The Mott Haven Herald has just published a very eye-opening article on just how deep lobbyists are in bed with our local politicians to make a deal with FreshDirect without community input.
Now Bernard Stein at the Mott Haven Herald and Hunts Point Express has revealed just how in deep FreshDirect, via lobbyists have been with our elected officials and Community Board 1.
According to the article:
“Because the consultants aren’t obliged to disclose their compensation and the lobbyists’ reports combine work related to the move to the Bronx with other lobbying on the company’s behalf, it is impossible to tell just how much FreshDirect has spent in its campaign to win approval for its move and the accompanying tax breaks and grants, but the reports suggest that it is at least $200,000.
Among those lobbied by the Parkside Group and Akerman Senterfitt LLP are a deputy mayor, the borough president, the heads of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the city Economic Development Corporation and the state’s Empire Development Corporation, the counsel to the governor, City Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, the Bronx director of the Dept. of City Planning and members of Community Board 1 and its district manager Cedric Loftin.
Parkside has represented FreshDirect since 2004, according to the records of the City Clerk. Through 2011, it was paid a retainer of $48,000 a year to advance FreshDirect’s interest in city and state legislation and in regulations concerning trucking and workman’s compensation.
In 2012, its fee shot up to $6,500 a month. Through the first six months of 2013, according to state and city records, it has earned $112,000 to lobby state, city and local officials in connection with FreshDirect’s move from Queens and the grants and subsidies that added up to $128 million.
Months before FreshDirect’s planned move was announced, Parkside officials met with Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel, with the borough president and with Seth Pinsky, then head of the Economic Development Corp., filings with the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics show.”
Today, January 19th marks an important day for me and perhaps many other Bronxites. It is the one year anniversary of the opening exhibition Seis Del Sur: Dispatches from Home by Six Nuyorican Photographers.
The story of the South Bronx —the ‘Burning’ Bronx was finally told through the eyes of our own people. 6 men who lived through it, experienced it first hand rather than someone who may have just barely set foot on our soil to snap some exploitative photographs or worse yet; never at all.
This exhibition, which ran for 6 weeks into March of last year, had weekly screenings and panel discussions which were standing room only, much like the opening reception where people had to wait outside because it was so packed to get in.
If i learned anything during that exhibition it’s this: The importance of a community to be able to tell its own story.
We have countless examples of outsiders coming in to many disadvantaged neighborhoods and preying on the strife of the locals for their own personal gain.
This is not to discredit in no way shape or form the majority of intrepid journalists who do tell the stories of a community with integrity and respect but simply that we have to remain vigilant about the stories being shaped and formed about us.
In many ways it is the reason I started blogging over four years ago: Most of the mainstream media rarely covered the successes of the South Bronx and the Bronx in general. We were ignored and only had a spotlight cast down upon us when tragedy struck —as if bad things were endemic to the Bronx.
Below is the story I originally published in Welcome2Melrose on the opening reception.
Enjoy!
I was born in the old Lincoln Hospital on the first day of spring back in March of 1975 to two transplants from the island of Puerto Rico. As many of their compatriots, they came in search of a better life on the mainland and settled in the South Bronx.
The Bronx was already burning.
Up until I was 7, we lived on Tinton Avenue just south of 149th Street where a couple of buildings on either side of the block (as well as a few old row houses) were the only signs of life. The remainder of the block was like any other in the South Bronx – lifeless in the burnt out or abandoned buildings save for the children (or some unsavory folks) running through the cavernous void left behind by the former families who occupied the these dwellings.
Abandoned cars, rubble strewn lots, mattresses and open fire hydrants, or la pompa as we would call them in Spanish, were our playground equipment but we were innocent and didn’t think twice about it. It was normal.
That was a part of my story that came alive this weekend.
Saturday, the Bronx had a family reunion of sorts. We met at the Bronx Documentary Center to celebrate the opening of Seis Del Sur: Dispatches from Home by Six Nuyorican Photographers which transported us back to the Bronx of the 70s and 80s. A time where many would say we lost our innocence, yet a time where innocence danced and played as if all were well in the world. Los Seis reopened a chapter in our family album for the first time as one collection for all to see. Sure, there have been photography exhibits where the trials tribulations of the South Bronx of the 70s and 80s were on display but it was mostly by those from the outside looking in. This time it’s different. Our own brothers and neighbors, men who not only documented it but lived it sharing their story, their journey, our lives.
