FY 2024 Community Project Funding Requests
1. Project Name: Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Investigations Suite
Request Amount: $1,874,701.56
Intended Recipient: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 524 West 59th St, New York, New York, 10019
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: The project will produce cutting-edge research on emerging technologies, including the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, Web 3.0, and the metaverse, to deal with the “cyber threats of tomorrow” by anticipating new threats to U.S. homeland security and national defense and identifying ways to detect, investigate, and defend against these threats. The 2023 White House National Cybersecurity Strategy identified emerging technologies as technologies of concern because of their widespread deployment and integration into U.S. society and critical infrastructure, and the security vulnerabilities associated with dependencies on these technologies. The cutting-edge research proposed by John Jay College of Criminal Justice would assist U.S. local, state, and federal agencies by developing new scientific protocols and forensic procedures to help ensure that emerging technologies are properly vetted and secured, making it more difficult for criminal syndicates and foreign state actors to take advantage of these technologies and cause harm to the United States. A state-of-the-art, fully-equipped Cybercrime Investigations Laboratory and Research Facility will enable more advanced research and analysis of ongoing developments in emerging technologies and include the necessary equipment to expand and enhance our efforts at the scale and pace needed to keep up with rapidly evolving public safety and national security threats. John Jay College has significant experience informing industry practices through its research endeavors in security management, emergency management, computer science and information security, and digital forensics and cybersecurity, and the research and training initiatives of the Center for Cybercrime Studies. These research results have been put to use key federal security agencies including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Military.
2. Project Name: Large-scale Restoration, Research and Community Science Initiative
Request Amount: $4,000,000
Intended Recipient: Hudson River Park Trust
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 353 West Street, Pier 40, New York, New York, 10014
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: Hudson River Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary is a thriving urban estuary ecosystem that is tidally influenced, resulting in a mixture of salt and fresh water that creates a dynamic, nutrient-rich environment with high biodiversity. Aside from providing critical habitat for fish like seahorses, eels and striped bass, the Sanctuary also serves as a vital migration corridor for birds and other wildlife. Sanctuary waters are a small but essential component of the lower Hudson River Estuary. The River Habitat Enhancement, Research & Community Science Project will help restore and enhance one of the most significant estuarine habitats in the United States, recognized under the National Estuary Program and designated by NYS Department of State as a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat.
3. Project Name: NYCHA Amsterdam Houses Roof Tank Replacement
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Housing Authority
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 90 Church Street, New York, New York, 10007
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project involves replacement of one or more rooftop water tanks, including related piping, pump controls, and any associated painting or improvements to rooftop structures. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the necessary upgrades to the roof tanks system at this public housing development will ensure up-to-date equipment to address any potential health and safety concerns that may arise at this location.
4. Project Name: Madison Square / Flatiron Plaza Reconstruction
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Housing Authority
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 90 Church Street, New York, New York, 10007
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project advances the City's Broadway Vision Plan as well as agency goals for increased public space and street safety improvements. The permanent plaza space will be attractive and inviting to pedestrians by preserving the unique character in this bustling section of the Flatiron neighborhood and encouraging a sense of community. The plaza will continue to be a gathering space, promoting social interaction and inspiring the public to participate in formal and informal events. Likewise, it will stimulate economic benefits for the neighborhood with improved pedestrian infrastructure and amenities. Safety elements such as grade separation of the plaza, improved road markings, dedicated bike lanes, and expanded median islands will enhance the walkability of the area and reduce conflicts between motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
5. Project Name: 3rd Avenue Midtown Gateway Street Improvements
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St, New York, New York, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This capital project will build out existing painted curb and sidewalk extensions on Third Avenue in permanent materials, creating a safer and more welcoming pedestrian and cyclist experience between E 59th to E 61st Streets in east Midtown, Manhattan. The project will widen the sidewalks along both sides 3rd Avenue from E 59th Street to E 61st Street, shortening the pedestrian crossing distances at each intersection and increasing pedestrian space. The project will also widen sidewalks on both sides of E 60th Street between 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue, which will act as a traffic calming measure for cars travelling west or turning north off of the Queensboro Bridge. The capital redesign of 3rd Avenue will also integrate existing bicycle facilities and introduce new protective measures, improving cyclist safety conditions and furthering the City's bike network expansion.
6. Project Name: Accessible Pedestrian Signals
Request Amount: $ 1,250,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St, New York, New York, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project will provide accessible pedestrian signals, which provide information in non-visual formats to assist in pedestrian crossings throughout New York City. It will advance New York City and benefit residents and visitors by promoting safety and mobility.
7. Project Name: Ralph Bunche Park Renovation
Request Amount: $3,900,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: The Arsenal, 830 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, 10065
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: Ralph Bunche Park is a valuable open-space amenity in a neighborhood that is sorely in need of quality open space. The restoration of the lakeshore will benefit all residents of Manhattan, and more specifically the diverse communities bordering the park.
