'I Made Clear to the President...' Mamdani Slams Trump's TPS Policy, Urges Protection for Haitians

[0:00] Summer Streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [0:05] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [0:08] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [0:10] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [0:13] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [0:19] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [0:21] Thank you for flagging me. [0:22] All right. [0:22] Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [0:27] We're going to roll that train right by again. [0:28] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [0:31] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [0:33] We're on-topic. [0:34] Okay. [0:34] This is on-topic. [0:35] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [0:41] How is this different? [0:43] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [0:49] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network [0:56] that you experience when you're on the platform. [0:58] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it [1:08] in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [1:14] I'll look at it, Sam, see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [1:17] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [1:23] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [1:29] Thank you, Tim. [1:30] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [1:38] Hi, mayor. [1:39] Hey, Josie. [1:39] Thank you for bringing us here. [1:40] Yes. [1:42] Sightseeing. [1:44] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [1:50] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [1:58] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, [2:06] and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders [2:13] and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [2:18] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, [2:26] and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, [2:36] it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [2:43] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [2:49] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [2:55] It means assistance, navigating health insurance. [2:58] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [3:01] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [3:08] who have been critical parts of this city. [3:11] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [3:15] I got on the train. [3:16] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears [3:21] as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [3:25] She was terrified. [3:27] This is something that is true for so many. [3:29] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [3:36] It is the extension of TPS. [3:38] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, [3:42] and that they are here, they are at home. [3:44] I don't know if... [3:47] Yes. [3:48] Yes. [3:50] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, [3:55] to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [3:59] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS [4:04] or to grant the deferred enforcement departure, [4:06] and that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [4:09] Thank you, Josie. [4:10] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [4:14] Hi, Mayor. [4:15] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, [4:19] obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [4:23] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, [4:28] and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative [4:33] that are siding with you this time? [4:36] Yeah, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [4:40] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis [4:45] and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time, [4:49] and we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [4:55] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [5:00] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [5:02] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [5:04] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [5:09] We desperately need to build more housing, and you have a leader in John Mangan, [5:14] who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [5:21] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [5:25] He was instrumental in the Charter Commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval [5:30] of desperately needed housing all over the city. [5:34] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [5:37] I definitely have my full confidence, and to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [5:44] Thank you, controller. [5:47] All right, we're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [5:52] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [5:52] Good morning. [5:53] Hi, good morning. [5:53] How are you? [5:54] Well, thanks. [5:54] How are you? [5:55] Wondering if you can respond to the pied-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [6:01] It's going to court today. [6:02] How your legal team is working on that? [6:04] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [6:08] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [6:11] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes [6:14] and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [6:17] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, [6:23] as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, [6:25] and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [6:29] And we are confident in our position. [6:31] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions, [6:36] as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, [6:42] a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, [6:46] and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [6:48] And the rollout? [6:51] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, [6:53] there are more questions than there are answers. [6:55] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, [6:59] again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of $8.5 million, [7:03] have all the information that they need. [7:05] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [7:09] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, [7:11] they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [7:15] Other questions? [7:16] Heather from News 12. [7:17] Go ahead. [7:19] Hi, Mayor. [7:19] How are you? [7:20] Doing well. [7:20] How are you? [7:21] Good. [7:21] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [7:25] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, [7:29] realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [7:33] And when exactly would this all go into effect [7:35] when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [7:38] And then I do have a second off-topic. [7:40] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility [7:43] by the end of this calendar year. [7:45] And if it is found that it can be implemented, [7:47] then the design work would begin early next year. [7:50] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? [7:52] Is there a timeline for that process? [7:53] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [7:56] Okay, thank you. [7:57] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update [8:00] or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash [8:03] near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [8:05] You know, I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident [8:10] in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [8:15] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones [8:16] as they grieve this devastating loss. [8:18] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [8:21] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY [8:25] who responded to this emergency swiftly [8:28] and performed vital, life-saving work, [8:30] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [8:35] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [8:38] That is what we have at this time. [8:39] Thank you. [8:40] All right, we've got time for a few more. [8:41] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [8:44] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [8:45] Hey, Morgan. [8:46] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [8:49] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [8:53] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well [8:55] about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [8:58] It was past 5 p.m. [8:59] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [9:03] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [9:10] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [9:13] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, [9:18] the vital importance of TPS. [9:20] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [9:27] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, [9:29] they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [9:34] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans [9:38] to not visit, even going further than that. [9:40] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years [9:46] that they have to go back to that, [9:48] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [9:51] And we're also talking about Haitian New Yorkers [9:54] who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city, [9:59] health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, [10:02] so many different aspects that without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [10:07] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action [10:10] at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [10:14] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [10:17] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, [10:20] it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [10:24] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City [10:29] due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [10:31] We've seen this before. [10:32] For example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, [10:37] things of this nature. [10:38] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [10:42] Thank you. [10:43] All right. [10:44] Our MTA chairman has to go. [10:45] So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [10:48] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [10:50] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, [10:51] and we'll make it quick, please. [10:52] Thanks. [10:53] I will. [10:54] The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station [10:57] having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [11:02] Can you tell us a little bit about, [11:03] and I know that we're studying the feasibility, [11:05] but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps, [11:11] and are there some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [11:16] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU [11:21] because somebody will get into that level of detail, [11:24] but the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal [11:28] right below the platform we are on, [11:31] which is this unused center platform, [11:33] and we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions [11:40] and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall [11:47] and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [11:51] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [11:56] Thank you, Chairman. [11:57] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, [11:59] it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [12:05] So this has the potential to save the city money. [12:09] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis [12:13] and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [12:18] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily, [12:23] and for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [12:27] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here [12:30] is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city [12:34] and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [12:38] All right. [12:40] We move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the 7th line, [12:44] Andrew Siff of WNBC. [12:47] When's that express service coming back on the 7th line? [12:50] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [12:53] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [12:56] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical [13:02] to potentially air condition some stations. [13:06] Is this related to that or wholly different and what became of it? [13:09] Listen, let's be honest. [13:10] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [13:17] We have the vents. [13:18] We have the stairways. [13:20] We have all these other exits. [13:22] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [13:25] We're still studying it, but this is, in some ways, a more promising approach, [13:30] which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, [13:35] and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [13:39] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [13:43] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other [13:50] because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [13:56] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [14:02] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [14:10] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chambers Street station into my office, [14:15] but that's basically what we're talking about. [14:18] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, [14:23] and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [14:26] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [14:28] My response, I agree with the mayor. [14:31] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [14:36] We've got Stefano's Chen of The New York Times. [14:40] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [14:41] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, [14:44] but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at, [14:49] and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [14:53] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [15:01] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [15:10] So we're not projecting Stefano's exactly how much it would deliver, [15:15] but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [15:20] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, [15:25] and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [15:28] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [15:35] I think just to give you a sense also, Stefano, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility [15:42] by the end of this calendar year, and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [15:50] All right, a couple more on topic. [15:52] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [15:58] Hey, Mr. Mayor. [15:59] This one's for you, unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [16:04] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [16:09] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [16:14] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for the anti-vehicle, [16:23] for security purposes, and since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend [16:29] to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [16:34] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [16:37] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [16:42] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last, [16:47] so I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [16:51] You were saying it's about extending the day, perhaps, to an entire weekend and adding in. [16:56] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [16:58] Thank you for flagging me. [16:59] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [17:04] We're going to roll that train right by again. [17:06] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [17:08] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [17:10] We're on-topic. [17:11] Okay. [17:11] This is on-topic. [17:12] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [17:17] How is this different, and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [17:26] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [17:35] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [17:51] I'll look at it, Sam, see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [17:55] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [18:01] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [18:07] Thank you, Tim. [18:08] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [18:13] Hi, Mayor. [18:16] Thank you for bringing us here. [18:18] Yes. [18:19] Sightseeing. [18:20] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [18:28] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [18:36] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [18:55] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [19:20] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [19:27] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [19:33] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [19:35] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [19:39] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [19:48] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [19:53] I got on the train. [19:54] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [20:03] She was terrified. [20:04] This is something that is true for so many. [20:06] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [20:14] It is the extension of TPS. [20:15] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [20:21] I don't know if... [20:24] Yes. [20:25] Yes. [20:26] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [20:37] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure, and that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [20:47] Thank you, Josie. [20:48] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [20:50] Hi, Mayor. [20:52] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [21:01] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you, that more so lean conservative, that are siding with you this time? [21:13] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [21:17] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [21:27] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [21:33] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [21:37] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [21:40] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [21:41] Sure. [21:42] Please. [21:44] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [21:46] We desperately need to build more housing, and you have a leader in John Mangan, who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [21:59] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [22:03] He was instrumental in the Charter Commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [22:11] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [22:14] I definitely have – he has my full confidence, and to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [22:23] Thank you, controller. [22:24] All right, we're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [22:29] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [22:30] Good morning. [22:30] Hi, good morning. [22:30] How are you? [22:31] Well, thanks. [22:31] How are you? [22:32] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-à-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [22:37] It's going to court today, how your legal team is working on that, and then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done, and what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [22:49] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [22:54] So, we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [23:06] And we are confident in our position, and that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions, as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, [23:18] a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [23:26] On the rollout? [23:28] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers, and we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, [23:36] again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of 8.5 million, have all the information that they need, and we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [23:47] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [23:52] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [23:56] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [23:57] Doing well. How are you? [23:58] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take, [24:10] and when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms, and then I do have a second off-topic. [24:18] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, and if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [24:27] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [24:30] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [24:34] Okay, thank you. And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [24:43] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [24:52] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss, and I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [24:59] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital, life-saving work, [25:08] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [25:12] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. That is what we have at this time. [25:17] Thank you. All right, we've got time for a few more. We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [25:22] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [25:22] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the president. [25:27] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [25:31] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [25:36] It was past 5 p.m. It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [25:41] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [25:45] You know, I spoke to the president prior to that, and I made clear to the president, as I've made clear to anyone, [25:54] across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [25:57] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [26:04] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [26:11] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [26:18] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [26:25] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [26:29] And