Mayor Eric Adams reflects on his 'State of the City' address with PIX11
12
NEW YORK (PIX11) – In an interview with PIX11 on Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams reflected on his fourth annual “State of the City” address.
He focused on pressing issues plaguing the city such as public safety, the cost of living, and access to housing.
During his address, the Mayor announced a $650 million dollar plan to help homeless New Yorkers with mental illness. Part of the plan would include involuntary removals and building a new facility to address people with mental illness.
“We have to stop the revolving door system of mental health and we need to put more individuals on the streets on our trains to identify those who can't take care of themselves and are in danger to themselves and others,” said the mayor during his interview with PIX11.
Adams also called on state agencies to help develop a “multifaceted multi-agency, multi-level government approach” to addressing homelessness in the city.
On the topic of subway safety, the mayor called on the state to invest in installing more platform barriers in crowded subway stations.
However, he deferred to the Governor when asked about whether congestion pricing is leading more people to the subways and whether it was the right timing to implement in New York City.
“That's the question you should present to the governor and our state lawmakers. I am the mayor of the City of New York. Do I want to control the decision[s] in MTA? Yes, I do, but I do not do that,” said Adams.
The mayor’s address also came amid a turbulent time for his political career. Prosecutors said just days ago that they’ve uncovered more evidence that could be used in his corruption case.
“Well, listen, all the leaks, all the actions, how this came about, I think it speaks volumes and as I stated before, my feeling is that I was targeted…I think that my attorney is going to do the job to present our case and that is why I have him,” said Adams in response.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.