Mayor Mamdani makes strides in Queens in first 50 days in office - QNS

"Queens Supreme Court Justice Chereé Buggs had ordered the Department of Transportation to halt those plans in December amid fierce pushback from local businesses, who accused the city of failing to properly engage with the local community about their concerns, including impact on business, emergency access and pedestrian safety. Supporters of the bike lanes had argued that the redesign would help improve street safety on one of the most dangerous corridors in the borough."

"Announcing that the city woud restart the planning process last month, Mamdani said it represented the "fastest path" to delivering "critical safety upgrades" along the corridor. Mamdani, as an Assemblymember representing Astoria in the 36th District, was part of a cohort of elected officials who proposed the Western Queens Street Safety Plan, which included initial plans for the protected bike lanes."

"In Edgemere, meanwhile, Mamdani announced a $38.4 million investment to install electric heat pumps at NYCHA's Beach 41st Street Houses development in an effort to bring reliable heating to tenants across the city. The heat pumps, first trialed at NYCHA's Woodside Houses in 2023, will be installed in all 712 units at the Beach 41st Street development over the coming two years."

Mamdani reached his 50th day in office after launching several initiatives in Queens while the administration remains in transition. The city will restart planning for the controversial 31st Street redesign in Astoria to install protected bike lanes along a mile-long corridor. A court had previously halted the plans after local businesses raised concerns about engagement, business impact, emergency access and pedestrian safety; supporters say the redesign would improve safety. Mamdani called the restart the "fastest path" to delivering "critical safety upgrades" and was part of the Western Queens Street Safety Plan. He also announced a $38.4 million investment to install electric heat pumps in 712 NYCHA units at Beach 41st Street, part of a broader goal to install pumps in 10,000 NYCHA units citywide by 2030.

Read at QNS