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Breaking News: Massive $345 Million Development Announced For Largest Remaining City-Owned Land In The South Bronx

News

Ed García Conde

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December 23, 2013

Breaking News: Massive $345 Million Development Announced For Largest Remaining City-Owned Land In The South Bronx

Aerial view of the proposed development, La Central – Fowler Architects

From East 149th Street and Brook Avenue all the way north to East 153rd Street remains the largest track of city-owned land in the South Bronx. Located in Melrose adjacent to the Hub will rise a massive 985 mixed-income project of the likes the Bronx has never seen.

Earlier this year, after the success of Via Verde which gained world-wide recognition, the city asked for an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the lots across from Via Verde which extended all the way down to East 149th Street and Brook Avenue. They asked developers to think big and to come up with something bigger than greater than Via Verde.

It is with great pleasure that Welcome2TheBronx and Welcome2Melrose introduce you to La Central – a mixed-income, mixed-use project which will include community space for the arts and sciences.

Southwest Along Brook Avenue – FXFowle Architects

La Central, as the massive development project will be called and developed by BRP Development Corporation, Hudson Companies Inc., Common Ground, Comunilife, The Kretchmer Companies, ELH Mgmt LLC, and the Year, will be comprised of 5 buildings and 985 units of mixed-income including 48,000 square foot YMCA-community facility, 43,000 square feet of retail space, 5,000 square foot community space with a recording studio and curate workshops and open recording studio for projects for and by the community, Bronx Astronomy Tower and Lab including a rooftop telescope, and a rooftop farm just to name a few. The development will occupy approximately 185,000 square feet of land. The total cost of the project is currently said to be, “very approximately $345 million.”

According to Bloomberg’s office the development will be broken down as follows:

Building A: 211 affordable apartments; approximately 48,000 square foot YMCA-community facility; a diabetes prevention program operated by Montefiore Medical Center; rooftop farm; approximately 19,000 square feet of new retail space.
Building B: 279 affordable apartments; approximately 24,000 square feet of retail space, including restaurant space; cellar level garage with approximately 138 parking spaces.
Building C: 137 affordable apartments; Music Has No Enemies (MHNE) which will occupy approximately 5,000 square feet of community space consisting of a recording studio and curate workshops and open the recording studio to projects for and by the community.
Building D: 160 affordable apartments; 10,000 square foot mental health clinic operated by Comunilife that will work with veterans living within the development and individuals within the community.
Building E: 198 affordable apartments; Bronx Astronomy Tower and Lab – a rooftop telescope to be used by the Bronx High School of Science; daycare facility.
The approximately 7,000 square-foot triangular vacant lot at the intersection of Brook and Bergen Avenues will be developed as open space, accessible to the general public.

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North Along Bergen Avenue – FXFowle Architects

In keeping with all new developments in Melrose, you can see from the renderings that open spaces including rooftop areas will play a large part of La Central – FXFowle Architects

The project still has to go through ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) before any construction can begin. It is currently estimated to begin construction sometime in 2015. “As the size and cost of the project means that it will need to be done in two phases, the development team is estimating that final completion of all of the construction could take approximately four years.” said Ted Weinstein, HPD’s Director of Bronx Planning.

Southern portion of the development site.

Largest remaing tract of land in the South Bronx will be the largest development in Southern Melrose once completed. In this panoramic image you can see the lots from the lots from the southern most portion just north of the 2/5 subway line as they emerge underground (right) and all the way north to 153rd Street where Brook meets Bergen Avenue at Via Verde (left) — Largest remaining tract of land in the South Bronx will be the largest development in Southern Melrose once completed. In this panoramic image you can see the lots from the lots from the southern most portion just north of the 2/5 subway line as they emerge underground (right) and all the way north to 153rd Street where Brook meets Bergen Avenue at Via Verde (left) Click to zoom in.

FreshDirect’s Bronx Move Hits Snag as Congressman Opposes $3.5M Subsidy – Port Morris – DNAinfo.com New York

News

Ed García Conde

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December 20, 2013

1

FreshDirect’s Bronx Move Hits Snag as Congressman Opposes $3.5M Subsidy – Port Morris – DNAinfo.com New York

Read an excellent write up by Alice Speri of DNAinfo on the major setback FreshDirect received.

