Welcome2TheBronx

BREAKING NEWS: Melissa Mark-Viverito UNANIMOUSLY Elected As Next Speaker of the New York City Council; First Latino to Serve Post

News

Ed García Conde

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January 8, 2014

BREAKING NEWS: Melissa Mark-Viverito UNANIMOUSLY Elected As Next Speaker of the New York City Council; First Latino to Serve Post

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.

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.

ALL IMAGES ©Welcome2TheBronx.com

New York City’s REAL Little Italy in the Bronx is Featured in the BBC

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Ed García Conde

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January 8, 2014

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New York City’s REAL Little Italy in the Bronx is Featured in the BBC

While Bronxites and countless New Yorkers know that if they want the best Italian experience in the city you avoid Manhattan’s Little Italy, many do not know to come to Arthur Avenue in Belmont the Bronx.

The BBC has published an interesting video report (link to video at the bottom of the story) on the changing faces of Belmont, something which many readers and Bronxites have commented on.

Thanks to former Bronxite, Steven Springer, Senior Executive Producer of Voice of America for the heads up on this wonderful story. (Check out the beautiful aerial photograph of the Bronx on Springer’s page! Talk about a proud Bronxite!)

The changing face of New York’s real Little Italy

8 January 2014 Last updated at 01:45 GMT

While tourists in New York may get a tiny taste of Italian-American life by visiting the official Little Italy in Manhattan, for the full feast they must visit a neighbourhood in the Bronx.

For generations Arthur Avenue has been home to thousands of immigrants who crossed the Atlantic but never forgot their homeland. The sounds and smells in the traditional butchers, bakers and pasta makers are all reminiscent of the old country.

But there is also a new wave of Italian immigrants in New York coming to America in search of a better life.

The new arrivals tend to be fluent in English and better-educated. However, unlike their predecessors, fewer emigrate with whole families and choose to settle in the same communities as other Italians.

Produced by the BBC’s Anna Bressanin

Altered States is a series of video features published every Wednesday on the BBC News website which examine how shifting demographics and economic conditions affect America on a local level.

Check out the short video here!

Oh and don’t forget to visit our friends at the Bronx Beer Hall! One time I was up there, Alan Alda showed up and just sat right down!

Forget FreshDirect, The South Bronx Mobile Market Is Coming!

News

Ed García Conde

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January 7, 2014

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Forget FreshDirect, The South Bronx Mobile Market Is Coming!

Last year you may remember that we wrote about Bronxite and Hunts Point resident Tanya Fields and her quest to bring access to healthy food to folks in the South Bronx.

Well now after necessary fundraising and support, the South Bronx Mobile Market Is a reality!

Starting this month on Tuesday, January 28th, the mobile market will be delivering its first boxes of mostly locally grown produce, herbs, and much more!

You can pick up your produce from this wonderful converted school bus that runs on, you guessed it, vegetable oil!

A bulk of the produce and herbs are being grown right here in the South Bronx by Sky Vegetables, a rooftop farm enclosed in a greenhouse atop Arbor House —a new eco friendly and green development.

This type of sustainable operation is what we should be funding instead of giving out hundreds of millions of dollars to corporations, like FreshDirect, who don’t need the money to fund their projects which would pollute our roadways and destroy our waterfront.

Sky Vegetables sits atop Arbor House / Images from Sky Vegetables Facebook page

Fields also recently won the right to use a city owned lot in Hunts Point which will be used as Libertad Urban Farm so pretty soon we’ll also be able to enjoy even more locally grown food!

Fresh kale grown right in the South Bronx at Sky Vegetables!

Below is all the information on the South Bronx Mobile Market, straight from BLK Projek, and how you can join:

JOIN NOW

The South Bronx Mobile Market is now registering members for our buying club. For $30 a week you will receive:

4-6 mostly local items of produce (ex. kale, squash, potatoes, lettuce and some non-local items such as plantains and avocado)

Two locally grown herbs (ex. cilantro, basil, parsley, mint)

One pound of beans each week (type of beans will vary weekly, according to Tanya)

One pound of rice each week
Milk and Eggs (alternating each week between the two)

One or two value added products based on pricing and availability (ex. sauces, crackers, bread, various oils)

WHAT IS A BUYING CLUB AND WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN?

