Welcome to Melrose is moving! Please make a note of our new home:
http://www.welcome2melrose.com and stay tuned for our new look as well!
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Update: Illegal Dumping in Melrose
A month to the day when it was first reported that 688 Courtlandt Avenue’s side lot was being used as an illegal dumping ground, Welcome to Melrose is happy to report that the problem has been corrected. As I walked by yesterday, wooden panels had been erected, sealing off the lot to the public. At first I was skeptical that the wall was erected and the trash left behind but i managed to get a good peak (although was unable to get a good photograph) and saw that 95% of the trash had been removed. The owner of the building could have been a little more diligent in cleaning up as many wrappers, papers and little pieces of trash were still left behind.
That being said, it DOES take a Village and 311 DOES work. If you see anything in our neighborhood that is a problem and needs to be corrected, please do not hesitate in contacting us and Welcome to Melrose, together with you and the community, will get the job done.
Before:
…AND AFTER!
The Solara Cooperative Apartments Unveiled at Another Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On a beautiful Friday morning this past October 30 dozens of people gathered for yet another ribbon cutting ceremony this time for affordable co-op apartments at The Solara located on Grant Avenue between 167th and 169th Streets in the East Concourse area just North of Melrose.
The Solara is comprised of 2 ten story buildings with 160 units of one, two, and three bedroom apartments and is luxury at affordable prices for a neighborhood starving for homeownership. Through a partnership with developer The Briarwood Organization, who has had a long history of providing quality affordable housing in New York City, The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation the dream of owning a home has come true particularly for Denise Mariso a single mother of two.
Denise Mariso, a Bronx native who currently lives in Staten Island was one of the lucky 4,516 applicants who applied for a chance at the American Dream to become a homeowner. After being dismayed by so many unaffordable options she stumbled upon an ad for The Solara and was relieved to find income guidelines for quality, and luxury housing that were realistic for the working class. Ms Mariso, who works at Lincoln Hospital on East 149th Street and Morris Avenue will now have a commute of just 20 minutes – an hour less from her 1 hour and 20 minute commute from Staten Island she currently endures – almost three hours of her day.
And it’s not just the new homeowners that are excited but also local residents are happy to see such a project go up in their own backyard. Carmen Negron, a resident of 26 years at a rental property directly across the street says she is, “…happier than ever to have new neighbors who are homeowners” and looks forward to the continued revitalization of the East Concourse area. The superintendent in the same building, Romeo Ortiz feels that with the new building and residents, “the area will improve and bring new life and business to the area as well.”
As Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr. has so often eloquently mentioned, Denise is one of the many stories that needs to be told and heard around the world…of the new Bronx. Not the Bronx that 32 years ago Howard Cosell declared was burning in the 1977 World Series but of The Bronx that is in a state of unprecedented renewal and growth. She is a Bronxite come back home because of organizations like Briarwood, HPD and city officials like Ted Weinstein, Director of Bronx Planning for HPD, Ruben Diaz, Jr, Bronx Borough President who believe not only in The Bronx but the PEOPLE of The Bronx. As of this writing, 152 of the 160 units have been sold.
So once again, a big Melrose THANK YOU to Vincent Riso of the Briarwood Organization, Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr., Marc Jahr, President of HDC, Ted Weinstein, Director, Bronx Planning from HDP, HPD Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero and all the countless others who made this dream come true.
Ms. Denise Mariso (center) and her two children (not shown) were on hand as guests of honor to assist in the ribbon cutting ceremony along with Bronx Borough Presid
ent Ruben Diaz, Jr, Briarwood’s Vincent Riso as well as City and State officials.
ent Ruben Diaz, Jr, Briarwood’s Vincent Riso as well as City and State officials.
Ted Weinstein (right), Director, Bronx Planning of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
Ms. Mariso’s daughter proudly looks on as her mother speaks during the ceremonies.
Denise Mariso and her two children.
Taking a look at their new apartment.
Checking out the master bedroom.
Olga Villanueva, head of the sales team who successfully to date has sold 152 of the 160 units for sale.
Phillies Fans Partied on Thursday but Yanks Were Victorious
Walking back home from The Gateway Center at The Bronx Terminal Market and the new waterfront park, Mill Pond, I stumbled across a few Yankees fans from New Hampshire and New Jersey having some fun at a tailgate party as well as a bus load of Phillies fan…too bad the latter came all this way to see their team lose.
