NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Staff at the public hearing for Open Spaces on October 22, 2014.
Today, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 2, which covers the 5 boroughs of New York City, held a public hearing to discuss several projects which the agency has determined to be priorities — the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan being one of several in The Bronx. The hearings were held at two different times to accommodate the various schedules of residents with the first from 2:30PM – 4:30PM and the 2nd session from 7PM – 9PM. Over 30 residents from The Bronx provided testimony at the public hearing not to mention the over 200 testimonies submitted to date online. (Testimonies are being accepted until December 17th, 2014 at 4:45PM – Click here to submit your testimony!)
Prior to the hearing, a workshop was given in which Lucy Robson, a Research & Planning Analyst at New Yorkers for Parks ( a citywide independent organization which advocates for quality parks and open spaces for all residents of New York City regardless of where they live) provided a statement in which she said:
“We support all of the Region 2 Priority Conservation Projects…The Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan {8} is a key community-driven waterfront plan that would provide recreational and passive space to thousands of New Yorkers who call the South Bronx home. Our recent research report, The Mott Haven Open Space Index, took an in-depth neighborhood-level look at open space provisions in Mott Haven, and found that the neighborhood lacks sufficient open space for residents. Among other recommendations, our report includes support for increased waterfront access in the area. We believe that the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan can provide that to Bronx residents.”
The Mott Haven – Port Morris Waterfront Plan which has received priority status by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (#8 on the list)
The hearing began with an overview of what the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation does, the challenges it faces, and how they can overcome certain obstacles with the end result of protecting the environment while providing access to the citizens of New York State. Their mission is, “To conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being. DEC’s goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.”
City residents, including myself gave testimony as to why we believe the projects in our respective neighborhoods are important as members of the DEC listened attentively and with great respect. The energy in the room was one of hope and a lot of this can be attributed to the staff at DEC who truly were interested in listening to everything we had to say and even had questions to some of the comments. It was, in essence, democracy at work with government and citizens working together.
The final testimony was delivered by Matthew D. Viggiano from the New York City Economic and Community Development Division on behalf of City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito who’s district covers the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan.
Local Bronx resident caught two bluefish last month while fishing off Site E (East 132nd Street Pier) of the Waterfront Plan.
In the statement addressed to Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, Joe Martens, and Commissioner Rose Harvey, Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation at the agency, Council Speaker Mark-Viverito said, “I wholeheartedly support the recommendations submitted to you by the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for dedication of funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) within my district.” Mark-Viverito also added that, “Additionally, MIT planners and architects worked with the community to come up with a series of recommendations for the Lincoln Avenue site to turn what is now an underutilized industrial area into a place that brings the waterfront to the community in a meaningful way, while also highlighting the growing artist community and historic waterfront buildings.”
Below is the full letter from City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito:
THE COUNCIL
OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO
SPEAKER
October 22, 2014
Joe Martens
Comissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
Rose Harvey
Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
NYS DEC Region 2 Office – Long Island City
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Dear Commissioners Martens and Harvey,
I wholeheartedly support the recommendations submitted to you by the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for the dedication of funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) within my district. The Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan was created through community based planning efforts and includes the work of local and City-wide advocacy groups, the Community Board, my elected colleagues, residents and other community based organizations.
These recommendations will improve my district’s ability to manage open space, conserve precious resources, enhance the equitable distribution of open space, connect and augment open space in the South Bronx, and provide resiliency protection to low income communities residing in flood zone areas who are in vital need of open space.
The recommendations include seven potential sub-projects, five of which reside within the 8th Council District. The projects discussed will advance the funding and policy recommendations crafted by the advisory committee in consultation with the community. The opportunity areas in my district are the Bronx Kill Waterfront Park, The Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park, and the Alexander Avenue Extension. These parcels represent short-and long-term improvements that will achieve the RAC’s recommendation within this portion of the South Bronx.
The Bronx Kill Waterfront Park and the Park Avenue Boat Launch/Waterfront Park would enhance the quality of life of area residents. Environmental Protection Fund resource directed to these sites could provide much needed resiliency protection, help to preserve the waterfront ecology, create much needed open space for recreation and boating activities, and bring meaningful improvement to the area.