8. Project Name: Joan of Arc Educational Complex School/Play Yard Upgrades
Request Amount: $7,000,000
Intended Recipient: NYC School Construction Authority
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 30-30 Thomson Ave, Queens, New York, 11101
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: The current conditions at the playground are deplorable. In addition to the space being non-inclusive, a recent walkthrough with parents, the school custodian, and a principal, revealed many major issues including pooling water, trip and fall hazards, uneven surfaces, and rodents. The last upgrade to this playground was more than 20 years ago. Rehabilitating this play yard will greatly benefit the surrounding community.
9. Project Name: 23rd St Crosstown SBS
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St, New York, New York, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project will increase mobility and multimodal transit access in a crucial crosstown bus corridor, while also introducing safety improvements that benefit all street users. The project will improve bus operations through the construction of bus bulbs and pads, and will evaluate different roadway interventions to prevent unauthorized use of bus lanes and ultimately reduce rider travel times.
10. Project Name: 79th St Crosstown SBS
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St, New York, New York, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project will increase multimodal transit access in a crucial crosstown bus corridor, while also introducing safety improvements that benefit all street users. The NYCDOT-NYCT Bus Rapid Transit Phase II report identified the M79 corridor as a priority service need area because of its potential to provide transit connectivity to high-density residential and commercial areas that are not well-served by the subway system. The is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Project Area contains a large transit-dependent population that has limited subway access, particularly on the far eastern and western portions of the route. Bus improvements will reduce transit travel times for this communities underserved by the subway network, while also contributing to a stronger multimodal transportation network more broadly.
11. Project Name: Lexington Armory National Guard Readiness Center Addition/Alteration
Request Amount: $90,000,000
Intended Recipient: Lexington Armory National Guard Readiness Center
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 68 Lexington Ave, New York, New York, 10010
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: This project is critical to the State of New York/New York Army National Guard and in the best interest of the taxpayer because the historic Readiness Center built in 1904 does not meet current Army readiness standards. The existing Readiness Center lacks modern technologies to include data, communication, building security, and heating and air conditioning systems. The existing administrative, supply, maintenance, instructional multi-purpose training spaces, locker rooms, and male and female latrines and shower rooms have not been modernized since built.
12. Project Name: Reconstruction and Accessibility Improvements of Park Paths in Central Park
Request Amount: $10,000,000
Intended Recipient: Central Park Conservancy
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 717 5th Avenue, New York, New York,10022
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the project will improve accessibility and safety for many of Central Park’s visitors, especially seniors and the disabled, and help to keep the park in a state of good repair for all visitors. Central Park is a refuge for people and a sanctuary for wildlife in the heart of America’s largest city – as well as a powerful economic engine that generates millions of dollars a year in incremental tax revenue for New York City.
13. Project Name: Broadway Boulevard Plaza (Garment District)
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St, New York, New York, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: Broadway Boulevard Plaza (Garment District) will be one of the first capital projects to break ground as part of a larger DOT Public Space initiative, the Broadway Visioning plan. This plan aims to transform the roadway of Broadway from Union Square to Columbus Circle into a pedestrian-and cyclist friendly superblock in the heart of midtown Manhattan. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because phase of the project advances the City's Streets Plan goals for increasing public space across the city, increasing lane mileage of protected bicycle facilities, and redesigning intersections to improve safety conditions for all street users.
14. Project Name: Elevator Modernization Project for the High Line
Request Amount: $6,100,415
Intended Recipient: Friends of the High Line
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 820 Washington Street, New York, New York, 10014
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: High Line is one of the top five tourist destinations in New York City, welcoming 8 million visitors in a typical year. The park produces $64 million in tax revenue annually and will produce $1.9 billion in new tax revenues for New York City by 2027. Visitation to the park also spurs $50 million in local spending annually. On a local level, the High Line serves as a neighborhood anchor by fostering new and existing connections with its communities, particularly those historically underserved and underrepresented. The High Line is currently focused on building community wealth by contributing to the neighborhood and city in which it resides, acting as an asset to local residents and businesses. The data reflecting the socioeconomic inequality and diversity of residents of Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and the West Side of Manhattan demonstrates that community wealth-building work is racial equity work. The High Line's programming and community engagement efforts are tailored to serve two NYCHA campuses (Elliott-Chelsea and Fulton Houses) with roughly 4,500 residents; Penn South Cooperative and Westbeth with over 5,000 moderate-income individuals, many of whom are older adults constituting a NORC or naturally occurring retirement community (NORC); youth of color; and small businesses, particularly women- and minority-owned businesses.
15. Project Name: Safe Routes to Transit – 86th Street
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Transportation
Street Address of Intended Recipient: 55 Water St. New York, NY, 10041
Rep. Nadler’s Financial Disclosure
Purpose of Request: Bus bulbs under the elevated tracks on 86th Street and trench restoration on 20th Ave and safety improvements at the intersection of Benson Ave and 20th Ave. To be coordinated with DEP project BED828 Goals met: Asset Management, Safety, Resiliency, Public Realm, Growth, Equity, Mobility