A food buying club is one way people can buy food as a group and save money. By pooling our money together we can buy food in bulk/wholesale at lower prices but generally fresher and better quality. It often doesn’t include pretty packaging but gives community a chance to realize its buying power, get food not readily available elsewhere in the community and to bring members together to build community.

LOGISTICS: WHEN, WHERE & TIME

Currently we have one confirmed site in the South Bronx. We hope to add an additional site in Mott Haven in the coming weeks and will actively work with other groups in the Bronx to create pickup sites.

Pickup Location: The Point – 940 Garrison Ave ( conveniently located on the 6 line at the Hunts Point Ave stop. A mere 10 minutes from 125th street)

Pickup Day: Tuesdays

Pickup Time: 12-7pm

Note: Our first pickup day is Tuesday, January 28th, 2013

REGISTER & FORMS OF PAYMENT
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The South Bronx Mobile Market takes debit/credit cards, SNAP/EBT, cash and PayPal

You can register using your debit or credit card using our online portal. If you want to register using cash or your SNAP/EBT card please give us a call at 718.635.0951

Please note: Payments must be made by the Wednesday before the scheduled pick up date in order to be included in the next delivery date. For example in order to be included in the Tuesday, January 28th date you must register with payment by Wednesday, January 22nd.

USING A DEBIT/CREDIT CARD? REGISTER ONLINE NOW

NYC Independent Budget Office Speaks Out On Fiscally Irresponsible Bronx Soccer Stadium Deal

News

Ed García Conde

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January 6, 2014

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NYC Independent Budget Office Speaks Out On Fiscally Irresponsible Bronx Soccer Stadium Deal

Site of Proposed Major League Soccer Stadium just south of Yankee Stadium.

If you’ve been following coverage on the backroom deals being made to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars for a proposed Major League Soccer Stadium in the Bronx then commentary from the Independent Budget Office should come as no surprise.

The Independent Budget Office (IBO)

is a publicly funded agency that provides nonpartisan information about New York City’s budget to the public and their elected officials.

IBO presents its budgetary reviews, economic forecasts, and policy analyses in the form of reports, testimony, memos, letters, and presentations. IBO also produces guides to understanding the budget and provides online access to key revenue and spending data from past years.

While a Soccer Stadium may be a good idea for the South Bronx and Bronx in general, it shouldn’t come at a cost of hundreds of millions of tax dollars and loss of revenue to the city on a 38 year rent free lease.

Check out below what they have to say:

IBO Web Blog:

New Soccer Stadium Deal Bails Out Failed Parking Lots, Boots Money Owed to City For Decades

by Doug Turetsky, ibo.nyc.ny.us
January 6th 2014
The deal now taking shape to score a new soccer stadium in the Bronx would bail out the bondholders of the failed Bronx Parking Development Company. But it would shut out the city from receiving any of the rent or other payments it is owed for the parking sites until 2056.

The Bronx Parking Development Company runs the system of 9,300 parking spaces in a number of lots and garages built at the behest of the Yankees as part of the deal for the new Yankee Stadium. To pave the way for the lots and garages scattered near the stadium, the city leased about 20 acres of land—including 3 acres of parkland—to the parking company, provided a $39 million direct subsidy (the state kicked in an additional $70 million), and issued $238 million in tax-exempt bonds.

The parking spots have been underutilized because of good mass transit options for getting to the ballpark and overpriced compared with nearby parking alternatives. As a result, the Bronx parking company has effectively defaulted on its bonds and failed to make any of the $3.2 million in annual rent as well as payments in lieu of taxes it owes the city since leasing the land in 2008. In need of new revenue, the company issued a request for proposals last spring to sublease and redevelop two of the sites near Yankee Stadium. Now a deal for a new soccer stadium has emerged, with a portion of the proposed 10-acre stadium site incorporating a third site leased to Bronx parking.