we're also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power the city. [26:36] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [26:44] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [26:51] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [26:55] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [27:02] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [27:09] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [27:15] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [27:20] Thank you. All right, our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [27:25] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [27:30] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [27:39] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [27:49] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [27:54] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU, because somebody will get into that level of detail. [28:02] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [28:11] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [28:28] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [28:33] Thank you, Chairman, about the heating costs, as you heard from the controller. [28:37] It's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [28:43] So this has the potential to save the city money. [28:46] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [28:55] We have I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily and for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [29:05] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city [29:12] and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [29:16] All right. [29:17] We move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [29:24] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [29:27] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [29:30] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [29:34] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [29:43] Is this related to that or wholly different? [29:46] And what became? [29:46] Let's be honest. [29:48] Air conditioning is is is a is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [29:54] We have the vents, we have the stairways. [29:58] We have all these other exits. [29:59] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [30:02] We're still studying it. [30:03] But this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system. [30:11] So temperature goes down and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [30:17] We love this idea, but we got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [30:20] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [30:34] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [30:39] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system, the envy of the world. [30:47] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street station into my office. [30:53] But that's basically what we're talking about. [30:55] And what we what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [31:00] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [31:04] It's time to now bring that to 2026, my response. [31:07] I agree with the mayor. [31:10] All right. [31:10] Let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [31:14] We've got Stefanos Chen of The New York Times. [31:17] Hi, Jenna. [31:18] And hi, Mayor. [31:18] The question for both of you is I know that this is preliminary, but in just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [31:26] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [31:30] I'll tell you, when you look at what the the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement in when those those temperatures peak in midsummer. [31:47] So we are we're not we're not projecting Stefanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [31:57] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [32:03] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [32:05] We're not going to create an office, an air conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [32:11] I think just to give you a sense also, Stefanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [32:26] All right. [32:28] Couple more on topic. [32:29] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [32:34] Hey, Mr. Mayor. [32:36] This is this one's for you unless Jenna really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [32:40] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [32:46] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for the anti-vehicle, for security purposes. [33:01] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [33:10] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [33:13] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [33:19] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last. [33:24] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [33:28] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [33:33] Yeah. [33:34] We'll look at all of that. [33:35] Thank you for flagging. [33:36] All right. [33:37] Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [33:41] We're going to roll that train right by again. [33:43] All right. [33:44] Sam Liebman from New York One. [33:45] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [33:46] We're on-topic. [33:47] This is on-topic. [33:48] Okay. [33:49] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [33:55] How is this different? [33:57] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [34:03] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning [34:10] network that you experience when you're on the platform. [34:13] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and [34:22] transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [34:28] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [34:31] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above. [34:35] So it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [34:38] All right. [34:39] We're going to switch to off-topic. [34:41] And here is your host for this portion, Dora. [34:43] Thank you, Tim. [34:44] Okay. [34:45] The mayor will take some off-topic questions as well. [34:48] And we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [34:50] Hi, Mayor. [34:53] Thank you for bringing us here. [34:55] Yes. [34:56] Sightseeing. [34:57] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [35:05] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [35:13] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law. [35:20] And that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [35:32] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders. [35:40] And doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [35:49] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [35:57] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [36:04] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [36:10] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [36:12] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [36:16] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [36:26] And just the other week I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [36:30] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [36:33] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [36:40] She was terrified. [36:41] This is something that is true for so many. [36:44] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [36:51] It is the extension of TPS. [36:53] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [36:58] I don't know if, yes, yes. [37:03] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [37:14] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [37:21] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [37:24] Thank you, Josie. [37:25] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [37:27] Hi, Mayor. [37:29] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [37:38] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you, that more so lean conservative, that are siding with you this time? [37:50] Yeah, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [37:54] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [38:03] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [38:09] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [38:14] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [38:16] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [38:18] Sure. [38:19] Please. [38:21] Look, we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [38:23] We desperately need to build more housing. [38:25] And you have a leader in John Mangan, who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [38:35] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [38:40] He was instrumental in the Charter Commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [38:48] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [38:52] I definitely have my full confidence. [38:55] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [39:00] Thank you, controller. [39:01] All right. [39:02] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [39:04] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [39:07] Good morning. [39:08] How are you? [39:09] Well, thanks. [39:10] How are you? [39:11] I'm wondering if you can respond to the piet-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [39:15] It's going to court today. [39:16] How your legal team is working on that? [39:18] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [39:23] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [39:25] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [39:31] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [39:43] And we are confident in our position, and that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [40:02] And the rollout? [40:04] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [40:10] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [40:19] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [40:24] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [40:29] Other questions? [40:30] Heather from News 12. [40:31] Go ahead. [40:32] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [40:35] Doing well, how are you? [40:36] Good. [40:37] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [40:40] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [40:47] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [40:53] And then I do have a second off-topic. [40:55] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [40:59] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [41:04] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? [41:06] Is there a timeline for that process? [41:08] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [41:11] Okay, thank you. [41:12] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [41:20] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [41:29] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [41:33] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [41:36] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [41:45] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [41:49] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [41:53] That is what we have at this time. [41:54] Thank you. All right, I've got time for a few more. [41:56] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [41:57] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [41:59] Hey, Morgan. [42:00] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [42:04] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [42:08] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [42:13] It was past 5 p.m. [42:14] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [42:18] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [42:25] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [42:28] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [42:35] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [42:42] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [42:48] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [42:55] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [43:06] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power the city. [43:13] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [43:21] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [43:31] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [43:45] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [43:52] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [43:56] Thank you. [43:57] All right, our MTA chairman has to go. [43:59] So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [44:01] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [44:03] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. [44:06] Thanks. [44:07] I will. [44:08] The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this is not an abandoned center. [44:14] It was part of why this might work. [44:16] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [44:25] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [44:30] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [44:39] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [44:48] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [45:05] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [45:10] Thank you, chairman. [45:11] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [45:19] So this has the potential to save the city money. [45:23] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [45:32] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [45:36] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [45:41] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [45:53] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [46:02] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [46:05] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [46:07] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [46:11] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [46:20] Is this related to that or wholly different? [46:23] And what became of that? [46:24] Listen, let's be honest. [46:25] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [46:32] We have the vents. [46:33] We have the stairways. [46:35] We have all these other exits. [46:37] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [46:40] We're still studying it. [46:41] But this is, in some ways, a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [46:54] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [46:58] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [47:10] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [47:16] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [47:24] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [47:32] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [47:41] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [47:43] My response, I agree with the mayor. [47:45] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [47:51] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [47:54] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [47:56] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [48:04] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [48:08] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [48:16] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [48:25] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [48:34] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [48:43] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [48:50] I think just to give you a sense also Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [48:59] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [49:04] All right, a couple more on topic. [49:07] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [49:12] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [49:18] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [49:23] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [49:28] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [49:38] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [49:48] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [49:51] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [49:57] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [50:00] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [50:02] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [50:05] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [50:11] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [50:13] Thank you for flagging. [50:14] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [50:19] We're going to roll that train right by again. [50:21] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [50:23] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [50:25] We're on-topic. [50:26] Okay. [50:27] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [50:33] How is this different? [50:35] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [50:41] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [50:50] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [51:06] I'll look at it, Sam, see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [51:09] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [51:15] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [51:20] Thank you, Tim. [51:22] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [51:28] Hi, Mayor. [51:31] Thank you for bringing us here. [51:33] Yes. [51:34] Sightseeing. [51:35] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [51:42] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [51:52] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, [51:58] and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders [52:05] and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [52:10] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, [52:18] and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, [52:27] it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [52:34] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [52:41] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [52:46] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [52:49] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [52:53] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [53:00] who have been critical parts of this city. [53:03] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [53:07] I got on the train. As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears [53:13] as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [53:17] She was terrified. This is something that is true for so many. [53:21] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [53:28] It is the extension of TPS. It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, [53:33] which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [53:35] I don't know if. Yes. Yes. I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, [53:48] to our economy and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [53:52] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [53:59] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [54:02] Thank you, Josie. All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [54:05] Hi, Mayor. When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, [54:11] obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [54:15] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, [54:20] and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [54:27] I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [54:31] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis [54:37] and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [54:41] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [54:47] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [54:51] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [54:54] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [54:56] Sure. [54:57] Please. [54:59] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [55:01] We desperately need to build more housing. [55:03] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [55:13] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [55:17] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [55:25] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [55:28] I definitely have my full confidence. [55:31] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [55:36] Thank you, controller. [55:38] All right. [55:39] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [55:41] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [55:44] Good morning. [55:45] Good morning. [55:46] How are you? [55:47] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [55:53] It's going to court today. [55:54] How your legal team is working on that. [55:56] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [56:00] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [56:03] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [56:09] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [56:21] And we are confident in our position, and that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [56:40] The rollout? [56:42] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers, and we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need, and we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [57:02] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [57:07] Other questions? [57:08] Heather from News 12. [57:09] Go ahead. [57:10] Hi, Mayor. [57:12] How are you? [57:13] Good. [57:14] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [57:17] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take, and when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [57:30] And then I do have a second off-topic. [57:32] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, and if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [57:41] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? [57:44] Is there a timeline for that process? [57:45] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [57:48] Okay, thank you. [57:49] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [57:57] You know, I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [58:06] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss, and I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [58:12] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [58:26] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [58:30] That is what we have at this