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Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce New New York Panel's Action Plan

Government and Politics

December 14, 2022

From: New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams today announced the New New York: Making New York Work For Everyone action plan developed by the New New York Panel, which the Governor and Mayor convened earlier this year. The action plan includes a set of 40 proposals intended to serve as a roadmap for the city's future and make New York City an even better place to live and work. Launched in May 2022 and led by co-chairs and former deputy mayors Robin Hood CEO Richard Buery and former Sidewalk Labs CEO Daniel Doctoroff, the broad and diverse panel of civic leaders and industry experts worked for six months to generate recommendations for the city and state at a time of historic alignment between the two. The recommendations center around how the City and State could partner with each other and across sectors to reimagine a New New York that propels the city and region forward for its next chapter of growth.

"Thanks to an extraordinary partnership with Mayor Adams and the New New York Panel, this report is providing the road map toward a stronger, fairer, and more accessible New York," Governor Hochul said. "We are no longer living in the same New York as we were at the beginning of the pandemic, and these proposals will help to revitalize our business districts, ease New Yorkers' commutes, promote equity and tackle our 800,000-unit housing shortage. These are the types of bold, ambitious ideas we need right now, and my administration looks forward to closely reviewing the panel's recommendations in the coming weeks to determine how we continue to make New York an even better place to live."

New York City Mayor Adams said, "New Yorkers have been through so much in the last three years, and as society shifts in significant ways, the last year has brought remarkable signs of recovery thanks to our resilience and creativity. Our administration is committed to building a New New York — a safer, fairer, and more prosperous city that will continue to adapt and thrive throughout the 21st century. And this plan lays out a clear vision for coordinated city, state, nonprofit, and private sector action to reenergize the areas still struggling from the pandemic and supercharge those with new momentum. I want to thank Governor Hochul and the entire panel for their partnership in this critical effort to put our city on the right track, and I look forward to moving that work forward together."

Co-Chair, New New York panel and former CEO, Sidewalk Labs, Daniel Doctoroff said, "Out of crisis comes opportunity. While the pandemic and the problems it has created, especially its impact on the way we work and our commercial districts, are significant, New Yorkers never back down from a challenge. The panel's report is comprehensive and bold and, most important, has the once-in-a generation alignment of the governor and mayor. We have the opportunity to spur growth that is equitable, get people where they need to go faster, reimagine our key commercial districts, and make New York City the best place to work no matter what you do or where you do it from."

Co-Chair, New New York panel and CEO, Robin Hood Richard R. Buery, Jr., said, "New York City has always been a beacon of hope and an engine of opportunity. I am so proud that today, the New New York Panel, alongside Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, are releasing our report — advancing a bold vision to reimagine New York post-pandemic as an inclusive, future-focused city, with central business districts where people live, work, and play 24/7; transportation policies that make it easier to get to where they want to go; and growth strategies that ensure that all New Yorkers benefit from our recovery. While the pandemic turned our world upside down, it also presented a generational opportunity to make New York City the best place in the world to live and to work. Now it's up to us to make sure that the vision articulated in these pages turn into action and that New York commits to break down the barriers that have prevented so many New Yorkers from realizing their dreams and aspirations."

Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams jointly announced the New New York Panel in May 2022 to examine the future of New York City and the region's economy. While the initial scope of the panel focused on reviving New York City's business districts, especially those that have been slower to recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic like Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, the panel quickly expanded its focus to address a wider range of interconnected challenges affecting all New Yorkers - from transportation to housing to the need for great public space to childcare. The City and State's action plan reflects this expanded focus by proposing three overarching goals that work together to ensure that New York works for all New Yorkers:

    Reimagine New York's Commercial Districts as Vibrant 24/7 Destinations: Transforming NYC's single-use business districts into great places where people live, work, and play.
    Make It Easier for New Yorkers to Get to Work: Improving commutes into Manhattan and strengthening employment hubs and workspaces across 5 boroughs so people can work closer to home.
    Generate Inclusive, Future-Focused Growth: Supporting the growth of jobs and innovation and breaking down barriers to economic mobility.

