In 2021, PS110 teacher Matthew Jensen was killed in a hit-and-run on McGuinness Blvd. He was just the latest victim on a 1.1 mile street that has divided the Greenpoint community since Robert Moses first widened it into an arterial highway in the middle of the last century.
But Matt’s death would galvanize a movement. Led by Assemblyperson Emily Gallagher, parents and neighbors organized under the banner of @makemcguinnesssafe and won New York City’s commitment to complete a transformative redesign. The Department of Transportation was about to proceed with a “road diet,” shrinking the number of car travel lanes to install a protected bike bath, shorter pedestrian crossings, and dedicated loading zones.
And then, as the Manhattan District Attorney alleges, a senior Eric Adams administration official was offered a bribe by an industry opponent of the redesign. The plan was scrapped. Now only half the boulevard has changed. The dangerous status quo persists on the other.
As Mayor, I’ll finish the job.
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