time. [58:31] Thank you, Ari. [58:32] I've got time for a few more. [58:33] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [58:36] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [58:37] Hey, Morgan. [58:38] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [58:41] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [58:45] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday nights. [58:50] It was past 5 p.m. [58:51] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [58:55] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [59:00] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [59:12] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [59:19] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [59:25] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [59:32] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years that they have to go back to that, it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [59:43] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [59:50] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [59:58] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [1:00:09] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [1:00:23] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [1:00:29] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [1:00:34] Thank you. [1:00:35] All right, our MTA chairman has to go. [1:00:36] So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [1:00:38] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [1:00:41] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. [1:00:44] Thanks. [1:00:45] I will. [1:00:46] The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [1:00:53] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [1:01:03] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [1:01:08] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [1:01:15] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [1:01:25] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [1:01:42] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [1:01:47] Thank you, chairman. [1:01:48] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [1:01:56] So this has the potential to save the city money. [1:02:01] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [1:02:10] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily, and for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [1:02:19] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [1:02:30] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the Seven Line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [1:02:39] When's that express service coming back on the Seven Line? [1:02:42] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [1:02:45] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [1:02:49] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [1:02:58] Is this related to that or wholly different and what became of that? [1:03:01] Listen, let's be honest, air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [1:03:09] We have the vents, we have the stairways, we have all these other exits. [1:03:14] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [1:03:17] We're still studying it, but this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, [1:03:24] take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [1:03:31] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [1:03:35] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other [1:03:42] because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [1:03:47] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [1:03:53] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [1:04:01] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, [1:04:08] but that's basically what we're talking about. [1:04:10] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, [1:04:15] and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [1:04:19] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [1:04:21] My response, I agree with the mayor. [1:04:23] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [1:04:28] We've got Stephanos Chen of the New York Times. [1:04:31] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [1:04:33] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, [1:04:36] but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at, [1:04:41] and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [1:04:45] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [1:04:54] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [1:05:02] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [1:05:12] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, [1:05:18] and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [1:05:21] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [1:05:27] I think just to give you a sense also, Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline [1:05:30] where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [1:05:36] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [1:05:41] All right, a couple more on topic. [1:05:44] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [1:05:50] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [1:05:56] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [1:06:01] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [1:06:06] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [1:06:17] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [1:06:26] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [1:06:29] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [1:06:34] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [1:06:37] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [1:06:39] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [1:06:42] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [1:06:48] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [1:06:50] Thank you for flagging. [1:06:51] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [1:06:55] We're going to roll that train right by again. [1:06:57] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [1:06:59] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [1:07:02] We're on-topic. [1:07:03] Okay. [1:07:04] This is on-topic. [1:07:05] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [1:07:10] How is this different and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [1:07:18] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [1:07:28] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [1:07:44] I'll look at it, Sam, see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [1:07:47] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [1:07:53] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [1:07:59] Thank you, Tim. [1:08:00] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [1:08:05] Hi, mayor. [1:08:08] Thank you for bringing us here. [1:08:10] Yes. [1:08:11] Sightseeing. [1:08:12] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [1:08:19] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [1:08:28] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [1:08:47] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [1:09:04] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [1:09:12] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [1:09:18] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [1:09:24] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [1:09:26] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [1:09:30] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [1:09:40] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [1:09:44] I got on the train. As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [1:09:54] She was terrified. This is something that is true for so many. And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [1:10:06] It is the extension of TPS. It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here. They are at home. [1:10:13] I don't know. Yes. Yes. I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [1:10:28] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [1:10:35] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. Thank you, Josie. [1:10:39] All right. We're going to move on to Leah from Politico. Hi, Mayor. When it comes to your pick for the city's board of standards and appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [1:10:52] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [1:11:04] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [1:11:19] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [1:11:29] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add, Tom. [1:11:33] Sure. Please. [1:11:34] Look, we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. We desperately need to build more housing. And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [1:11:50] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [1:12:03] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. I definitely have my full confidence. And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [1:12:14] Thank you, controller. All right. We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [1:12:19] Hi, Mr. Mayor. Good morning. [1:12:22] Hi. Good morning. How are you? [1:12:23] Well, thanks. How are you? [1:12:24] I'm wondering if you can respond to the piet-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. It's going to court today. How your legal team is working on that? [1:12:33] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [1:12:40] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [1:12:46] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [1:12:54] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [1:12:58] And we are confident in our position. And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [1:13:10] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [1:13:17] And the rollout? [1:13:19] You know, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [1:13:24] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [1:13:34] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [1:13:38] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [1:13:43] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [1:13:48] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [1:13:49] Doing well. How are you? [1:13:50] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [1:13:54] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [1:14:01] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [1:14:07] And then I do have a second off-topic. [1:14:09] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [1:14:13] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [1:14:18] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [1:14:22] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [1:14:25] Okay. Thank you. [1:14:26] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [1:14:34] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [1:14:43] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [1:14:47] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [1:14:50] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [1:14:59] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [1:15:04] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [1:15:07] That is what we have at this time. [1:15:08] Thank you. All right. [1:15:09] I've got time for a few more. [1:15:10] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [1:15:12] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [1:15:15] Hey, Morgan. [1:15:16] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [1:15:19] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [1:15:23] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday nights. [1:15:28] It was past 5 p.m. [1:15:29] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [1:15:33] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [1:15:38] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [1:15:42] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [1:15:49] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [1:15:56] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [1:16:02] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [1:16:09] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [1:16:20] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [1:16:28] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [1:16:36] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so. [1:16:43] Because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [1:16:47] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [1:16:54] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [1:17:01] We've seen this before. [1:17:02] For example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [1:17:07] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [1:17:12] Thank you. [1:17:13] All right. [1:17:14] Our MTA chairman has to go. [1:17:15] So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [1:17:17] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [1:17:19] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. [1:17:21] Thanks. [1:17:22] I will. [1:17:23] The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [1:17:31] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [1:17:41] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [1:17:45] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [1:17:54] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [1:18:04] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [1:18:21] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [1:18:25] Okay. [1:18:26] Thank you, chairman. [1:18:27] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller. [1:18:29] It's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [1:18:34] So this has the potential to save the city money. [1:18:38] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [1:18:47] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [1:18:51] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [1:18:56] And I think what you're hearing from chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [1:19:07] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [1:19:17] When's that express service coming back on the seven? [1:19:19] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [1:19:22] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [1:19:26] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [1:19:35] Is this related to that or wholly different in what became of it? [1:19:38] Listen, let's be honest. [1:19:39] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [1:19:46] We have the vents. [1:19:47] We have the stairways. [1:19:49] We have all these other exits. [1:19:51] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [1:19:54] We're still studying it, but this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, [1:20:04] and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [1:20:09] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [1:20:12] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [1:20:26] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [1:20:32] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [1:20:39] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the chamber street station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [1:20:47] And what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [1:20:52] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [1:20:56] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [1:20:58] My response, I agree with the mayor. [1:21:00] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [1:21:05] We've got Stefanos Chen of the New York Times. [1:21:08] Hi, Jenna. [1:21:09] Hi, Mayor. [1:21:10] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [1:21:18] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [1:21:22] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [1:21:31] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [1:21:39] So we're not projecting Stefanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [1:21:49] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [1:21:55] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [1:21:58] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [1:22:04] I think just to give you a sense also, Stefanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [1:22:13] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [1:22:18] All right. A couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [1:22:25] Hey, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [1:22:32] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [1:22:38] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [1:22:43] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [1:22:53] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [1:23:02] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [1:23:06] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [1:23:11] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [1:23:14] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [1:23:16] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [1:23:19] You were saying it's about extending the day, perhaps, to an entire weekend and adding in. [1:23:25] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging me. [1:23:28] All right. Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [1:23:33] We're going to roll that train right by again. [1:23:35] All right. Sam Liebman from New York One. [1:23:37] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [1:23:39] We're on-topic. [1:23:40] Okay. [1:23:41] This is on-topic. [1:23:42] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [1:23:48] How is this different? [1:23:50] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [1:23:56] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [1:24:05] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [1:24:21] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [1:24:24] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above. [1:24:27] So it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [1:24:30] All right. We're going to switch to off-topic. [1:24:32] And here is your host for this portion, Dora. [1:24:35] Thank you, Tim. [1:24:37] Okay. The mayor will take some off-topic questions as well. [1:24:40] And we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [1:24:43] Hi, Mayor. Thank you for bringing us here. [1:24:47] Yes. Sightseeing. [1:24:50] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [1:24:56] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [1:25:05] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law. [1:25:13] And that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [1:25:25] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders. [1:25:33] And doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [1:25:42] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [1:25:49] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [1:25:56] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [1:26:02] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [1:26:04] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [1:26:08] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [1:26:18] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [1:26:22] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [1:26:25] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [1:26:32] She was terrified. [1:26:33] This is something that is true for so many. [1:26:36] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [1:26:43] It is the extension of TPS. [1:26:44] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers and that they are here. [1:26:49] They are at home. [1:26:50] I don't know. [1:26:51] Yes. [1:26:54] Yes. [1:26:57] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [1:27:05] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [1:27:12] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [1:27:15] Thank you, Josie. [1:27:16] All right. [1:27:17] We're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [1:27:19] Hi, Mayor. [1:27:21] When it comes to your pick for the city's board of standards and appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [1:27:29] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you, that more so lean conservative, that are siding with you this time? [1:27:41] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [1:27:46] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [1:27:56] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [1:28:02] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [1:28:07] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [1:28:09] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add. [1:28:11] Sure. [1:28:12] Please. [1:28:14] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [1:28:16] We desperately need to build more housing. [1:28:18] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [1:28:28] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [1:28:32] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [1:28:41] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [1:28:43] I definitely have. [1:28:44] He has my full confidence. [1:28:46] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [1:28:51] Thank you, controller. [1:28:53] All right. [1:28:54] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [1:28:56] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [1:28:59] Good morning. [1:29:00] Good morning. [1:29:01] How are you? [1:29:02] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [1:29:07] It's going to court today. [1:29:09] How your legal team is working on that. [1:29:11] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [1:29:15] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [1:29:17] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [1:29:24] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [1:29:36] And we are confident in our position. [1:29:38] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions, as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [1:29:55] And the rollout? [1:29:57] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [1:30:01] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [1:30:11] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [1:30:16] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [1:30:21] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [1:30:25] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [1:30:26] Doing well, how are you? [1:30:27] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [1:30:31] Heat plan. If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [1:30:39] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [1:30:44] And