Something magical happened in the Melrose neighborhood of the South Bronx on Saturday, something that is quite difficult to put into words but I’ll try and do my best. I don’t think we were quite prepared for the overwhelming emotions running amongst us for it wasn’t just the photographs we were experiencing but ourselves. In many ways the evening was a living, breathing exhibition of us as a family come together to reminisce of days gone by finally done on our terms by our own.
It was an evening filled with hugs and kisses and joyous reunions with a hint of respect to those dearly departed that were walking with us in spirit.
One of the most beautiful moments was when the NYPD and local FDNY came for a few minutes to look at the history that they were a part of as well. There was no us or them for that moment but a we. That is the power of photography and places such as the Bronx Documentary Center: It levels the playing field and forces us to connect rather than disconnect.
The hundreds and hundreds that came packed the Bronx Documentary Center where it was standing room only with dozens more waiting outside to get in. The smell of empanadas and arroz con gandules permeated the air as much as the energy did. It was a fitting meal served casually as if we were in our own living room. The collection of photographs showed the burning Bronx that I remembered: the one filled with family, friends and good times – that was the real burning, one of passion.
We may have been abandoned by our civic leaders, landlords and businesses during those times but instead of total and utter collapse, we carried on and became the leaders we needed. This is one of the many stories you see in the portraits by Los Seis.
Thank you to Los Seis, for sharing their journey and our story with us and the world. It was great running into so many people from all walks of life, from Riverdale and the North Bronx and all across the South Bronx they came – as well as from beyond our borough. Even our former Borough President Fernando Ferrer came and celebrated with us as well as Afrika Bambaataa, the Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture, Lisa Kahane, a contemporary of Los Seis who also shot the scenes from those decades and author of Do Not Give Way to Evil: Photographs of the South Bronx 1979-1987.
The show will run until March so you have time to get over to the BDC and absorb this wonderful journey. Stay tuned with the Bronx Documentary Center for programming events centering around the exhibit.
PS 25 built in 1897, the 117 year old school still stands proud on East 149th Street and Tinton Avenue.
The school was the first bilingual school in New York City offering English and Spanish instruction, first serving largely the Puerto Rican community and more recently children from all over Latin America as the demographics of the neighborhood has changed.
In recent years, PS 25 has turned around from being one of the worst performing schools and has achieved major improvements under the guidance of principal of Carmen Toledo-Guerrero.
Did you attend the school? What are your memories of PS 25?
As Westerners, we often look at the practice of child brides and marriages as archaic and barbaric, yet this harmful practice continues across the globe and is still accepted by members of their respective societies.
EXHIBITION RECEPTION
Saturday, January 18, 6PM – 9PM
Free and open to the public
ON VIEW
January 19 – March 16, 2014
Thursdays and Fridays 3PM – 7PM
Saturdays and Sundays 1PM – 5PM
The Bronx Documentary Center is located at 614 Courtlandt Avenue at the corner of East 151st Street and is easily accessible by
Subway: 2 or 5 train to 3rd Avenue-149th Street
Bus: BX6, BX15, BX19, BX21, BX41
Car 24-hour parking available directly next door to BDC
For more information contact info@bronxdoc.org / www.bronxdoc.org
Whether you’re for or against the possibility of a new soccer stadium, please make every effort to attend tonight’s Town Hall Meeting at 7:30PM at 900 Grand Concourse at the corner of 161st Street.
For more coverage on the soccer stadium check out our past stories.
Do we really need to publicly subsidize yet another corporation which can fully build such a Stadium? Why should tax payers be asked to pay for The $300+ million Stadium which New York City Football Club’s owners can easily build with their own money.
Let’s not forget that we’re also being asked to let them to use public land rent free for 38 years.
The conversation that needs to happen is what does the community want done in this area.
26 year old Bronx born and raised music artist, actor and Cardinal Hayes graduate, Christopher Estrada, is definitely starting off the year right and hit the ground running. Today he released his first single and music video and in early February will begin production on ‘Heartland’, an independent film written by Bronxite Orlando Reyes.
‘Music is My Only Love’, is written by Christopher Estrada with original music by Xavier Johnson/Iah Cranks. Vocal production was done by JR Abdelhamid, Founder and CEO of ATOF Studios.