In the article she writes,

Securing the funding would require the unanimous approval of the New York Empowerment Zone Board, which provides incentives for private investors revitalizing poor communities. FreshDirect removed its application for funding from the board’s agenda after Serrano made clear Wednesday that he would vote against it.

“I, along with several other elected officials and many community residents, have had deep misgivings about this project because of its impact on the health of Bronx residents,” the Bronx congressman said in a statement following the board meeting. “My understanding is that this project was removed from the agenda in light of my concerns.”

Speri goes on to write:

FreshDirect has tried to ease critics’ concerns by touting its green initiatives and detailing potential benefits for The Bronx, such as easier access to healthy food and new jobs. But critics said those jobs — mostly low-wage and non-unionized — would only reinforce the cycle of poverty in the neighborhood.

Mayor-elect de Blasio has criticized the proposed subsidies for FreshDirect as a “mistake” and opponents hope action by Serrano and other public officials will put the rest of the benefits package up for reevaluation.

“They are trying to rush this approval through before the new year,” Johnson said. “We’re saying, hold off on giving them any agreement or subsidy until the new mayor-elect comes in. Slow down, let’s look at how this project affects our community.”

To read the article in its entirety, click below:

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131220/port-morris/freshdirects-bronx-move-hits-snag-as-congressman-opposes-35m-subsidy

After Four Months Open and Over 5,000 guests The Opera House Hotel Is A Bronx Success

News

Ed García Conde

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December 19, 2013

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After Four Months Open and Over 5,000 guests The Opera House Hotel Is A Bronx Success

Back in mid-August, the Opera House Hotel opened its doors in Melrose as the Bronx’s first luxury boutique lodging of its kind. Many residents were excited about such a place opening up in the Bronx let alone the South Bronx. Others were skeptical and were in the opinion that no one would want to stay in the neighborhood.

Well after four months and 5,237 guests to date, it would seem that the hotel has been a hit. Vincent Hardy, Director of Guest Relations for the Opera House Hotel says, “…these are encouraging numbers but we’re hoping to do a lot better in 2014.

According to Hardy, the hotel has worked hard to obtain a presence on the many online travel agent sites like Expedia and Orbitz to achieve visibility but,”there is no doubt that…Tripadvisor reviews is what is a major deciding factor for guests who are considering booking the hotel.”

With more than 100 reviews on the site, the comments are overwhelmingly positive not just for the hotel but for the neighborhood.

Many guests who reviewed the Opera House Hotel on TripAdvisor didn’t hesitate to mention their apprehension of booking their stay in the Bronx due to our unfortunate reputation from decades old stereotypes.

These same guests often noted in their reviews that they were pleasantly surprised on how safe they felt in the neighborhood even if it had a gritty edge to it.

On November 4th, an Italian guest had this to say on TripAdvisor: “The area is not at all corresponding to that which the word ‘Bronx’ can evoke. It’s a suburb inhabited by simple people, sometimes poor, but very decent. We have never been bothered or harassed. If I went back to NYC again for sure at this hotel. The value for money is super. A special thanks to all the staff! ”

In another review by Philipp R of Germany, he also questioned the safety of staying in the Bronx or the neighborhood and said that his stay at the hotel changed his perception of the area and would stay there again as well as recommend it to his compatriots.

Not all reviews have been great but the negative ones have been miniscule in comparison to the over 95% positive reviews. Several reviewers were less than pleased with the neighborhood but that’s to be expected. Not everyone will ever be satisfied.

It is important to note that if anything is worth mentioning—beyond the luxury accommodations that the guests have been thrilled with —is that the majority who have stayed have stated how safe they felt versus the image they had of the Bronx prior to actually coming here.

With prices half that of equal accommodations in Manhattan and easy access via an adjacent subway station to the major attractions of the Bronx and Manhattan, and Crunch Fitness opening right in the hotel sometime in the Spring of 2014, booking at the Opera House Hotel is an easy decision.

