RPA congratulates New York City Mayor-Elect Eric Adams on his historic election victory. As he prepares to take office during one of the most uncertain times in New York City’s history, we are offering our three key priorities for his administration.
Expand Access to Housing
Recent public opinion polling by RPA and Global Strategy Group shows high cost of living remains the top concern for metro area residents. 52% of residents say they’re dissatisfied with the availability of affordable housing and respondents say more affordable housing is the top way to address inequality in our region. Meanwhile, New York has nearly used up its $2 billion in emergency rental assistance and the state’s eviction moratorium will expire in January.
Fix NYCHA - Decades of neglect and underinvestment by all levels of government have left the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) — home to more than 400,000 residents — in a state of crisis. Buildings continue to deteriorate and residents continue to put up with deplorable conditions. The next administration must work with the state and federal government to dramatically increase funding, expedite repairs, and improve management for NYCHA.
Rezone more affluent areas for affordable housing - New Yorkers need to have access to safe, affordable housing in all neighborhoods. One way to achieve this is to rezone more affluent communities to increase the affordable housing supply. The city has taken steps forward by rezoning Gowanus and SoHo/NoHo, and RPA has proposed five more neighborhoods to look at next.
Legalize accessory dwelling units - Even before the tragic deaths in basement apartments during Hurricane Ida, it was clear New York City needed more safe, affordable housing options. Accessory dwelling units - which in the city are primarily basement and attic apartments - are part of the solution. Making it easier to legalize and bring them up to code could create over 100,000 new homes in NYC and help bring existing units up to code. Mayor-Elect Adams can help by supporting the Accessory Homes Enabling Act (S4547, A4854).
Get New Yorkers Back on Transit
Automobile usage is starting to exceed pre-pandemic levels, while MTA ridership continues to lag behind at about half of pre-pandemic levels. This transition toward a more car-dependent city is not sustainable or equitable. Ensuring frequent and reliable service is the best way to get riders back onto transit according to our recent public opinion polling.
Implement the NYC Streets Master Plan and go beyond it - The 2019 NYC Streets Master Plan legislation requires the City to create 50 new miles of protected bike lanes and 30 new miles of protected bus lanes each year. Mayor-Elect Adams has indicated he intends to go further by building 300 miles of bike lanes in four years and creating more busways to replicate the success of 14th Street. RPA’s Five Borough Bikeway vision aligns with his goals by calling for a 425-mile network of connected, protected bike lanes.
Continue to be a champion for congestion pricing - Adams has supported congestion pricing and going forward his support will be vital to an effective program. Congestion pricing will reduce traffic congestion, fund improvements to public transportation, reduce air pollution, and achieve better health outcomes. RPA’s 2019 report Congestion Pricing in NYC: Getting it Right offers 10 recommendations the Adams administration can follow to ensure the program is a success.
Redesign streets to support better transit, equitable growth, climate change adaptation - The 34,000 acres of New York City streets that Adams will soon control hold some of the largest potential to transform the city. He already supports a permanent Open Restaurants program, and there is also potential to refine and expand the program. RPA’s recent report Re-envisioning the Right-of-Way outlines how his administration can use streets not only to support economic development, but also to protect against flooding and cool down communities. In addition, as outlined in RPA’s Third Regional Plan, creating a new transit line connecting The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens using already existing infrastructure could give commuters an efficient way to travel about the outer boroughs without having to go into the Manhattan core.
Restore Faith in Government
For too long we have seen more polarization across communities and deteriorating trust in elected officials and public institutions. With an historic citywide leadership transition next year, Mayor-Elect Adams has the opportunity to build back trust in government by selecting the right people, improving project efficiency, and centering the voices of those that have been historically left behind.
Appoint strong leaders and support them - Eric Adams will only be as successful as the people he chooses to lead the city. The next administration must ensure city top officials can implement good ideas, and help communities thrive. This will include appointing leaders that are willing to take chances and try new approaches.
Partner with city and state agencies to expedite crucial projects - New York City is the most expensive city in the world in which to build. The Adams administration should work with the NYC Department of Design and Construction to reform capital project delivery in order to complete more projects on time and on budget, and ensure goods and people move efficiently. The steps we outline in our 2018 report Building Rail Transit Projects Better for Less and more can help us deliver more projects like the Port Authority Bus Terminal redevelopment and Penn Station reconstruction that benefit the entire region.
Make inclusive growth the centerpiece of an economic development agenda: Economic growth has benefited some neighborhoods in the city more than others, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the inequities that low-income communities of color face. Some ideas to get him started are here.
The challenges New York City faces are urgent. Traffic is growing. Evictions are being filed. The next severe storm could come any day now and without much warning. Mayor-Elect Adams and a host of new incoming City Council Members must be prepared to carry out bold changes, and we must all stand ready to do the work needed and support our leadership. Making progress on the priorities above could cement Adams’ legacy as Mayor and help New York City be a model for cities emerging from the pandemic across the world.