JR Abdelhamid remembers watching Estrada performing at clubs in the NYC area and, “wanted to work with Christopher…I was looking for a talented artist prominent in the gay community to work with. We both value each other’s opinion and understand how important it is to be honest and comfortable with each other’s ideas and criticism.” Carlos Arias Photography
Abdelhamid went on to say, “The music industry is a tough business. Not everyone can do it! Its not just about having talent. I always tell Estrada from when we first started working together that I admired his work ethic and as an independent artist you must have the drive, work ethic, and talent to succeed and in my eyes, Estrada has what it takes.”
After the video below, make sure you read our interview with Christopher Estrada where he gets to the nitty-gritty of his journey, growing up in the Bronx, praises for Lehman College’s theatre program, and tough choices and sacrifices he had to make to get to this day. He also tells us about his role in the upcoming independent film, ‘Heartland’, by Bronxite Orlando Reyes, about a young girl who is bullied at school due to her life at home – so she takes matters into her own hands and the resulting action leaves her parents wondering what they can do to help their little girl.
Director: Todd Rocheford
Executive Producer: Christopher Estrada
Creative Director/Producer: JR Abdelhamid
Choreography: Harold David
Styling: Omar Alexander
Hair: Ray Negron
Make Up: James Carrera
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m the type of artist that is constantly evolving. I never want to stick to just one genre of music, or one type of performance. I’m always changing in some way.
Who are your biggest influences?
Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, Stevie Nicks, Seal, Garbage, Sade, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are some of my biggest musical influences. I’m also really into newer artists like Janelle Monae and Lana Del Rey.
When did you know that you wanted to pursue singing professionally?
I was 13 years old when Kylie Minogue came out with “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.” I remember recording it off of the radio on a cassette, and playing it over and over until I wore out the tape. That song literally got stuck in my head, and after that, I was never able to shake that feeling of wanting to get stuck in people’s heads. Eddie Soto Photography
Tell us about Music is My Only Love.
Music Is My Only Love is my very first single, off of my upcoming album by the same name. It’s really an introduction to the album, and to my audience. It’s the very first thing anyone should know about me, that Music Is My Only Love. Out of all the distractions I’ve faced throughout my life, music has always been this driving force for me, it’s kept me sane and focused, so the single is really about me professing my devotion to my art.
Describe your album.
My album has a little bit of everything, it tells my story up until where I am in my life right now. It’s about this really interesting journey I’ve been on, going from darkness to light, finding myself and figuring out who I am as a person, as an artist and as a man. Each song flows into the next, and I think people are going to be really surprised with the material on this album. I’m exploring so many different genres and pushing myself vocally and lyrically. I feel more aware of myself and my thoughts, and I think this album reflects that. It’s really personal, and my audience is going to know so much more about who I am.
Who is your target audience?
Anyone and everyone who will listen. Anyone who wants to follow me can. Anyone can come to my shows, anyone can relate to my music. I’ll sing for anyone who wants to hear it. Some people might argue that’s too broad of a spectrum, but I’ve always been one to think on a grand-scale.
When can we expect another song to be released?
I already selected a second single, we shot the video just a few weeks ago so it’ll be out very, very soon!
How did you become involved in acting?
I started acting before I even knew what acting was. As a child I was always putting on shows for my family, and as a kid in school I was in every school play. The older I got, the more I wanted to study acting, and the more I fell in love with the craft.
What are some of the plays you were in, including role, and venue?
I did some great work while studying theatre at Lehman College, I played Palomo in Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz, Rooftop in Our Lady of 121st Street by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Peter Evans in BUG by Tracy Letts. After college I was accepted into the Glass Beads Theatre Ensemble in NYC, during my time with them I did my first Off-Broadway play Lily of the Conservative Ladies, at the June Havoc Theatre and written by Michael Locasio and directed by Mari Gorman, and we also debuted a play called Browsing at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2011 where I played about 5 completely different characters in one show.
What year did you graduate from Lehman College?
I never actually graduated from Lehman College. College is expensive. And after a few semesters studying theater I began to get increasingly restless in my courses. I was anxious about plunging myself further into debt all for a degree that could not guarantee my future. I went to Lehman because of their fantastic Theater program, I learned so much there, but I wanted to be out in the real world, so I broke away from school and I started performing my music in clubs in NYC. I was recommended to theater director Mari Gorman by Marilyn Sokol, who I studied acting with at Lehman, and after a 3-month audition/workshop with Glass Beads I was invited to become a member of the company. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave school, but it was the choice I knew I needed to make. I wanted real-life experience in my field, and I vowed that I would return to school as soon as I could afford to do so.
