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Kicking off his second term in the post, Stringer unveiled a bold agenda for the next four years. His speech focused mainly on the recession and what needs to be done to get New Yorkers back on their feet.

Among his suggestions is a program called "Bank on Manhattan," to help thousands of working families establish bank accounts.

One of the boldest items on the borough president's list is to create a new Department of Food and Markets.

“What I heard him say was we need a real democratic charter revision process that looks at the big picture, that listens to all voices not just some and thinks about the kind of government we need for the 21st century,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “I thought it was refreshing."

Stringer also called for an overhaul of the Buildings Department.

"What must be done is nothing less than remaking this troubled department," Stringer said. "We need to scale back DOB's authority and transfer inspection and enforcement duties to a knew office of inspection. This independent body will be able hire more experienced inspectors, employ 21st century technology, reclassify violations so that the most dangerous ones are fixed first."

In response to Stringer's criticism, the DOB released the following statement:

“Mr. Stringer should double-check his facts before he calls for any type of reform. Our inspectors, architects and engineers have decades of valuable experience and are relied upon to assess the stability of structures in emergency situations," said DOB spokesman Tony Sclafani. "We have used advanced technology to post diagrams of proposed new buildings online, track the locations of our inspectors and perform inspections with the use of hand-held computers. The new NYC Construction Codes, which took full effect in 2009, also reclassified violations to highlight the most serious building conditions. Since 2008, Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council have approved more than 20 new safety laws, which have expanded the Department’s enforcement powers and led to an 84% drop in construction-related fatalities in 2009. The construction industry needs more oversight, not less.”

Moreover, Stringer talked about opening new green spaces, including three miles along the East River.

"This project, called the East River Blueway, will start with a planning process aimed at doing away with river front obstructions and creating parks, docks, pools and education programs,” said the borough president.

Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh helped secure the $650,000 state grant for the project.

"In Manhattan, we're always aware that theoretically Manhattan is an island, but as a practical matter, residents of Manhattan rarely have actual access to the water that surrounds us,” Kavanagh said. “This is an opportunity to really develop ways for people to have access, for people to make the most of our status as one of the great islands of the world."

Stringer also talked about the green economy, and suggested ways to combat the recession and make the city healthier including the establishment of a vegetable garden in City Hall Park.

Whether other elected officials bite, remains to be seen.