Since her historic win as the first woman to represent Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park in the City Council, Councilwoman Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) has worked to provide nearly $22 million in services for her constituents, according to her State of the District address on Monday in Ozone Park.
“When we look at constituent services, over the past year my team has been here to help you,” said Adams, who thanked her staff for their support. “My office provides weekly mobile office hours and legal consultations at Lefferts Library to assist in a variety of areas.”
Since taking office, Adams allocated $500,000 for 41 organizations that had never been funded before, according to the councilwoman.
Al Reynolds, the project director of the South Jamaica Reads literacy initiative, was thankful of the $100,000 allocated by Adams to help children in the program with the resources they need to read at their grade level.
“South Jamaica reads comprises of a body of organizations who share the same goal of getting students to read at performance level by the third grade,” said Reynolds.
Introducing Adams before the Feb. 11 address, which was held at the High School for Construction, Trades, Engineering and Architecture, was Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
“The one thing I can tell you about this borough, is that the borough is only as good as the people who are dedicated to seeing it advance,” said Katz. “It is only as good as the elected officials, civic leaders and the community boards and everyone that is here who think about the next generation, who think ahead of themselves and say ‘what do I want my children and their children to experience.'”
Over $8 million was allocated to schools and $300,000 to Cultural After School Adventure programs in the District 28 community.
Katz has also provided an additional $70,000 for technology upgrades to District 28 schools.
“How do we make sure my parents and their parents age gracefully?” said Katz. “Your councilwoman, Councilwoman Adams [makes sure of] that every single day.”
Senior services in Adams’ district received $200,000.
With help from Mayor Bill de Blasio, $8 million was allocated to Baisley Pond Park’s new track, soccer field and fitness equipment, according to Adams. Jamaica Playground received $4.65 million for basketball and handball courts and playground upgrades.
Adams is also working to allocate funds to upgrade the basketball and tennis courts at P.O. Edward Byrne Park in South Ozone Park, and has fulfilled her campaign promise to bring participatory budgeting to her district.
“Mark your calendars,” said Adams. “I hope you will come out to make your voices heard.”
Her constituents have from March 30th to April 7th to vote on which 19 line items will receive a total $1 million in funding.
Final ballot items for Participatory Budgeting:
- Technology Upgrades for Baisley Park & Rochdale Village Libraries
- Tech Upgrade for Lefferts and South Ozone Park Libraries
- Water Fountains with Bottle Refills at JHS 226 & PS 55
- Renovation of the Student Lounge at Richmond Hill HS
- Basketball Hoops and Time Clock at PS 160
- Audio-Visual Upgrades at PS 45 and PS 161
- Tech Upgrades for PS48, PS55, PS161, MS72 & MS332
- Bathroom Renovations at PS 40, PS 45, PS 55, PS 80
- New Walkway at South Jamaica Houses II
- NYCHA Playground Reconstruction outside Bldg 23
- NYCHA Playground Reconstruction outside Bldg 20
- NYCHA Playground Reconstruction outside Bldg 12
- NYCHA Playground Reconstruction at 107 Av & 159 St
- NYCHA Playground Reconstruction at 108Av & 160St
- Lamp Post installation at South Jamaica Houses
- Enhanced Exterior Lighting at South Jamaica Houses
- Adult Fitness Equipment at Phil Rizzuto Park
- 5 Real Time Rider Information Panels at Bus Stops in District 28 and
- Argus Security Cameras for 4 District 28 Police Precincts
In conjunction with de Blasio, and Councilmen I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), she has also worked to help bring a historic $1.9 billion to southeast Queens for flood reduction, sewer upgrades and water main upgrades while installing new catch basins.
The other initiatives that were funded involved street resurfacing and sanitation improvements.