Across those three goals, the plan puts forth 40 initiatives — to be advanced through legislation, policy shifts, additional funding and other actions — that the Governor and the Mayor can embrace as a roadmap for the future, including five areas key areas of action in the coming year:

    Make Midtown and other central business districts more mixed-use and flexible, by removing regulatory barriers to market-based conversion and redevelopment of outdated office buildings to residential and by allowing flexibility to repurpose space for economic activity.
    Pursue major public realm interventions to transform Midtown and other business districts into modern, pedestrian-oriented places, and create a new Director of Public Realm position at City Hall to provide a centralized and holistic approach to public realm policy, external affairs and the coordination of public realm projects and programs that touch roadways, curb space and green space.
    Increase the supply of housing by removing regulatory barriers to housing growth across the city, to increase affordability, reduce displacement and encourage inclusive communities, ensure workers have access to stable housing, and give employers confidence that they can retain and attract talent in New York City. To meet this urgent moment of our housing crisis, this set of City and State legislative changes will encourage housing production for all income levels to address the need for hundreds of thousands of new housing units across the city and state over the next decade.
    Increase access to jobs and decrease commute time to Midtown and other business districts.
    Make childcare accessible and affordable to help working families participate in the labor force, realize their economic potential, and drive an equitable recovery.

The implementation of the action plan will be led by the New New York Leadership Steering Group, a cross-governmental convening hosted by the Director of State Operations and the First Deputy Mayor and led by the Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce and the Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development. A new, dedicated senior advisor in the Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning will be hired to staff the steering group and oversee the day-to-day management of implementing the plan. Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul plan to make additional policy announcements informed by these recommendations in the weeks ahead.

The full report can be read here.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York's history - and indeed that of its people - is a story of opportunity overcoming adversity. The ideas put forth by the 'New' New York panel convened by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams formalize that narrative, particularly on relying on strong, robust, local commercial districts as the foundation and forefront of our economic recovery."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Throughout our nation's history, New York City has consistently and successfully reinvented itself like no other city in the world, and we are primed and ready to do it again. There is no other place with as many unique opportunities as New York City, and I commend Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for collaborating on this blueprint to move the City and its surrounding regions forward. This plan is about reimagining the city we all love and working together to bring it back better than ever before, with transportation playing a major role in these efforts. How we move people and goods from place to place - safely and efficiently - while creating new opportunities for a better quality of life is at the heart of the vision laid forth by the Governor and the Mayor. This is a roadmap to future prosperity that all New Yorkers can get behind and more importantly a unified vision for a NewNew York."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, "This collaborative plan expands on the state's historic investments in child care OCFS has proudly administered. Working families are strongest when they can rely on the flexibility provided by quality, affordable child care. We must also do everything we can to support women in the workforce by ensuring greater access to these programs. I am excited to see how the panel's recommendations further enhance our relentless effort to fulfill that mission."

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "Mass transit is the lifeblood of the New York metropolitan area. Every day over 5 million New Yorkers rely on subways, buses, and commuter rail to get to work, school, and other destinations. The MTA applauds the shared commitment of Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the private sector to invest in public transit, which will fuel economic development, create new jobs, and propel the region's growth into the future."

State Senator Luis Sepúlveda said, "New York City's neighborhood business districts are the lifeblood of the city. They give our city character and a sense of community. I commend Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for convening the New New York panel to reimagine and develop an equitable recovery plan post pandemic. One of the panels key goals — 'Make It Easier for New Yorkers to Get to Work' — is one I share, and I was pleased that I could contribute to that effort and sponsor Chapter 544 of the Laws of 2022 (S.9120A), which will enable the Penn Station Access Plan to move forward and bring four new Metro-North stations to the Bronx."

Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, "The pandemic and its aftereffects are a golden opportunity to make New York stronger. This is our chance to recover in a way that grows our economy, does it sustainably, and helps all communities. I'm so appreciative that Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams have recognized and seized this moment in history to reinvent New York as a destination for working, living, and traveling."

