NYC Gazette

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. has unveiled the second annual borough resiliency report from his Operation Urban Sustainability (OUS) working group. In the report, Richards emphasized the continuous efforts to make Queens a leading clean energy hub while acknowledging the looming threat of climate change.

“We have made tremendous strides as a borough over the last year to make Queens the nation’s next great clean energy hub. But with climate change continuing to threaten our way of life, it’s never been clearer that there is so much more work ahead of us,” stated Borough President Richards.

The report outlines various initiatives aimed at building a greener Queens, including proposals for a solar energy farm at the former Edgemere landfill, expansion of community gardens, and infrastructure investments to address flooding in Long Island City and South Jamaica.

Transportation Alternatives Queens Organizer Laura Shepard commended Richards for his proactive approach towards sustainability, stating, “The climate crisis isn’t just coming, it’s here — and we’re grateful that Borough President Richards is taking proactive steps towards a greener Queens.”

The release of the report coincided with Borough President Richards’ Earth Week Community Bike Ride, where cyclists and advocates rode along the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Eastern Queens. The event aimed to showcase the historical significance and beauty of the path while advocating for its better maintenance and connection to existing bike lanes.

In his report, Richards urged NYC Parks to acquire the entire Queens leg of the parkway to enhance connectivity and maintenance. The document also featured the Spatial Equity NYC report by Transportation Alternatives, which assessed each of Queens’ 14 community districts based on transportation, open space, and street safety criteria.

Richards highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in building a sustainable future, stating, “Thank you to all our OUS partners for your continued partnership and dedication to do just that.”

The annual resiliency report reflects the commitment of Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and the Operation Urban Sustainability group towards creating a more resilient and environmentally friendly Queens.