New York Note: Coney Island Transformation, Garcia and Bray Appointed, Menin’s Platform, Cozen Expansion

December 15, 2025

City Unveils $1B Plan to Enhance the Coney Island Boardwalk

NYC officials announced a $1 billion plan to transform the Coney Island Boardwalk, including renovating the Abe Stark Ice Skating Rink, enhancing storm resiliency, and building 1,500 new housing units, with 25 percent set aside as affordable. The City expects to begin procuring a construction manager partner in early 2026 and move into the design process next year, with construction projected to begin roughly 18 months after design is underway.

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Governor Hochul Announces New Appointments

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Kathryn Garcia will become the next Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, succeeding Rick Cotton when he retires in January after over eight years in the role. Garcia currently serves as Hochul’s Director of State Operations and previously served as New York City’s Sanitation Commissioner. Hochul also announced that Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, will replace Garcia as Director of State Operations.

Menin Outlines Policy Priorities at NYLS Briefing

Last week, presumptive City Council Speaker Julie Menin took part in a policy briefing at New York Law School, where she covered wide ranging policy matters, including affordability, universal childcare, housing and land use, the City budget and procurement oversight, public safety and Rikers Island, transportation and bus service, and healthcare costs. Menin repeatedly emphasized her intention to lead a more proactive Council, including earlier engagement on major land use initiatives. She highlighted areas of alignment with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on affordability, universal childcare, and housing, and described universal childcare as a top priority. On fiscal issues, Menin called for a data driven review of agency budgets, stronger transparency in procurement, and opposition to no bid contracts, among other priorities. See full video here.

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Adds Leila Haller

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is pleased to announce that Leila Haller has joined the New York City practice. Haller graduated from Brandeis University this past May. She also brings experience working for New York State Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, and as a research assistant during her time at Brandeis. You can reach her at lhaller@cozen.com.

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About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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