The Lincoln Avenue and Alexander Avenue Extension sites could add to resiliency protections as well as address the need for quality open spaces in the South Bronx. These new park amenities would bring the natural environment inland and highlight the historic waterfront buildings, preserving not just our waterfront but the architectural assets along the waterfront. Because it is easily accessible to pedestrians, the Lincoln Avenue site is already used by local residents for fishing and passive enjoyment. Additionally, MIT planners and architects worked with the community to come up with a series of recommendations for the Lincoln Avenue site to turn what is now an underutilized industrial area into a place that brings the waterfront to the community in a meaningful way, while also highlighting the growing artist community and historic waterfront buildings. The Alexander Avenue Extension of this park could bring additional resiliency protection while adding active or passive recreational areas. These sites located in Flood Zone B, could be an important protective barrier in cases of flooding as well.
The western/southern portion of the waterfront in the South Bronx is by far one of the least improved stretches of waterfront in The Bronx. Investing EPF funds in these projects and connecting them with a waterfront greenway would provide the greatest benefit to the local community if built out. Given the South Bronx’s numerous public health issues relating to asthma rates, obesity, diabetes, as ell as having one of the highest poverty rates in the country, prioritizing EPF spending for the Mott Haven-Port Morris waterfront area is vital. Besides the economic benefits of more visitors, these parks will improve the natural environment, make the area more resilient to the effects of climate change, and help a dynamic neighborhood continue to flourish. I urge you to provide the funding necessary to ensure this work becomes reality.
Sincerely,
Melissa Mark-Viverito
Speaker
###
Here is a guide to the Mott Haven – Port Morris Waterfront Plan if you haven’t seen it already:
NEW YORK STATE PROPOSES PRIORITIZATION OF MOTT HAVEN-PORT MORRIS WATERFRONT PLAN!
Click to Enlarge
A: Bronx Kill Waterfront Park – site of Native American settlement and burial ground; last significant open green space on the Mott Haven-Port Morris waterfront; lines the Bronx Kill waterway; directly connects to the“Randall’s Island Connector”
B: Park Avenue Boat Launch and Waterfront Park –already green space; one of the few areas with actual water access not blocked by Oak Point Link rail; already being used as an ad hoc fishing and boat launch site
C: Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park – easily accessible by pedestrians; already being used as an ad hoc fishing site; provides direct access to the waterfront; renderings have already been prepared by local architects; MIT produced a plan for this site in 2011
D: Alexander Avenue Extension of Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park– easily accessible by pedestrians; vacant and unused site; community blocked by fence and guard; directly connected to Mott Haven antique district
E: East 132nd Street Pier – previously a pier here (and even a floating pool in 1902); in the 1980s, a ConEd explosion destroyed the pier, and the company never replaced it; currently residents crawling through holes in the fence to fish along the banks of the shore
F: Historic Port Morris Gantries -stands as a reminder of NYC’s rich nautical heritage; in 1902, the gantries fostered the development of a market, hotels and restaurants; recognized by the Historic Districts Council during its “Six to Celebrate” program on the basis of architectural and historic merit of the area; full reviatlization renderings have already been completed
G: Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Connecting Path– connecting West to East – Melrose to Hunts Point – the waterfront connecting path would weave through and around existing uses on the waterfront to connect the six interrelated projects, and also connecting to the “Randall’s Island Connector” near completion now
=====================
Sponsored Ad: Space still available at new school in Mott Haven!
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Staff at the public hearing for Open Spaces on October 22, 2014.
Today, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 2, which covers the 5 boroughs of New York City, held a public hearing to discuss several projects which the agency has determined to be priorities — the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan being one of several in The Bronx. The hearings were held at two different times to accommodate the various schedules of residents with the first from 2:30PM – 4:30PM and the 2nd session from 7PM – 9PM. Over 30 residents from The Bronx provided testimony at the public hearing not to mention the over 200 testimonies submitted to date online. (Testimonies are being accepted until December 17th, 2014 at 4:45PM – Click here to submit your testimony!)
Prior to the hearing, a workshop was given in which Lucy Robson, a Research & Planning Analyst at New Yorkers for Parks ( a citywide independent organization which advocates for quality parks and open spaces for all residents of New York City regardless of where they live) provided a statement in which she said:
“We support all of the Region 2 Priority Conservation Projects…The Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan {8} is a key community-driven waterfront plan that would provide recreational and passive space to thousands of New Yorkers who call the South Bronx home. Our recent research report, The Mott Haven Open Space Index, took an in-depth neighborhood-level look at open space provisions in Mott Haven, and found that the neighborhood lacks sufficient open space for residents. Among other recommendations, our report includes support for increased waterfront access in the area. We believe that the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan can provide that to Bronx residents.”