Tell us about Heartland and how you became involved in it and what role will be.
I did a photo-shoot a few months ago with photographer Christian Reyes, and he introduced me to his brother, Heartland director Orlando Reyes, whose work I had already seen. He told me about Heartland and I loved the concept, I asked him if I could audition for the film but it was already cast.
Then a few months later he reached out to me and said there was a part he thought I’d be great for and sent me the script. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I’ll be playing the role of Jonathan, he’s a father and a gay man, he’s navigating the complexities of parenthood and raising his 13 year old daughter who is at such a difficult time in her own life. His main concern is that his daughter is safe and loved, and he’s devoted to bringing his family together. I think it’s a great part, it’s a powerful story with a beautiful message, and it’s also a completely different character than I’ve ever played before.
What was it like to grow up gay in the Bronx?
I can’t lie, growing up was tough. Kids were cruel. I never felt like I fit in, Middle School was absolute torture. Didn’t have much friends, didn’t hang out with neighborhood kids. I was bullied ferociously, and I spent most of my time feeling like an outcast. I spent a lot of time alone, so I had nothing better to do than invent characters, write songs, and fantasize about a future where I would be loved by the world. I’ve been jumped a few times, I was followed home from school by bullies.
I didn’t know it then, but it was all preparation for my future. I’ve already been ridiculed, I’ve already been rejected, I’ve already been overlooked, I grew-up being the underdog. Now I’m hard as steel and tough as shit. I learned the hard way that I had to stand up for myself and what I believe in. Growing up in gay in The Bronx was a blessing. I have the cojones to go for what I want in life, and I’ll stop at nothing until I get it. I fear no one but myself. Eddie Soto Photography
Does your experience as an openly gay Latino from the Bronx influence your music?
My experience as a human influences my music. My music is about wanting love and wanting to be a better version of myself. It’s about learning to believe in myself and the power of my dreams, and that’s something that I think everyone wants. Yes, I am an openly gay Latino from The Bronx, so culturally there are many influences that pour into my music, but I would caution anyone from marginalizing me as an artist because of labels like “gay,” “latino,” or “from The Bronx.”
I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of, I’m very proud of who I am and where I come from, I cannot stress that pride enough, but there are so many more interesting things that make up who I am. My education, my talents, where I’ve traveled, relationships, family, heartbreaks, dead-end jobs, disappointments, loss and failure. I have a lifetime of experiences that influence my music, and I sing and write about things that everybody goes through. We’re all on this one planet together. All humans are 99.9% percent the same, genetically speaking, I’m influenced by all of humanity. It’s the spirit of unity that influences my music.
How has the Bronx influenced you?
The Bronx is tough, there’s no doubt about it. It can be gritty and dark, but pressure makes diamonds in the rough. Nothing is handed to us here in The Bronx, we have to work for it.
People here have to work hard for what they have, we’re self starters. We build ourselves up, that’s what we do. That’s what the bronx has taught me for sure.
What’s your favorite place in the Bronx and why?
Co-op City – I grew up here, it’s my home. It’s a little sanctuary from the rest of the city, plenty of green space, I live high up in the clouds, my home is an endless source of inspiration.
What have been the most difficult obstacles in getting to where you are today?
Myself. My own self-doubts. My biggest obstacle has been, very honestly, to get over myself. Get over all the fears and doubts, the voices in my head that tell me I’m not good enough. It’s all stupid. It’s all bullshit. It’s a lie. And once I finally got that through my head, things started to fall into place.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Traveling the world, performing my music on stage for everyone and anyone who will listen. More music, more film, more stage. More everything. I want more.
——
Support local Bronx artists!
You can do so by purchasing ‘Music is My Only Love’ if you like it on iTunes, Amazon and many more.
In a meeting held last week at Bronx Legal Services by concerned community members about the proposed Major League Soccer stadium sweetheart deal, it was revealed by several individuals that Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr was proceeding cautiously with this deal as to not make the same mistake he made with the FreshDirect deal. Site of proposed soccer stadium.
These comments were allegedly made by Ruben Diaz Jr at the December 30th stakeholders meeting he held with local community members.
