Queens Borough President outlines sweeping investments across Queens in State of the Borough address

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. delivered his third annual State of the Borough address at Queens Theatre on Friday, April 25, outlining his administration’s efforts over the past year across education, health, the environment, social services and economic development.

Richards’ speech took a defiant tone against former President Donald Trump, criticizing federal policies that he said are putting Queens “under attack.” He cited crackdowns on immigration, the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and cuts to education as some of the key threats facing the borough.

“The state of the borough is precarious. Queens is under attack. Yes, I’m talking about the fascist felon in chief, a man who has made clear he will stop at nothing to deport our neighbors, defund our borough, decimate our economy, and destroy our democracy,” Richards said.

QBP Richards’s speech was defiant toward the Trump Administration, making it clear that Queens will not back down from controversial federal government policies. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.

Throughout the address, Richards emphasized that Queens’ diversity and resilience will be the answer to the borough’s challenges, pledging that his office will continue to invest in programs that protect immigrants, strengthen schools and expand community services.

Immigration and Social Services

Highlighting Queens’ immigrant communities, Richards outlined recent initiatives, including Know Your Rights workshops held in Corona and Queens Borough Hall, as well as resource fairs in Flushing. His office’s Immigration Task Force has also worked directly with neighborhoods to connect residents to services.

Richards spotlighted several major investments:

Make the Road Community Center: His office contributed $1.8 million to the Corona-based center, which offers legal services, childcare, and educational opportunities.
Variety Boys and Girls Club: Richards committed an additional $5 million toward the Astoria facility’s expansion, following an initial $5 million allocation made in 2020.
River Fund Center: He allocated $3 million to the Richmond Hill nonprofit, which provides food pantry services, SNAP enrollment assistance, and more.
Arverne East Aquatics Center: Richards secured $46 million in state funding with Governor Kathy Hochul, plus an additional $36 million from city and borough sources.
Roy Wilkins Recreation Center: A $132 million new aquatic and community center is planned, with Richards allocating $15 million toward renovations at the existing facility.

Education Initiatives

Richards reported that his administration allocated nearly $25 million to Queens public schools this year, including funding for new culinary arts kitchens at Jamaica Educational Campus, Hillcrest High School, and Richmond Hill High School.

Additional education investments included:

Nearly $1 million to renovate P.S. 177Q, a special education school in Fresh Meadows.
New construction projects such as a 547-seat elementary school in Long Island City and a 700-seat annex at Forest Hills High School.
The opening of Motion Picture Technical High School and the forthcoming Northwell School of Health and Sciences.

Since taking office, Richards has directed over $78 million in capital funding to borough schools.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams praised Richards’ track record as Queens Borough President. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

Economic Development and Job Creation

Richards highlighted the ongoing $19 billion redevelopment of JFK Airport, including the $100 million refresh of Terminal 5 in partnership with JetBlue. Terminal 1’s first 14 gates are scheduled to open in 2026, with the project expected to create more than 15,000 jobs, many unionized.

Over $1 billion in JFK contracts have been awarded to Queens-based businesses.

Richards also updated residents on the Global Tech and Innovation Center, a planned start-up hub at One Court Square supported by $5 million in capital funding. The borough president’s office also hosted its annual Queens Tech and Career Expo earlier this year at the Museum of the Moving Image.

Students from the Frank Sinatra School of Arts choir performed “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the State of the Borough. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.

Healthcare Investments

Richards detailed significant healthcare milestones:

Construction of Queens’ first-ever standalone cancer center at Jamaica Hospital, funded with $180 million secured in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Groundbreaking of a $30 million Gotham Health Clinic in Rockaway Village, expected to serve over 19,000 patients annually when it opens in 2027.
Expansion of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s labor and delivery unit, now under construction.

Since taking office, Richards has allocated $36 million toward borough hospitals and clinics.

Catherine Alexander and Henry Steel from RIOULT Dance performed for the audience before Richards’ speech—photo by Ramy Mahmoud.

Environmental and Energy Projects

Environmental initiatives outlined included:

More than $44 million invested into parks infrastructure across Queens, including Cunningham, Brookville, Baisley, and Juniper Valley parks.
Progress on the Champlain Hudson Power Express project, set to deliver Canadian hydroelectricity to Queens beginning in 2026.
Ongoing transformation of the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City into a renewable wind energy facility expected to power 700,000 homes.

Richards also committed $5.2 million toward hydroponics labs in more than two dozen Queens schools and pledged to expand the borough’s Open Streets program.

Transportation Improvements

Transportation investments included the forthcoming $30 million Queens Bus Network Redesign, beginning in June, which will increase service on 20 bus routes and create 17 new routes.

Richards also cited progress on the $5.5 billion Interborough Express, which will connect Queens to Brooklyn and cut commute times significantly.

Affordable Housing

Richards discussed major affordable housing projects, including:

Willets Point Development: Phase one, including 2,500 affordable housing units, a new school, and park space, is slated for completion in 2026.
One LIC Plan: A proposed rezoning that would create 14,000 affordable housing units around the Queensboro Bridge area, which entered ULURP review in April.
Rockaway Village: Hundreds of families have already moved into this new affordable housing community.
Arverne East: New housing and a public nature preserve opened, including homes reserved for low-income and formerly homeless families.
Beach Green Dunes III: A new Far Rockaway affordable housing development, with 116 units launched into the housing lottery last fall.

Richards’ address reaffirms his commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Queens, calling on residents to stand together in the face of national challenges and continue shaping a borough defined by diversity, opportunity and hope.