FreshDirect Suffers Major Setback In Its Attempt To Move To The Bronx

News

Ed García Conde

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December 18, 2013

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Another victory against FreshDirect and corporate welfare been won today by the residents of the Bronx. Aventura

Today 10 am, the New York Empowerment Zone Corporation Board was to meet and discuss several issues including “recommendations by Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), including authorization of a $3,000,000 loan and a $500,000 grant for FreshDirect to build its trucking operation in the South Bronx, which would bring upwards of 1,000 daily diesel truck trips through a neighborhood with asthma rates eight times the national average!” [South Bronx Unite]

Community residents scrambled and began making calls over the past few days and flooded Congressman José E Serrano’s office — who is voting members of the NYEZ — to vote against these subsidies.

This morning, just before the meeting, we were informed that the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation had withdrawn their item of the $3,500,000 to FreshDirect from the agenda.

It seems that after two years of litigation, petitioning, and overwhelming community disapproval of this project that residents are winning.

It is also fitting that this cancelation happens today as Mayor elect Bill De Blasio reiterated, during his announcement of selecting Dean Fuleihan as Budget Director, that providing corporations with massive subsidies will not happen during his administration but instead focus on small businesses.

The fight isn’t over but we are winning. We are fast approaching the 2 year anniversary when this dirty deal was announced but we have much more work to do.

Thank you, Congressman Serrano, for standing up for the community and respecting our voices today.

From South Bronx Unite:

South Bronx Unite and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest Applaud Congressman José Serrano and New York Empowerment Zone Board’s Rejection of $3.5M FreshDirect Subsidy

In the Face of Certain Defeat by the NYEZ Board, FreshDirect Withdraws Application for $3.5 Million in Subsidies to Relocate to the South Bronx

Today, FreshDirect’s proposed move to the South Bronx suffered a serious setback when it had to withdraw its $3.5 million request via the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) for funding from the New York Empowerment Zone (NYEZ) Board. The withdrawal occurred amidst strong community opposition and after FreshDirect learned that the Board planned to vote “no” and reject the application. In comments made at the Board meeting after the withdrawal had occurred, Board Member and Congressman Jose E. Serrano made clear that he would have voted “no” on the proposed package today, and would do so at any time in the future if BOEDC should decide to resubmit FreshDirect’s application for funding.

Even though the BOEDC and FreshDirect quietly removed their application from the agenda, at the meeting Congressman Serrano, who represents South Bronx residents living in the Empowerment Zone, voiced his strong objections to FreshDirect’s application to receive funds through the Empowerment Zone program and BOEDC’s overall track record as administrator of the Empowerment Zone program in the South Bronx. Congressman Serrano also stated that there’s a new era underway with Mayor-elect de Blasio, who has labelled the proposed subsidies for FreshDirect a “mistake” that is exemplary of the all too common large, unaccountable corporate handouts that fail to deliver on promised “economic development” and fail to pull areas like the South Bronx out of poverty.

In response to this morning’s outcome, Christina Giorgio, Staff Attorney at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest said, “We are pleased that Congressman Jose E. Serrano has sided with the community and blocked FreshDirect from receiving the requested $3.5 million subsidy package. Empowerment Zone funds are to be invested in businesses committed to improving the quality of life for local residents. FreshDirect, with its thousands of daily truck trips and its low-wage jobs, clearly misses the mark and the Congressman Serrano was right to reject the application.”

Mychal Johnson, South Bronx resident and member of South Bronx Unite, added, “This is an important victory in our effort to ensure that the community’s voice matters and real environmental and economic justice are served. It is simply irresponsible to offer public grants, loans and tax breaks for a project that would have such negative health impacts in the South Bronx. We are proud and supportive of Congressman Serrano for hearing the community’s concerns and acting in its best interests. It is time to put a stop to this project and to consider how our publicly-owned waterfront can be put to the benefit of Bronxites through inclusive planning and projects that promote the public’s health and economic well-being.”

