Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani marked the 100th day of his administration on April 10 by personally helping to clean up illegal dumping in Soundview, an effort that won the City’s first Mayor’s Municipal Madness competition.
The initiative highlights how city leadership is focusing on direct community engagement and tackling everyday problems that affect residents. The Municipal Madness contest allowed New Yorkers to vote on which city repair would be addressed by the mayor himself, with all projects completed regardless of the outcome.
Over 21,000 votes were cast for a range of fixes, with cleaning illegal dumping in Soundview receiving nearly 19,000 votes and securing more than two-thirds of ballots in the final round. “This is what being a New Yorker is all about: listening to your neighbors, rolling up your sleeves and getting to work,” said Mayor Mamdani. “No problem is too small for this administration — not broken water fountains on the Lower East Side, not faded crosswalks in Jamaica and certainly not illegal dumping in Soundview. 100 days in, we’re delivering fixes of all shapes and sizes for the city that deserves nothing but the best.”
Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson said, “Every day, at every hour, City workers are solving problems — simple and complex — for New Yorkers. The Mayor’s Municipal Madness gave New Yorkers a closer look at that work and a chance to shape how we marked this administration’s hundredth day: by tackling the daily frustrations our neighbors face.” Department commissioners from Sanitation (Gregory Anderson), Parks (Tricia Shimamura), and Transportation (Mike Flynn) joined Mamdani at a press conference as crews began cleanup operations across Soundview.
Commissioner Anderson remarked on sanitation efforts: “Our team runs the court day and night to remove the 24 million pounds of waste New Yorkers set out every single day… In New York City’s Municipal Madness… every repair is completed… from Soundview to Bushwick to Sunset Park.” Parks Commissioner Shimamura added that although her agency did not win final voting, improvements have been made throughout public spaces: “Whether it’s repairing a playground fence… or sprucing up a handball court, these improvements make a big difference.” DOT Commissioner Flynn emphasized street safety improvements happening year-round.
The Municipal Madness competition began in late March with residents voting among sixteen repairs promised within Mamdani’s first hundred days; each project has now been completed. The runner-up project—resurfacing a basketball court—also started today. Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping tips or evidence via email for possible rewards as part of ongoing efforts.