The FreshDirect sweetheart deal was made behind our backs almost 2 years ago and announced as a done deal without ever having any community input.
With overwhelming support againstFreshDirect moving to the Bronx (well over 40 community based organizations have signed on a platform to block the deal whereas only 6 or 7 organizations support the move) and the fact that the company didn’t even bother coming to Community Board 1 until 16 months after the announced deal it is no wonder that the BP would be moving cautiously.
When we contacted his office, we were given the following statement from Ruben Diaz Jr’s Communications Director, John DeSio:
“
Our office has not yet made any decisions as to whether or not we would support this project. Our office is hosting a series of meetings with community stakeholders to measure interest in this project, and our eventual decision on this matter will be informed by those meetings.
As for FreshDirect, our office has and continues to support the company’s relocation to the Bronx—100 percent. However, our office has heard some concerns from legitimate community leaders that that project was not vetted to the community prior to its approval, and these meetings help ensure that the soccer stadium—should it move forward—would not be subject to similar criticisms.
The borough president also held up the FreshDirect MOU, as well as the Kingsbridge Armory CBA, as models of what could be done in and for the community should the project move forward.
“The Bronx would be the perfect home for a new professional soccer franchise. I am ready to work with Major League Soccer to make this a reality, and I look forward to beginning this conversation,”
This was in a letter Diaz Jr wrote to MLS Commissioner Don Garber on June 12th urging him to, “…consider the Bronx, and not Queens, as the home of its newest franchise, the New York City Football Club.”
Completely different tone from what was just released by the Borough President’s office but it is it because they truly are attempting to listen to the community or is it because New York City Football Club president Ferran Soriano looking at other sites outside of the Bronx?
On Friday it was announced by mlssoccer.com that the club is actively looking at locations outside of the Bronx so can it be that Diaz Jr is now on the fence because the Bronx deal may not actually happen?
But is this really the case or are our politicians being pushed against the wall with the same threat made by greedy corporations: If you don’t want this deal, we know other communities ready to take it.
Bettina Damiani, Project Director at Good Jobs New York and who has been instrumental in helping educate the community on how deals like FreshDirect negatively impact our communities rather than benefit them as promised, was at the meeting last Wednesday at Bronx Legal Services.
“We shouldn’t be having conversations about Memoranda of Understanding or Community Benefits Agreements at this point,” said Damiani in response to what the BP’s office had to say about the Kingsbridge Armory CBA and FreshDirect MOU. “The conversations that need to be happening right now is with the community and what they want done with the land.” Damiani added.
It is important to note that contrary to popular belief, sport stadiums and arenas do not add promised economic benefits to the neighborhoods they are built in.
Regardless of what’s happening behind the scenes, please attend a townhall meeting this coming Wednesday, January 15th at 7:30PM hosted by the 161st Street BID at 900 Grand Concourse. Email your thoughts on the soccer stadium deal to cary@161bid.org and please attend this meeting! It is important, as a community, to voice your thoughts and concerns!
ALSO: The possibility of a new soccer stadium is the subject for BronxTalk tonight. 9pm. BronxNet’s channel 67 and Fios 33. streamed on bronxnet.org
This ride was part of his whirlwind self-congratulatory tour across the five boroughs to celebrate supposed accomplishments of his term.
Unfortunately, when he arrived at the new station, there was very little fanfare. There were no crowds of local residents to cheer him on due to the fact that very few people actually live out there.
Journalist Max Rivlin-Nadler wrote “Building subways is great, but Bloomberg built a train stop that serves a now-imaginary neighborhood instead of a real one with real people who are already underserved by New York City’s transit infrastructure.”
According to NYC City Planning, there will eventually be 12,600 housing units and 440,000 new workers traveling to the Far West Side. Whether or not these numbers hold true is to be determined.
Throughout the history of New York City the mantra has been: If you build it, they will come. However, as Max Rivlin-Nadler questioned, what about those New Yorker’s that are already here?
Prior to Bloomberg taking office, the neighborhoods of Highbridge, Morris Heights and University Heights were already transit starved.
Due to it’s steep topography, the West Bronx remains as topographically isolated today as it was in the late 1800’s when Cromwell’s Creek ran north up up the valley beyond 167th Street.
With an estimated population of over 100,000 Western Bronx residents in the aforementioned neighborhoods, the closest subway line is the 4 train situated at the base of the valley.