The New York Empowerment Zone (NYEZ) is one of nine empowerment zones (EZs) established by the Clinton Administration in 1994 to revitalize distressed communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. The designation was accompanied by a federal grant of $100 million and matching grants from New York State and the City of New York of $100 million each, creating a total investment pool of $300 million.

The proposed FreshDirect relocation has yet to receive other key approvals. In addition, the New York State Appellate Court recently heard arguments on a lawsuit challenging, among other things, the City’s failure to require a full environmental impact assessment even though the project would bring more than a thousand diesel truck trips everyday into an increasingly residential community that suffers from high asthma rates.

Department of Buildings Told By Landmarks Preservation Commission Efforts Must Be Made To Save PS 31, Not Demolish The Castle on the Concourse

News

Ed García Conde

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December 17, 2013

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Department of Buildings Told By Landmarks Preservation Commission Efforts Must Be Made To Save PS 31, Not Demolish The Castle on the Concourse

PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse / image courtesy of Lehman College

Updated 12/17/2013 at 7:52PM to include quote from local resident Richard Garey.

Both New York City Department of Buildings and HUD could not provide enough evidence as to why Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) should strip PS 31’s landmark status even in the edifice’s deteriorating condition.

The city agencies tried hard to convince the Commission to approve the application to strip the beloved Castle on the Concourse landmark status so that they could demolish it but instead were met with resistance.

LPC instead, lambasted all city agencies responsible for letting such a beloved structure that means so much to the community to decay. Despicable, shameful, and appalling were just some of the words used by the members of the Commission as they took turns to comment and voice their agreement or disagreement with the application to de-landmark the vacant school.

Only one Commission member voted to approve the application citing the safety concerns however most other members reiterated that anything that can be done to shore up the building should be done.

This would accomplish public safety as well as the preservation of a treasured Bronx landmark.

Every single community resident who provided comments today, testified in favor of protecting the building. Steven Bloomfield, a local resident said that this is something that would not be acceptable in Manhattan or elsewhere in the city nor should it be in the Bronx.

Richard Garey, a 34 year old architect and concerned resident of the Bronx for 5 years who lives near the Bronx County Courthouse just north of PS 31, testified about the importance of landmarking the entire Grand Concourse.

After the meeting he said in a comment on Welcome2TheBronx, “Landmarks expressed great concern that other city agencies dropped the ball on PS31. Whether or not the building can be saved remains up for debate. It was clear that DOB and HPD have given up on their preservation efforts on the building.

While SOBRO expressed interest in developing the property, DOB and HPD did not seem very receptive to this idea. The value of PS31 to the architectural and cultural heritage of the Bronx cannot be understated. If the building does fall to the wrecking ball, should Bronxites accept it?

Perhaps, now is the time that we demand that the entirety of the Grand Concourse be designated a historic district as was recommended by Adolfo Carrion’s Historic Preservation Task Force in 2008. In addition, Landmarks should make a serious effort to designate the other suggested sites throughout the Bronx.”

When I testified, I mentioned that I started a petition which garnered over 500 signatures to date and the Landmarks Preservation Commission acknowledged this by holding up a stack of the over 500 emails they had received in just a few days.

This by no means that we have won nor does it mean that the school is safe but it does mean that our voices united are heard.

Almost every single member of the LDC repeatedly voiced the importance of the landmarked PS 31 to the community and over and over again they agreed that efforts should be made to preserve it for its historical significance and for the people of the Bronx.

One of the Commission members repeatedly asked Tim Lynch, the executive director for the New York City Department of Buildings Forensic Engineering Unit, whether or not PS 31 could safely be shored up to protect the public, however he kept giving him the run around and not answering the question directly.

Ultimately Lynch responded yes that it can be done which pretty much flies in the face of their arguments all along.

Phillip Morrow of SoBro provided solid testimony, including engineering reports from 3 separate firms on the structural integrity of PS 31 which although they did report the building is in serious condition, that it indeed is salvageable.

So many unanswered questions remain.

The city, along with the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr’s office dole out millions in grants and tax subsidies for corporate welfare but where are they when the community needs just a fraction of what is given out?

