Manhattan’s biggest CEOs plead with de Blasio to fix NYC’s ‘quality of life issues’

CEOs from more than 150 top companies have demanded that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to address public safety and fix ‘quality of life issues’ that have deteriorated the city. 

Chief executives from companies Lyft, Macy’s, Goldman Sachs and more signed the letter to de Blasio and asserted that they were sure that the city would ‘remain a thriving global center of commerce, innovation and opportunity.’ 

But despite New York having an infection rate below one per cent for more than 30 days, the CEOs said there was widespread anxiety over public safety, cleanliness and other quality of life issues that are contributing to deteriorating conditions in commercial districts and neighborhoods across the five boroughs.’ 

Chief executives from companies Lyft, Macy’s, Goldman Sachs and more signed the letter to de Blasio, demanding him to fix fix ‘quality of life issues’ in NYC

The CEOs called for de Blasio to take ‘immediate action to restore essential services’ as the first step in fixing the complex economic challenges the city was sure to face in the wake of the pandemic

The letter called for de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help send out a ‘consistent message’ about when people in the city could expect to come back to a ‘safe and healthy work environment.’ 

Failing to do so, would continue to cause raised ‘concerns about security and the livability of our communities are addressed quickly and with respect and fairness for our city’s diverse populations,’ the CEOs claimed.

The CEOs called for de Blasio to take ‘immediate action to restore essential services’ as the first step in fixing the complex economic challenges the city was sure to face in the wake of the pandemic.

‘We look forward to your response and to partnering with you and others who share a commitment to a vibrant recovery and a great future for our city,’ the CEOs concluded in their letter. 

The CEOs called for de Blasio to take ‘immediate action to restore essential services’ as the first step in fixing the complex economic challenges the city was sure to face in the wake of the pandemic

de Blasio took to Twitter and shared that he was grateful for the business community for helping ‘rebuild a fairer, better city’

de Blasio took to Twitter and shared that he was grateful for the business community for helping ‘rebuild a fairer, better city.’

‘Let’s be clear: To restore city services and save jobs, we need long term borrowing and a federal stimulus — we need these leaders to join the fight to move the City forward,’ he said. 

The letter comes as fewer than 10 per cent of New York City’s office employees have returned to public workplaces, jeopardizing the city’s financial health as office buildings account for almost 10 per cent of total annual revenue.  

Optimists hoped that the city’s one million office workers would return to skyscrapers as the pandemic progressed, but reports show that is simply not the case. 

The ‘Return to Office Survey‘ released by Partnership for New York City found that just eight per cent of staffers have returned to the office as of mid-August. 

Employers have lowered their expectations since May by 33 per cent, with only 26 per cent of surveyed employees scheduled to return by the year’s end.

That number jumps just over half – or 54 per cent – for a July 2021 return date.

Crime in the Big Apple has also been on the rise, the New York Daily News reports, with shootings up 89.6 per cent compared to Jan 1 to September of last year.

Additionally, the Sanitation and Parks departments have reduced trash pickup and there has been an increase in homeless being housed in the city’s hotels.