Council Member Lynn Schulman, who represents City Council District 29, has secured over $10 million in capital funding for her district, marking a significant achievement in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The council member directed these funds toward improving the quality of life for residents in her district, which includes Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill and Rego Park.
Schulman’s triumph in securing capital funds includes millions of dollars for classroom upgrades for public schools, medical facilities, public safety and community recreational programs.
For instance, $3.5 million allocated to Richmond Hill High School will provide students with a new culinary kitchen classroom that will integrate other programs into the curriculum. Forest Hills High School also secured $500,000 toward repairs to its tennis courts.
“This process has shown students the power of voting, with many working hard to not only vote themselves, but also to encourage their peers, families and communities to do the same,” Schulman said to QNS, announcing the winners of the funding in May.
Several public schools also received allocated funding from Schulman. P.S. 90Q received 450,000 for three capital projects, which include upgrading the auditorium, technology and new water bottle filling stations.
Additionally, P.S. 254Q received 150,000 for lighting upgrades in its auditorium, P.S. 303 earned $336,000 in mobile STEAM labs and the Q167 Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School earned $200,000 for gym upgrades.
P.S. 196Q is set to receive a computer lab thanks to a $100,000 allocation from the capital budget. P.S. 62Q will receive the second-highest allocation of all public schools, with $450,000 earmarked for gymnasium air conditioning upgrades.
Public spaces in the district also received special attention from the legislators. Forest Park in Woodhaven received $1.65 million in allocated funds to install ADA-accessible entrance ramps around the park space. MacDonald Park in Forest Hills received a $750,000 allocation for the installation of an irrigation system for better water drainage.
Law enforcement remained Schulman’s top priority, with $405,000 allocated for public safety security cameras throughout District 29 and $140,000 for the purchase of vehicles to help remove illegal mopeds and scooters in the NYPD 112th Precinct.
NYPD Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, said during a press conference in May that the additional cameras would help give police officers the tools needed to keep the neighborhood safe.
“Security cameras serve as an extra set of eyes in our communities,” said Kivlin. “They are invaluable tools to help solve crimes and are deterrents for would-be criminals, who will now know they are being watched. Today’s announcement that additional cameras will be posted in our neighborhoods is truly a ‘win-win’ for the police and all the people we serve.”
Also among the many investments were $166,000 for a CT Simulator at Mount Sinai Radiation Oncology Queens, which will enhance health screening capabilities. Additionally, $100,000 has been designated for a medical imaging system at Jamaica Hospital, further bolstering healthcare services.
On the environmental front, $191,000 has been allocated to plant more trees in District 29, contributing to a greener and healthier neighborhood. Moreover, $180,000 has been earmarked for a refrigerated food distribution truck for the Met Council Food Network, ensuring that food donations are safely distributed to those in need.
At the end of June, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams agreed on a $112.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 amid growing tensions between the governing bodies.
The agreed budget restored vital services, including funding for New York City Public Libraries and the Department of Education, but gaps remain for these resources to address.
Schulman’s efforts in District 29 are part of a significant effort from city council members across the five boroughs to enhance and maintain services for community members.
