Transcript: Mayor Adams Holds Public Hearing on Intro. 1219

June 11, 2025

Watch video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N8_ttQbZoY

Mayor Eric Adams: Good afternoon, today I'm holding a hearing on a bill that establishes the East Harlem 125th Street Business Improvement District, something that Commissioner Gross has been really helpful in establishing. It's so important for that community, and it ensures that East Harlem remains the soul of our city.

East Harlem is a place of history, of food and culture, and it is a transit hub. The neighborhood is undergoing a progressive change in the right direction, and a place to live the American dream. But quality of life offenses have skyrocketed down 125th Street, and residents and businesses are fed up, and we heard them, and now we are responding.

They deserve a commercial corridor that is safe, and clean. One that is free of quality of life concerns like overflowing, trash, excessive noise, substance use, and more that have persisted for far too long. These issues have kept customers, foot traffic, and tourists away from enjoying the beautiful area on 125th Street. It is impacting the economic development of the area.

Today, we say no more. Intro. 1219 will establish the East Harlem 125th Street Business Improvement District in the borough of Manhattan, which will work to address quality of life issues, public safety, and invest in this business district.

We know what happens when we revitalize our commercial corridors and public spaces. People spend money, which puts money back into pockets of working class New Yorkers who work in the business and in the community.

Within this bill, we are going to make 125th Street and the community around it cleaner. We're going to improve quality of life. We're going to deliver economic opportunity to the working people of East Harlem, and ensure that New York City remains the best place to raise a family.

I want to thank the City Council, the Speaker's Office, Deputy Speaker Ayala, SBS Commissioner Gross, and East Harlem 125th Street Steering Committee. If there is anyone from the public that would like to speak, we're going to open the floor now.

Sounds like a plan, so thank you all, and we look forward to signing this bill in the near future. Thank you very much.

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