The New York City Football Club, a partnership of the Yankees and the Manchester City Football Club (a British Premiere League team), would pay the Bronx Parking Development Company $25 million for its part of the proposed stadium site. Under the terms of the so-called forbearance agreement between bondholders and the Bronx parking company, three new series of bonds would be issued to replace the originals as part of the restructuring of the company’s debt. No provisions are made for money owed to the city.

The lease the city signed with the Bronx parking company anticipated that revenue could fall short of needs and made debts to the city secondary to those of bondholders. The terms of the new bonds presume the city will get nothing for more than 40 years. All revenue received by Bronx parking, from the proposed soccer site as well as the parking company’s other sites, would go to bondholders. Two of the three series of new bonds would not reach maturity until 2056, meaning the city would not begin receiving lease or other payments from Bronx parking until then—foregoing about $150 million in lease revenue alone.

Even as the city would be giving up this revenue, published reports indicate taxpayers are being asked for more to support the construction of the proposed $350 million, 28,000-seat soccer stadium: tax breaks, additional public land, and more tax-exempt financing issued by the city’s Industrial Development Agency.

Whether or not the soccer stadium gets built as currently proposed, it may be decades before the city’s initial subsidy of the parking system delivers any of the expected returns to New Yorkers.

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More on the Soccer Stadium Sweetheart Deal:

BRONX SOCCER STADIUM FACT SHEET: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

TAXPAYERS EXPECTED TO FUND SOCCER STADIUM TO BE BUILT IN THE BRONX

We are the South Bronx, NOT ‘SoBro’! Down With SoBro!

Ed García Conde

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January 6, 2014

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We are the South Bronx, NOT ‘SoBro’! Down With SoBro!

Updated for 2018 as a lot has changed since this was originally written in 2011. For starters, we had folks trying to rebrand Port Morris and Mott Haven as the “Piano District” so we’ve included that too.

About ~~3 years~~ ~~6 years ago~~ 7 years ago I posted a rant on Welcome2Melrose on the use of the name SoBro by realtors in their never-ending re-branding quest of “forgotten” neighborhoods.

It was written as a response to a New York Times piece on Congressman Hakeem Jeffries’— then a state assemblyman —wish to pass a bill that would have required approval by community boards, City Council, and the mayor before new neighborhood names could be used.

Now as more and more eyes are falling upon the South Bronx as one of the last frontiers, I think it’s appropriate to reprint the following just as a reminder of who we are and will continue to be.

So without further ado, here goes:

Realtors (and developers too)…we love and hate you in New York City oh so much however, nothing pisses me off more than your inane, fabricated names for our neighborhoods.

We have beautiful, historic names such as Port Morris, Melrose, and Mott Haven. Why would you want to erase these names and lump us under the SoBro moniker?

It was cute for SoHo and TriBeCa in Manhattan but not so much for our neighborhoods in the Bronx. Hunts Point, Longwood and Morrisania —all names which were once attached to the old towns, villages and hamlets that made up the Bronx —that’s where we’re from.

Even affluent Riverdale, who never suffered a negative image problem, was the victim of this foolish attempt at name changing when Sotheby’s Realty began a campaign to call it NoMa. You guessed it; North of Manhattan.

You can change our names but you will never change the past. Where were the realtors when the Bronx “was burning”? Oh yeah… along with the rest of the government officials, business owners and landlords who chickened out and gave up on us.

Do us a favor and stop with your stupid acronyms, as they are an affront to we the people who stayed here when we were abandoned, and do your JOB. Research the rich history and tapestry that is the cultural fabric of each neighborhood, good and bad. Tell the story of the neighborhoods coming out of the ashes and how resilient we are but don’t sell us out by changing our names.

