Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled significant safety upgrades for Greenpoint's notorious McGuinness Boulevard, marking a major shift from his predecessor Mayor Eric Adams' scaled-down proposal that sparked widespread criticism from local residents and street-safety advocates.
As part of the ambitious project, Mamdani has committed to extending protected bike lanes in both directions of the boulevard, with one travel lane, one parking-protected bike lane, and a separate vehicular parking and loading lane. The upgrades are expected to kick off as soon as the weather warms up, bringing much-needed relief to an area plagued by serious crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
The move has been hailed as a major victory for residents who have long advocated for improved street safety measures on McGuinness Boulevard. Mamdani himself framed the project as a response to the corruption scandal that marred his predecessor's administration, which had previously watered down the original proposal.
Critics of Mayor Adams had long argued that his administration was more concerned with appeasing big money interests than prioritizing the safety and well-being of local residents. The latest development suggests that Mamdani is committed to putting an end to this trend and delivering on a campaign promise to complete the original project.
"This commitment promises to deliver the safety improvements that residents have been asking for," Mamdani said during a rally at Father Studzinski Square. "The city's original plan was clear: to make McGuinness Boulevard safer, and today we are bringing that vision back to life."
Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn echoed this sentiment, stating that the upgrades will make it easier for children and parents to cross the street safely, protect cyclists, reduce reckless driving, and transform what feels like a highway into a calmer neighborhood street.
While some local businesses had initially opposed the original proposal, citing concerns about increased congestion and harm to their operations, it appears that these fears were largely unfounded. The updated plan promises to deliver on the community's need for improved street safety while also preserving local economic interests.
The shift in policy comes after Manhattan prosecutors alleged that Adams' chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from prominent business owners, including the sibling owners of a film production company with ties to Greenpoint. The case is ongoing, but it's clear that Mamdani's administration has taken steps to distance itself from the scandal and focus on delivering for the local community.
As the project moves forward, residents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their voices have been heard and that meaningful action will be taken to make McGuinness Boulevard a safer, more livable space for all.
As part of the ambitious project, Mamdani has committed to extending protected bike lanes in both directions of the boulevard, with one travel lane, one parking-protected bike lane, and a separate vehicular parking and loading lane. The upgrades are expected to kick off as soon as the weather warms up, bringing much-needed relief to an area plagued by serious crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
The move has been hailed as a major victory for residents who have long advocated for improved street safety measures on McGuinness Boulevard. Mamdani himself framed the project as a response to the corruption scandal that marred his predecessor's administration, which had previously watered down the original proposal.
Critics of Mayor Adams had long argued that his administration was more concerned with appeasing big money interests than prioritizing the safety and well-being of local residents. The latest development suggests that Mamdani is committed to putting an end to this trend and delivering on a campaign promise to complete the original project.
"This commitment promises to deliver the safety improvements that residents have been asking for," Mamdani said during a rally at Father Studzinski Square. "The city's original plan was clear: to make McGuinness Boulevard safer, and today we are bringing that vision back to life."
Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn echoed this sentiment, stating that the upgrades will make it easier for children and parents to cross the street safely, protect cyclists, reduce reckless driving, and transform what feels like a highway into a calmer neighborhood street.
While some local businesses had initially opposed the original proposal, citing concerns about increased congestion and harm to their operations, it appears that these fears were largely unfounded. The updated plan promises to deliver on the community's need for improved street safety while also preserving local economic interests.
The shift in policy comes after Manhattan prosecutors alleged that Adams' chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from prominent business owners, including the sibling owners of a film production company with ties to Greenpoint. The case is ongoing, but it's clear that Mamdani's administration has taken steps to distance itself from the scandal and focus on delivering for the local community.
As the project moves forward, residents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their voices have been heard and that meaningful action will be taken to make McGuinness Boulevard a safer, more livable space for all.
. It's about time Mayor Mamdani stepped up and delivered on his campaign promises 
. This is exactly what you get when a mayor prioritizes the people over special interests - it's not about appeasing big money, it's about creating a better community 
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. It's clear that Mamdani is committed to doing things differently and putting the needs of residents first 
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. The corruption scandal that tainted Mayor Adams' administration is a stark reminder that we need leaders who are transparent and honest in their decision-making process 
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. Will they feel more confident investing in the community or worrying about the costs of infrastructure changes? Only time will tell 
, but one thing is for sure - McGuinness Boulevard is finally getting the safety upgrades it deserves 
its like 3 hours ago lol anywayz back to mcguinness blvd - so glad someone finally listened to the locals cuz those crashes r super scary 
i mean idk how ppl cldnt see that more bike lanes & safer crossings wud b a diffrence 
guess all dat drama with mayors & corrupt advisors did some good 
btw has anyone else seen those cute dog vids on tiktok today? 
Mamdani's getting it right! I mean, think about it, people were hella salty with the old plan 
. But now we've got bike lanes, protected spaces, and less congestion - it's gonna be a game-changer for Greenpoint 
. I'm all about making our streets safer, especially for families 
. It's not just about the infrastructure; it's about the people who have to navigate this crazy city every day 
. And btw, kudos to Mamdani for taking on the corruption scandal and proving he's not gonna be swayed by big money 
. This is what I call progress! 
finally some progress on McGuinness Blvd 
. But let's not get too hyped just yet...there's still so much work to be done in our city 
and I'm not holding my breath for other areas like Brooklyn Bridge Park, which still hasn't seen a major overhaul since 2015 
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! So like, I was thinking... 
! And people have been saying it for ages 
. Now, Mayor Mamdani is finally listening 
and making a change. It's like, yay progress 
!
it's crazy that mayor adams' admin watered down the proposal and then got caught up in a scandal... like what were they thinking?! 
anyway, i'm glad mamdani is taking action and making good on his promise. it's about time our city prioritizes safety over profits 
! I mean, who needs a 'notorious' street when you can have a safe one? Kudos to Mayor Mamdani for finally listening to the locals and putting an end to those crazy crashes 
. And btw, can you imagine having to navigate that highway with a stroller or bike? Game over 
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. i know some folks were worried about the economic impact, but honestly, i think this is just good business sense 
. who doesn't want to be seen as a safe and welcoming place for families and cyclists? 
! Those bike lanes are gonna be a game-changer, especially with the separate vehicular lane - that's just basic common sense 
. And let's not forget, it's all because of the corruption scandal that went down under Mayor Adams' admin 
. I mean, we knew he was more worried about pleasing big money folks than actual residents, so it's nice to see his successor putting the people first for once 
!
. Those bike lanes are gonna be a game-changer for this neighborhood - no more dodging cars and bikes like it's a bad joke 
. Fingers crossed the upgrades go smoothly and McGuinness Boulevard becomes the calmer neighborhood street it deserves to be 
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. So many people were saying that Mayor Adams wasn't doing enough to help the community, but it sounds like Mayor Mamdani is really listening now 
Just hope those upgrades are implemented ASAP 'cause this area is seriously sketchy 
I mean, extending protected bike lanes in both directions sounds like a game-changer - now we can see some real change on McGuinness Boulevard! 
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. But seriously, Mayor Mamdani is really making an effort here and it's awesome to see him follow through on his promises 
! finally some good news about McGuinness Blvd! its been such a long time coming and i'm sure its gonna make such a big difference for the locals especially with those new bike lanes 
. its a great sign that mayor mamdani is listening to his residents and not just some big money interests 