Many have argued that when the 4 train was constructed, it should have been located further west so as to not become redundant with the Grand Concourse line. Given its level of ridership these days, redundancy does not appear to be an issue.
In fact, the intense volume of traffic on the 4 train was in part what spurred the renewed effort to construct of the Second Avenue Line in Manhattan.
In contrast to Riverdale which has used topographic isolation to its advantage in order to create a luxury enclave, the West Bronx has stagnated economically. In the early 1900’s transportation to this area was better or at the very least more appealing.
Most notable were the former streetcar lines that ran down Ogden Avenue, Edward L Grant Highway and University Avenue.
Unfortunately, those streetcars were phased out and replaced by buses. What was once considered a pleasurable ride to the top of the bluff now seems more like a burden.
Even with it’s poor transit access, the city continues to build new high-density low-income residential units in the Western Bronx.
Completed in 2012, Highbridge Terrace added 220 affordable housing units at the far west end of 167th Street. While the building has panoramic views of the Harlem River, residents literally need to travel up and down a small mountain in order to get to the nearest subway.
This is one of many new affordable developments in the Bronx erected during the Bloomberg administration.
What happens when a city concentrates poverty in topographically undesirable locations? Eventually, those areas could end up like Providência in Rio de Janeiro.
Providência was the first of a network of hillside favelas that dot the landscape of Rio.
The favelas have historically been plagued by poverty, crime, drugs, etc. In contrast to New York City, the politicians and general population of Rio have actually come to the realization that topographic isolation of poverty is a problem. In response, the City of Rio de Janeiro is now making concerted efforts to improve transportation access to those areas.
Admittedly, the existing transportation in West Bronx is better than most favelas in Rio, but the problems it faces are similar. Lack of transit-oriented development when it comes to low-income housing has put that part of the Bronx at an economic disadvantage.
The neighborhoods of Highbridge, Morris Heights and University Heights would have been in far better shape today had the city adopted a policy of converting open lots into parkland.
Instead, the city appears to be on a mission to infill every remaining piece of green space with either high-density apartment buildings or NYC’s cousin to the South American favela home i.e. the masonry two & three families with rusty A/C sleeves and exposed wiring that are becoming increasingly ubiquitous throughout the outer boroughs.
These physical manifestations of the lowest common denominator in building code usually start to deteriorate before they are even occupied.
In the case of the West Bronx, the new housing has already been built and new residents have already come.
The question is how do Bronxites convince a city government that has historically neglected the borough to invest in some of its most impoverished neighborhoods.
The answer could very well lie with the recently proposed soccer stadium. When the new Yankee Stadium was constructed, one of the community benefits was the construction of a Metro North station.
The proposed soccer stadium could be an excellent opportunity to request the MTA extend the 3 train into the Bronx to the approximate location of the old 9th Avenue Jerome/Anderson stop.
In a perfect world, the train would be extended up Ogden Avenue and University Avenue terminating in Kingsbridge Heights. However, we all know that the city prefers to work in phases as seen with the Second Avenue line or the proposed extension of the 7 line to New Jersey.
While the government seems adverse to improving subway access in low and middle income neighborhoods, the argument can be made that there is a tangible benefit of providing a another mass transit option to Manhattan’s well-heeled soccer and baseball fans.
In addition, the new subway could serve as a catalyst to develop mixed income housing along the Harlem River waterfront.
Bronxites will realize the benefit of the return of direct subway access to the southern end of Highbridge. In the future, perhaps a more civic oriented governance will decide to extend the 3 train further.
Alternatively, affluent New Yorkers may eventually decide to flee to higher elevations away from the flood zones and decide to extend the 3 train further.
Whatever the future may bring, it is important that we develop the infrastructure to prepare for it. Now may be the best opportunity that we have in the foreseeable future to get a new subway line into the Bronx. I suggest we take advantage of this opportunity.
RICHARD GAREY is an alumni of Columbia University School of Architecture, Preservation and Planning. In addition to his professional practice as an architect, he has been involved with the Harlem River Working Group, the Bronx Metro North Study and the restoration of Aqueduct Walk Park. Richard is resident of the Concourse section of the Bronx.
Disclaimer: Comments, views, and opinions are that solely of the author and should never be misconstrued as that of Welcome2TheBronx or any other authors of this site.
Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcasted to a wider audience.
