the country to discuss censorship, books, and youth activism. These meetings have empowered students in these states to organize and advocate for the freedom to read diverse materials by diverse writers. The library also offers free e-cards to youth ages 13-21 nationally, so they can benefit from books they can no longer get closer to home.

📚 📖 📚

Enjoy another summer weekend, New Yorkers! I hope you get out there if you can and get a little sun. Taking a stroll along our car-free Summer Streets is an excellent way to do that.

Your Mayor,

Eric

P.S. Have a question, comment, or request? Contact my office here. I look forward to hearing from you.