Comptroller Scott Stringer wants to tap into millions of dollars raised by the Battery Park City Authority each year to help fund the New York City Housing Authority’s crumbling infrastructure.
But there’s one catch — Mayor de Blasio would have to sign off on the deal, according to Stringer, who floated the idea during a radio interview with John Catsimatidis that aired Sunday.
“One of the proposals that I have is to put $40 million in annual surpluses the city receives from the Battery Park City Authority — give it to NYCHA to address their capital needs and massive maintenance backlog,” Stringer said.
“Let’s create a ten-year plan. $400 million — that money could be bonded. It would be the first new revenue stream that NYCHA’s had,” he continued. “NYCHA’s crumbling before our eyes, and we have to step up and take bold action.”
To pull funds from the BPCA, Stringer said that he, de Blasio and Gov. Cuomo would have to formally sign off on the move. Cuomo has indicated he’d support it, but Stringer said he would have to “convince” Hizzoner.
“I have to convince the mayor. He’s the third vote. The three of us have to do this unanimously,” he said. “If we were to do this, we would put our money where our mouth is.”