Thanks to an extraordinary partnership with Mayor Adams and the New New York Panel, this report is providing the road map toward a stronger, fairer, and more accessible New York.
Governor Kathy Hochul

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it, and that is precisely what Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul have accomplished with New New York. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, New York is at an unprecedented juncture to reimagine our city and how it can best serve all New Yorkers, and our executive leaders have risen to the occasion. This plan to integrate residential zoning in business districts, speed up commutes, and promote job creation and economic mobility will set our city on a course to be the most vibrant, prosperous, and equitable it has ever been. I look forward to partnering with the mayor and governor to implement New New York, ensuring many bright days ahead for New Yorkers."

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, "The COVID-19 pandemic's far-reaching impact on our way of life compels us to come up with bold new ways to grow and sustain an economy that will truly benefit everyone in Queens and throughout our city. The recommendations of the New New York panel lay out a sound path for securing a prosperous future for our business districts and for achieving an equitable and robust economy for the entire region. I commend Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and all those who worked on this action plan for developing the forward-thinking approach we need to guide our future economic development."

Staten Island Borough President Vito J. Fossella said, "I applaud and support Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for taking this initiative. Essentially, New York City must be able to adapt and change to be more business-friendly, with minimum bureaucracy. As Staten Island becomes a part of this, there is a golden opportunity to revitalize the North Shore waterfront and the quality-of-life once and for all. The work of the New NewYork Panel is expected to ensure that our city remains the world leader in great inclusive places where New Yorkers can live, work, and play."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, "With a collective focus on reinvigorating our state and city economy, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul have placed a priority on equity and fairness with the formation of the New New York panel. This innovative and historic approach has brought experts from our area to guide and mentor our startups, small businesses, and corporations, with the goal of seeing them thrive in today's modern economy. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation for their commitment to reimagining our commercial corridors, economic mobility, and removing barriers to employment for historically underserved communities. We look forward to seeing the execution of their action plan."

First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo said, "Today's action plan demonstrates a unified vision for the city from the mayor and governor to reimagine our commercial districts, increase the supply of housing, and support working families. I commend the New New York panel and its co-chairs, Richard Bueryand Daniel Doctoroff, for their creativity and commitment in leading this diverse set of stakeholders to results: 40 initiatives for us to work towards reviving the city."

Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer said, "Over centuries and through various crises, we have made decisions that have changed the course of our history, the lives of our people, and the fate of our industries. I'm thrilled that the city and state teams are releasing this action plan today, which will do the same and will build on months of hard work and invaluable insight from the New New York panel. Now the hard work of implementing this plan begins, and I look forward to working with the broad and growing coalition of partners that this effort has brought together to build a stronger city that works for every New Yorker and that continues to lead the world."

Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright said, "With the release of the 'Making New York Work for Everyone' action plan, the New York City of tomorrow starts today. Front and center in this plan is strengthening our economy — but through an equity lens, building on the foundation of the administration's multibillion-dollar childcare blueprint and breaking down historic barriers that have long prevented economic mobility for Black and Brown communities. I applaud the cross-sector collaboration and bold vision that will transform our city for the better."

Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said, "The pandemic highlighted the social and economic necessity of a creative, expansive, and thoughtful approach to designing and broadening our city's public spaces. As the nature of office work shifts, we need to also reimagine our business districts across the city as public space assets by transforming them into modern, walkable pedestrian-orientated destinations for residents and tourists of all ages."

Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz said, "The New New York panel outlines a clear vision for bringing the city back from the pandemic stronger than ever, and that includes ensuring all of our neighbors have the housing, supports, and resources they need. I applaud former Deputy Mayors Bueryand Doctoroff for their continued dedication to our city and look forward to working with everyone as we build a new New York together."

New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball said, "The 'Making New York Work for Everyone' action plan outlines a new path forward for New York City that reimagines our commercial business districts with more mixed-use buildings and major public realm improvements, making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to get around, while spurring equitable economic growth. This series of recommendations, led by two former deputy mayors and some of New York's most innovative thinkers, showcases the untapped potential of not only Midtown but the entire New York City region. I look forward to working with my partners in government and the private sector to bring these recommendations to life and continuing to build a more vibrant and inclusive economy for all New Yorkers."

City Planning Commission Chair and New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick said, "This is a smart, New York City-sized plan, designed to meet our current challenges head-on. Together, we can create a city that helps New Yorkers more easily find an affordable home, a good-paying job, and a streamlined commute, and enjoy even better public open space. Let's get to it."

