STATE OF THE BOROUGH

borough president scott stringer gave his fourth state of the borough address feb. 4 and used the opportunity to unveil new policy initiatives for his second term.

stringer's speech, titled "magnet city," outlined ways to be hospitable to new immigrants, attract emerging industries and preserve the city's current business sectors, such as the garment district. he also called for the creation of a new city department, "department of food and markets."

"the new agency should start by confronting new york city's epidemic of hunger," he said, according to his prepared remarks. "the decisions we make about food affect the environment, health care costs-and, yes, jobs."

stringer also wants a vegetable garden in city hall park.

on the heels of his report showing that one in three manhattan buildings have open code violations, stringer called for scaling back the department of buildings' authority and creating an "office of inspection" for enforcement duties.

the new policy initiatives are a glimpse into a possible stringer administration at city hall. the two-term borough president is reportedly putting together a 2013 mayoral campaign.