then I do have a second off-topic. [1:30:46] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [1:30:51] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [1:30:56] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [1:30:59] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [1:31:03] Okay, thank you. And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [1:31:12] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [1:31:21] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [1:31:24] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [1:31:27] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [1:31:36] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [1:31:41] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [1:31:44] That is what we have at this time. [1:31:45] Thank you. All right, I've got time for a few more. [1:31:47] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [1:31:49] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [1:31:52] Hey, Morgan. [1:31:53] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [1:31:56] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [1:32:00] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [1:32:05] It was past 5 p.m. [1:32:07] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [1:32:10] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [1:32:15] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [1:32:19] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [1:32:26] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [1:32:33] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [1:32:40] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [1:32:46] And for us, in this moment, to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [1:32:54] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [1:32:57] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [1:33:06] Healthcare, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [1:33:13] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [1:33:21] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [1:33:24] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [1:33:31] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [1:33:38] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [1:33:45] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [1:33:49] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [1:33:54] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [1:33:59] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [1:34:08] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [1:34:18] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [1:34:22] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [1:34:31] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [1:34:40] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [1:34:58] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [1:35:03] Thank you, Chairman, about the heating costs, as you heard from the controller. [1:35:07] It's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [1:35:12] So this has the potential to save the city money. [1:35:16] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [1:35:25] We have I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [1:35:29] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [1:35:33] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [1:35:45] All right. We move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line. [1:35:51] Andrew Siff of WNBC. [1:35:54] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [1:35:57] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [1:36:00] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [1:36:04] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [1:36:12] Is this related to that or wholly different? [1:36:15] Let's be honest, air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [1:36:24] We have the vents. [1:36:25] We have the stairways. [1:36:27] We have all these other exits. [1:36:29] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [1:36:32] We're still studying it. [1:36:33] But this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [1:36:46] We love this idea, but we got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [1:36:50] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [1:37:02] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [1:37:08] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [1:37:16] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street station into my office. [1:37:23] But that's basically what we're talking about. [1:37:25] And what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [1:37:30] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [1:37:34] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [1:37:36] My response, I agree with the mayor. [1:37:38] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [1:37:43] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [1:37:46] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [1:37:48] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [1:37:56] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [1:38:01] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [1:38:08] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [1:38:16] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [1:38:26] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [1:38:32] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [1:38:35] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [1:38:40] I think just to give you a sense also Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [1:38:50] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [1:38:55] All right, a couple more on topic. [1:38:58] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [1:39:03] Hey, Mr. Mayor. [1:39:05] This one's for you unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [1:39:10] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [1:39:15] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [1:39:20] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [1:39:30] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [1:39:40] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [1:39:43] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [1:39:49] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [1:39:52] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [1:39:54] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [1:39:57] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [1:40:03] Yeah. [1:40:04] We'll look at all of that. [1:40:05] Thank you for flagging. [1:40:06] All right. [1:40:07] Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [1:40:11] We're going to roll that train right by again. [1:40:13] All right. [1:40:14] Sam Liebman from New York One. [1:40:15] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [1:40:16] We're on-topic. [1:40:17] This is on-topic. [1:40:18] Okay. [1:40:19] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [1:40:24] How is this different? [1:40:26] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was [1:40:32] put in? [1:40:33] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning [1:40:39] network that you experience when you're on the platform. [1:40:42] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it [1:40:51] and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central [1:40:57] initiative did not. [1:40:58] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [1:41:01] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above. [1:41:05] So it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [1:41:08] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [1:41:13] Thank you, Tim. [1:41:14] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the [1:41:19] Daily News. [1:41:22] Hi, Mayor. [1:41:23] Thank you for bringing us here. [1:41:24] Yes. [1:41:25] Sightseeing. [1:41:26] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [1:41:34] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians [1:41:41] who work for the city and who have TPS? [1:41:43] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced [1:41:48] to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the [1:41:54] work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not [1:41:59] established alternate paths to legal work. [1:42:02] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure [1:42:08] to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the [1:42:14] certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [1:42:19] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy [1:42:25] that is flourishing here in our city. [1:42:27] Now we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [1:42:34] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [1:42:40] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [1:42:42] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [1:42:46] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [1:42:53] who have been critical parts of this city. [1:42:56] And just the other week I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [1:43:00] I got on the train. [1:43:01] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears [1:43:06] as she shared that she was in fact a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [1:43:10] She was terrified. [1:43:11] This is something that is true for so many. [1:43:14] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [1:43:21] It is the extension of TPS. [1:43:23] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, [1:43:27] and that they are here, they are at home. [1:43:28] I don't know if... [1:43:29] Yes. [1:43:32] Yes. [1:43:35] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, [1:43:40] to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home, [1:43:44] and also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS [1:43:48] or to grant the deferred enforcement departure, [1:43:51] and that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [1:43:53] Thank you, Josie. [1:43:55] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [1:43:57] Hi, Mayor. [1:43:59] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, [1:44:03] obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [1:44:08] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates [1:44:11] that are actually supporting your pick, [1:44:13] and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you, [1:44:16] that more so lean conservative, that are siding with you this time? [1:44:20] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [1:44:24] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience [1:44:27] to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time, [1:44:33] and we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [1:44:39] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [1:44:44] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [1:44:46] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [1:44:48] Sure. Please. [1:44:50] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [1:44:54] We desperately need to build more housing, and you have a leader in John Mangan, [1:44:59] who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [1:45:06] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [1:45:10] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval [1:45:15] of desperately needed housing all over the city. [1:45:18] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [1:45:21] I definitely have – he has my full confidence, [1:45:24] and to me he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [1:45:29] Thank you, controller. [1:45:30] All right, we're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [1:45:33] Hi, Mr. Mayor. Good morning. [1:45:36] Hi, good morning. How are you? [1:45:37] Well, thanks. How are you? [1:45:38] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-à-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [1:45:44] It's going to court today. How your legal team is working on that. [1:45:48] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done, [1:45:52] and what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [1:45:55] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes [1:45:58] and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [1:46:01] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, [1:46:06] as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, [1:46:09] and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [1:46:13] And we are confident in our position. [1:46:15] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions, [1:46:20] as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, [1:46:25] a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, [1:46:30] and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [1:46:32] And the rollout? [1:46:34] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax there are more questions than there are answers, [1:46:39] and we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, [1:46:43] again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of $8.5 million, [1:46:47] have all the information that they need, [1:46:49] and we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [1:46:54] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [1:46:59] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [1:47:02] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [1:47:04] Doing well. How are you? [1:47:05] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [1:47:10] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, [1:47:14] how long do you think that study is going to take, [1:47:17] and when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [1:47:22] And then I do have a second off-topic. [1:47:24] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [1:47:29] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [1:47:34] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? [1:47:36] Is there a timeline for that process? [1:47:37] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [1:47:41] Okay. Thank you. [1:47:42] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [1:47:50] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [1:47:59] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [1:48:02] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [1:48:05] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly [1:48:12] and performed vital life-saving work, which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [1:48:19] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [1:48:22] That is what we have at this time. [1:48:23] Thank you. [1:48:24] All right. [1:48:25] I've got time for a few more. [1:48:26] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [1:48:27] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [1:48:29] Hey, Morgan. [1:48:30] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [1:48:33] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [1:48:37] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [1:48:42] It was past 5 p.m. [1:48:44] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [1:48:47] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [1:48:52] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [1:49:04] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [1:49:11] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [1:49:18] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [1:49:24] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [1:49:32] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [1:49:35] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [1:49:43] Healthcare, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [1:49:50] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [1:49:57] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [1:50:01] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [1:50:08] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [1:50:15] We have seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [1:50:21] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [1:50:26] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [1:50:31] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [1:50:34] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [1:50:37] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [1:50:46] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [1:50:55] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [1:50:59] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [1:51:08] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [1:51:17] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [1:51:34] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [1:51:40] Thank you, chairman. [1:51:41] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [1:51:49] So this has the potential to save the city money. [1:51:53] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [1:52:02] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [1:52:06] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [1:52:11] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [1:52:22] All right. [1:52:24] We move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the Seven Line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [1:52:31] When's that express service coming back on the Seven Line? [1:52:34] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [1:52:36] No, no, no. [1:52:37] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [1:52:40] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [1:52:49] Is this related to that or wholly different? [1:52:52] And what became of it? [1:52:53] Listen, let's be honest. [1:52:54] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [1:53:01] We have the vents. [1:53:02] We have the stairways. [1:53:04] We have all these other exits. [1:53:06] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [1:53:09] We're still studying it. [1:53:10] But this is, in some ways, a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [1:53:23] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [1:53:27] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [1:53:40] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [1:53:46] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [1:53:54] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [1:54:02] And what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [1:54:07] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [1:54:11] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [1:54:13] My response, I agree with the mayor. [1:54:15] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [1:54:20] We've got Stephanos Chen of the New York Times. [1:54:23] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [1:54:25] The question for both of you is I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, [1:54:31] how much cooler are we looking at, and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [1:54:39] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [1:54:46] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [1:54:54] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [1:55:04] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, [1:55:10] and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [1:55:13] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [1:55:18] I think just to give you a sense also Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [1:55:28] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [1:55:33] All right, a couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [1:55:40] Hey, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [1:55:48] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [1:55:53] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [1:55:58] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [1:56:08] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [1:56:18] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [1:56:21] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [1:56:26] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last, [1:56:31] so I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [1:56:34] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in, yeah. [1:56:40] We'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging. [1:56:43] All right. Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [1:56:47] We're going to roll that train right by again. All right. Sam Liebman from New York One. [1:56:51] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [1:56:54] We're on-topic. This is on-topic. [1:56:56] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. How is this different? [1:57:04] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [1:57:10] Pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [1:57:19] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [1:57:35] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [1:57:38] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [1:57:45] All right. We're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [1:57:50] Thank you, Tim. [1:57:52] Okay. The mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from The Daily News. [1:58:00] Hi, Mayor. Thank you for bringing us here. [1:58:02] Yes. Sightseeing. [1:58:05] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [1:58:11] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [1:58:20] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, [1:58:27] and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders [1:58:35] and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [1:58:40] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, [1:58:48] and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work [1:58:56] and live in the city. [1:58:57] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [1:59:04] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [1:59:11] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [1:59:16] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [1:59:19] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [1:59:22] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [1:59:29] who have been critical parts of this city. [1:59:32] And just the other week I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [1:59:36] I got on the train. [1:59:37] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears [1:59:42] as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [1:59:46] She was terrified. [1:59:47] This is something that is true for so many. [1:59:51] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [1:59:58] It is the extension of TPS. [1:59:59] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here. [2:00:04] They are at home. [2:00:05] I don't know if... [2:00:06] Yes. [2:00:10] Yes. [2:00:12] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [2:00:21] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [2:00:28] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [2:00:31] Thank you, Josie. [2:00:32] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [2:00:34] Hi, Mayor. [2:00:36] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [2:00:44] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you, that more so lean conservative, that are siding with you this time? [2:00:56] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [2:01:01] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [2:01:11] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [2:01:17] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [2:01:21] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [2:01:24] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add, Tom. [2:01:26] Sure. [2:01:27] Please. [2:01:29] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [2:01:31] We desperately need to build more housing. [2:01:33] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [2:01:43] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [2:01:47] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [2:01:56] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [2:01:59] I definitely have. [2:02:00] He has my full confidence. [2:02:02] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [2:02:08] Thank you, controller. [2:02:09] All right. [2:02:10] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [2:02:13] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:02:14] Good morning. [2:02:15] Good morning. [2:02:16] How are you? [2:02:17] Well, thanks. [2:02:18] How are you? [2:02:19] The care tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [2:02:22] It's going to court today. [2:02:23] How your legal team is working on that. [2:02:25] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [2:02:29] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [2:02:32] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [2:02:39] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [2:02:47] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [2:02:51] And we are confident in our position. [2:02:53] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [2:03:03] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [2:03:10] And the rollout? [2:03:12] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [2:03:16] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [2:03:26] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [2:03:31] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the tax commission by March of 2027. [2:03:36] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [2:03:40] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [2:03:41] Doing well. How are you? [2:03:42] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [2:03:46] Heat plan. If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [2:03:54] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [2:03:59] And then I do have a second off-topic. [2:04:01] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [2:04:06] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [2:04:11] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [2:04:14] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [2:04:18] Okay. Thank you. And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [2:04:27] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [2:04:36] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [2:04:39] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [2:04:42] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [2:04:51] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [2:04:55] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. That is what we have at this time. [2:05:00] Thank you. All right. I've got time for a few more. We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [2:05:04] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:05:07] Hey, Morgan. [2:05:08] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [2:05:11] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [2:05:15] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [2:05:20] It was past 5 p.m. It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [2:05:25] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [2:05:30] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [2:05:41] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [2:05:48] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [2:05:55] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit. [2:06:00] Even going further than that. And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [2:06:10] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [2:06:13] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [2:06:21] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [2:06:28] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [2:06:36] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [2:06:39] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [2:06:46] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [2:06:53] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [2:07:00] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [2:07:05] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [2:07:09] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [2:07:14] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [2:07:23] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [2:07:33] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [2:07:37] Well, Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU, because somebody will get into that level of detail. [2:07:46] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [2:07:55] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [2:08:12] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [2:08:18] Thank you, chairman. [2:08:19] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [2:08:27] So this has the potential to save the city money. [2:08:31] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [2:08:40] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [2:08:44] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [2:08:48] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [2:09:00] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the 7-Line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [2:09:07] When's that express service coming back on the 7-Line? [2:09:11] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [2:09:14] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [2:09:19] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [2:09:27] Is this related to that or wholly different? [2:09:30] And what became of that? [2:09:31] Listen, let's be honest. [2:09:32] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [2:09:39] We have the vents. [2:09:40] We have the stairways. [2:09:42] We have all these other exits. [2:09:44] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [2:09:47] We're still studying it. [2:09:48] But this is, in some ways, a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [2:10:01] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [2:10:05] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [2:10:17] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [2:10:23] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [2:10:30] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [2:10:38] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [2:10:47] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [2:10:49] My response, I agree with the mayor. [2:10:51] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [2:10:57] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [2:11:01] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [2:11:03] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at, and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [2:11:14] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [2:11:31] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [2:11:41] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [2:11:50] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [2:11:57] And just to give you a sense also Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [2:12:12] All right, a couple more on topic. [2:12:14] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [2:12:19] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [2:12:25] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [2:12:30] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [2:12:45] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [2:12:55] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [2:12:58] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [2:13:03] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last. [2:13:09] So I will take those recommendations, and I will read that op-ed. [2:13:12] You were saying it's about extending the day, perhaps, to an entire weekend and adding in. [2:13:17] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [2:13:19] Thank you for flagging. [2:13:20] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [2:13:25] We're going to roll that train right by again. [2:13:27] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [2:13:29] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [2:13:31] We're on-topic. [2:13:32] Okay. [2:13:33] This is on-topic. [2:13:34] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [2:13:39] How is this different, and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [2:13:47] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [2:13:57] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [2:14:13] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [2:14:17] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [2:14:23] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [2:14:28] Thank you, Tim. [2:14:29] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [2:14:34] Hi, Mayor. [2:14:37] Thank you for bringing us here. [2:14:39] Yes. [2:14:40] Sightseeing. [2:14:41] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [2:14:48] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [2:14:57] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [2:15:17] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [2:15:34] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [2:15:41] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [2:15:48] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [2:15:54] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [2:15:56] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [2:16:00] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [2:16:10] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [2:16:14] I got on the train. As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [2:16:24] She was terrified. This is something that is true for so many. And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [2:16:36] It is the extension of TPS. It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here. They are at home. [2:16:43] I don't know if. Yes. Yes. [2:16:47] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [2:16:58] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [2:17:05] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [2:17:08] Thank you, Josie. All right. We're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [2:17:11] Hi, Mayor. When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [2:17:22] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [2:17:34] Yeah, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [2:17:48] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [2:17:54] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [2:18:01] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? Sure. Please. [2:18:04] Look, we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. We desperately need to build more housing. [2:18:10] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [2:18:20] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [2:18:24] He was instrumental in the Charter Commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [2:18:31] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. I definitely have, he has my full confidence. [2:18:38] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [2:18:43] Thank you, controller. All right, we're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [2:18:48] Hi, Mr. Mayor. Good morning. [2:18:51] Hi, good morning. How are you? [2:18:52] Well, thanks. How are you? [2:18:53] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [2:18:59] It's going to court today. How your legal team is working on that. [2:19:03] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [2:19:07] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [2:19:10] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [2:19:16] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [2:19:24] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [2:19:28] And we are confident in our position. [2:19:30] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [2:19:40] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [2:19:47] And the rollout? [2:19:49] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [2:19:54] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [2:20:04] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [2:20:09] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the tax commission by March of 2027. [2:20:14] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [2:20:17] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [2:20:19] Doing well. How are you? [2:20:20] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [2:20:24] Heat plan. If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [2:20:32] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [2:20:37] And then I do have a second off-topic. [2:20:39] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [2:20:44] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [2:20:49] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [2:20:52] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [2:20:56] Okay, thank you. And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [2:21:05] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [2:21:14] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [2:21:17] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [2:21:20] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [2:21:29] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [2:21:34] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. That is what we have at this time. [2:21:38] Thank you. All right, I've got time for a few more. We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [2:21:42] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:21:44] Hey, Morgan. [2:21:45] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [2:21:48] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [2:21:52] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [2:21:57] It was past 5 p.m. It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [2:22:02] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [2:22:07] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [2:22:19] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [2:22:26] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [2:22:33] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit. [2:22:38] Even going further than that. And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that. [2:22:47] It is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [2:22:50] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power the city. [2:22:58] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects that without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [2:23:05] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so. [2:23:12] Because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [2:23:16] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [2:23:23] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [2:23:30] We have seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [2:23:36] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [2:23:41] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [2:23:46] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [2:23:52] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [2:24:01] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [2:24:10] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [2:24:15] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [2:24:23] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [2:24:32] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [2:24:49] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [2:24:54] Thank you, chairman about the heating costs, as you heard from the controller. [2:24:58] It's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [2:25:03] So this has the potential to save the city money. [2:25:08] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [2:25:17] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [2:25:21] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [2:25:26] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [2:25:38] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [2:25:46] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [2:25:49] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [2:25:51] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [2:25:55] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [2:26:04] Is this related to that or wholly different and what became of it? [2:26:08] Listen, let's be honest. [2:26:09] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [2:26:16] We have the vents. [2:26:17] We have the stairways. [2:26:19] We have all these other exits. [2:26:21] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [2:26:24] We're still studying it. [2:26:25] But this is, in some ways, a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [2:26:38] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [2:26:42] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [2:26:55] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [2:27:01] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [2:27:09] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [2:27:17] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [2:27:26] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [2:27:28] My response, I agree with the Mayor. [2:27:30] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [2:27:35] We've got Stephanos Chen of the New York Times. [2:27:38] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [2:27:40] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [2:27:48] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [2:27:51] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [2:28:00] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [2:28:09] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [2:28:19] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, [2:28:25] and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [2:28:28] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [2:28:33] I think just to give you a sense also, Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [2:28:43] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [2:28:48] All right, a couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [2:28:55] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jano really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [2:29:02] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [2:29:08] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [2:29:13] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes, [2:29:23] and since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [2:29:32] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [2:29:36] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [2:29:41] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last, [2:29:46] so I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [2:29:49] You were saying it's about extending the day, perhaps, to an entire weekend and adding in... [2:29:54] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging me. [2:29:58] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [2:30:03] We're going to roll that train right by again. [2:30:05] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [2:30:08] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [2:30:09] We're on-topic. [2:30:10] Okay. [2:30:11] This is on-topic. [2:30:12] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [2:30:17] How is this different, and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [2:30:26] We're making sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [2:30:35] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [2:30:51] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [2:30:54] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [2:31:00] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [2:31:06] Thank you, Tim. [2:31:07] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from The Daily News. [2:31:15] Hi, Mayor, thank you for bringing us here. [2:31:17] Yes. [2:31:18] Sightseeing. [2:31:19] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [2:31:26] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [2:31:35] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [2:31:54] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [2:32:19] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [2:32:26] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [2:32:31] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [2:32:34] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [2:32:37] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [2:32:47] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [2:32:51] I got on the train. [2:32:52] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [2:33:01] She was terrified. [2:33:02] This is something that is true for so many. [2:33:05] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [2:33:12] It is the extension of TPS. [2:33:14] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [2:33:19] I don't know if. [2:33:20] Yes. [2:33:23] Yes. [2:33:25] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [2:33:35] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [2:33:42] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [2:33:45] Thank