Mayor's Office for Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal said, "The New New York panel's goals and recommendations have rightly recognized that inclusive, future-focused growth depends on positioning New Yorkers for career success beginning in K-12 and throughout their lives. Reimagining the New York City Workforce Development Board, embedding student career success objectives and work-based learning opportunities in New York City public schools and City University of New York programs, and expanding opportunities for New Yorkers to earn while acquiring employer-valued credentials are concrete steps we can take to realize a more inclusive economy and prosperity that is truly shared."

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Businesses thrive where DOT creates welcoming public spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. As we continue our pandemic recovery, DOT is committed to repurposing streets to create a healthier, more vibrant city. We thank Mayor Adams for his vision and this incredible partnership with the governor — and we look forward to even more collaborations on these exciting initiatives."

New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim said, "New York City's future is built on innovation. This action plan consists of groundbreaking ideas to reimagine our commercial corridors, facilitate transportation, and ensure our city is future-focused on growth, while supporting entrepreneurship. Our small businesses, and the millions of residents who both work and patronize them, will benefit greatly from this plan."

New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, "This administration has been clear: The status quo just isn't going to cut it anymore. We're committed to rethinking collection, exploring containerization, and finally getting the job done on cleanliness, so New York can come back stronger than ever."

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo said, "Art and culture are at the heart of what makes New York such a vibrant, lively place to live, work, and play. I'm excited to get to work on the New New York panel's far-reaching strategies for investing in and leveraging our cultural assets, so they can contribute to the vitality of our local businesses and neighborhood hubs."

New York City Public Design Commission Executive Director Sreoshy Banerjea said, "It was my distinct privilege to be part of the creative conversations these past six months. Planning and maintaining beautiful, accessible, and inclusive public realm interventions will go a long way in creating vibrant destinations and livable neighborhoods around our business districts. The PDC stands ready to help the future public realm director in creating a holistic approach to coordinating a thriving public realm."

NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon said, "New York City's tourism economy contributes hundreds of thousands of jobs, supports businesses in all five boroughs, and showcases New York City as one of the world's leading destinations for business and leisure travel. We welcome today's recommendations by the New New York panel and support a comprehensive strategy to ensure continued investment and innovation that supports New York City's recovery and growth."

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo said, "New York City is the creative capital of the world, supporting more than 500,000 jobs and $150 billion in economic activity within the media and entertainment sectors. We look forward to the New New York panel, reimagining these commercial districts as vibrant hubs for creativity, innovation, and inclusive growth that will help bolster these vital sectors, which are the heart and soul of our city."

New York City Councilmember Amanda Farias said, "Equitable economic recovery has to be our city's leadership's top priority. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams have made that clear with the New New York Plan announced today. These initiatives show a firm commitment to investments in our communities, business and sector growth, transit, and a future focused on New York City's recovery. This plan acknowledges the needs of our Black and Brown communities, who are still recouping from the pandemic, while also working to bolster our existing commercial districts in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. As chair of the Committee on Economic Development, I look forward to being an active partner in executing the New New York Plan."

Director of Global Culture, Equity, and Inclusion, Centers for Excellence, Walmart, Victor Calise said, "An equitable recovery must be an accessible recovery, and I am pleased to have worked with my fellow panelists to place the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities at the forefront. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and the New New York team for ensuring that this important constituency was included and that the released action plan represents the diversity that we all know and love about New York."

President and CEO, Grand Central Partnership Fred Cerullo said, "I was honored to be asked by Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul to serve on such a broad and diverse cross-section of civic and business leaders on the NewNew York blue-ribbon panel to help advance a city-state agenda for long-term, transformative initiatives to reinvigorate and repurpose our central business districts into vital and safe 24/7 communities where New Yorkers work, commute, and live. I look forward to working with our partners in government and our neighborhood stakeholders on many of these exciting ideas as we move into the new year."