Why aren’t we talking about the possibility that someone may be set to make a lot of money on an empty lots that is surrounded by a 30 block area that was recently rezoned to turn many of the manufacturing lofts into residential zones?

PS 31’s lot was not included in the rezoning but all surrounding lots except Hostos Community College are. Some of the lots two blocks away can now be developed to accommodate 30 to 40 story buildings along the waterfront.

Please continue to share the petition as it was obvious to have made a strong impact today. The Landmarks Preservation Commission still has to issue the advisory so let’s show them that we are adamant about rescuing our landmarks!

Breaking News! Landmarks Preservation Commission Rules Unanimously To Landmark Interior of The Bronx Post Office!

News

Ed García Conde

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December 17, 2013

2

Breaking News! Landmarks Preservation Commission Rules Unanimously To Landmark Interior of The Bronx Post Office!

At a meeting at the Landmarks Preservation Commission today, the board decided to preserve the lobby in its entirety by granting the interior lobby landmark status!

We first broke the story to the public on the sale of the Landmark building earlier this year and immediately we became concerned of the lobby and the historical Ben Shahn murals and the New York Times even did a more in depth article on the issue.

Now today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission UNANIMOUSLY voted to declare the interior lobby in its entirety. Many in the audience applauded upon the decision and now regardless of who purchases the building, we can now rest assured that the historic and artistic importance of our treasured landmark is saved.

More information coming on this news you heard here first!

Our history has been saved!

Former PS 31 Teacher Who Taught Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr At The School Asks Him To Help Save It

News

Ed García Conde

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December 16, 2013

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Former PS 31 Teacher Who Taught Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr At The School Asks Him To Help Save It

Almost 500 people have signed the petition to save PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse from losing its landmark status and being demolished.

Many have left heartfelt comments about the school and building helped shaped their lives but one comment really stands out and it is from Sharan Rosen.

Like Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, Sharan Rosen attended PS 31. She eventually became a teacher there and taught our borough president.

In her comments on the petition, Rosen says, “The “Castle” should remain just that. It should be restored to its former beauty.P.S. 31 was the first majestic building you would see while driving north on the Grand Concourse. I was a graduate of P.S.31 and then was lucky enough to teach there for over 30 years. I hope my former student , Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz Jr. will stand behind us in trying to revive the school and the borough.”

Let’s hope Ruben Diaz Jr hears his former teacher’s words and sides with the community on this issue.

If you haven’t done so already, please sign the petition!

https://www.change.org/petitions/new-york-city-landmarks-preservation-commission-protect-ps-31-s-landmark-status-and-save-it-from-demolition

Anthony Bourdain Coming To The Bronx? Baron Ambrosia Should Give Bourdain The Tour!

News

Ed García Conde

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December 13, 2013

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Anthony Bourdain Coming To The Bronx? Baron Ambrosia Should Give Bourdain The Tour!

World famous food show host Anthony Bourdain has his eyes on the Bronx according to an interview with the Gothamist.

In the interview he acknowledges that the Bronx is generally overlooked (other than our beloved and real Little Italy Arthur Avenue):

The final episode of No Reservations featured Brooklyn. Could you ever picture a Parts Unknown episode that centers on New York City? I’m looking at the Bronx now. There’s been very little attention paid there. Other than Arthur Avenue there’s been very little attention paid to the Bronx as a borough. Queens is already pretty well acknowledged, at least, as a foodie paradise because of all the great Chinese and Korean places. That alone is enough to make it a kind of powerhouse of gastronomy.

And Brooklyn, you know, arguably we’re looking at the Brooklynization of the world at this point. Everywhere you go, whether you’re in Australia or England or Paris even, they’re referencing Brooklyn in some way. But the Bronx, I think that would be a really interesting challenge. A full hour in the Bronx really appeals to me.

Should Bourdain come to the Bronx then it is only logical that he teams up with our own, world famous and Emmy winning culinary ambassador – Baron Ambrosia.

For years the Baron has been showcasing not only the wonderful food that can be had in our borough but the culture that goes along with it. It is only fitting that Bourdain and the Baron go on a zany adventure through our borough.

