All were met with resistance from Bronxites and have mostly been ignored by most.
Now, as the market continues to accelerate fueled by luxury housing in the South Bronx and developers are flying overhead like vultures, the Third Avenue BID will host a roundtable discussion on the topic of renaming a neighborhood on Thursday, November 16th at 6PM.
The discussion will focus on the history of rebranding and renaming neighborhoods, their negative and positive impact (there is no positive impact except for developers and real estate interests) as well as a discussion on equitable economic development.
The panel will include:
April De Simone, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Designing the We
Javier Medrano, Senior Associate for Public and Private Partnerships, Third Avenue Business Improvement District – Moderator
About the Panel:
April De Simone has over 15 years of experience in strategically designing, developing and launching for-profit, non-profit and government projects. Continuing to advocate for social innovation, Ms. De Simone is co-creator of various for-purpose ventures and initiatives that promote market based solutions to address complex social challenges.
Angel Hernandez is the Director of Programs and External Relations at The Bronx County Historical Society.
The Bronx County Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution, which is dedicated to the collection, preservation, documentation and interpretation of the history and heritage of The Bronx and its people.
Joshua Weissman is the founder and president of JCAL Development Group. In 2006, Mr. Weissman entered the affordable housing marketplace, developing large-scale multi-family buildings, consisting of 32 to 115 units and ranging from 4 to 13 stories. The projects, predominantly located in the Bronx, were developed under the auspices of various government housing agencies with the City of NY under the Mayors Affordable Housing Mandate.
Mexican deliciousness at Xochimilco Family Restaurant
Restaurant week in Manhattan is cute but of course in The Bronx we have to have our own to highlight a handful of the many restaurants that we love that give our borough that flavor everyone craves.
This year, 30 restaurants and breweries have joined and for your convenience, we’ve provided a handy map so you can plan out your gluttonous journey from November 6 through November 17 and fill up on The Boogie Down’s epicurean delights.
From new favorites like Porto Salvo in Melrose to Artie’s on City Island, and institutions like Lloyd’s Carrot Cake in Riverdale, there is literally something for everyone (although sadly, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t point out that not one African or even Jamaican restaurant is a part of this year’s event).
Check out our handy map of all 30 restaurants or you can go straight to the The Bronx Tourism Council’s website for full details!
PropertyShark has released its quarterly foreclosure report for New York City and things continue to look more dismal each day. The Bronx leads NYC with a whopping 145% increase in new foreclosures during the 3rd quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year with the East Bronx accounting for most.
During the third quarter of 2017, 247 properties were recorded as first-time foreclosures compared to just 101 during the same period in 2016.
The 10469 zip code covering parts of Allerton, Williamsbridge, and Pelham Gardens registered the most at 32 properties followed by 10462 and 10473 both with 29 each.
Only 10455 which covers most of Melrose did not register a single foreclosure during this period.
Overall, the South Bronx and general West Bronx zip codes did better with most only registering foreclosures in the single digits but the East Bronx is quite abysmal representing 62% of all registered first-time foreclosures in the borough.
A new LGBTQ Center for The Bronx may soon occupy the upper floors of the old Sachs building on Third Avenue in The Hub./ Rendering courtesy of AQC Architects
For over 5 years, The Bronx has been the only borough without a center for the LGBTQ community since the old Bronx Community Pride Center closed its doors but now that may soon change as several community leaders have been in discussion to bring back a new center at the old Sachs building on Third Avenue and 150th Street in Melrose.
The upper floors of the building have been vacant for decades but recently Blink Fitness signed a lease for the 2nd and 3rd floors which will open in a few weeks leaving the remaining 4th, 5th, and penthouse area available―roughly 23,000 square feet of possiblilites.
Each time I passed by the building I felt that it should be the home for the LGBTQ community right on the most visible corridor in The Bronx at The Hub which is the busiest intersection outside of Times Square with over 200,000 pedestrians passing through each day.
It’s time we come out of the shadows of our almost 6 year exile in our borough.
During the beginning of the year, I approached Michael Brady, then newly appointed executive director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District on how to make it happen.
“Over the past several months the BID has been working to bring LGBTQ stakeholders together, first through small group dinners and conversation, and then through large festivals like the 1 Bronx Festival.” said Michael Brady.
“Of late the BID, has conducted a LGBTQ community needs assessment, worked with district property owners and organizations to identify viable spaces for the center, and retained an architect to give life to a center on the Avenue. The BID has quietly worked with the private sector to secure financial commitments for the center and has worked to have the center included in the participatory budgeting and capital funds process.”
The Old Sachs building, after decades of vacant upper floors, is now coming back to life with a new Blink Fitness scheduled to open within the next several weeks. The upper floors can soon be home to a new LGBTQ Center for The Bronx.
Months later, we got a walking tour of the space and immediately knew this was it.
Along on that tour was architect Anthony Crusor, principle at AQC Architects who was contracted by the Third Avenue BID to come up with some preliminary renderings of what the space could look like and what he has delivered is nothing short of what the Bronx community deserves.
The most striking feature is a skylight prism if you will, made up of the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ flag, that penetrates the roof and goes down through the 5th floor and into a 4th floor conference room.
This would stand as a beacon making the building stand out which is what Crusor’s intention was.
The rainbow skylight would go through the building and straight into a 4th floor conference room./Rendering courtesy of AQC Architects
“The location of the proposed center, because it’s not on the ground floor and not visible from the intersection from 149th and 3rd had to have something that was readily identifiable from a distance. ” said Crusor who walked the area looking at the building from different angles and vantage points.