The Mott Haven – Port Morris Waterfront Plan which has received priority status by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (#8 on the list)
The hearing began with an overview of what the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation does, the challenges it faces, and how they can overcome certain obstacles with the end result of protecting the environment while providing access to the citizens of New York State. Their mission is, “To conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being. DEC’s goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.”
City residents, including myself gave testimony as to why we believe the projects in our respective neighborhoods are important as members of the DEC listened attentively and with great respect. The energy in the room was one of hope and a lot of this can be attributed to the staff at DEC who truly were interested in listening to everything we had to say and even had questions to some of the comments. It was, in essence, democracy at work with government and citizens working together.
The final testimony was delivered by Matthew D. Viggiano from the New York City Economic and Community Development Division on behalf of City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito who’s district covers the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan.
Local Bronx resident caught two bluefish last month while fishing off Site E (East 132nd Street Pier) of the Waterfront Plan.
In the statement addressed to Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, Joe Martens, and Commissioner Rose Harvey, Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation at the agency, Council Speaker Mark-Viverito said, “I wholeheartedly support the recommendations submitted to you by the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for dedication of funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) within my district.” Mark-Viverito also added that, “Additionally, MIT planners and architects worked with the community to come up with a series of recommendations for the Lincoln Avenue site to turn what is now an underutilized industrial area into a place that brings the waterfront to the community in a meaningful way, while also highlighting the growing artist community and historic waterfront buildings.”
Below is the full letter from City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito:
THE COUNCIL
OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO
SPEAKER
October 22, 2014
Joe Martens
Comissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
Rose Harvey
Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
NYS DEC Region 2 Office – Long Island City
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Dear Commissioners Martens and Harvey,
I wholeheartedly support the recommendations submitted to you by the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for the dedication of funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) within my district. The Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan was created through community based planning efforts and includes the work of local and City-wide advocacy groups, the Community Board, my elected colleagues, residents and other community based organizations.
These recommendations will improve my district’s ability to manage open space, conserve precious resources, enhance the equitable distribution of open space, connect and augment open space in the South Bronx, and provide resiliency protection to low income communities residing in flood zone areas who are in vital need of open space.
The recommendations include seven potential sub-projects, five of which reside within the 8th Council District. The projects discussed will advance the funding and policy recommendations crafted by the advisory committee in consultation with the community. The opportunity areas in my district are the Bronx Kill Waterfront Park, The Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park, and the Alexander Avenue Extension. These parcels represent short-and long-term improvements that will achieve the RAC’s recommendation within this portion of the South Bronx.
The Bronx Kill Waterfront Park and the Park Avenue Boat Launch/Waterfront Park would enhance the quality of life of area residents. Environmental Protection Fund resource directed to these sites could provide much needed resiliency protection, help to preserve the waterfront ecology, create much needed open space for recreation and boating activities, and bring meaningful improvement to the area.
The Lincoln Avenue and Alexander Avenue Extension sites could add to resiliency protections as well as address the need for quality open spaces in the South Bronx. These new park amenities would bring the natural environment inland and highlight the historic waterfront buildings, preserving not just our waterfront but the architectural assets along the waterfront. Because it is easily accessible to pedestrians, the Lincoln Avenue site is already used by local residents for fishing and passive enjoyment. Additionally, MIT planners and architects worked with the community to come up with a series of recommendations for the Lincoln Avenue site to turn what is now an underutilized industrial area into a place that brings the waterfront to the community in a meaningful way, while also highlighting the growing artist community and historic waterfront buildings. The Alexander Avenue Extension of this park could bring additional resiliency protection while adding active or passive recreational areas. These sites located in Flood Zone B, could be an important protective barrier in cases of flooding as well.
The western/southern portion of the waterfront in the South Bronx is by far one of the least improved stretches of waterfront in The Bronx. Investing EPF funds in these projects and connecting them with a waterfront greenway would provide the greatest benefit to the local community if built out. Given the South Bronx’s numerous public health issues relating to asthma rates, obesity, diabetes, as ell as having one of the highest poverty rates in the country, prioritizing EPF spending for the Mott Haven-Port Morris waterfront area is vital. Besides the economic benefits of more visitors, these parks will improve the natural environment, make the area more resilient to the effects of climate change, and help a dynamic neighborhood continue to flourish. I urge you to provide the funding necessary to ensure this work becomes reality.
