Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, known as the city’s development czar, will be stepping down from the administration, according to City Hall.
In her role as deputy mayor for housing and economic development, Glen oversaw more than 20 city agencies, including the Department of City Planning, the Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Housing Authority.
After joining Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration in 2014, she’s since faced criticism about her oversight on NYCHA—recently named the city’s worst landlord by Public Advocate Letitia James—and more recently, for her involvement with Amazon’s deal to open its HQ2 in Long Island City where it would see nearly $3 billion in tax subsidies. During her tenure, the city has attempted to address the worsening affordable housing crisis, launched citywide ferry service and bolstered the city’s life sciences hubs.
“Deputy Mayor Glen has been a crucial member of our administration since the very beginning,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “She has made this city stronger and more fair.
“From building and protecting more affordable homes than at any point in our history to growing New York
City’s tech sector to fighting for women in the workplace, she has opened doors for New Yorkers of every background. I thank her for her work and look forward to continuing to work with the many talented people she has recruited to public service.”
Reports said that Glen will stay in her role as the mayor seeks her replacement for some time in early 2019.
“The New York Building Congress thanks Alicia Glen for her incredible public service,” Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of New York Building Congress, said in a statement.
“Ms. Glen spearheaded the construction and protection of affordable housing throughout the city, worked tirelessly to grow our now booming tech industry, and led a tremendous five-borough economic development plan. We applaud Ms. Glen’s impact on New York City, and we wish her much success in her future endeavors.”
