NEW YORK—Mayor Michael Bloomberg came up with a general rebuilding plan for the city, but it will be up to the next mayor of New York City to implement it. Not all of the proposals will work, and some may be too expensive. The next mayor will have to choose which projects to make a priority, and how those projects will be implemented.
Bill de Blasio, Democratic Nominee
In a visit to The Rockaways in late September, de Blasio laid out his vision for how he would implement Bloomberg’s plan.
De Blasio wants to use the federal money coming in to “right some of the greater wrongs” seen in the poorer neighborhoods affected by the storm. He said he wanted new construction projects to provide living wage jobs, hopefully for those who were affected by the storm.
“To me, the perfect equation is to have people building the houses they and their neighbors will one day occupy,” de Blasio said during his Rockaways visit.
The Democrat said he wanted to use the opportunity not to just build back the housing stock lost, but make it affordable housing.
Joe Lhota, Republican Nominee
In his role as head of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Lhota received hefty praise for his actions during and directly after Superstorm Sandy. Many would argue it was the reason he jumped into the mayoral race.
Despite devastating flooding in multiple train tubes, Lhota got at least some subway lines up and running just days after the storm, easing pressure off already crowded streets, and allowing the city to return to business.
Lhota has taken particular interest in the Seaport City proposal, which would extend Lower Manhattan much like Battery Park City did. The proposal is unfunded, but Lhota has said it is the only proposal that would fund itself in tax revenue brought in from the buildings that would sit atop the wide levee.
Lhota has been less specific with how he would implement Bloomberg’s plans, or if he would change course and propose new items.
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