Founder and Creative Director, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism Vishaan Chakrabarti said, "This action plan establishes the big ideas we must immediately implement in response to our new reality — if every present and future New Yorker is to thrive, we must improve our shared quality of life by building a vibrant world-class public realm; we must make our commercial districts more mixed-use through strategic office-to-residential conversion; we must improve commuter time and experience by reducing private vehicle use; and we must strengthen our social infrastructure. Time is of the essence—we can and must do this now."

President and CEO, Hotel Association of New York City Vijay Dandapani said, "As a highly motivated and enthusiastic stakeholder and cheerleader for New York City's return to its pre-eminent position among world-class cities, the Hotel Association of New York City is thrilled to see the rollout of the mayor's New New York panel initiatives. We are confident that these initiatives will not only bring New York back to the forefront but also take us to new heights."

Chief Revenue Officer, Nabr, and Visiting Scholar, Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub, Cara Eckholm said, "Implementing the panel's recommendation will help New York maintain its identity as a vanguard of sustainable urbanism. As a fourth generation New Yorker who lost a family member to COVID, I am so proud to see the city and state emerge from the pandemic as a united front. Initiatives ranging from an improved bike network to an expanded pilot program for urban technology will bring vibrancy to the city."

Executive Vice President, Shubert Organization, and Board Chair, NYC & Company Charles Flateman said, "The release of today's New New York recommendations show a clear determination to ensure New York City's recovery. We applaud Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the panel's work in identifying a comprehensive strategy to create the resources that support long-term economic growth for the tourism and hospitality sectors and their contributions to the city's competitiveness."

Associate Professor, Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, Wallace Ford II said, "It has been a pleasure and an honor to have been asked to participate on the New New York panel, which has set forth an ambitious and eminently achievable plan that will result in a new and improved New York City. The focus on addressing institutional and pervasive racial and ethnic inequities is historic — the K-BA initiative linking the City University of New York with the New York City Board of Education will provide a pathway to a college degree for every New York City child in public school beginning in kindergarten. The K-BA initiative is what real change looks like!"

President and CEO, Business Council of Westchester, Dr. Marsha Gordon said, "The recommendations of the panel are not only the actions needed in New York City, but also reflect the larger region, including the Mid-Hudson Valley, which is an integral part of the economic system. Working together, with these goals as a guide, we can achieve a new vision for the future of New York."

President and CEO, YMCA of Greater New York, Sharon Greenberger said, "Fostering equitable growth is critical to ensuring that all New York City communities can flourish and thrive. The New New York action plan proposes specific strategies and tactics to ensure that New Yorkers have the opportunity to fully take part in the workforce of tomorrow, creating stronger communities for us all. On behalf of the Y and all the New Yorkers we serve, I want to thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and my fellow panelists for their leadership in developing this comprehensive action plan."

President and CEO, Chinese-American Planning Council, Wayne Ho said, "We are delighted to have been part of the New New York panel and commend the joint action plan that has been developed. New York City's Asian American neighborhoods were negatively impacted two months before the state shut down in March 2020 due to COVID, so our city's economic recovery should be inclusive and equitable. We are supportive of the action plan's focus on increased childcare, improved transportation, increased housing, and expanded job opportunities for communities of color, women, and people with disabilities."

Dean, New York University School of Professional Studies, Angie Kamath said, "The New New York panel recommendations are bold and yet pragmatic in helping commercial districts across the city, in a way that focuses on inclusive recovery. Good jobs, good benefits, flexibility, and economic mobility are critical to New York City, communities, and families. The NewNew York panel worked to prioritize near-term work with anchor New York city institutions to create opportunities for years to come."

President, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO, Rick Maroko said, "I'd like to thank Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for convening the New New York Panel, as well as our fellow panelists for their tremendous contributions over these past months. An equitable recovery for this city is critical to the future of New York City's hospitality workers, who have faced some of the hardest challenges these past few years. So many of the ideas generated from this panel will undoubtedly help get our members back to work, and I look forward to seeing those ideas turned into action."

CEO, Association for a Better New York Melva M. Miller said, "The joint action plan offers a tremendous opportunity to bring together public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to create a better and more equitable New York. Key to the plan will be improving the livability of our central business districts in all five boroughs, thereby creating inclusive opportunities for growth as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. ABNY looks forward to continuing to work with the governor, mayor, and all of the stakeholders to implement the plan."