you, Josie. [2:33:46] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [2:33:48] Hi, Mayor. [2:33:49] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [2:33:59] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [2:34:11] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [2:34:16] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [2:34:26] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [2:34:32] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [2:34:36] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [2:34:39] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add, Tom. [2:34:41] Sure. [2:34:42] Please. [2:34:44] Look, we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [2:34:46] We desperately need to build more housing. [2:34:48] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [2:34:58] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [2:35:02] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [2:35:10] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [2:35:13] I definitely have my full confidence. [2:35:16] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [2:35:21] Thank you, controller. [2:35:22] All right. [2:35:23] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [2:35:25] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:35:28] Good morning. [2:35:29] Good morning. [2:35:30] How are you? [2:35:31] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [2:35:37] It's going to court today. [2:35:38] How your legal team is working on that. [2:35:40] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [2:35:44] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [2:35:47] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [2:35:54] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [2:36:06] And we are confident in our position. [2:36:08] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [2:36:18] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [2:36:25] And the rollout? [2:36:26] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [2:36:31] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [2:36:41] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [2:36:46] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [2:36:51] Other questions? Heather from News 12. [2:36:53] Go ahead. [2:36:54] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [2:36:56] Doing well, how are you? [2:36:57] Good. [2:36:58] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [2:37:01] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [2:37:09] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [2:37:15] And then I do have a second off-topic. [2:37:17] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [2:37:21] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [2:37:26] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [2:37:30] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [2:37:33] Okay, thank you. [2:37:34] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [2:37:42] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [2:37:51] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [2:37:55] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [2:37:58] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [2:38:07] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [2:38:11] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [2:38:15] That is what we have at this time. [2:38:16] Thank you. [2:38:17] All right, we've got time for a few more. [2:38:18] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [2:38:21] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:38:22] Hey, Morgan. [2:38:23] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [2:38:26] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [2:38:30] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [2:38:35] It was past 5 p.m. [2:38:36] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [2:38:40] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [2:38:47] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, [2:38:55] the vital importance of TPS. [2:38:57] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [2:39:04] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [2:39:10] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [2:39:17] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [2:39:25] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [2:39:28] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [2:39:35] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [2:39:43] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [2:39:50] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [2:39:54] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [2:40:01] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [2:40:08] We've seen this before. For example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [2:40:14] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [2:40:19] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [2:40:23] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from The Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [2:40:28] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [2:40:37] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [2:40:47] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [2:40:52] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU, because somebody will get into that level of detail. [2:41:00] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [2:41:09] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [2:41:26] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [2:41:31] Thank you, chairman. [2:41:32] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's $1.4 million to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [2:41:40] So this has the potential to save the city money. [2:41:45] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [2:41:54] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily, and for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [2:42:03] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [2:42:15] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on-time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [2:42:23] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [2:42:26] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [2:42:29] I have one for Jano and one for both Jano and the mayor. [2:42:33] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [2:42:42] Is this related to that or wholly different and what became of it? [2:42:45] Listen, let's be honest. Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [2:42:53] We have the vents. We have the stairways. We have all these other exits. [2:42:58] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [2:43:01] We're still studying it, but this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, [2:43:08] take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [2:43:15] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [2:43:19] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other [2:43:26] because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [2:43:32] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [2:43:38] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [2:43:46] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [2:43:54] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [2:44:03] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [2:44:05] My response, I agree with the mayor. [2:44:07] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [2:44:12] We've got Stephanos Chen of the New York Times. [2:44:15] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [2:44:17] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, [2:44:23] how much cooler are we looking at, and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [2:44:29] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [2:44:46] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [2:44:56] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [2:45:04] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [2:45:12] I think just to give you a sense also, Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [2:45:21] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [2:45:26] All right, a couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [2:45:33] Hey, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [2:45:40] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [2:45:46] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology [2:45:55] that you could put platform barriers for security purposes, and since it would be kind of a bother to put up, [2:46:03] do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [2:46:10] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that, if you read the op-ed. [2:46:13] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [2:46:18] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last, [2:46:23] so I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [2:46:27] You were saying it's about extending the day, perhaps, to an entire weekend and adding in. [2:46:32] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging. [2:46:35] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [2:46:40] We're going to roll that train right by again. All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [2:46:44] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [2:46:47] We're on-topic. This is on-topic. [2:46:49] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [2:46:55] How is this different, and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [2:47:03] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network [2:47:10] that you experience when you're on the platform. So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach [2:47:17] that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [2:47:28] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [2:47:31] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [2:47:37] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [2:47:42] Thank you, Tim. Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [2:47:50] Hi, Mayor, thank you for bringing us here. Yes, sightseeing. [2:47:57] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [2:48:04] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [2:48:13] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, [2:48:19] and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders [2:48:26] and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [2:48:31] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, [2:48:40] and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, [2:48:50] it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [2:48:57] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [2:49:03] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [2:49:09] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [2:49:11] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [2:49:15] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [2:49:22] who have been critical parts of this city. [2:49:25] And just the other week I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [2:49:29] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [2:49:32] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was in fact a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [2:49:39] She was terrified. [2:49:40] This is something that is true for so many. [2:49:43] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [2:49:50] It is the extension of TPS. [2:49:52] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [2:49:57] I don't know if. [2:49:58] Yes. [2:50:01] Yes. [2:50:03] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [2:50:13] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [2:50:20] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [2:50:23] Thank you, Josie. [2:50:24] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [2:50:26] Hi, Mayor. [2:50:28] When it comes to your pick for the city's board of standards and appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [2:50:36] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [2:50:49] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [2:50:54] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [2:51:04] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [2:51:10] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [2:51:14] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [2:51:17] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add, Tom. [2:51:19] Sure. [2:51:21] Please. [2:51:22] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [2:51:24] We desperately need to build more housing. [2:51:26] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City [2:51:34] of the last decade. [2:51:35] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [2:51:40] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [2:51:48] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [2:51:51] I definitely have, he has my full confidence. [2:51:54] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [2:51:59] Thank you, controller. [2:52:00] All right. [2:52:01] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [2:52:03] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:52:06] Good morning. [2:52:07] Hi, good morning. [2:52:08] How are you? [2:52:09] Well, thanks. [2:52:10] How are you? [2:52:11] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [2:52:14] It's going to court today. [2:52:16] How your legal team is working on that? [2:52:18] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [2:52:22] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [2:52:24] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [2:52:30] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [2:52:38] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [2:52:42] And we are confident in our position. [2:52:44] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [2:52:55] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [2:53:03] And the rollout? [2:53:05] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [2:53:09] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [2:53:19] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [2:53:23] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [2:53:28] Other questions? Heather from News 12. [2:53:30] Go ahead. [2:53:31] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [2:53:33] Doing well, how are you? [2:53:34] Good. [2:53:35] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [2:53:39] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [2:53:46] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [2:53:52] And then I do have a second off-topic. [2:53:54] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [2:53:58] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [2:54:03] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [2:54:07] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [2:54:10] Okay, thank you. [2:54:11] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [2:54:19] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [2:54:28] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [2:54:31] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [2:54:34] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [2:54:43] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [2:54:48] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [2:54:51] That is what we have at this time. [2:54:52] Thank you. [2:54:53] All right, we've got time for a few more. [2:54:54] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [2:54:56] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [2:54:59] Hey, Morgan. [2:55:00] I'm just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the president. [2:55:03] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [2:55:07] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [2:55:12] It was past 5 p.m. [2:55:14] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [2:55:17] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [2:55:22] You know, I spoke to the president prior to that. [2:55:26] And I made clear to the president, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [2:55:33] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [2:55:40] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [2:55:47] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [2:55:53] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [2:56:01] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [2:56:04] And we're also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power the city. [2:56:13] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [2:56:20] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [2:56:28] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [2:56:31] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [2:56:38] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [2:56:45] We've seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [2:56:52] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [2:56:56] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [2:57:01] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [2:57:06] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [2:57:15] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [2:57:25] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [2:57:30] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [2:57:38] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [2:57:47] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [2:58:04] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [2:58:09] Thank you, chairman. [2:58:10] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [2:58:18] So this has the potential to save the city money. [2:58:22] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [2:58:31] We have I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily and for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [2:58:40] And I think what you're hearing from chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [2:58:52] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [2:59:01] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [2:59:04] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [2:59:07] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [2:59:11] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [2:59:19] Is this related to that or wholly different? [2:59:22] Let's be honest. [2:59:23] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [2:59:30] We have the vents. [2:59:31] We have the stairways. [2:59:33] We have all these other exits. [2:59:35] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [2:59:38] We're still studying it, but this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down, and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [2:59:53] We love this idea, but we've got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [2:59:57] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [3:00:10] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [3:00:16] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [3:00:24] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [3:00:32] And what we could see is a first-of-its-kind approach that could lead the nation, and that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [3:00:40] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [3:00:42] My response, I agree with the mayor. [3:00:45] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [3:00:50] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [3:00:53] Hi, Jenna, and hi, Mayor. [3:00:55] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, [3:01:01] how much cooler are we looking at, and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [3:01:09] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [3:01:16] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [3:01:24] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, [3:01:30] but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [3:01:34] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days, [3:01:40] and we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [3:01:43] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [3:01:49] And just to give you a sense also, Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [3:01:58] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [3:02:04] All right, a couple more on topic. [3:02:06] Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [3:02:12] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [3:02:18] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [3:02:23] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [3:02:28] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [3:02:38] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [3:02:48] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [3:02:51] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [3:02:56] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [3:02:59] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [3:03:01] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [3:03:04] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [3:03:10] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. [3:03:12] Thank you for flagging me. [3:03:13] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [3:03:17] We're going to roll that train right by again. [3:03:19] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [3:03:21] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [3:03:24] We're on-topic. [3:03:25] This is on-topic. [3:03:26] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [3:03:32] How is this different and is that still happening at Grand Central? [3:03:37] The cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [3:03:40] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning [3:03:47] network that you experience when you're on the platform. [3:03:50] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and [3:03:59] transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [3:04:06] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [3:04:09] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [3:04:15] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [3:04:21] Thank you, Tim. [3:04:22] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [3:04:27] Hi, Mayor. [3:04:29] Thank you for bringing us here. [3:04:31] Yes. [3:04:32] Sightseeing. [3:04:34] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [3:04:41] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [3:04:50] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, [3:04:56] and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders [3:05:03] and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [3:05:08] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, [3:05:18] and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, [3:05:27] it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [3:05:34] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [3:05:40] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [3:05:46] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [3:05:49] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [3:05:52] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, [3:05:59] who have been critical parts of this city. [3:06:02] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [3:06:07] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [3:06:10] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [3:06:16] She was terrified. This is something that is true for so many. [3:06:20] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [3:06:27] It is the extension of TPS. It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, [3:06:32] which is New Yorkers and that they are here, they are at home. [3:06:34] I don't know if. Yes. Yes. [3:06:38] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, [3:06:46] to our economy and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [3:06:50] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [3:06:57] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [3:07:00] Thank you, Josie. All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [3:07:03] Hi, Mayor. When it comes to your pick for the city's board of standards and appeals, [3:07:10] obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [3:07:14] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, [3:07:19] and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [3:07:26] You know, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [3:07:30] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis [3:07:36] and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [3:07:40] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [3:07:46] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [3:07:50] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [3:07:53] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [3:07:55] Sure. Please. [3:07:56] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [3:08:01] We desperately need to build more housing. [3:08:03] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [3:08:13] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [3:08:17] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [3:08:25] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [3:08:28] I definitely have, he has my full confidence. [3:08:31] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [3:08:36] Thank you, controller. [3:08:37] All right. [3:08:38] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [3:08:40] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [3:08:43] Good morning. [3:08:44] Hi. [3:08:45] Good morning. [3:08:46] How are you? [3:08:47] Well, thanks. [3:08:48] How are you? [3:08:49] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [3:08:51] It's going to court today. [3:08:53] How your legal team is working on that? [3:08:55] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [3:08:59] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [3:09:01] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [3:09:08] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [3:09:16] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [3:09:20] And we are confident in our position. [3:09:22] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million. [3:09:32] A surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [3:09:39] And the rollout? [3:09:41] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [3:09:46] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need. [3:09:56] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [3:10:01] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the tax commission by March of 2027. [3:10:06] Other questions? Heather from News 12. Go ahead. [3:10:09] Hi, Mayor. How are you? [3:10:11] Doing well. How are you? [3:10:12] Good. I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [3:10:16] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [3:10:23] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [3:10:29] And then I do have a second off-topic. [3:10:31] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [3:10:35] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [3:10:40] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [3:10:44] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [3:10:47] Okay. Thank you. [3:10:48] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [3:10:56] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [3:11:05] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [3:11:08] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [3:11:11] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [3:11:21] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [3:11:25] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [3:11:29] That is what we have at this time. [3:11:30] Thank you. All right, we've got time for a few more. We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [3:11:33] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [3:11:36] Hey, Morgan. [3:11:37] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [3:11:41] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [3:11:45] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [3:11:50] It was past 5 p.m. It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [3:11:55] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [3:12:01] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [3:12:04] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [3:12:11] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [3:12:18] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [3:12:24] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [3:12:31] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [3:12:39] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [3:12:42] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [3:12:50] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [3:12:58] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [3:13:05] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [3:13:09] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [3:13:16] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [3:13:23] We've seen this before. For example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [3:13:29] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [3:13:34] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [3:13:39] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from The Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [3:13:44] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [3:13:52] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [3:14:02] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [3:14:07] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU, because somebody will get into that level of detail. [3:14:15] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [3:14:24] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [3:14:41] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [3:14:46] Thank you, chairman. [3:14:47] About the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [3:14:55] So this has the potential to save the city money. [3:14:59] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [3:15:08] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [3:15:13] And for too long it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [3:15:17] And I think what you're hearing from chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [3:15:29] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [3:15:37] When's that express service coming back on the seven line? [3:15:40] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [3:15:43] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [3:15:48] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [3:15:56] Is this related to that or wholly different and what? [3:15:59] Listen, let's be honest. Air conditioning is is is a is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [3:16:08] We have the vents. We have the stairways. We have all these other exits. [3:16:13] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. We're still studying it. [3:16:17] But this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system. [3:16:25] So temperature goes down and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [3:16:30] We love this idea, but we got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [3:16:34] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [3:16:47] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [3:16:53] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [3:17:00] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office. [3:17:06] But that's basically what we're talking about. And what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [3:17:13] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. It's time to now bring that to 2026. [3:17:20] My response, I agree with the mayor. [3:17:22] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [3:17:27] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [3:17:30] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, [3:17:38] how much cooler are we looking at, and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [3:17:46] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, [3:17:53] to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [3:18:01] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [3:18:11] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [3:18:17] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [3:18:20] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [3:18:27] Just to give you a sense also, Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, [3:18:36] and then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [3:18:41] All right, a couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [3:18:49] Hey, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [3:18:55] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [3:19:00] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, [3:19:05] the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [3:19:15] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [3:19:25] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [3:19:28] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [3:19:32] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to, and each year has built on the successes of the last. [3:19:38] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [3:19:41] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [3:19:47] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging. [3:19:50] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [3:19:55] We're going to roll that train right by again. [3:19:57] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [3:19:59] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [3:20:01] We're on-topic. This is on-topic. [3:20:03] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [3:20:09] How is this different and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [3:20:17] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [3:20:27] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [3:20:43] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [3:20:46] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [3:20:52] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [3:20:58] Thank you, Tim. [3:20:59] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [3:21:04] Hi, mayor. Thank you for bringing us here. [3:21:09] Yes. [3:21:10] Sightseeing. [3:21:11] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [3:21:19] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [3:21:28] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [3:21:46] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city. [3:22:03] It would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [3:22:11] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [3:22:18] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [3:22:24] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [3:22:26] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [3:22:30] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [3:22:40] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [3:22:44] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [3:22:47] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [3:22:54] She was terrified. [3:22:55] This is something that is true for so many. [3:22:58] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [3:23:05] It is the extension of TPS. [3:23:07] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers and that they are here, they are at home. [3:23:12] I don't know if. [3:23:13] Yes. [3:23:16] Yes. [3:23:17] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [3:23:28] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [3:23:35] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [3:23:38] Thank you, Josie. [3:23:39] All right. [3:23:40] We're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [3:23:43] Hi, Mayor. [3:23:44] When it comes to your pick for the city's board of standards and appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [3:23:52] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [3:24:04] Yeah. [3:24:05] I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [3:24:08] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [3:24:18] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [3:24:24] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [3:24:28] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [3:24:31] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [3:24:32] Sure. [3:24:33] Please. [3:24:35] Look, we are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [3:24:37] We desperately need to build more housing. [3:24:40] And you have a leader in John Mangan who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [3:24:49] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [3:24:54] He was instrumental in the Charter Commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [3:25:02] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [3:25:06] I definitely have my full confidence. [3:25:09] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [3:25:14] Thank you, controller. [3:25:15] All right. [3:25:16] We're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [3:25:18] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [3:25:21] Good morning. [3:25:22] Hi. [3:25:23] Good morning. [3:25:24] How are you? [3:25:25] I'm going to move on to the piet-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [3:25:29] It's going to court today. [3:25:30] How your legal team is working on that? [3:25:32] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [3:25:36] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [3:25:39] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [3:25:45] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court, as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed, and I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [3:25:57] And we are confident in our position, and that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [3:26:16] On the rollout? [3:26:18] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers, and we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, have all the information that they need, and we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [3:26:38] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [3:26:43] Other questions? [3:26:44] Heather from News 12. [3:26:45] Go ahead. [3:26:46] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [3:26:48] Doing well, how are you? [3:26:49] Good. [3:26:50] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [3:26:54] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take, and when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [3:27:06] And then I do have a second off-topic. [3:27:08] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year, and if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [3:27:17] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? [3:27:20] Is there a timeline for that process? [3:27:21] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [3:27:24] Okay, thank you. [3:27:25] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [3:27:33] I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [3:27:42] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss, and I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [3:27:48] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [3:28:03] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [3:28:06] That is what we have at this time. [3:28:07] Thank you. [3:28:08] All right, we've got time for a few more. [3:28:09] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [3:28:11] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [3:28:14] Hey, Morgan. [3:28:15] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [3:28:18] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [3:28:22] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [3:28:27] It was past 5 p.m. [3:28:29] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [3:28:32] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [3:28:37] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that, and I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [3:28:48] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [3:28:55] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [3:29:02] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit. [3:29:07] Even going further than that. [3:29:09] And for us, in this moment, to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made this city their life for years that they have to go back to that, [3:29:17] it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [3:29:20] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [3:29:28] Health care, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [3:29:36] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, [3:29:43] because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [3:29:46] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today, [3:29:53] who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [3:30:00] We've seen this before. For example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [3:30:07] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [3:30:11] Thank you. All right. Our MTA chairman has to go. So any other questions for our MTA chairman? [3:30:16] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. We're going to go to Evan from The Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [3:30:21] I will. The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [3:30:30] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [3:30:40] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [3:30:45] Well, Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail. [3:30:53] But the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [3:31:02] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [3:31:19] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [3:31:24] Thank you, chairman, about the heating costs, as you heard from the controller. [3:31:28] It's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [3:31:33] So this has the potential to save the city money. [3:31:37] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [3:31:46] We have I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [3:31:50] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [3:31:55] And I think what you're hearing from Chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [3:32:07] All right. We move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [3:32:15] When's that express service coming back on the seven? [3:32:18] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [3:32:21] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [3:32:25] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [3:32:34] Is this related to that or wholly different in what became of it? [3:32:37] Listen, let's be honest. [3:32:38] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [3:32:45] We have the vents. [3:32:46] We have the stairways. [3:32:48] We have all these other exits. [3:32:50] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [3:32:53] We're still studying it, but this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [3:33:08] We love this idea, but we got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [3:33:11] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other? [3:33:19] Because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses. [3:33:25] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [3:33:31] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [3:33:39] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street station into my office, but that's basically what we're talking about. [3:33:46] And what we're what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [3:33:51] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [3:33:55] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [3:33:57] My response, I agree with the mayor. [3:33:59] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [3:34:04] We've got Stefanos Chen of The New York Times. [3:34:08] Hi, Jenna. Hi, Mayor. [3:34:09] The question for both of you is I know that this is preliminary, but in just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler? [3:34:16] Are we looking at and what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [3:34:21] I'll tell you when you look at what the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement in when those temperatures peak in midsummer. [3:34:38] So we are we're not we're not projecting Stefanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [3:34:48] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [3:34:54] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [3:34:57] We're not going to create an office, an air conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [3:35:02] I think just to give you a sense also, Stefanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [3:35:12] And then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [3:35:17] All right. A couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [3:35:25] Hey, Mr. Mayor. This is this one's for you, unless Jan or