File #: Int 1474-2025    Version: * Name: Installation of potential structures to acknowledge the Draft Riots of 1863.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Organizations
On agenda: 11/12/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to a study and report on the installation of potential structures to acknowledge the Draft Riots of 1863
Sponsors: Nantasha M. Williams, Frank Morano
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs to conduct a study and provide a report to the Mayor and the Council on the installation of potential structures acknowledging the Draft Riots of 1863. The commissioner would have to consult with other relevant agencies, community stakeholders, and at least one expert. The report would have to include, in part, findings and recommendations regarding the types of structures, their number, their locations, and inscriptions or depictions, along with findings and recommendations concerning funding, creator selection, and installation approval processes.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1474, 2. Int. No. 1474, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. November 12, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1474

 

By Council Members Williams and Morano

 

A Local Law in relation to a study and report on the installation of potential structures to acknowledge the Draft Riots of 1863

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. a. Definitions. For purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:

Agency. The term “agency” has the same meaning as set forth in section 1-112 of the administrative code of the city of New York.

City. The term “city” means the city of New York.

Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of cultural affairs.

Department. The term “department” means the department of cultural affairs.

Draft Riots of 1863. The term “Draft Riots of 1863” means the riots that occurred in the city from July 13 to July 16, 1863, involving the burning of multiple buildings and the lynching of an estimated 11 black individuals, that resulted in the deaths of approximately 119 individuals.

 Slavery and its legacies. The term “slavery and its legacies” means the legally sanctioned, race-based practice in New York of holding individuals of African and indigenous American descent as chattels between the years 1626 and 1827, and the effects, legacies, badges, and aftereffects of that practice.

Works of art. The term “works of art” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 854 of the New York city charter. 

b. Study. The commissioner, in collaboration with the chair of the landmarks preservation commission, president of the art commission, and head of any other relevant agency as determined by the commissioner, shall conduct a study and develop recommendations regarding the installation of potential structures on city property to acknowledge the Draft Riots of 1863. Through such study, the commissioner shall: 

1. Determine whether installation of a work of art or other structure is the most appropriate means of acknowledging the Draft Riots of 1863;

2. Identify the number of structures to be installed;

3. Identify any appropriate images that each structure will depict;

4. Identify any appropriate words to inscribe onto each structure;

5. Identify the appropriate location within the city for each structure;

6. Determine which agencies have jurisdiction over each location identified under paragraph 5 of this subdivision;

7. Identify funding sources for installation of each structure;

8. Identify the process for selecting individuals or entities that will create each structure;

9. Assess whether completion of environmental review in accordance with the New York state environmental quality review act and New York city environmental quality review would be required for installation of each structure;

10. Determine the relevant procedures for installation of each structure, including but not limited to any application, development, approval, and physical installation procedures;

11. Determine the materials and other information necessary for engagement in each of the procedures identified under paragraph 10 of this subdivision;

12. Estimate the total length of time for installation of each structure, from the time of application for installation, if applicable, to completion of installation; and

13. Estimate the length of time for each of the procedures identified under paragraph 10 of this subdivision.

c. Community input. In making the determination and identifications required under paragraphs 1 through 5 of subdivision b of this section, the commissioner shall solicit input from individuals residing in the city who:

1. Have relevant personal experience regarding harms and injustices related to slavery and its legacies in or in connection with the city;

2. Represent institutions, organizations, corporations, or associations that are organized or operated primarily for historical, cultural, educational, religious, or charitable purposes and that are connected to African American heritage, history, or culture; or

3. Have relevant personal experience in promoting racial justice and equity in the city.

d. Expert input. In making the determination and identifications required under paragraphs 1 through 5 of subdivision b of this section, the commissioner shall solicit input from at least 1 individual who has demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following subjects: African American history, New York state or city history, or racial equity.

e. Information requests. Upon request of the commissioner, agencies shall provide the commissioner with any information, reports, and assistance such commissioner may require to implement subdivision b of this section.

f. Report. No later than 6 months after the effective date of this local law, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website, a report on the findings of, and recommendations developed through, the study required under subdivision b of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

TBM

LS #20199

10/30/2025 5:38 PM