What do you think? Do you like that Anthony Bourdain is interested in coming to the Bronx? Should he team up with Baron Ambrosia?

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Crunch Fitness Is Coming to Norwood!

News

Ed García Conde

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December 12, 2013

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Crunch Fitness is opening up in Norwood on Webster Avenue and 205th Street according to its website.

This is the 2nd Bronx location for the popular and full service gym. This past summer, Crunch Fitness signed a lease for a massive 18,000 square foot space at the recently opened luxury boutique Opera House Hotel in Melrose on 149th Street.

After being neglected for so many years by national fitness chains, the Bronx has seen an explosion of interest in bringing such franchises to the borough. Melrose alone saw 1 Planet Fitness and 2 Blink Fitness locations opening up within an 18 month period.

These same no frills affordable chains have propagated across the borough as well. Several years ago New York Sports Club was the first full service gym to open, however, it’s Morris Park location made it inaccessible to most Bronxites without a car as it is not easily reached by subway.

The Crunch Fitness at the Opera House Hotel will be the borough’s FIRST full service high end gym that’s accessible subway as it will be located 1.5 blocks from the 2 and 5 trains at 3rd Ave and 149th Street.

The confidence that such chains have in the Bronx is proof that we are a diverse enough borough to support all ranges of services.

Make sure you sign up to be notified on the opening of Crunch Norwood!

Time is running out on signing up for an early bird $9.95/month special!

Save the Landmark PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse From Demolition

News

Ed García Conde

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December 12, 2013

1

Save the Landmark PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse From Demolition

PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse. Top image as it appeared. Bottom images courtesy of the Daily News showing current conditions.

PLEASE CLICK TO SIGN THE PETITION AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORKS AND SPREAD THE NEWS!

New York City is filled with many edifices that are as much a part of the fabric which makes up this city as are the people who walk their corridors.

Just a few short blocks from where the Grand Concourse begins, that boulevard of dreams, sits PS 31.

Affectionately known as the Castle on the Concourse by local residents and the thousands who walked its halls, the school sits decaying as if in mockery at all the urban renewal that has sprung up from the rubble in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The landmarked building has sat vacant since it was deemed unsafe in 1997. As the years passed it by and the neighborhood began a strong revival, the building deteriorated.

It is almost criminal that the city has sat on its hands for 17 years letting such an important building waste away to the point that now it has been recommended to be demolished.

There are many questions that need to be answered and officials need to be held accountable. Why was this building neglected for so long? Had it perhaps been in Brooklyn or Manhattan then maybe it would have been salvaged immediately.

It is very interesting that the building sits in the middle of a 30 block district known as the Lower Concourse Rezoning where underutilized buildings were rezoned from commercial and manufacturing to residential to encourage the continual revitalization of the neighborhood. It is strategically located one stop from Manhattan and 15 minutes from midtown making that swath of land – including the waterfront – quite a catch for someone.

Even more interesting is that once Goldman Sachs showed interest in restoring the landmark building to its former glory and converting it into apartments and artist space the city began pushing very hard for HPD and Department of Buildings to declare the property unsafe.

During a community board 1 meeting over the summer, a representative from Sobro presented to the Board that engineers found the building badly deteriorated but to be salvageable.

Landmarks Preservation Commission has the final say in the building this coming December 17th where the city will make their case to strip PS 31 of its landmark status so that can begin demolishing the structure.

That is why we are asking all of you who are fond of this building to the and want to see it saved and restored to sign this and share with your network and everyone you know.

We cannot let our city and politicians to get away with neglect of our landmarked treasures.

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS PETITION!

Taxpayers Expected To Fund Soccer Stadium To Be Built In The Bronx

News

Ed García Conde

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December 11, 2013

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Taxpayers Expected To Fund Soccer Stadium To Be Built In The Bronx

Just last night, dozens of community members gathered at the offices of Bronx Legal Services to discuss the deals that were being made without any community input in relation to the proposed Major League Soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club.

