Mike Bloomberg’s re-election to a third term is an impressive feat. Sure, many say his victory was never in doubt, buoyed by a virtually limitless campaign budget, overmatching a frequently hapless and under-funded opponent. Nevertheless, running as a Republican in a city dominated by Democrats, in a year where voters are uneasy about the economy and dissatisfied with the status quo, his victory was no easy task.
So what’s in it for Queens? In his third and final term, Bloomberg will seek to cement his legacy. His agenda will be aggressive and aimed at his place in the history books, without the burdens of political calculations, ever mindful of maintaining relevance and avoiding dreaded “lame duck” status.
For instance, the Mayor will look to push ahead with a large-scale plan to reform mass transit. This includes reduced Long Island Rail Road fares and reopening currently unused stations in Glendale, Richmond Hill and Elmhurst, light rail and streetcar services in Western Queens and commuter vans in Bayside and the eastern part of the borough.
The redevelopment of Willets Point will proceed, which is projected to add thousands of housing units and millions of square feet of office and retail space, along with a new school, hotel and convention center. Outstanding issues that need to be addressed will include the relocation of blighted businesses, job training and placement for workers, and environmental remediation of the area.
Look for Bloomberg to pursue an even greater program of so-called “green” initiatives. The much ballyhooed PlaNYC was unveiled when the Mayor believed he was term limited out and was looking for a way to leave his mark on the city for decades to come. We can expect more along those lines in his third term, with projects such as developing the East River North Shore Greenway, connecting waterfront green space from the Pulaski Bridge to Flushing Bay.
A strong proponent of charter schools, Bloomberg will work to have the Catholic Archdiocese reopen as charters. Queens Catholic schools have been struggling amidst dwindling enrollment. The Mayor has called on the state legislature to lift the state cap on charter schools, currently set at 200. He has vowed to raise millions in private funds for this effort.
Bloomberg will confront many challenges in his third term, as the city faces another budget deficit. City agencies will be paired down. How much he will actually accomplish will depend a lot on working with the City Council and state legislature, which, of course, can often prove difficult. The administration’s political skills will certainly be put to the test. Whatever the outcome, Bloomberg’s third act will greatly impact Queens.
Daniel Egers was on the staff of Mike Bloomberg’s campaign, is Executive Director of the Queens County Republican Party, a Trustee of the Bayside Historical Society and President of the Friends of Oakland Lake, among other affiliations. The views expressed in this column are his own.
