Column | $26.3 million is on its way to Bronx Council District 18

City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías helped to secure $26.3 million for Council District 18 and the Bronx.
City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías helped to secure $26.3 million for Council District 18 and the Bronx.
Photo Credit: New York City Council Media Unit

Fiscal Year 2025 has begun and I am writing to deliver exciting news on the new local investments the City Council and I have made! As your Council Member, I am focused on ensuring families can flourish in the Bronx for generations to come. I am proud to say that this fiscal year I brought home $26.3 million to Council District 18 and the Bronx.

Starting with our schools, I helped lead the City Council to ensure that New York City public schools will not lose funding due to enrollment drops. Additionally, I dedicated $6.26 million in infrastructure dollars and $1.3 million in programmatic dollars to schools in District 18. I also made sure to fund STEM labs and tech upgrades in 10 schools totaling $1.385 million, a library renovation at the Adlai Stevenson Campus at $4 million, and invested over $1.3 million for in-school programs and after-school support.

To maintain the affordability and quality of life for our Mitchell-Lama and co-op families, I dedicated $3 million to Rosedale Gardens, $2 million to Jaime Towers, and $1.5 million to Tower Gardens for essential maintenance projects to alleviate the cost on residents. The City Council also secured $2 billion to HPD’s budget for a variety of programs ranging from homeownership support to alleviating NYCHA backlogs.

Our Bronx seniors are always a priority to me. I ensured $480,000 in funding for senior centers, including Mechler Hall, Glebe Senior Center, Lafayette Estates NORC, Castle Hill Senior Center, and R.A.I.N Parkchester.

Improving quality of life remains a top concern; from enhancing open space to promoting community safety. I committed $1.5 million for a new skatepark in Soundview, $450,000 for the Waterfront Community Garden in Clason Point, $255,000 for increased sanitation services, and $310,000 for climate justice programs. I funded $411,500 directly for public safety including violence prevention programs and survivor support.

Fighting for our Bronx institutions ensures we can preserve and provide opportunities for all of us to enjoy. The Bronx Delegation and I secured $4.5 million for Bronx Museum renovations alongside Council Member Stevens, $2 million for the New York Botanical Garden, and $1.5 million for the Bronx Community College Track and Field alongside Council Member Sanchez.

The City Council’s priorities were crafted with community input, resulting in a $112.4 billion citywide budget. This funding supports affordable housing, libraries, parks, early childhood education, student support programs, CUNY, senior services, mental healthcare, community safety, and more. We also secured $42.6 million for libraries and $13 million for cultural institutions, ensuring they are no longer subject to closure negotiations.

After three years in the City Council, I am proud to have secured over $60.8 million in funding for Council District 18. To read more about our budget wins, visit council.nyc.gov/district-18. Excited to keep working for you!