Tell the stories of those who rebuilt these neighborhoods: The very people who never left but were left behind.

Collectively, our neighborhoods are called the South Bronx and anyone who lives here will proudly exclaim it as the South BRONX but SoBro? That vile name will never roll off the tongues of any self-respecting native.

That being said, go back to the drawing board, erase SoBro from your mind and come back to us with the RESPECT we have EARNED. That baloney may work in Manhattan but I’ll be damned if it will stick in our borough. Tell your clients, our prospective neighbors, that they will be living in the SOUTH BRONX. The changing of the name does not change the past or present.

Bronx Democratic Party Is Making A Huge Mistake In Not Endorsing Melissa Mark-Viverito As Next Speaker

News

Ed García Conde

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January 4, 2014

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Bronx Democratic Party Is Making A Huge Mistake In Not Endorsing Melissa Mark-Viverito As Next Speaker

Melissa Mark-Viverito is by far the best candidate for speaker. She’s not perfect, no one is, but a lot of articles being published about her are ridiculous. It’s a witch-hunt.

Is New York City so terrified that a Puerto Rican born woman, a latina, a progressive not on paper but in action is about to be the most powerful politician after Bill de Blasio? Do we really need stupid articles from the Post (wait, that’s redundant, the Post is synonymous with stupidity) about her opponent in the last election suing her for allegedly using santería as black magic, in the form of a mural, against her so she could lose?

Did the Daily News really publish a baseless article trashing her for getting a tax credit she more than qualified for, 16 years ago? Did they go on to talk about her small percentage of ownership she eventually purchased in Puerto Rico as her fortunes grew through her hard work as if that were a bad thing?

The ONLY article of substance and balance written so far has come from the NYTIMES (that shouldn’t be surprising) where they spoke about a sore point with the community 7 years ago in a rezoning issue. It gave the good and the bad. Definitely worth a read.

The Bronx Democratic Party is making a huge mistake by not supporting her candidacy as the #nextspeaker but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Why would they ever want someone who’s not in their pocket and won’t play dirty ball with the Arroyos, Diaz’s and crew?

Ruben Diaz Jr strongly supported her reelection but isn’t supporting her for speaker? It goes to show you how scared they are of her independence.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr endorsed Mark-Viverito's reelection but won't support her candidacy for speaker?

Congratulations to Senator Serrano, Congressman Serrano and former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer for breaking ranks with the machine. Your actions speak loudly to those of us who are listening and who know very well that the Bronx Democratic Party is broken, and keeping us from ever truly progressing and forging ahead.

Welcome2TheBronx endorses Melissa Mark-Viverito as the next Council Speaker.

Much Needed Strip Mall Coming to Southern Boulevard in Hunts Point But Questions Arise On Tenants

News

Ed García Conde

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January 3, 2014

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Much Needed Strip Mall Coming to Southern Boulevard in Hunts Point But Questions Arise On Tenants

Artist rendering of the Crossings Mall / courtesy of Hunts Point Express

Yesterday on New12 The Bronx, a lot of fanfare was made about the new mall coming to the Southern Boulevard BID in Hunts Point which is being touted as bringing much a much needed economic boost to the area but at what cost?

The first tenant causing a bit of concern is a McDonald’s. Is this something to really be proud of and get all excited about when the area is already filled with nothing but fast food and low-wage jobs? The proposed location is in between TWO other McDonald’s that are walking distance from the site.

Crossings Mall site sits between two existing McDonald's. Is a third necessary?

McDonald’s recently told its own employees that eating their food is UNHEALTHY so why should we allow another one in the area?

Soon after McDonald’s put up the website warning its employees about eating the food there, they immediately yanked the site.

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Hunts Point residents already suffer the ultimate irony of being neighbors with the largest food distribution industrial park in the world yet have little to no access to the healthy fruits and vegetables coming out of there.

This disparity, coupled with the plethora of fast food joints, has contributed to our neighborhoods having some of the highest rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in the city.

