Mamdani Pledges to Revive Street Redesigns Derailed by Bribery Scandal
by Sadia J. Choudhury
New York, August 26, 2025 — New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has vowed to revive long-stalled street redesign projects derailed by corruption under the Adams administration. At the center of his pledge is the long-awaited McGuinness Boulevard “road diet” in Greenpoint, designed to reduce traffic lanes, expand pedestrian space, and add protected bike lanes.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin allegedly accepted more than $12,500 in bribes from Broadway Stages owners Gina and Tony Argento. The bribes reportedly included cash, catering services, clothing, and even a promised cameo role on a television show. In return, prosecutors say Lewis-Martin pressured city officials to sideline the Department of Transportation’s original full redesign.
Safe streets advocates argue that scrapping the plan endangered lives, prioritizing private business interests over public safety.
Speaking at a campaign event, Mamdani condemned the scandal:
“What this indictment makes clear is that New Yorkers’ safety was sold out for $12,500 and a television cameo. That is shameful.”
He pledged that, if elected, he would order the DOT to immediately restore and implement the original redesign.
Mamdani also promised to bring back other cancelled projects, including long-delayed bus lanes on Fordham Road and Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, which were shelved under political pressure from Adams allies.
Mayor Adams, however, has continued to defend the scaled-down McGuinness plan as a “compromise victory,” and has so far refused to directly condemn Lewis-Martin or other advisers facing indictment.
For Greenpoint residents and safe streets activists, Mamdani’s vow has reignited hope that long-promised safety improvements may finally be delivered.
