Queens Council Member Robert Holden, representing City Council District 30, has secured millions of dollars in capital, expense and veterans funding as part of the recently approved New York City Council budget for fiscal year 2025.
The council member, who represents Maspeth and Middle Village and parts of Glendale, Ridgewood, Elmhurst and Rego Park, has secured funds to enhance his legislative efforts in the city council and as chair of the City Council Veterans Committee.
Holden said this latest round of city dollars will significantly boost community infrastructure, educational facilities, recreational areas and services for seniors.
“I am thrilled to share that we have secured important funding to improve our district,” Holden said. “It is important to ensure that capital projects and programmatic funds return to the district. These funds will help improve our parks, schools, senior centers, libraries and several programs that district residents enjoy.”
Holden has allocated $1.9 million toward the Juniper Valley Park Multipurpose Play Area Reconstruction project, which is currently in the design phase. The funds will be used to construct a modern play area and add interior pathways at Juniper Valley Park.
Holden has also allocated funding to several district schools. Grover Cleveland High School is expected to receive $684,000 for cafeteria and multipurpose room upgrades, and the P.S. 139Q Rego Park school will receive $1.8 million to renovate its library and media center.
The council member also obtained $850,000 in funding that will be divided among the schools in his district to upgrade technology—a focus similar to that of neighboring city council representatives in Queens.
He has also secured $750,000 for front yard construction at P.S. 290Q; $350,000 for auditorium stage lighting and a gym upgrade at P.S. 174; and $240,000 for a sound system upgrade at P.S/I.S. 102Q.
For veterans, Holden secured a $540,000 increase in the Department of Veterans’ Services funding, which will fund care coordinators in every City Council office.
Holden advocated as chair of the City Council Committee on Veterans for the additional funds and set the example as one of the first legislators to ensure that a DVS staff member will be in every council office to address veterans’ concerns. Vickie Paladino, council member for District 19 and fellow member of the common sense caucus, also led the initiative.
The total amount of funding for veterans is now $3.37 million, given the increases that were secured. More mental health programs, including $40,000 to test out an innovative therapy called RTM, accompanies the push for veteran support, while pushing for improvements to the Borden Avenue Veterans Shelter in Long Island City.
Holden also announced that he has received $100,000 through the budget that will be spent on improving neighborhood conditions through graffiti removal and street cleaning projects.
The former longstanding president of the Juniper Park Civic Association confirms he remains focused on bringing resources to his district.
