NYC Residents Vote to Clean Up Illegal Dumping in Soundview

Mayor Mamdani celebrates 100 days in office by announcing the winner of the city's 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' infrastructure repair competition.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a citywide vote, New Yorkers selected cleaning up illegal dumping in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx as the top infrastructure repair priority for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. The winning project received over 18,000 votes, beating out 15 other proposed fixes like repairing playgrounds, resurfacing basketball courts, and replacing street signs. Mamdani joined city officials and sanitation crews for a cleanup event in Soundview to kick off the winning project.

Why it matters

Illegal dumping is a persistent quality-of-life issue in many New York City neighborhoods, creating eyesores, public health risks, and environmental damage. By empowering residents to directly choose the city's infrastructure repair priorities, the 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' competition demonstrates the new administration's commitment to addressing local community needs and engaging the public in municipal decision-making.

The details

More than 21,000 total votes were cast across 16 proposed infrastructure repair projects in the 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' competition. The winning project to clean up illegal dumping in Soundview received 67.7% of the final vote, beating out the runner-up to resurface a basketball court in Morrisania. Mayor Mamdani was joined by city officials from the Departments of Sanitation, Parks, and Transportation for a post-announcement cleanup event in Soundview, where crews began work to remove the 24 million pounds of waste New Yorkers set out each day.

  • The 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' competition was held during Mamdani's first 100 days in office.
  • The winning Soundview cleanup project is now underway, with crews continuing work following the announcement.
  • The runner-up Morrisania basketball court resurfacing project is expected to be completed this weekend.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City, who launched the 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' infrastructure repair competition and joined the Soundview cleanup event.

Gregory Anderson

The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, which is leading the illegal dumping cleanup effort in Soundview.

Tricia Shimamura

The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks, which oversees the city's parks and recreational facilities.

Mike Flynn

The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the city's streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure.

New Yorkers

Residents across the city who cast over 21,000 votes in the 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' competition to select the top infrastructure repair priority.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is what being a New Yorker is all about: listening to your neighbors, rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. No problem is too small for this administration — not broken water fountains on the Lower East Side, not faded crosswalks in Jamaica and certainly not illegal dumping in Soundview. 100 days in, we're delivering fixes of all shapes and sizes for the city that deserves nothing but the best.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“Our team runs the court day and night to remove the 24 million pounds of waste New Yorkers set out every single day.”

— Gregory Anderson, Commissioner, New York City Department of Sanitation

What’s next

The illegal dumping cleanup in Soundview is now underway, with city crews continuing work following the announcement of the winning project. Residents can report additional instances of illegal dumping to the Department of Sanitation, providing photo or video evidence and license plate information.

The takeaway

By empowering New Yorkers to directly choose the city's top infrastructure repair priority, the 'Mayor's Municipal Madness' competition demonstrates the new administration's commitment to addressing hyperlocal community needs and engaging the public in municipal decision-making. The selection of the Soundview illegal dumping cleanup as the winning project highlights the persistent quality-of-life challenges posed by this issue in many neighborhoods across the city.