Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion delivered his final State of the Borough address Friday before assuming his new post as the White House Director of Urban Affairs.

In his speech, Carrion took a more national tone than in the previous seven years, saying it is time to look at the city as a solution, not a problem.

Speaking to a full house at Lehman College, Carrion said that in his new job, he hopes to duplicate the progress he has overseen in the Bronx in the areas of education, economic development and the conservation of parklands.

The Bronx borough president added that he intends to take the lessons he learned in the Bronx to Washington.

Addressing the economic crisis, Carrion sounded optimistic, saying that he expects the federal stimulus funds to usher in a new era of unprecedented growth in the Bronx.

?We open a chapter of new promise and potential for our nation and our community here in the Bronx,? Carrion said.

He added, however, that people should not expect immediate results.

?We know it will get worse before it gets better, in part because we have yet to see the full effect of the global economic meltdown, and in part because it will take time for the impact of the historic stimulus package to get to households and businesses across our country.?

For an extended excerpt of Carrion's State of the Borough address, go to Channel 612 on your iO Digital Cable Box and select iO Extra.