The second tenant causing concern is Red Lobster. They are planning for a giant 9,000 square foot restaurant which they say will employ 200 workers according to an article in the Hunts Point Express.

The reason for concern is that Red Lobster’s future is uncertain for now. Its parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced last week that it intends to sell or spin-off the popular seafood chain into a separate entity — something which could effect the bottom line down the road considering that the pricey restaurant will sit in a neighborhood with a median income barely at $24,000.

While I applaud bringing in a new retail space into the area which will spur economic activity, I, along with other residents agree that we can do better than McDonald’s and area residents should demand that the landlord attract a tenant that will actually benefit the residents. Another gym in the area will not hurt.

Crossings Mall is scheduled to open sometime in 2015.

Welcome2TheBronx Supports Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito For Council Speaker: Encourages City Council To Follow

News

Ed García Conde

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January 2, 2014

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Welcome2TheBronx Supports Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito For Council Speaker: Encourages City Council To Follow

Even though Melissa Mark-Viverito’s district encompassed only a tiny sliver of the Bronx, she represented our interests as if her entire constituency resided here.

City Council District 8 was mostly in East Harlem but Mark-Viverito never once neglected her small corner of the Bronx. She strongly encouraged residents to take part in participatory budget sessions where Bronxites voted on where money should be allotted —like a true democracy.

She was one of the first city officials to help put the breaks on the FreshDirect sweetheart deal listening to the concerns of residents who suffer from some of the highest rates of asthma in the nation.

Melissa Mark-Viverito has been a true progressive leader and as we enter a new era with a new mayor and administration that vows to work for all New Yorkers, it only makes sense that she leads the City Council going forward.

Now that most of most of her district is in the Bronx due to redistricting, it is even more important for Bronx residents (and our borough’s City Council Members) to support her candidacy for Speaker. Our borough has been long underrepresented in city government and having Mark-Viverito in the second most powerful position in New York City, after Mayor Bill de Blasio, will help elevate us to an even playing field with the rest of the city.

As a Latina, Melissa Mark-Viverito also represents the changing face of New York City and it is important that we see QUALIFIED people of color, particularly women, in the upper echelons of our city’s government.

We strongly believe that she is the exact type of progressive leader the city needs right now and can help make this city, once again, a city for all.

The Bronx Will Celebrate Several Milestones in 2014

News

Ed García Conde

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January 2, 2014

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The Bronx Will Celebrate Several Milestones in 2014

Decaying mural at the Bronx County Courthouse, courtesy NY Daily News

This year marks the 375th Anniversary that our borough’s namesake, Jonas Bronck, from Sweden, became the Bronx’s first European settler.

It is believed that Jonas Bronck was born circa 1600 in the Swedish province of Småland and eventually made his way to The Netherlands before making his way to North America and settling in the Dutch colonial province of New Netherland.

In 1639 Bronck settled along what is now the Harlem River in modern day Mott Haven. His farm extended north to about present day 150th Street. His residence in the Bronx was short-lived as he died 4 years later in 1643.

Fast forward to January 1, 1914 – almost 20 years after the Bronx became an official borough of New York City and fully annexed from Westchester County in 1895, our beloved home officially became a separate county.

Until then, it was still tied with Manhattan as New York County but in 1914 it officially become Bronx County and thus we also celebrate the 100th anniversary of our incorporation.

Let us not forget that all of this came at a great cost: the displacement of Lenape Native American people.

Our borough was carved out of what was once the Lenape territory of Lenapehoking — a vast territory which straddled modern-day upstate New York, Western Long Island (including Brooklyn and Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, the entire State of New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and parts of Western Connecticut.

As we move forward with the new year and into the future, let’s heed our borough’s motto —’Ne cedis malis‘ Latin for ‘Do Not Yield To Evil’ — something which destroyed our borough.

