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Dear New Yorkers,

$1.7 billion in federal infrastructure money has so far come into New York City under the federal infrastructure law — one of President Joe Biden’s most important accomplishments — and more may be coming.

The infrastructure law, passed with bipartisan support in 2022, will provide $1 trillion nationwide over five years.

The city wants a lot more of it, with applications pending for another $2.6 billion — including many for programs that will make their largest or only awards this year.

The city’s wins so far include separate pools of money to buy 394 electric school buses, launch a collaborative program to decarbonize freight movement, and improve the safety of Queens Boulevard.

A favorite of Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi is the $117 million she secured to fund the first mile of QueensWay, an ambitious effort to build a seven-mile long, High Line-like park over the Long island Railroad’s abandoned Rockaway rail line in central Queens.

“People do walk their dogs there but there is a lot of trash,” Joshi said. “But it is bordered by two vibrant communities and 10 schools. Imagine if this was a real park with a pace for people to walk, a bike path, archways for bridges and light.”

The project also illustrates the kind of choices the administration of Mayor Eric Adams is making, and the federal infrastructure law’s emphasis on projects that can connect communities.

Read more here about the infrastructure law, and the city’s wishlist.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 4/10. Heat and humidity continue to build, with high temperatures in the upper 80s and dew points in the lower 70s. A few scattered storms are possible, too. The vibes are getting sticky out there again ...

Our Other Top Stories

On Monday, the day after President Joe Biden announced he wouldn’t seek reelection in November and endorsed Kamala Harris, several prominent New York Democrats rallied around the vice president to replace him on top of the ticket. Mayor Eric Adams, who conspicuously did not endorse Harris in multiple media appearances on Sunday, was among those declaring his support on Monday. Public officials gathered in Sunset Park on Monday to call attention to the deadly risks of lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and urge passage of a federal bill, currently stalled in the senate, that would set a single national safety standard for the devices. The mayor, who attended along with bill sponsor Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), pledged more local efforts such as battery swaps and street-charging hubs. Wondering why your electric costs are so damn high in the summer? Here’s THE CITY’s explainer on why Con Ed bills have soared — and how to get financial help. On the latest episode of the FAQ NYC podcast, the hosts discuss what the Democratic Party’s shakeup — and a possible second Trump term — could mean for New York City, plus much more from this unprecedented presidential election. Listen here.

Summer & THE CITY brings you the best of summer, by and for New Yorkers. It’s a free, weekly newsletter to help you enjoy — and survive — the hottest months in the five boroughs.

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Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Tuesday, July 23: A summer arts experience offered on weekdays for youth ages 6 to 13, with different classes offered in painting, dance, theater, and more. Free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center in Brooklyn. Thursday, July 25: The Queens Jazz Trail: Salcedo’s Latin Soul, a free outdoor performance, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Travers Park in Queens. Friday, July 26: Dance for Every Body, a movement and dance class hosted by the Brooklyn ensemble Urban Bush Women and Lincoln Center. Free at 5 p.m. at the Garden at Damrosch Park in Manhattan.

THE KICKER: The Bronx Zoo’s new baby kangaroo made its first public appearance in recent days.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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