Key Investments
Education and Cultural Resources
New York City is widely recognized as a global hub for culture and education, with a proud tradition of inclusivity and a spirit of innovation that fosters progress and growth. Cultural resources are central to the city’s identity, with vital historic and architectural landmarks, internationally recognized museums, and an environment that nurtures local talent and creative expression.
Investing in culture begins with investments in education. This includes building new schools and modernizing existing facilities, mindful of developments in technology that support learning and development. Investing in and supporting the facilities that provide childhood education during wrap-around periods such as after the school day, and during periods when school is not typically in session, and investing in the institutions that support ongoing education, growth, and enrichment for New Yorkers of all ages. Capital projects in this area will emphasize providing high-quality, holistic education to the city’s youth, as well as contributing to the cultural fabric of New York City that underpins so much of the city’s community and economy.
Investments in public schools
With approximately one million students across 1,800 schools, New York City has the largest public-school system in the country. The SCA’s proposed amended 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes $20.5 billion for classroom expansion and improvements of building and facilities. The current plan supports more than 33,000 new seats to alleviate overcrowding and improve access to schools in growing neighborhoods. In addition to its investment in creating new school seats, the SCA’s Five-Year Capital Plan will help schools comply with recent state legislation requiring smaller class sizes. Another key priority in the plan is the Healthy Schools initiative which promotes healthier school environments, including health and nutrition, and broadens opportunities for physical education.
The Ten-Year Capital Strategy also provides $475.7 million for the construction of new school buildings for the City University of New York. This includes $441.2 to support the redevelopment of the Brookdale Campus.
Investments to Create More Classroom Space
The New York City class size reduction law, passed in 2022 by the New York State Legislature, sets new seat caps for classes in NYC Public Schools. The law set specific benchmarks for compliance over a five-year timeframe, starting with a 20% compliance rate for the 2023-2024 school year, increasing to 40% for the 2024-2025 school year.
Schools are required to work towards these benchmarks until full phase-in by school year 2027-2028. The city made an investment of $2 billion to create more classroom space and meet the state’s class size requirements particularly in overcrowded areas.
Health and Nutrition in NYC Schools
Enhancing the physical condition of cafeterias is crucial in creating an inviting and appealing environment that encourages healthy eating habits among students, ultimately increasing their overall well-being and academic performance. Unique instructional spaces such as learning gardens provide students with hands-on experiences in agriculture and foster a deeper understanding of food production, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
School connectivity, bandwidth, and data centers improvements
The city has addressed the school connectivity and bandwidth limitations that have presented challenges to educational infrastructure, including limiting the ability of many schools to introduce new technology to promote learning. The Department of Education’s (DOE) Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) has made enhancements to the school’s bandwidth network infrastructure. All schools have been allocated increased bandwidth over the past two years, with additional bandwidth as needed.
To date, DOE has spent $350 million on school and administrative office improvements and $80 million on back-end network infrastructure and data center improvements. The city plans to spend an additional $120 million to bring this to completion. DOE is also committing $52 million in capital funding to upgrade its primary data center located at 2 Metrotech Center. When the work is completed, DOE will have two modern, secure data centers to operate its systems and manage its data.
The Ten-Year Capital Strategy also allocates $70 million to CUNY for the purchase of computer, laboratory, and other equipment.
Improving access to keystone cultural resources
New York City continues to be a global cultural capital, and investments to maintain and improve keystone cultural resources throughout the five boroughs underscores its commitment to all New Yorkers having easy access to local cultural assets and expression.
Major historic theatres are in the process of capital renovations, ensuring New Yorkers will benefit from their offerings for years to come. A $20.7 million restoration and interior renovation of the historic Apollo Theater will substantially increase the functionality of theater space and building overall. In addition, the city is investing $29.5 million to build a new 24,000 square foot theater for the National Black Theater located on 125th Street in a mixed-used development. The city is also allocating $6 million towards renovation and reconfiguration of the Vineyard Theatre in Union Square that will allow for flexible seating/stage arrangements, improved accessibility, and an improved façade to provide greater exterior visibility from the street. Additionally, the city invested $21.5 million in the Universal Hip Hop Museum at Bronx Point that is expected to open in 2026 and, will include several gallery spaces, a black box theater, and interactive exhibits.
The city has also announced major capital funding infusions for Bronx-based cultural institutions, both established and new, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the New York Botanical Garden, The Point Community Development Corporation, Pregones Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Wave Hill, and the Bronx Zoo.