Bloomberg's State of the City address

Bloomberg at the State of the City.

Below is the full text of Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City address, given today at Morris High School in the Bronx.

Before that, here is some of what he said about the Bronx:

"Here in the Bronx, the first wave of 2,000 construction workers will break ground on New York's next great shopping destination: Eastchester's $270 million Mall at Bay Plaza. In Port Morris, Smith Electric Vehicles will open its first East Coast plant and more than 100 New Yorkers will go to work assembling zero-emission trucks and vans. 

"A new supermarket, stores, offices and a new charter school will bring 200 new jobs to along-vacant spot at the Bronx Hub on 149th Street. We'll begin renovation work on the Bronx River Art Center, creating a new media center, photography studio and gallery. 

"We'll begin re-zoning East Fordham Road to allow for more private sector investment and explore economic development possibilities on Webster Avenue. To do that, we're working with a group of neighbors we call the Bronx Quad: the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, Montefiore Medical Center and of course, the emerging basketball powerhouse, Fordham University. (Brendan's note: Manhattan College is better than Fordham. Much better.) 

"We're also stepping up efforts to keep some 3,600 good-paying jobs where they belong, at the Hunts Point produce market. New Jersey is making a big pitch to lure the market away, butwe¶re fully committed to modernizing the market and keeping those jobs here. 

"So today, in partnership with Council Speaker Christine Quinn, we're adding another $25 million to what will now be the City's $87 million commitment to re-building the market. And that's not the only big news here in the Bronx. 

"We're also launching a new effort to bring jobs to the most talked-about empty building in the Bronx: The Kingsbridge Armory. 

"In collaboration with Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., today, we are releasing a Request for Proposals for a new operator of the Armory. We're putting aside our differences to do what's best for the city. That's what leadership is about. It's not about a series of running arguments--it'sabout getting things done. 

"We've heard from a variety of interested parties, including those who want to develop itinto recreational space. And we're hopeful that the Kingsbridge Armory, vacant for some 15 years,will soon be transformed into a place that benefits the community and employs communitymembers. 

"In every borough in 2012, we'll bring new jobs on line and make investments that willattract more visitors."

The full text:

Mayor Bloomberg Delivers 2012 State of the City Address