Season Ticket holders from New Hampshire…that’s real Yankees Love!
Jersey and Staten Island showing their love
Guess he flipped the bird because he already knew they were going to lose that night…
Is that a game of beer pong? Guess they didn’t read the news about the drinking game being banned due to H1N1 aka the Swine Flu. (note: in no way does Welcome to Melrose suggest that anyone here has H1N1!!)
Last night a DJ saved my life…but not the Phillies…as a matter of fact…not Saturday or Sunday night either for that matter.
True Blue!
World Series Started Yesterday at the Melrose Station of Metro North
As I waited for the 3:39 train at the Metro North Melrose Station I glimpsed a very bold man walking down towards the platform with a…METS gym bag…but it gets BETTER. Mr David Patterson (no relation to our governor) said that he is actually a Phillies fan through and through in through – his hometown. As we boarded the train, a discussion on which team is better ensued.
The VERY bold David Patterson sporting his METS bag – His wife and in-laws are big Mets fans and she got him the bag.
AJ – A diehard Yankees fan has one message and only one message to David, the Phillies and ALL their fans: “Phillies don’t have a chance in hell!”
As you can see the discussion was pretty intense…hand gestures and all
Metro North Conductor listening to the pair discussing their passions…I’m sure it’s not the first OR the Last to be heard by him on his train.
More Info on Eltona's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Pics and All
Yesterday, October 27th, The Eltona was filled with local politicians and New York City officials as well as New York State agencies gushing over the project – and with great reason. As yesterday’s entry mentioned, The Eltona is the first affordable housing building to achieve Platinum LEED Certification which means that it has the highest out of four possible levels of certification for environmentally sustainable construction. One of the best facts which was revealed yesterday was that 86% of all new green building initiatives in New York State are right here in The Bronx. We always knew we that we were the greenest borough with over 24% of total land area as parks (Staten Island is a distant 2nd at 18% and Brooklyn…that borough were people spend vulgar amounts of money to live is only 8% parks…how sad) Oh and did I mention that The Bronx has the “largest percentage in the COUNTRY of green space for an urban area? But I digress.
A big Melrose THANK YOU is in order for all those who have made The Eltona possible but not limited to: Ted Weinstein, Director, Bronx Planning for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Les Bluestone, President of Blue Sea Development, Inc who has a long history of building such great developments here in The Bronx, Ruben Diaz, Jr, Bronx Borough President for his commitment to such projects which empower our local residents with a sense of pride and hope for a positive future and to all those I did not mention, this project could not have been done without you.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr speaks about how our story in The Bronx needs to be told – that we are rising from the ashes and have become a model to the world on how urban renewal can be done the right way. 32 years after Howard Cosell infamously told the world, “There it is ladies and gentlemen, The Bronx is burning” we can proudly say that The Bronx is BOOMING. Mr Diaz Jr. hopes that maybe during this world series the cameras can take a look at The Bronx and tell them what we know to be true…that we have risen from the ashes.
Béatrice Coron, local NYC artist who designed the ornamental fencing and ironworks for The Eltona
Les Bluestone explains to Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. the workings of the wind turbines on the roof.
The talk of Melrose and The Bronx – The Wind Turbines!
The Eltona’s resident superintendent, Ivan, makes sure that the ribbon is in place.
Mr. Bluestone here is explaining the energy efficiency of the windows in one of the units to Mr. Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Ruben Diaz, Jr. with proud new resident who is one of the lucky individuals to from the area to have been selected to live here.
And yes…the “Mayor of Melrose” in a photo-op with Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr.
EXCLUSIVE – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Eltona – Tuesday, October 27th –
I decided to walk past The Eltona (a 63 unit, 5 story building) today and take a few pictures and was pleasantly greeted by the building’s super who graciously gave me a tour of 3 model apartments – 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units as well as some of the onsite amenities. Previously unbeknownst to me, a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow and a few hours later I received a personal invitation directly from The City of New York’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. How about that? The Mayor of Melrose rubbing elbows with Mayor Bloomberg as well as the Honorable Ruben Diaz, Jr., The Bronx’ Borough President.