To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
Watch the entire process as New York City Council members vote for Melissa Mark-Viverito and electing her as next Speaker and the first person of color to hold that post.
Many Council members took a moment to comment on why they were voting for her.
Last night, representatives from the development team of La Central, BRP Development Corporation, Hudson Companies Inc., Common Ground, Comunilife, The Kretchmer Companies, and the YMCA, made their first presentation to Community Board 1 who’s very offices are behind the proposed development site.
The 985 unit mixed income, mixed use development will be constructed in 2 phases with the first phase hopefully beginning in the summer of 2015 and the second phase the following summer in 2016.
Hudson Companies said that this project will bring significant economic impact during construction and after the 1,169,000 square foot La Central is built.
An estimated 2,158 construction jobs will be needed to complete this project and projected 452 permanent jobs are estimated to be created once the retail spaces are occupied including 70 jobs which the YMCA will need. Area of detail
As Melrose already knows through the dozens of New developments built here in the last 5 years, these construction jobs are a boon to the local mom and pop shops who feed these workers or provide other services.
Phase I
The first phase, which will include the construction of the southernmost lot abutting the 2 and 5 subway line will consist of 650 units of mixed income housing, the 48,000 YMCA, as well as the 9,000 foot rooftop farm which will be operated by GrowNYC.
The rooftop farm will have its separate elevator so that it’s accessible to the public and GrowNYC will not only grow produce for use at a farmer’s market right at the HUB but will also use it as an educational space for all ages.
The YMCA, which the developers identified as the most important component to construct so that the development will attract the necessary foot traffic and retailers, will be a massive 48,000 Square foot facility. It will contain two swimming pools, basketball courts and a host of other services for the neighborhood. Membership to the Y will be income-based. Aerial view of the proposed development, La Central
In the northern lot, 2 other buildings will be constructed during this initial phase bringing a total of 784,000 square feet of residential and retail space.
Hudson Companies stressed the importance of phase 1 as it will turn the stretch of Westchester Avenue between Brook and Bergen into a retail corridor that is now just empty land and a parking lot.
Phase II
The second phase (consisting of 385,000 square feet) will include the last two buildings in the 5 building development including the 25 story northern tower along with the Astronomy lab and telescope, the northern triangle Park which they envision as a skate park, and all the landscaping that will go along with it.
Amenities and Sustainable Components
50% of each rooftop will be dedicated green space for residents which and the other half will be solar panels. Along with generators, La Central will be producing approximately 50% of its own energy.
Unit Breakdown
The 985 units are currently configured as follows:
82 studios
306 1 bed
305 2 bed
102 3 bed
30 4 bedroom units.
As you can see, there is a considerable number of 3 bedroom units and 30 4 bedroom apartments. Hudson Companies has studied the area and has found a need for large apartments to accommodate larger families which are found in our district.
None of the above is set in stone as developments often change due to these ongoing meetings with the community board and residents.
Community Board Concerns
Several CB1 members, including Ms Goodwin, expressed dismay at the 63 units set aside for senior citizens. As a senior citizen herself, she said that she is tired of developers coming to our district and building senior developments or units that are strictly studio apartments.
Goodwin, as well as another member, expressed that many seniors in the district have home attendants many of which are 24 hours so studio units are not desirable in these circumstances.
Another CB1 member was concerned of Comunilife having a 10,000 foot Mental Wellness Clinic in the development adding yet another such facility in our district.
Many board members and residents agreed and echoed this concern citing that we have been a dumping ground for such facilities.
No one is against the work that they provide but more so just against of having another one in our backyard.
Home Ownership Concerns
Many residents, while accepting of the project and expressing joy at the prospect of having this built in the neighborhood expressed concern that unlike Via Verde, La Central will have no opportunities for home ownership such as Co-ops or Condos.
Many residents point to the success of Via Verde in mixing rental units with cooperative apartments and the fact that the project sold out.
Arturo V. Bárcenas, recently commented on Welcome2TheBronx saying,” The lack of ownership option does not serve the neighborhood well. There needs to be a mix of affordable rental apartments, and co-op units, which are badly needed in the area”
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After reviewing this and many developments in our neighborhood, affordable coops and condos are definitely something that should be considered for at least 10% of the units.
What do you think? Take the survey above or comment below.
As more and more aspects of the development become available, we will continue to keep you posted.