really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [3:35:32] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [3:35:38] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for the anti-vehicle, for security purposes. [3:35:53] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [3:36:03] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [3:36:06] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [3:36:10] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [3:36:14] And each year has built on the successes of the last. [3:36:16] So I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [3:36:19] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [3:36:25] Yeah. [3:36:26] We'll look at all of that. [3:36:27] Thank you for flagging. [3:36:28] All right. [3:36:29] Anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [3:36:32] We're going to roll that train right by again. [3:36:34] All right. [3:36:35] Sam Liebman from New York One. [3:36:36] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [3:36:39] We're on-topic. [3:36:40] Okay. [3:36:41] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [3:36:47] How is this different? [3:36:49] And is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [3:36:55] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [3:37:04] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [3:37:20] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [3:37:23] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [3:37:29] All right. [3:37:30] We're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [3:37:34] Thank you, Tim. [3:37:36] Okay. [3:37:37] The mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [3:37:42] Hi, Mayor. [3:37:44] Hey, Josie. [3:37:45] Thank you for bringing us here. [3:37:46] Yes. [3:37:47] Sightseeing. [3:37:49] I wanted to ask about something that happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [3:37:56] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [3:38:05] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [3:38:24] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [3:38:49] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [3:38:55] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [3:39:01] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [3:39:03] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [3:39:07] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [3:39:17] And just the other week, I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [3:39:21] I got on the train. [3:39:22] As I was waiting for the train at the platform, a young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [3:39:31] She was terrified. [3:39:32] This is something that is true for so many. [3:39:35] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [3:39:42] It is the extension of TPS. [3:39:44] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [3:39:49] I don't know if. [3:39:50] Yes. [3:39:53] Yes. [3:39:55] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call this city home. [3:40:05] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [3:40:12] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [3:40:14] Thank you, Josie. [3:40:15] All right. [3:40:16] We're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [3:40:18] Hi, Mayor. [3:40:20] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [3:40:28] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [3:40:41] Yeah, I believe that we have made the best possible pick for this position. [3:40:46] We are speaking about someone who has all the requisite experience to combat the affordability crisis and build the kind of housing the city has not seen for a long time. [3:40:56] And we know that the absence of that kind of housing has led to an increase in rents across New York City. [3:41:02] We are talking about a city that has not been building at its required level since 1961. [3:41:06] I know the controller is very passionate about housing construction. [3:41:09] I don't know if there's anything you'd want to add? [3:41:10] Sure. [3:41:11] We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. [3:41:15] We desperately need to build more housing. [3:41:18] And you have a leader in John Mangan, who has been at the forefront of some of the biggest successes we've had in zoning in New York City of the last decade. [3:41:27] He was instrumental in City of Yes, which modernized zoning around the city. [3:41:31] He was instrumental in the charter commission that's now going to allow for expedited approval of desperately needed housing all over the city. [3:41:40] I couldn't imagine a more qualified leader. [3:41:43] I definitely have, he has my full confidence. [3:41:46] And to me, he is the kind of leader we need right now amidst this terrible housing shortage. [3:41:51] Thank you, controller. [3:41:53] All right, we're going to go to Catherine from CNN next. [3:41:56] Hi, Mr. Mayor, good morning. [3:41:59] Hi, good morning. [3:42:00] How are you? [3:42:01] Well, thanks. [3:42:02] How are you? [3:42:03] I'm wondering if you can respond to the pied-a-terre tax lawsuit that was filed on Friday. [3:42:07] It's going to court today. [3:42:08] How your legal team is working on that? [3:42:10] And then also, do you have any regrets on how the rollout was done? [3:42:14] And what are your thoughts moving forward on that? [3:42:17] You know, there are a few things more certain in New York City than death taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration. [3:42:23] So we look forward to vigorously defend our city's position in court as we have done so with the previous lawsuits that he has filed. [3:42:31] And I'm sure with the lawsuits that he will continue to file in the months and years to come. [3:42:35] And we are confident in our position. [3:42:37] And that is a confidence coming from both the legality of the city's actions as well as the importance of a surcharge on secondary homes worth more than $5 million, [3:42:48] a surcharge that will help fund safer streets, that will help fund stronger schools, and it will help fund the city that New Yorkers deserve. [3:42:54] And the rollout? [3:42:56] You know, this is, we always know that with any new tax, there are more questions than there are answers. [3:43:01] And we're looking to make sure that every New Yorker that is potentially affected, again, we're talking about 17,000 homeowners out of a city of eight and a half million, [3:43:09] have all the information that they need. [3:43:10] And we've extended the deadline for them to appeal to the Department of Finance is September 18th. [3:43:15] Again, if they do not appeal by that point, they can still appeal to the Tax Commission by March of 2027. [3:43:20] Other questions? Heather from News 12. [3:43:22] Go ahead. [3:43:23] Hi, Mayor, how are you? [3:43:26] Doing well, how are you? [3:43:27] Good. [3:43:28] I did just have one quick on-topic about the heat plan. [3:43:32] If this is starting in 2027 for the feasibility study, realistically, how long do you think that study is going to take? [3:43:39] And when exactly would this all go into effect when people could actually feel a difference on the platforms? [3:43:44] And then I do have a second off-topic. [3:43:46] So we are actually aiming to confirm the geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [3:43:51] And if it is found that it can be implemented, then the design work would begin early next year. [3:43:56] And do you know how long that will take, the design work? Is there a timeline for that process? [3:43:59] I think a lot of that depends on what the findings are of the study, as Chair Lieber shared. [3:44:02] Okay, thank you. [3:44:03] And then secondly, I just wanted to ask if you have any update or any comment on the investigation into the boat crash near the Statue of Liberty over this weekend? [3:44:11] You know, I was heartbroken to learn about the tragic boating incident in New York Harbor that killed a young mother and her five-month-old daughter. [3:44:20] And my thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss. [3:44:24] And I know that many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way. [3:44:27] And I'm deeply grateful as well to the members of the NYPD and the FDNY who responded to this emergency swiftly and performed vital life-saving work, [3:44:36] which ensured that many New Yorkers' lives were actually saved in the process of that. [3:44:41] Now, we will continue to update New Yorkers with any information as we have. [3:44:44] That is what we have at this time. [3:44:45] Thank you. All right, I've got time for a few more. [3:44:47] We'll go to Morgan from Fox 5. [3:44:49] Hi, Mr. Mayor. [3:44:51] Hey, Morgan. [3:44:52] Just hoping to get some more clarification about your conversation with the President. [3:44:55] Did you speak with him before you issued that statement on Friday? [3:44:59] And then just kind of trying to get in your head as well about why you decided to issue that statement on Friday night. [3:45:04] It was past 5 p.m. [3:45:05] It seemed like from some talking to people, it seemed like it was a little hidden. [3:45:09] Why not hold a press conference and maybe explain your frustration with this ruling? [3:45:14] You know, I spoke to the President prior to that. [3:45:19] And I made clear to the President, as I've made clear to anyone across the city, the vital importance of TPS. [3:45:26] Again, TPS is something that is granted also in recognition of the conditions of anyone's home country. [3:45:33] When we are talking about the conditions in Haiti today, they are very similar to the conditions that led to the authorization of TPS. [3:45:39] We are talking about a place that the United States government is recommending to Americans to not visit, even going further than that. [3:45:46] And for us in this moment to tell Haitian New Yorkers who have made the city their life for years that they have to go back to that, it is terrifying to imagine what might be waiting for them there. [3:45:57] And we are also talking about Haitian New Yorkers who have been truly at the heart of so many of the industries that power this city. [3:46:04] Healthcare, construction, hospitality, city workers, so many different aspects without which we wouldn't have the city that we have today. [3:46:12] And we also wanted to make sure that we only took this action at the point at which it was legally required to do so, because this is not an action that we want to take in any which way or form. [3:46:23] And we also took this knowing that if we waited any longer, it might come to the detriment of those who hold TPS today who might be able to find an alternate legal status here in New York City due to whatever other status that they also may enjoy. [3:46:37] We have seen this before, for example, someone who holds TPS might also have a secondary student visa, things of this nature. [3:46:43] We don't want to be hurting those New Yorkers' abilities to stay in the city. [3:46:48] Thank you. [3:46:49] All right, our MTA chairman has to go, so any other questions for our MTA chairman? [3:46:53] Actually, I'm sorry, Marcia, because you got one before. [3:46:56] We're going to go to Evan from the Daily News, and we'll make it quick, please. Thanks. [3:46:59] I will. [3:47:00] The DCAS commissioner mentioned that something about this station having an abandoned center platform was part of why this might work. [3:47:08] Can you tell us a little bit about, and I know that we're studying the feasibility, but what about this station makes this something that can be used for the heat pumps? [3:47:16] And are there, like, some technological restrictions about where this can be put? [3:47:23] Evan, I'm going to have to give you a bit of an IOU because somebody will get into that level of detail, but the way it's going to work is that they're going to do boring holes for geothermal right below the platform we are on, which is this unused center platform. [3:47:39] And we think that that's the most advantageous location relative to both the underground conditions and also the connectivity to the to the underground piping network that feeds City Hall and the other buildings that are served by this connected network. [3:47:56] But for more detail on that, I'll have to ask someone to follow up with you. [3:48:01] Thank you, chairman about the heating costs, as you heard from the controller, it's one point four million dollars to the city just to heat the David Dinkins Municipal Building. [3:48:10] So this has the potential to save the city money. [3:48:15] It has the potential also to help us combat the climate crisis and to better the experience of riders across New York City. [3:48:24] We have, I think it's almost 20,000 riders who use this station daily. [3:48:29] And for too long, it has become synonymous with the use of this station. [3:48:33] And I think what you're hearing from chair Lieber and from so many others here is that we're incredibly excited to be writing a new chapter of our city and one that matches the ambition that we've seen in our city about a century ago. [3:48:45] All right, we move on to a man who daily experiences the great on time performance on the seven line, Andrew Siff of WNBC. [3:48:52] When's that express service coming back on the seven? [3:48:56] If that's your one question, sir, just throw it right up. [3:48:59] I have one for Jano and one for the both both Jano and the mayor. [3:49:03] Three years ago, you and Jamie announced a study of whether it was practical to potentially air condition some stations. [3:49:12] Is this related to that or wholly different? [3:49:14] And what became of it? [3:49:15] Listen, let's be honest. [3:49:17] Air conditioning is a big challenge in a system where you have so many openings. [3:49:23] We have the vents. [3:49:24] We have the stairways. [3:49:26] We have all these other exits. [3:49:28] It's really hard to create an enclosed environment to air condition. [3:49:31] We're still studying it. [3:49:32] But this is in some ways a more promising approach, which is just capture the waste heat, take it out of the system so temperature goes down and then use that heat to heat adjacent buildings in the winter. [3:49:45] We love this idea, but we got to study the heck out of it to make sure it works. [3:49:49] And for the both of you, if you'll pardon the pun, is this event proof that you guys are cool with each other because you weren't exactly on the same page when it comes to the free buses? [3:50:02] Look, I think the two of us are New Yorkers, and that means that we're never going to agree on every single topic that comes to us. [3:50:08] What we do agree on is the critical importance of delivering for New Yorkers and in making this public transit system the envy of the world. [3:50:16] And I never thought I'd want to bring the heat of the Chamber Street Station into my office. [3:50:22] But that's basically what we're talking about. [3:50:24] And what we could see is a first of its kind approach that could lead the nation. [3:50:29] And that is in many ways what the MTA has done for many different decades. [3:50:32] It's time to now bring that to 2026. [3:50:35] My response, I agree with the mayor. [3:50:37] All right, let's move on to the back in the Foley Square Pavilion, folks. [3:50:42] We've got Stephanos Chen of The New York Times. [3:50:45] Hi, Jana, and hi, Mayor. [3:50:47] The question for both of you is, I know that this is preliminary, but just in terms of what potentially this could look like, how much cooler are we looking at? [3:50:54] And what would be a success in terms of this station if the average is 96 in the summer? [3:50:58] I'll tell you, when you look at the goals for even modifying temperatures in subway stations, to take it down by a few degrees would be a significant improvement when those temperatures peak in mid-summer. [3:51:15] So we're not projecting Stephanos exactly how much it would deliver, but we want to see if we could get it down a few degrees. [3:51:25] That would make the difference between total misery and merely sweltering in some of our worst days. [3:51:31] And we want to make sure that we're just improving the environment. [3:51:34] We're not going to create an office, an air-conditioned environment, but our goal is to improve it dramatically. [3:51:39] I think just to give you a sense also Stephanos, we are talking about a timeline where we are aiming to confirm geothermal feasibility by the end of this calendar year. [3:51:50] And then design work, if it was found to be implementable, would begin as early as next year. [3:51:55] All right, a couple more on topic. Let's go to Streets Blog's own Dave Colon, everybody. [3:52:02] Hi, Mr. Mayor. This one's for you, unless Jana really has any big thoughts on summer streets. [3:52:09] You know, there was an op-ed in Streets Blog this weekend from a Manhattan Community Board member. [3:52:15] He argued that instead of using police cars for traffic control and security, the city should invest in some kind of proven anti-vehicle technology that you could put platform barriers for security purposes. [3:52:30] And since it would be kind of a bother to put up, do it for an entire weekend to make summer streets Saturdays and Sundays. [3:52:40] Just curious if you have any thoughts on that here at the op-ed. [3:52:43] Summer streets is one of the many things that we care very deeply about. [3:52:48] It's also a day that so many New Yorkers look forward to. [3:52:51] And each year has built on the successes of the last, so I will take those recommendations and I will read that op-ed. [3:52:57] You were saying it's about extending the day perhaps to an entire weekend and adding in. [3:53:02] Yeah, we'll look at all of that. Thank you for flagging me. [3:53:05] All right, anybody else wants to roll an off-topic in the on-topic section? [3:53:10] We're going to roll that train right by again. [3:53:12] All right, Sam Liebman from New York One. [3:53:14] Are we on-topic or off-topic? [3:53:16] We're on-topic. [3:53:17] Okay. [3:53:18] This is on-topic. [3:53:19] So something similar was done in 2000 at Grand Central. [3:53:24] How is this different and is that still happening at Grand Central, the cooling system at Grand Central that was put in? [3:53:32] I'm pretty sure the cooling system in Grand Central is a very spotty kind of spot air conditioning network that you experience when you're on the platform. [3:53:41] So this is a much more systematic and comprehensive approach that captures heat and stores it and transfers it in a way that that Grand Central, as far as I know, that Grand Central initiative did not. [3:53:57] I'll look at it, Sam, and see if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding. [3:54:00] Yeah, Sam, that air flows down from the terminal above, so it's an unusual situation, the commuter terminal. [3:54:06] All right, we're going to switch to off-topic, and here is your host for this portion, Dora. [3:54:11] Thank you, Tim. [3:54:13] Okay, the mayor will take some off-topic questions as well, and we'll start with Josie from the Daily News. [3:54:19] Hi, Mayor. [3:54:22] Thank you for bringing us here. [3:54:23] Yes. [3:54:24] Sightseeing. [3:54:25] I wanted to ask about something happened on Friday with the TPS for Haitians. [3:54:33] What do you say to New Yorkers who saw you folding to Trump potentially and firing Haitians who work for the city and who have TPS? [3:54:42] So when it comes to the decision that the city made, it was one that we were forced to make by federal law, and that was as recently decided by the Supreme Court to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders and separate from any employees who have not established alternate paths to legal work. [3:55:01] Only President Trump has the ability to restore TPS or to grant deferred enforcement departure to affected TPS holders, and doing so would provide not only those TPS holders with the certainty of knowing that they can continue to work and live in the city, it would also demonstrate an immigration policy that is just and a commitment to an economy that is flourishing here in our city. [3:55:25] Now, we are doing everything that we can to support recipients in a time of incredible instability. [3:55:33] That means free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization. [3:55:39] It means assistance navigating health insurance. [3:55:41] It means ensuring that every employee is connected with agency staff. [3:55:45] And what I will also add is that we are talking about communities, Haitian New Yorkers, Syrian New Yorkers, who have been critical parts of this city. [3:55:55] And just the other week I was at National Night Out in Bed-Stuy at Restoration Plaza. [3:55:59] I got on the train as I was waiting for the train at the platform. [3:56:02] A young woman came up to me and burst into tears as she shared that she was, in fact, a Haitian New Yorker who was on TPS. [3:56:09] She was terrified. [3:56:10] This is something that is true for so many. [3:56:12] And we are only taking the actions that we are forced to take when it comes to what we want to see in this city and in this country. [3:56:20] It is the extension of TPS. [3:56:21] It is ensuring that these New Yorkers are recognized for what they are, which is New Yorkers, and that they are here, they are at home. [3:56:27] I don't know if. [3:56:28] Yes. [3:56:31] Yes. [3:56:34] I spoke with the president and made it very clear that this is something of immense importance to this city, to our economy, and to the welfare of all those who call the city home. [3:56:43] And also that the president is the only person that has the authority to extend TPS or to grant the deferred enforcement departure. [3:56:50] And that that is something that would be welcomed by many of us. [3:56:53] Thank you, Josie. [3:56:54] All right, we're going to move on to Leah from Politico. [3:56:56] Hi, Mayor. [3:56:58] When it comes to your pick for the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, obviously it seems that some council members aren't as happy with the pick. [3:57:06] How do you feel about that, especially seeing as you have housing advocates that are actually supporting your pick, and you also have people that don't necessarily agree with you that more so lean conservative that are siding with you this time? [3:57:18] Yea I- [3:57:19] Yeah, I- [3:57:20] I ... [3:57:23] ... [3:57:25] You know, I-