Queens Borough President Donovan Richards delivered his 2025 State of the Borough Address at the Queens Theatre on April 25.
Education was a major focus of Richards’ address. He highlighted over $78 million in investments made to improve schools across Queens, including new culinary arts teaching kitchens at the Jamaica Educational Campus and a $10 million expansion for the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria. He also outlined the development of new schools to address overcrowding, such as a 547-seat elementary school in Long Island City and an annex at Forest Hills High School. “We are not just filling seats; we are preparing our students for the future,” Richards said. He also emphasized the importance of career-focused education, such as the Motion Picture Technical High School and the Northwell School of Health and Sciences, both aimed at preparing students for the industries of tomorrow.
Richards shared plans to expand healthcare access with a $180 million partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering to create the borough’s first-ever standalone cancer center at Jamaica Hospital. Richards also discussed the $30 million Gotham Health Clinic in Rockaway Village, which will serve up to 19,000 patients annually when it opens in 2027.
The address also highlighted transformative projects that will reshape the borough, including over 2,500 affordable housing units being developed at Willets Point, alongside schools, parks, and commercial spaces. A new $132 million aquatic center in Southeast Queens will provide recreational space for local families.
Richards also discussed major investments in Queens’ infrastructure, such as the $5.5 billion Interborough Express connecting Queens and Brooklyn, which will significantly reduce commute times. The $30 million redesign of the Queens bus network will improve service and connectivity across the borough. “Transportation is the great equalizer,” Richards said, emphasizing the need for accessible and efficient transit options for all residents.
Environmental sustainability was another key focus. Richards shared plans to invest $44 million in park improvements, including spaces like Cunningham Park and Baisley Pond Park. He also highlighted the transformation of the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City into a renewable wind energy hub, which will power 700,000 homes. “We must invest in the health of our planet just as we invest in the health of our people,” Richards stated.
While his address focused on a broad range of issues, Richards also took a moment to recognize the Jewish community in Queens. His administration has worked closely with the Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) and Jewish leaders to support community events, including the annual Purim hamantaschen crawl and efforts to combat antisemitism. “Queens is a place where all cultures, all faiths, and all people are not just tolerated but celebrated,” Richards remarked, reinforcing his commitment to interfaith solidarity and combating hate in all its forms.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