From the Bronx To Mayor de Blasio & New Administration: Time To Stop FreshDirect & Other Fiscally Irresponsible Deals

News

Ed García Conde

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January 1, 2014

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From the Bronx To Mayor de Blasio & New Administration: Time To Stop FreshDirect & Other Fiscally Irresponsible Deals

Happy New Year and congratulations on your inauguration today. It was a long road but you made it.

Now comes the hard part — living up to your promise of a progressive administration and making this a city for all.

The Bronx has been a neglected Borough in our great city on many levels for so many decades. Sure the last administration helped revive neighborhoods such as Melrose by constructing thousands of low and middle income housing for our working class.

But during the same time, our city squandered billions in tax funded projects in the Bronx. The New Yankee Stadium and the now defaulted parking lots, and the Croton Reservoir project at Van Courtland Park.

And just recently, right before the end of the Bloomberg administration, our former mayor along with our current Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr, made a backroom deal to build a $350 million, 28,000-seat soccer stadium in the South Bronx for the New York City Football Club. All funded by tax-payers with grants, subsidies and a vulgar 38 year RENT FREE LEASE.

Why should this be allowed on the backs of the taxpayers when the owners of the franchise are worth billions? Surely they can build such a stadium on their own.

We’re not saying no to a stadium, we’re saying no to backroom deals without community input as well as no to fiscally irresponsible deals to billion dollar corporations who can fund their own projects.

Speaking of fiscally irresponsible deals, myself and the people of the Bronx call on you to please stop the FreshDirect sweetheart deal which is overwhelmingly opposed by the community. We are overwhelmed with an asthma rate that is amongst the highest in the nation.

Mayor de Blasio, you as well as Public Advocate Letitia James were very vocal against such subsidies to FreshDirect. Even the honorable Congressman Serrano blocked a key part of funding to this sweetheart deal.

Instead, use this public land to create the waterfront park we sorely lack and deserve just as any other borough in the city of New York. The community has already banded together with their ideas of what the waterfront should look like.

The $130 million in tax subsidiaries that was thrown at FreshDirect —a very profitable corporation — should be provided to the lifeblood of our communities: our small businesses who need them. FreshDirect is opposed to living wages and many of their workers still need public assistance to survive. Should they really be rewarded with such monies?

With all these monies being thrown at corporations who do not need them we could instead use then for worthwhile projects that will contribute and strengthen our infrastructure and communities.

Thousands of residents are suffering in New York City Housing Apartments in dilapidated projects that desperately need repairs and upgrading — housing is a right, not a luxury.

We can help fast track Metro North access in the Eastern Bronx with the creation of 4 New stations which will directly impact 160,000 Bronxites in shortening commutes and easier access to other employment centers.

A small fraction of these subsidies could even help save a beloved Bronx landmarked building, PS 31 aka the Castle on the Concourse, that the city has left to rot and now faces demolition by the department of buildings. Once again, no where else in the City of New York would a landmark building be demolished and we must not allow this.

Money can be found to shore up the building in the interest of public safety while allowing it to be restored and renovated into apartments for artists including public art spaces. A viable plan has been proposed by SoBro with the backing of Goldman Sachs. Such projects can be found throughout the city but not the Bronx.

These are just but a few important issues that we as Bronx residents need resolution on. There are many more and I am confident that in your interest in making this a city for everyone —a city of five boroughs — that you and your administration along with other elected officials, will better listen to our voices.

Welcome, Mayor de Blasio, now let’s get to work!

‘La Central’ Will Change 3rd Avenue / The Hub As We Know It

News

Ed García Conde

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December 30, 2013

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‘La Central’ Will Change 3rd Avenue / The Hub As We Know It

Over the past several years, noticeable changes have happened in the Hub along 3rd Avenue or ‘La Tercera’ as it is affectionately known by the Puerto Rican community, who were the first latinos to settle the area, and now simply the Latino community at large.

Late this summer we saw the opening of the luxury boutique Opera House Hotel on 149th Street —the first of its kind in the entire borough of the Bronx (bringing a Crunch Fitness with it). There were naysayers that such a venture would just not work but on the contrary, it’s had a very successful run in such a short time.