Sincerely,
Melissa Mark-Viverito
Speaker
###
Here is a guide to the Mott Haven – Port Morris Waterfront Plan if you haven’t seen it already:
NEW YORK STATE PROPOSES PRIORITIZATION OF MOTT HAVEN-PORT MORRIS WATERFRONT PLAN!
Click to Enlarge
A: Bronx Kill Waterfront Park – site of Native American settlement and burial ground; last significant open green space on the Mott Haven-Port Morris waterfront; lines the Bronx Kill waterway; directly connects to the“Randall’s Island Connector”
B: Park Avenue Boat Launch and Waterfront Park –already green space; one of the few areas with actual water access not blocked by Oak Point Link rail; already being used as an ad hoc fishing and boat launch site
C: Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park – easily accessible by pedestrians; already being used as an ad hoc fishing site; provides direct access to the waterfront; renderings have already been prepared by local architects; MIT produced a plan for this site in 2011
D: Alexander Avenue Extension of Lincoln Avenue Waterfront Park– easily accessible by pedestrians; vacant and unused site; community blocked by fence and guard; directly connected to Mott Haven antique district
E: East 132nd Street Pier – previously a pier here (and even a floating pool in 1902); in the 1980s, a ConEd explosion destroyed the pier, and the company never replaced it; currently residents crawling through holes in the fence to fish along the banks of the shore
F: Historic Port Morris Gantries -stands as a reminder of NYC’s rich nautical heritage; in 1902, the gantries fostered the development of a market, hotels and restaurants; recognized by the Historic Districts Council during its “Six to Celebrate” program on the basis of architectural and historic merit of the area; full reviatlization renderings have already been completed
G: Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Connecting Path– connecting West to East – Melrose to Hunts Point – the waterfront connecting path would weave through and around existing uses on the waterfront to connect the six interrelated projects, and also connecting to the “Randall’s Island Connector” near completion now
Bronx residents are fighting to keep the last remaining general-interest book store in the borough from moving out.
The push started on Saturday when a 24-year-old graduate student heard that the Barnes & Noble near Bay Plaza Mall would close because of a rent dispute with its landlord.
Amelia Ziano started a petition on change.org asking Prestige Properties to keep the store open. She says it has over a thousand signatures so far.
Since the Bronx is often overlooked when it comes to those fun NYC best of lists, The Bronx Bloggers took a few moments to make a list of 40 Date Ideas in the Bronx. Have more to add? Keep em coming!
Here’s an excellent piece from The New York Times on how not to document a community but even better, through the works of Lisa Kahane’s book, “Do Not Give Way To Evil: Photographs of the South Bronx, 1979-1987”, the piece illustrates how documentary photography can be properly done.
Maurice Berger writes:
“Seventy-four years later, a new book by the photographer Stephen Shames titled “Bronx Boys” (University of Texas Press) rekindles questions about the responsibilities inherent in documenting a community.
“Bronx Boys” chronicles a group of young men coming of age in an environment besieged by poverty, drugs and gang warfare. It focuses on a subculture of “crews,” informal associations of mostly adolescent men teamed together for protection and companionship.
Berger goes on to say:
“The reality of poverty in the Bronx, however, was far more complicated. Although some young people joined gangs or succumbed to drugs, many more did not. And despite stereotypes to the contrary, the borough was — and remains — a place rich with history, politics, and culture.
This complexity informs Lisa Kahane’s “Do Not Give Way to Evil: Photographs of the South Bronx, 1979-1987” (powerHouse). Published in 2008, the book does not shy away from the tragedy of almost unimaginable urban decay and neglect. But “however impoverished the landscape,” as Ms. Kahane observed, “life went on, which was awesome. No building in the Bronx was truly abandoned.”
“Do Not Give Way to Evil” brims with the vitality of individuals going about their everyday activities in the face of adversity: They rush to work, shop, hug their friends, pick wildflowers in an abandoned garden, attend a street fair, congregate on a stoop and listen to music.
