In a Manhattan Minute

New York City’s world-class universities and hospitals create tremendous opportunity for growth of the biotech economy in coming years. However, in order to leverage our advantages, we must invest in human and physical capital; identify locations where clustering of businesses can take place; and work with other cities to push Washington to end the callous and short-sighted sequestration cuts to research and development.

As this excellent article notes, New York City’s biotech hub has indeed arrived at a crucial moment. 

In 2007, I partnered with elected officials, community and labor leaders, civic groups and grassroots organizations to forge an agreement on an unprecedented rezoning of West Harlem, which laid the groundwork for future jobs and investment in New York City’s burgeoning biotech sector while striving to preserve the existing social and physical character of West Harlem.

That same year, my office contributed $500,000 to the groundbreaking Alexandria Center for Science and Technology on City-owned land. In just a few short years, that facility has already become a node for discovery and innovation on Manhattan’s East Side.

Other recent investments also promise to support a robust biotech ecosystem—from BioBAT, a 486,000-square-foot center for commercial bioscience at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, to the recently-opened New York Genome Center in Lower Manhattan.

Marcus Garvey Park's Fire Watchtower Preservation

My office announced a $1 million allocation yesterday that will complete the preservation of the historic Fire Watchtower in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park—the last such 19th century structure standing in New York City. This allocation was the final financial piece needed to finish a restoration project that began in the early 90’s.

Without the funding provided today and the restoration work to follow, we were in danger of losing a significant part of Harlem’s history I’m proud that a structure which had been abandoned and fenced off will once again become a beautiful and vibrant part of this public park. I’m also proud to have worked with the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance and the Mount Morris Community Improvement Association to have made this possible.  

In a 21st century economy, our children and communities must have access to a reliable Internet connection in order to be successful and competitive on a global stage. My office’s newest report reveals for the 1st time that 75 percent of the city’s schools have Internet speeds that are 100 times slower than the national standard recently set by President Barack Obama for the year 2020. So proud to stand with Congressman Rangel and so many of our parents in Harlem to release this report and demand quality Internet connectivity throughout all 5 Boroughs.

We are building the very first waterfront site on the East River in Manhattan at Brooklyn Bridge Beach so residents can enjoy the river. I am partnering with Speaker Christine Quinn, Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, and Councilman Dan Garodnick to fund a combined $8 million to help realize the very first projects of the East River Blueway!

http://on.fb.me/135Lp5y

Go Green Initiative: Nighttime Greenmarket 

Join us! Wednesday, July 17th from 4pm-8pm, Union Square

So many families in this City are busy juggling kids’ schedules, work, and so much more – and they deserve better access to affordable, nutritious and locally grown produce in the evening, when it is most convenient for them to shop.  I am delighted to be sponsoring New York City’s first night time farmers market in Union Square with GrowNYC, with whom my office previously launched the City’s inaugural night time market in Central Harlem. I look forward to making evening markets a permanent fixture throughout all five boroughs, to expand shopping opportunities for all New Yorkers. 

Veggie Van: A Mobile Greenmarket

Standing in front of an abandoned Pathmark on the Lower East Side – in a neighborhood hard hit by Hurricane Sandy – I unveiled the “Veggie Van" yesterday, a mobile greenmarket that will deliver fresh and locally-grown produce directly to New Yorkers in underserved communities. The Veggie Van is the culmination of over seven years of hard work to expand access to fresh food for Manhattan residents through my Go Green Initiative. 

Under the Veggie Van program, which just began operations, residents can sign-up through participating community-based organizations to receive a large bag of fresh fruit and vegetables once a week for only ten dollars. The van will travel to senior centers, public housing developments, nursing homes and large residential complexes, and will accept cash, debit, credit, EBT (food stamps) – so everyone can take part.  

Attracting STEM talent to NYC:

Join Us in Celebrating Pride Month:

June is Pride Month! Join me in celebrating New York’s LGBTQ community at the Herald Square Macy’s on June 25th! In partnership with Macy's and TheMENevent.com, I'll be honoring Paul Kelterborn, Jerry Mitchell, Thomas Roberts, Glennda Testone, and Christopher Tepper for their outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ community.

As a longtime advocate of LGBTQ rights, the last few years have been particularly exciting, with the passage of Marriage Equality in New York and states around the country. Join us in recognizing these achievements, and discussing the work we still have to do.

My office would like to learn more about the impact that Alzheimer's disease has on New Yorkers. That's why I've partnered with the Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter to survey caregivers about their experiences accessing services for themselves and their loved ones. If you have helped to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia in New York City, please take a few minutes to share your experience by completing this brief survey. If you know someone who has filled this role, I ask that you pass this email along.

Alzheimer's disease has touched so many of our lives. Whether it's a grandparent, a parent, a spouse or a friend, we almost all know someone who has suffered from Alzheimer's or a related dementia. And with a rapidly aging population, the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease in New York State is expected to rise by 30,000 over the next decade, reaching 350,000 by 2025. As a city, we must be prepared to respond to the needs of not only those with the disease, but those who care for them.

Rallying for the NYS DREAM Act:

Yesterday I joined the Hispanic Federation and the NYS DREAM Coalition to demand that New York State pass the NYS DREAM Act now. We must help our young immigrants get the financial aid they need to attend college, find good-paying jobs and put down roots in our communities.

In addition to helping young immigrants achieve a higher education, we must support the entire immigrant community in securing other necessary services and benefits. To attain this goal, I have released an Immigration Rights and Services Manual to assist immigrants in understanding their legal rights and utilizing available public benefits, programs, and services. It's available in English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Russian. You can learn more about the manual here.

Protecting NYC Shelter Animals:

Meet Misty: Just a few months ago she was barely alive – after being used as bait to train fighting dogs. It was heart breaking.

But the students at the Stephen Gaynor School raised money through bake sales and other events and donated it to the Second Chance Rescue, which took Misty from the shelter and is now nursing her back to health. They were inspired, in part, by “Led Astray,” my report about dysfunction in the City’s Animal Care and Control agency, and their work is an example to us all.

If a group of students can raise hundreds of dollars to help the city's animals, just think what the rest of the New York could do if we created an independent, non-profit agency administered by people who have compassion for animals and are knowledgeable about fundraising.

As the New York State Senate discusses campaign finance today, I'm proud to say that New York City's campaign finance system is a model for the nation. By matching small donations 6-1, the City encourages small donors to get involved. In 2009, the majority of contributions in NYC elections were from first-time donors, with more than 80 percent of donors giving < $175.

NYC's system also keeps big money out of politics. In 2009, only 7 percent of donations to eligible candidates in city races came from organizations—including political action committees, businesses, and unions. In comparison, in 2010 state elections, 65 percent of donations came from organizations.

Last night, we announced the release of the East River Blueway Plan, which will protect Manhattan from the next great storm and open up the waterfront to recreation.

Thanks to the government partners—including Assemblymember Kavanagh and many more—and the East Side community, the Blueway is a model for how we can work together to make NYC a better, stronger city.

Denim Day NYC:

Why is everyone wearing jeans today?

Today is Denim Day, a worldwide effort to raise awareness about sexual assault. In NYC we’re doing our part by sponsoring a Denim Day op-ed contest for college students, and just now we took to the steps of City Hall to present awards for the best op-ed from each borough.