Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has identified sites and allocated $70 million in capital funding for five city-owned grocery stores, one per borough, but official timelines target the first Bronx location for late 2027 and the East Harlem site for 2029, with all five slated for completion by the end of the mayor’s term. Recent October 2026 announcements advanced design contracts, an operator RFP with responses due mid-month, and community input processes, yet no permitting, construction, or staffing milestones have advanced far enough for an operational store by year-end. Ongoing lawsuits from independent grocers add further procedural steps. Trader consensus at 96.5% “No” reflects this multi-year execution timeline; only an unforeseen acceleration bypassing standard city procurement and regulatory requirements could shift the outcome before December 31.