According to Joyce Hogi, resident of the neighborhood for 35 years and who attended the meeting last night, a community board member was in attendance and claimed that Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr had not met with the board on the issue.

“When the boro president has not brought it to the community board…deals were being done.” said Hogi. She went on to say, “We don’t need to support another monolith structure in our community without some significant benefits to the communities. These should come from the communities, not the politicians!”

William Casari, who has lived on the Concourse since 2005 and is just a few short blocks from the proposed site said, “We don’t need another “fortress” in the neighborhood that is only going to be open on game days and is not going to include the community unless we buy tickets. I am not in favor of the stadium unless a specific community benefits agreement is worked out where the immediate community will benefit. This entire proposal needs to be reviewed.”

This morning residents woke up to what many considered terrible news: Another deal made behind their backs. A soccer stadium deal with a reported price tag of anywhere from $300 million to $400 million as reported by the New York Post and the Daily News.

The location in question is saddled between the Gateway Mall at the Bronx Terminal Market and Heritage Field which is the location of the old Yankee Stadium. Also on proposed footprint of the new stadium is GAL

Manufacturing, which currently employs several hundred individuals, a parking garage for Yankee Stadium which has since defaulted on its loans and of course East 153rd Street which would need to be de-mapped to build the stadium.

NYCFC is currently seeking space to relocate GAL Manufacturing and according to the Daily News, as well as paying the bondholders of the defaulted parking garage up to $25 million.

This is a residential area that suffers from massive traffic congestion problems for residents as the population has risen in the area along with developments like the Gateway Center Mall at the Bronx Terminal Market.

When a Yankee game or event is on at the stadium, you can forget about finding parking or driving in your own neighborhood.

If E 153rd Street is de-mapped then you are only adding a logistical disaster in terms of vehicular traffic in the area. Instead of 3 access points on and off the Major Deegan Expressway /I87 we will end up with 2 severely bottlenecking traffic.

Julio Pabon, president of the South Bronx Community Association – a coalition of residents and homeowners in the immediate area says, “The South Bronx Community Association is concerned with the additional traffic & parking problems this will add to our already congested situation. Residential Parking permits is something we have been trying to get for years. There is no way our Association, who’s members all live in the immediate area, will agree to this project unless we see how our problems are addressed.”

What of the economic impact? Moving GAL Manufacturing will cause the area to lose over 300 real jobs vs the shoddy, seasonal minimum wage jobs a sports complex will bring in.

Juan Gonzalez of the Daily News sums up his article and pretty much says what needs to be said:

“Now the garage company is bankrupt and the city is owed nearly $50 million in back rent and taxes that it will never recover.

So why are city officials considering yet more subsidies to a new sports franchise controlled by the Yankees and a sheik whose family oversees more than $400 billion in oil wealth?

GIFT GOAL

28,000 seating capacity

$300 million in tax-free bonds

38 years of free rent

$25 million in payout to parking lot owners

$400 billion in oil wealth controlled by Abu Dhabi Sheik Mansour”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bronx-soccer-stadium-deal-offers-free-rent-arab-firm-article-1.1544173#ixzz2nBSyEpxB

Is it any wonder why residents are fed up of backroom deals costing taxpayers billions of dollars for little return on their investment?

Do you understand why many residents, myself included, fight against dirty deals like FreshDirect where our own elected officials have thrown us under the bus in exchange for just bragging rights?

I am not anti development and nor are the vast majority of individuals who oppose these deals. What we oppose is giving away billions of our dollars without our approval or input.

Gentrification Watch: Is The South Bronx Gentrifying Or Gentrified? : Gothamist

News

Ed García Conde

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December 10, 2013

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Gentrification Watch: Is The South Bronx Gentrifying Or Gentrified? : Gothamist

Standing room only at the 1st Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference at the Bronx Documentary Center ©Welcome2TheBronx.com

Saturday’s 1st Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference was successful in starting the conversation about the issues surrounding the turbulent topic and it is one that we, as well as the Bronx Documentary Center will be keeping tabs on.

Check out this write up from the Gothamist:

http://gothamist.com/2013/12/09/bronx_gentrification_conference.php