LEADER JEFFRIES AND REP. VELÁZQUEZ SECURE $1.85 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF BROADWAY CORRIDOR

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) announced that they secured $1,850,000 in federal community project funding for the reconstruction of Brooklyn's Broadway Corridor.

Leader Jeffries and Rep. Velázquez were joined by Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Sandy Nurse (CD-37), NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn, Community Board 4 District Manager Celeste León and others.

"Taxpayer dollars should be spent right here, on the ground in the community, to make your life better, and Congresswoman Velázquez and I are bringing home almost $2 million. This really is an all-hands-on-deck effort to make sure we're bringing resources back to the community to improve the lives of the people that all of us are privileged to represent and fight hard for each and every day," said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). "The Broadway Corridor is the heart and soul of this community, and we want to make sure that we treat this area with the dignity and respect that it deserves."

"Broadway is a lifeline for the small businesses, families and commuters who rely on it every day. Securing $1.85 million to help rebuild this corridor means safer crosswalks for our kids, better sidewalks for our seniors and a roadway that finally meets the needs of the community. I'm proud to partner with Leader Jeffries to bring these federal dollars to Brooklyn," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

"NYC DOT has worked to upgrade safety at intersections along Broadway over the years, but we know the corridor poses safety and infrastructure challenges that requires a full roadway rehabilitation. This federal funding from Leader Jeffries and Congressmember Velazquez is an important step to develop this project-and we thank all the elected officials and the community for their support," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.

"This investment from Leader Jeffries and Representative Velázquez represents a true collaboration from the federal and city government to make a meaningful difference in this neglected corridor of Broadway. From Williamsburg to East New York, locals have long demanded action to make Broadway safe for pedestrians and drivers alike. With this investment from our Congressional leaders alongside my joint investment with Council Member Sandy Nurse, the ball is now in DOT's court. The time has come to finally fix Broadway," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

"This corridor is a lifeline. We use it every single day. There are tons of small businesses on this corridor, immigrant-owned businesses, women-owned businesses. We want to see this corridor invested in so that people can feel safe, that we can have pedestrian safety, vehicle safety and that it looks like a world-class city that we are already in," said Council Member Sandy Nurse (CD-37). "This is just seed money on a very, very expensive project, but a project that is long, long overdue. I'm really, really grateful that it's coming to fruition, and I'm looking forward to moving the project forward."

"Bushwick has seen so much change. Yet there are parts that are still frozen in time, and Broadway is an example of that. And we don't take it for granted, the partnership that we have with our local elected officials. That's something that's special," said Celeste León, District Manager for Community Board 4. "We hear from the residents in the community. We hear about the seniors that have an accident and fall. We hear about the parents that have children say, 'why does our neighborhood look like this?' when they see neighborhoods that have a different environment, a different quality of life. And we are put in that position where we have to respond to those questions. And so, we thank our leaders for hearing us and for listening and for advocating."

The federal funding for the New York City Department of Transportation will be used to remove the deteriorated concrete on Broadway between Flushing Avenue and Eastern Parkway and install an asphalt roadway that can be more easily maintained. It will also include safety improvements, including curb extensions, sidewalk repair and raised crosswalks at select locations.

The full press conference can be found here.

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