Ms. Kahane represents these lives through a broad cultural and social lens. She portrays the privation, rubble and despair. But she also documents the markets, fashion, landmarks, public art, demonstrations, protest banners and political graffiti that defined the South Bronx and attested to the grit and self-possession of many of its residents.”
“There were several days that I woke up to find Morgan tending flowers we had planted on our block. Other days he would knock on my door to drop off a plant, a book or a new piece of research. I especially enjoyed our “day dates” when we spent countless hours walking the Bronx together.
He was a gentleman with a huge heart that did for others without expecting anything in return.”
BronxTalk, one of New York City’s LONGEST running talk shows, celebrates its 20th anniversary tomorrow, Wednesday October 22nd at 8:00PM at the historic Andrew Freedman Home by taping the 954th show which will include looking at historic archives while providing the public a chance to speak during the program.
Welcome2TheBronx took some time to chat with Gary and we’d like to share our Q&A with him below:
How and why did you start BronxTalk?
I had been a radio DJ and program director for the 15 prior years and Bronxnet’s Executive Director, Jim Carney had been my employee when I was the program director at WRNW in Westchester so he knew I had some experience on air and he approached me and asked me if I would be interested in hosting a new talk show. For me it’s all about helping people understand the realities of the world around them and doing it through music or talk to me is the same thing… just a different medium. So I said yes and that’s how it got started.
Did you ever think you’d be here 20 years later?
I never thought I would be here one day one week or one year later. We do each show each week and try to make it the best we can and as an old radio DJ friend of mine used to say “we’ll be back tomorrow if the curtain don’t fall and the creek don’t rise”. And that’s how I feel. Having said that, taking the moment now to look back, the list that BronxNet published this morning is truly a remarkable thing to go through. We’ve covered EVERYONE and EVERYTHING over the last 20 years in the Bronx and when I looked at some of the old tapes, frankly, I was impressed. It’s really been an amazing show and I’m very proud of it. I never stopped to really size up the sum of what we’ve done before, but this moment is a good one to do that and I’ve been really happy with what I’ve found. We have covered The Bronx, I think, incredibly well and provide to this day, information and discussion and entertainment that stands the test of time and I am proud of it because we’ve done it right for the right reasons.
As far as the program … I want to say, that right now, the program is a good as it has ever been. I think the guests are getting to the core of some major issues in The Bronx and that, frankly my interview skills have never been sharper. I also think that my status in The Bronx and experience in it has helped me really understand what’s going on and has made me better able to communicate it.
And let me add the program has been along with the growth of BronxNet television and Michael Max Knobbe and the staff has done an amazing job. Just the fact that we can achieve the kind of production we’re going to be doing on location tomorrow night tells you what you need to know at what a great job they have done to support BronxTalk and the borough of The Bronx.
How does it feel to have one of New York City’s longest running talk shows?
That’s a nice trivia but it’s really about BronxNet, the fact that there’s so much in The Bronx to talk about, and that I’m looking out my window every day trying to figure out what’s worth talking about and that’s what we do each week. I can’t help if the other boroughs don’t have it together like we do!
Oh and the last questions which readers always love. Where did you grow up in the Bronx and where do you live now? Favorite place to go in the Bronx?
I grew up and still live in Van Cortlandt Village. I actually live in the same building I grew up in. I moved out for awhile to start my career and whatnot, but this has been and is my home. Raised my two children here. Son Evan is a TV news reporter at WTVT in Tampa. He’s actually a first-rate journalist and was just nominated for an Emmy for best live coverage. My daughter lives in Brooklyn and works in the hospitality industry. Wife works with children cutting hair and in a pre-school.
Favorite place to go in the BX? hmmm…. home. I love all our nabes. I love to ride my bike to City Island. I love Belmont. Love the zoo. I don’t like Yankee Stadium…big Mets fan!
(we won’t hold that last bit about the Yankees against Gary because we love him!)
==========
Read Gary’s post below on tomorrow’s show:
BRONXNET RELEASES HISTORIC BRONXTALK LEDGER http://www.bronxnet.org/list-of-all-bronxtalk-shows
In advance of Wednesday’s 20th Anniversary show of BronxTalk, the borough’s first television talk show, BronxNet has posted the historic ledger of all the shows and guests who have appeared on the program since its inception in 1994.
In the 20 years there have been 953 editions of the program and the list of all the shows and guests provides a unique chronicle of Bronx politics,issues, communities, local leaders, and arts and culture over the past two decades.