National retail chains began taking a serious look at the HUB with the opening up of The Children’s Place, Planet Fitness, and Aldi Food Market — the parent company of Trader Joe’s.

Not one but two Blink Fitness gyms (the chain’s parent company is the high end gym Equinox) opened in Melrose where the HUB is located.

There is even My Wellness Solutions, a specialty wellness spa which opened up 3 years ago catering to holistic approach to health and providing a wide variety of services such as massage therapy, facials, body wraps and more.

The Bronx Documentary Center, which opened its doors a little over 2 years ago has brought thousands of people —including many long time residents— through its doors and the neighborhood to experience the gallery’s top quality and internationally reviewed exhibitions and documentary screenings.

Many of the stores along 3rd Avenue have improved and even renovated their once dingy and uninviting storefronts.

Now with the planned development of ‘La Central’, directly behind 3rd Avenue on Bergen Avenue, the area will see a flood of more middle income residents as well as low income working class individuals needing New and better services than before.

Triangle Plaza is going up on 149th Street and Bergen Avenue which will bring with it more retail space and will house Metropolitan College of New York bringing a total to four institutions of higher learning in and around the HUB.

La Central brings with it 985 units of housing which will be for low and middle income working families. As you already know from Welcome2Melrose and Welcome2TheBronx thousands of apartments have been constructed in Melrose surrounding the HUB with thousands of new working class middle and low income residents.

According to Crain’s New York, “Since 2008, 20 new buildings with 3,700 apartments have gone up around the South Bronx retail strip known as the HUB, bringing an army of higher-income residents. Now all they need is someplace to shop.” The article goes on to say that the average income of these new residents at $35,000 a year is already 50% higher than long-time residents.

Of these buildings, the Aurora Condominium along with the Orion Condominium and the Co-ops at Via Verde brought a total of 223 middle income apartments providing area residents with homeownership opportunities. This number doesn’t include the 265 condominium units at Melrose Court which was built in the 1990s nor does it include the just over a hundred newly built 1-3 family homes in Melrose surrounding the HUB.

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Both long time residents and new comers, low and middle income alike are clamoring for better services. Let’s not forget that the area is swamped by 200,000 people a day who come to visit the shopping district as well as the thousands of professional workers in the office buildings along 149th, 3 colleges and Lincoln Hospital.

Now is the time for those crafty mom and pop shops, the small business owners, and savvy retailers to make their way to the Hub and 149th Street as rents are still ridiculously low for commercial spaces.

Let’s see what happens.

Bruckner Bar & Grill Deal! Buy $30 Dollars of Food & Drinks For Only $15 Bucks!

News

Ed García Conde

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December 26, 2013

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Bruckner Bar & Grill Deal! Buy $30 Dollars of Food & Drinks For Only $15 Bucks!

The newly re-opened Bruckner Bar and Grill is offering an excellent deal!

For just $15 bucks you can purchase $30 worth of food and drinks!

The following fine print applies as per Livingsocial and Bruckner Bar & Grill:

• Limit 2 per customer, up to 2 additional as gifts
• Limit 1 per table per visit
• Valid only for dine-in
• Alcohol is not discounted more then 50%
• Entire value must be used in a single visit
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
• Tax and gratuity are not included
• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions – https://www.livingsocial.com/terms

Local resident Joyce Hogi recommends The lamb burger with sweet potato fries while my personal favorite is the burger nestled between a toasted English muffin!

Whatever you get I’m sure you’ll be more than satisfied.

This is a great treat for Bruckner Bar & Grill loyal customers and an excellent way to get new folks in through the doors!

Click the link below to purchase this amazing deal!! I already purchased mine so what are you waiting for?!

http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/974245-30-to-spend-on-food-and-drink?ref=mobile-link-share-post-purchase%26rpi=145595059%26rui=192687155