Mayor Spano Delivers 2026 State of the City, Announcing New Housing Commitments and Sounding the Alarm on School Funding

Mayor Mike Spano delivered his 2026 State of the City address Wednesday evening before an audience that included city council members, judges, school officials, state and county representatives, and Yonkers residents. The address, held at Yonkers City Hall, touched on housing, public safety, schools, economic development, and infrastructure, with Spano framing the city's progress around the theme of "Revolutionary Yonkers 250," a nod to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.

On housing, Spano announced that the city is expanding its Affordable Housing Ordinance, raising the requirement for new rental developments from 10% to 12% affordable units. He also announced a new provision aimed at helping residents become homeowners, not just renters, by facilitating affordable units for ownership.

The city is also partnering with Westchester Residential Opportunities to assist moderate-income first-time buyers. Using federal home funds and the city's own housing trust fund, qualifying applicants could receive up to 19% off the down payment on a single-family home, along with help covering closing costs.

"So our residents can take root in this city for decades to come," Spano said.

Spano also addressed the former Domino Sugar site on the Yonkers waterfront — 33 acres that he called one of the most valuable properties from here to Albany. The City Council has expanded downtown mixed-use zoning to include the property. The mayor described a vision for new retail, dining, deep-water docking, and access to a Metro-North stop just 17 minutes from Midtown, along with a required affordable housing set-aside and waterfront open space.

A new waterfront park next to the site is expected to break ground soon, supported by a $9 million investment from the state and a potential $15 million from Westchester County.

On education, Spano celebrated achievements including a 90% graduation rate and the distribution of more than 11,000 iPads to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. He also recognized the Yonkers Montessori Academy women's basketball team, which he said became the first girls' team in district history to win a state championship.

But the mayor was candid about the financial pressure facing Yonkers Public Schools. He said federal COVID-era relief dollars have dried up, and the state's outdated regional cost index continues to shortchange the district by comparing Yonkers to communities far north of Westchester rather than to neighboring New York City.

"Why are we compared to Newburgh when it comes to cost reimbursements from the state? Why isn't our wage base compared to Manhattan instead of Monticello?" Spano said.

He said the funding gap amounts to $13 million annually — and that fixing the comparable wage index could unlock up to $442 million for the district. Rising special education, health care, and transportation costs compound the problem.

"The Yonkers taxpayer can no longer shoulder the burden. We now know the system is broken. So let's fix it," he said.

On public safety, Spano said Yonkers recorded one of the lowest overall crime totals in the city's history in 2025, with auto theft and shoplifting down 30% over the last three years. He highlighted new technology being used by the police department, including a fully operational drone-as-first-responder program with two launch sites that can reach any location in the city in under three minutes — a program the Post first covered earlier this month.

The mayor also announced that the department has launched virtual reality goggles as a training and de-escalation tool, allowing officers to simulate high-pressure encounters in ways traditional training cannot replicate.

"Police make split-second, life-or-death decisions. And the right choice means the difference between a life saved or a life lost," Spano said. "Training is critical."

Spano also announced that the city will move forward with acquiring the former Lincoln Park Jewish Center and transforming it into a fourth branch of the Yonkers Public Library — the first expansion of the Westchester library system in more than 30 years. The new branch, which has the support of Majority Leader John Rubbo, will be paired with a community center and a culinary education program for Lincoln High School students.

On energy and infrastructure, Spano introduced what he called the Yonkers Energy Savings Program, targeting 37 city facilities with the goal of reducing energy costs by $31 million over the next 20 years. He also said the city is working with Con Edison on a plan to build a solar array at Spring Lake that could generate cumulative savings of up to $30 million over 30 years. The city has already cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 23%, Spano said, putting Yonkers ahead of its goal of a 60% reduction by 2030.

The film industry also drew attention. Spano said an independent report found the sector is generating approximately $46 million in sales locally and nearly $12 million in total earnings, with 60% of jobs at major studios going to Yonkers residents. He announced a new filmmaker scholarship through the Mayor's Office of Film and Photography to help local talent bring their projects to life.

The address closed with a preview of planned celebrations for the nation's 250th anniversary this summer, including a parade of nations, concerts, fireworks, and what Spano described as the city's first-ever patriotic pub crawl in downtown Yonkers.

City Hall itself will also get attention this year. Spano said the 125-year-old building is set for renovations in 2026, including brick repairs, clock tower work, and internal restorations.

"It'll be a perfect birthday present for America," he said.