“It’s a remarkable document to go through,” said Gary Axelbank, the Bronxite who has hosted the program since day one. “You would be hard-pressed to find an important figure, significant issue, or Bronx community that hasn’t at one time or another – or more – appeared on BronxTalk. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished.”
“This BronxTalk library is a tremendous public resource,” said BronxNet Executive Director Michael Max Knobbe. “BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank, along with the entire BronxNet team and all of our neighbors in the Bronx, can celebrate 20 years of discussion and debate as we continue building community together.”
The taping of the 20th anniversary show that will include a look at historic archives and a chance for the public to speak on the program, will take place on Wednesday, October 22 at the Andrew Freedman Home at 1125 Grand Concourse and 165th street beginning at 8:00pm.
For more information call 718-960-1180.
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Sponsored Ad: Space still available at new school in Mott Haven!
Welcome2TheBronx first heard about this from Amelia Zaino, a 24 year old graduate student at Lehman College studying Geographic Information Studies who lives in Co-op City. Zaino posted about it in the Facebook Group Bronx Movers & Shakers (after reading about it in the Co-op City Times) and immediately started a petition, along with her friend Jessica Cruz, addressed to Prestige Properties to keep Barnes and Noble in place at Bay Plaza (PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SIGN IT!). Zaino told us, “I think it’s completely embarrassing that the Bronx is about to become the first borough without a public, secular bookstore. We were the last to get a Barnes and Noble and the first to lose it. I also think it is sad that our leaders think economic recovery is based on the number of clothing stores and chain restaurants we have, and not on a variety of businesses, especially those selling educational materials and books.”
In the petition, they passionately state:
“The New Bronx” is a growing retail center, with cell phone stores, clothing stores, and chain restaurants sprouting on every corner. We just opened the largest indoor mall in New York City in 40 years. But by the end of the year, “The New Bronx” will be the only borough in New York without a bookstore.
In a borough with nearly a dozen institutions of higher education and almost 20 percent of its residents now possessing a bachelor’s degree, the lack of accessibility to quality literature, in addition to art and hobby supplies, is truly alarming.
Community residents will no longer have a place to purchase novels, instruction books, nor training manuals for important exams such as the SATs. They will no longer be able to meet their favorite authors or celebrities, including Steve Harvey and Joel Osteen.
In addition, dozens of Bronxites will now be out of work and forced to find jobs elsewhere.
The signers of this petition demand that Prestige Properties arrange a fair leasing deal for the bookstore, and allow it to stay in the area. The Bronx is already the poorest county in the country. We must not let it become the stupidest.”
In a statement issued to Welcome2TheBronx, Barnes and Noble’s VP for Development, David Dearson said, “Our lease is expiring and we worked diligently to extend the lease. The property owner informed us that they had other users who were willing to pay in excess of what Barnes & Noble was paying for the leased space. We operated our Bronx store and were happy to serve the community for 15 years. We’ll look to re-open as soon as an opportunity presents itself.” We reached out to Prestige Properties but have yet to hear back from them.
2883 3rd Avenue as it looked in 1940 / Image Courtesy Shorpy.com
Since B&N appears willing to re-open in the borough as soon as the opportunity presents itself, I say, why not in Melrose at The Hub? It is an area that has seen a renaissance in recent years with over $2 billion in developments as well as new stores such as The Children’s Place, Carters, and the Manhattan-based shoe store, Orva(with one of their stores directly across a B&N on 86th and Lexington Ave on the UES). Not to mention national fitness chains such as Planet Fitness, Blink, and Crunch. The area is also home to not one but 2 of the Bronx’s first luxury boutique hotels: The Opera House Hotel and The Umbrella Hotel, the latter of which is scheduled to open shortly.
Tens of thousands of professionals work in the area under a 1 mile radius from medical professionals at Lincoln Hospital, to the legal profession with thousands of attorneys working in area offices and at the court system located within the neighborhood to the many businesses which have offices in the neighborhood.
The Hub also sees pedestrian traffic of over 250,000 people a day, which according to The Hub Business Improvement District, makes it the busiest intersection outside of Times Square. These people are local residents, employees who work in the many office buildings in the area, shoppers, and visitors to the many services based in the area. It is an area that is 2 blocks away from Lincoln Hospital and it also sits within walking distance of 4 institutions of higher learning 2 of which are within 2 blocks.