The Eltona will soon be THE FIRST affordable LEED Platinum building in New York State, not The Bronx, Brooklyn or New York City but the FIRST in the entire State of New York right here in our great our great neighborhood, Melrose. Wind turbines located on the rooftop will provide a renewable energy source for the common areas. The interior of the building was constructed by utilizing non-toxic materials and in its mission to provide a healthy environment to low-income residents it will be a 100% smoke free building. This may sound a little restrictive but it is a key component to Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s study “of the effects of living in a green building on families who suffer from asthma” which will be studying the residents living at The Eltona. The residents will also benefit from education materials geared towards teaching residents on how to live a healthier as well as a “greener” lifestyle. Upon moving in, residents will also receive coupons as part of their welcome kit so that they may shop at The South Bronx Food Co-op which is just 2 blocks away from The Eltona.
The beautiful ornamental fencing and ironwork which was one of the many features that attracted my curious eyes were designed by commissioned artist Béatrice Coron, a local artist who was born and raised in Lyon, France and has been living in New York City since 1984. Her art has been featured across the country as well as across France and it is truly humbling to have such beautiful public art right here in our own backyard by an international artist.
Some other features of The Eltona are: Laundry Room on each floor, storage room on each floor with one storage unit per apartment, 2 bathrooms in each 2 and 3 bedroom unit as well as a dishwasher in every single apartment. The hardwood floors are beautiful as is the amount of natural light that flows in through the larger than normal windows. The Eltona truly is the new frontier in low-income housing – a green building with all the amenities that until now were only available to those who can afford a co-op or a condo. With Coqui Mexicano nearby as well as PeaceLove Cafe and excellent transportation options, these residents will truly be lucky! Visit GreenHomeNYC for a greater detailed list of energy efficient items as well as green products used in construction of The Eltona.
Let’s hear it for New York City, Blue Sea Development (who you may remember as the developers of Fox-Legget Co-op with its 2,400 square foot green roof) for building such an innovative projec
t in an area that so many had forgotten about decades ago. A big Melrose THANK YOU to all!
t in an area that so many had forgotten about decades ago. A big Melrose THANK YOU to all!
Every apartment has a storage unit located in a storage room on each floor. (Yes…I’m jealous!)
Also located on each floor is a laundry room so no more
running down to the basement to add the fabric softener!
Kitchen layout of a 3 Bedroom unit. All units have generous kitchen cabinet space as well as dishwashers.
Standard bathroom…nothing too fancy but still nice.
Southeast corner of the building directly adjacent to one of the many community gardens in Melrose. This one is called Vogue Garden.
Welcome to Melrose is on the FRONT PAGE of The Bronx Times!
In yet another humbling moment, I was interviewed by The Bronx Times and Welcome to Melrose is on the FRONT PAGE! How great is that? Check out the article by Dan Beekman!
A big Melrose THANK YOU to each and EVERY one of you who have made such recognition possible!
Fresh, Organic Produce at The South Bronx Food Co-op
If you haven’t checked out the South Bronx Food Co-op (SBxFC for short) maybe these pictures will entice you to walk in through their doors. Farm fresh organic produce is delivered straight from the farm to SBxFC every Wednesday. Remember…you DON’T have to be a member to shop there so come on in (although being a member does have its benefit such as discounts on all purchases)! Also, if you work for a school or any institution or restaurant you should contact them for bulk ordering. SBxFC does team up with local organizations and businesses to bulk order which passes on the savings to you because they are a non-profit organization. For those who are currently on public assistance and receiving food stamp benefits, SBxFC DOES accept Food Stamps and EBT so no one should have to go without healthy food!
For more information
Call 718-401-3500 or 718-401-3502
Email: info@sbxfc.org
Or why don’t you just drop by at 3103 Third Avenue at the corner of East 158th Street.
There are many ways to get there via public transportation thanks to Melrose being so well served by rail, subway and bus:
| Train – | Take the 2 or 5 train to 149th & Third Avenue. Walk north on Third Avenue to 158th St. | ||
| Bus – | Take the BX #55, BX#15 or BX#21 to 158 and Third Avenue | ||
| Take the BX #6 to 161st Street. | |||
| Take the BX #2 or #41 to 156th/157th & Melrose walk down to Third | |||
| Metro North – | |||
| Take the Harlem Line (blue train) local to Melrose Avenue, Walk east to 158th St. | |||
Great selections, all organic.
Organic fruits are available as well.
Poetry Jam @ PeaceLove – ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE
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