Managing Director and Co-Founder, Recognize, Charles Phillips said, "The New New York panel took a fresh, in-depth look at critical areas to move New York forward economically. The output from a diverse and highly experienced panel was specific and well thought out recommendations, and the city and state have been wise to embrace them as a roadmap for a joint agenda moving forward."

President and CEO, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Dr. Jocelynne Rainey said, "It has been an honor to represent Brooklyn and work alongside state and city leaders to ensure that New York's comeback plan advances our shared vision for a more equitable and just future. Having endured the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color in the outer boroughs must be at the heart of our work to ensure they receive the economic opportunity and investment they so deeply deserve."

Executive Director, Queens Theatre, and Chair, Cultural Institutions Group, Taryn Sacramone said, "The plan recognizes how essential New York City's cultural institutions are to the health and growth of the city. Specific initiatives within the plan will extend the capacity of the cultural sector to attract and serve New Yorkers and visitors. Artists and cultural workers will benefit from the recommendations in the plan — from more accessible transportation to affordable childcare options — and they'll also play a key role in the realization of a more beautiful and vibrant public realm. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for inviting me to serve on such a forward-looking and values-driven panel alongside an incredible group of committed leaders."

Transportation Principal, Bloomberg Associates Janette Sadik-Khan said, "The economic future of New York depends on inclusive, diverse neighborhoods where people want to be and not just to work. New York has always been defined by its resilience and strong recovery from adversity, and by focusing on in its places and its people, this plan will help the city write its next chapter."

Founder, Tech:NYC and partner, Hangar Julie Samuels said, "Tech employers will go where the people they want to hire are, and much of that talent is right here in New York. We are encouraged that the New New York panel, backed by the mayor and the governor, is equally committed to creating a vibrant, livable city where people want to be. Success in that regard will inevitably breed success in our local tech ecosystem and for all New Yorkers, and I am excited to be a partner in this work going forward."

President and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Jessica Walker said, "New York cannot rest on its laurels when the competition for remote workers is so steep. Thankfully, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul understand this. They had the foresight to assemble the best minds to help our city reinvent itself, just as it has done time and time again throughout its great history. Now, we must all pull together to implement the needed changes."

Senior Advisor, HR&A Carl Weisbrod said, "I applaud the unprecedented close cooperation between Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, and their staffs, in producing this outstanding agenda for action. Their commitment augers well for the continued future of New York as the world's pre-eminent city."

President, Real Estate Board of New York James Whelan said, "The New New York panel has brought together public and private sector stakeholders to collaborate on policies that will reinvigorate our central business districts, produce much-needed housing, and support job growth impacting all New Yorkers. REBNY is pleased to have participated in this process and excited to support the execution of the ambitious action plan announced today. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for their leadership on such a critical issue for New York City's economic future."

President and CEO, Regional Plan Association Tom Wright said, "The bold and expansive proposals of the New New York panel will lead the city and region on a path for an equitable and sustainable recovery from COVID. These recommendations — covering topics as diverse as commercial conversions, public spaces, housing opportunities, and improved mobility — provide a strategic blueprint for long-term progress and demonstrate the strong cooperation between the city, state, private, and civic sectors. We are deeply committed to helping achieve these laudable goals and thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, Rich Buery, and Dan Doctoroff for their leadership in addressing these fundamental issues."

President and CEO, Partnership for New York City Kathryn Wylde said, "This plan advances the cooperative efforts of Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to embrace a shared vision for our city's post-pandemic future. It includes action items that a broad coalition of New Yorkers who participated in the New New York panel are prepared to help bring to fruition."

President and CEO, South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation Lourdes Zapata said, "Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams are to be commended for their unprecedented partnership in convening this incredible group of leaders — and for the work done to re-envision the future of our city and region. The emphasis on equitable recovery and proactive and progressive problem solving will ensure that the goals and objectives of this plan, visionary and ambitious, will touch every corner of our city. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that this expansive plan is put into action to ensure the ongoing success of our small businesses, strong support for all members of our community, particularly the BIPOC and otherwise disenfranchised groups, and reimagined city is worthy of future generations and what they deserve."