A Barnes and Noble at this location would make sense since it can also easily capture residents from Manhattan over in Harlem which is only 5 minutes and 2 stops away on the 2 line.
What do you think? Do you think the Hub would make an ideal place for a Barnes and Noble location? It is one of the most easily accessible locations in our borough and would ensure that we still have at least one book store in The Bronx.
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Sponsored Ad: Space still available at new school in Mott Haven!
“Morgan Powell lived for Bronx history. He spoke about everything from the borough’s parks, rivers and early settlers — the kind of people for whom streets and neighborhoods are named — to the waves of African-American and Latino immigrants who remade the area during the 20th century.
He paid the bills — as best as he could — working as a landscaper and gardener. But he sustained his spirit with his love of Bronx history and his advocacy for the natural environment. He did his research on his own, sharing his knowledge and passion on blogs and free tours.
“Even when we went downtown, he would make connections about things in Manhattan and things in the Bronx,” said Nilka Martell, a close friend who joined him on daylong historical walks. “He knew I hated leaving the Bronx, so he always showed me the connections.”
Now Ms. Martell and her friends are struggling to find the most basic of connections to Mr. Powell — his next of kin. His body was discovered floating in the Erie Basin, off Red Hook, Brooklyn, on Sept. 29. The New York City medical examiner’s office is investigating the cause of his death. People are devastated and confused: How could a man devoted to uncovering the hidden history of the Bronx have concealed his own past? Worse, would he now be fated to a pauper’s unmarked grave?”
Refinery29 author and Bronxite Maggie Parker recently published 12 reasons why The Bronx Is Our New Favorite Borough and we’re especially happy to see the Bronx Documentary Center on that list.
Bronx Documentary Center Sorry, Brooklyn and Manhattan, but you’re not the only two boroughs filled with innovative artistic experiences. The Bronx Documentary Center is a photography, new media, and film sanctuary located on the south side that offers an array of film screenings, photography exhibits, book signings, and more. Aspiring photographers and filmmakers can take part in the center’s hands-on workshops (the next one is hosted by award-winning photojournalists Carolyn Cole and Todd Heisler, on November 8), or partake in biweekly meetings with other like-minded individuals.
Due to a scheduling conflict with the venue, the memorial for the late Kristopher Morgan Powell has been changed to TUESDAY, October 28th.
In the meantime, The Friends of Morgan Powell has created an official donation site to raise the necessary funds for his wake and burial:
“Our dear friend, local Bronx historian, Kristopher Morgan Powell passed away suddenly, leaving friends and colleagues shocked and heartbroken. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been made public as next of kin have not been located. The Public Administrator’s office will release him to his friends if we properly bury him. Only next of kin can make the decision to cremate.
Morgan was a giving man, giving of his time, knowledge and positivity. He was a friend to many and loved by his community and beyond. He left behind some amazing work, presenting Bronx history and nature walks, presented lectures and distributing handouts during all of his functions.
His passion led to over 10 years of research and resulted in his findings being shared by thousands of people who have either attended his events, or viewed it online. Some of his research is available online at his blog, Bronx River Sankofa and Facebook page. Videos of his history and nature walking tours are also available on youtube.com (search Bronx River Sankofa.) His research was based on African-American and Latino history of the Bronx, especially communities around the Bronx River.
Because of his love, passion and contribution to the Bronx, as well as his love for Woodlawn Cemetery, we are looking to find him a resting place at Woodlawn. The average cost of wake and burial is approximately $15,000. Morgan touched many lives and we’d like to give him the beautiful, respectful burial that he deserves.
Please share this link with others that knew Morgan. Even a small donation helps. There is an option of giving an anonymous donation.
Let us come together as a community, as Friends of Morgan Powell, and provide him a resting place in his beloved Bronx. – See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/celebration-of-life-for-kristopher-morgan-powell/249380#sthash.g1umZYKC.dpuf
On Tuesday, October 28th, 2014, a memorial service will be held for the late Kristopher Morgan Powell at the historic Andrew Freedman Home located at 1125 Grand Concourse. Due to limited capacity, kindly RSVP via the EventBrite link provided.
If you cannot make it to next week’s celebration of Morgan’s life, stay tuned as there will be others in the coming weeks.