Last week when Mayor Bill de Blasio was inaugurated I published an open letter to him on several items that the Bronx was in need of.
One of the major items I mentioned that instead of hundreds of millions of dollars going to corporate subsidies that hurt communities rather than benefit them was to use said monies for fast tracking four new Metro North stations in the East Bronx.
While the monies may not necessarily fast track the process what it would do is at least guarantee that the budget would be met for such a major project.
Well yesterday Governor Cuomo, in his state of the State address gave a major push for this expansion of has been studied for years.
The four proposed stations would be located in Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester, and Hunts Point along the New Haven Line and link directly with Penn Station offering Eastern Bronx residents direct access to the west side in 25 minutes: a trip that can now take well over an hour.
If these stations are built in 5 years, they will be a tremendous boon to the borough but easing the commutes for thousands of Bronxites and opening up access to employment centers in Westchester and Connecticut which were impossible to get to without a car.
Let’s make sure that we keep the pressure on and demand that this doesn’t just become a pipe dream or a plan that is shelved but that it becomes a reality. The Bronx already has these railroad tracks intersecting the borough so might as well put our infrastructure to good use.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito gives her first speech.
Today history has been made as New York City Council members gathered to vote for the next City Council Speaker and elected Melissa Mark-Viverito, a Puerto Rican born latina who’s district spans East Harlem with a greater portion in the Bronx.
Councilman Torres of the Bronx moved to nominate Melissa Mark-Viverito As speaker with a speech laced with all her accomplishments, particularly being a person of the people.
He urged other Council members to stand behind her, sadly as expected the Bronx Council members did not applause.
Other Council members who seconded the motion called her the most progressive elected official and what our city needs to move the city forward and help all New Yorkers particularly the underdog.
Dan Garodnick, her contender was recognized and officially conceded to Melissa Mark-Viverito. After hugging her he pledged to work to heal the rifts that came up during this tough selection process.
Once again, the chamber erupted in applause.
As of last night, Mark-Viverito, in an interview on NY1 had said she had the support of 30 Council members — enough to secure the position as the next Speaker, a position often considered to be the most powerful after the mayor.
But the road to her victory today was not an easy one.
As it became increasingly clear that she was the leading contender in the race Speaker, many criticized the need for a balance of power between the Council and the Mayor due to the fact that the both Mark-Viverito and Mayor de Blasio are progressive Democrats with similar agendas. The New York Post and Daily News went on a campaign of yellow journalism as well.
Mayor de Blasio actively campaigned for her which added fuel to the fire but what is interesting to point out is that if this was really about balance of power then why aren’t people making a big deal when, on a national level, the White House and Congress are politically aligned and a Speaker is being chosen?
The fact of the matter is that many of the attacks against Mark-Viverito were because not only were we going to have another woman serving as Speaker, but this time it was to be a woman of color, a Latina — severely upsetting the status quo in the power structure of New York City.
Melissa Mark-Viverito, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is now the most powerful individual in New York City after Mayor Bill de Blasio.
She is representative of the changing face of the city as we increasingly become more diverse and it is important to have a diverse governing body reflective of the people but more importantly, someone who is QUALIFIED.
Mark-Viverito is that qualified elected official who through her leadership has shown that she works for all people regardless of your religious, ethnic, racial backgrounds or socio-economic level.
The level which she engages the public in participatory budgeting is unprecedented, allowing citizens the power to choose where funds will be spent.
The big losers of today are, as usual, the Bronx Political Machine who refused to support Melissa Mark-Viverito in her quest for becoming City Speaker. She is not one to pander to party bosses and step in line with the party bit rather one with the people.
This very quality that scares the Bronx Democratic Party and machine is because she doesn’t make backroom deals as is the norm in our borough; a quality which makes her perfect as the Speaker for she will not always agree with the mayor due to her fierce independence.
Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer arrives at City Hall. Ferrer, along with Congressman Serrano and Senator Serrano broke away from the Bronx Democratic Party machine and endorsed Mark-Viverito.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito gives her first speech.
Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez came by to show support for Mark-Viverito.
Final huddle between Melissa Mark-Viverito and her supporters in City Council.
Mark-Viverito’s contender for Speaker, Dan Garodnick, hugs Melissa as he entered the Council Chambers shortly before officially pulling from the race and supporting her candidacy.
Council members, new and old, are sworn in for their new term.