Another feature Mr Crusor thought was important was a green roof garden filled with trees and after seeing the renderings, we thought it would be appropriate to dedicate the garden as a memorial to all LGBTQ Bronx residents who have lost their lives to HIV, transgender violence, and hate crimes towards the queer community.
A rooftop memorial garden for Bronx LGBTQ residents who have perished due to HIV/AIDS, transgender and anti-gay violence./Rendering courtesy of AQC Architects
The new center would also include space for a theater for performing arts, space for community programming from HIV testing, counseling, and a host of other services as well as staff offices.
There are other plans for an LGBTQ Center in the works in the Fordham area at the old library but many in the community feel it’s too out of the way and not close enough to public transportation.
Theater and event space would provide the community with a place of their own without having to travel outside of the borough for major events./Rendering courtesy of AQC Architects
The location at The Hub makes the most sense as it is easily accessible by subway from the east and west Bronx via the 2/5 lines, major bus lines, and the 4 train 1 stop away. It is an area that has already historically served as the center of LGBTQ life with the old center once on 149th Street next to the Opera House Hotel.
But this center is far from definitive but it has the momentum and will power to make it happen.
Perhaps Michael Brady put it best when he said, “For too long has the Bronx been without adequate LGBTQ services, let alone a brick and mortar center run by an LGBT organization. The Third Avenue BID, located in the heart of the Bronx and in a major transportation hub, opens its doors to the LGBTQ community and affirms our commitment to creating a 23,000 sf center in the district.”
Looking towards the building from 3rd Avenue and 149th Street/Rendering courtesy of AQC Architects
In less than a month, the northeast’s first of its kind Diabetes Relief Center will open its doors in the South Bronx at 2825 Third Avenue in the heart of The Hub directly adjacent to the 2 and 5 train at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street and major bus lines with convenient access to most points in The Bronx and just 5 minutes from Manhattan.
Full-time employment opportunity is available for a Nurse Practitioner and the job description is as follows:
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE Nurse Practitioner
JOB CODE 834
COMPANY Diabetes Relief Center South Bronx
FLSA STATUS Exempt
LOCATION Bronx, NY
EEOC JOB GROUP Professional
REPORTS TO Finance Administrator
REVIEW DATE 10/23/2017
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Nurse Practitioner shall perform clinical diabetes (diagnostic/therapeutic) functions and procedures as appropriate to the scope of preparation and specialty certification for which competency has been validated and maintained and as reflected in the CRNP protocol approved by Alabama Board of Nursing. Responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients in collaboration with the instruction of the patient’s physician and the Company’s Medical Director.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: (Essential Functions are noted in italics)
Performs APT therapy utilizing the Artificial Pancreas System, for Trina Health of Foley patients according to therapy guidelines, physician prescription under the oversight of the Company’s Medical Director.
Educates patients and/or patient’s families about the APT. Answers questions and concerns and/or directs inquiries to appropriate source; following up as indicated by appropriateness.
Maintains legible, accurate, and confidential medical records using prescribed method of retention.
Documents all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatment, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations.
Facilitates evaluation of records by physician(s) according to protocols; receives and implement constructive directives.
Promotes preventive and health maintenance care, including annual physicals, positive health behaviors, self-care skills, and use of prescribed medical treatments and medications through education and counseling.
Assists with selection of clinic staff. Responsible for the oversight and development of clinic medical staff.
Assists with clinic administration and operations as needed to ensure a positive patient experience.
Ensures equipment is maintained in operating condition by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with Safety, OSHA and other legal regulations.
Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping patient care information confidential. Practices HIPAA guidelines at all times.
Continually works to grow the clinic business by following up on leads, generating new networks and leads and ensuring a positive experience for the clinic’s patients and their families.
Maintains required licensure in good standing appropriate to position
Maintains regular attendance to ensure efficient operations
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Current and clear certification as a nurse practitioner in the appropriate area of practice from a national certifying body recognized by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
1+ year clinical nursing experience. Current Alabama CRNP license. Current CPR certification.
Prior experience in family practice or internal medicine practice is desirable
Working knowledge of various Electronic Medical Records systems
Flexible, self-motivated individual who is dedicated to quality patient care and customer satisfaction
Excellent communication skills; verbal and written
Works effectively as a team environment
Projects a positive image and has a “Patients First” attitude
Possess basic knowledge of PC applications, software, and database management.
PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS
Ability to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time. Full range of motion capability; arms and trunk. Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, twist, reach and climb.
Gross and fine motor coordination to allow the manipulation of equipment utilized in the performance of activities.
Ability to lift/carry medium weight (up to 40 lbs.), light pushing/pulling (up to 60 lbs.).
Ability to manipulate patients and equipment to facilitate positioning and treatment (with assistance) up to 150 lbs.
Ability to hear within normal ranges, vision (corrected if necessary) to allow reading and the discernment of color, and normal sense of touch.
Ability to withstand temperature fluctuations normally found within an office environment, and varying weather conditions which may exist while performing outdoor duties such as supporting activities and events.
The Bronx is the only borough without a bookstore thanks to Barnes and Noble’s departure, leaving our almost 1.5 million residents thirsting for parchment but thanks to a generous new organization called Boogie Down Books and an army of over than 30 volunteers, our local youth will have access to 200 books across six titles for free.
After getting their hands on these titles, the kids can then join a free book club that will be led volunteer educators to discuss the books.
More information regarding this wonderful program is as follows:
Boogie Down Books™ presents Fall Into Reading
Month-Long Celebration of Youth and Community Literacy in the South Bronx
Free Pop-Up Bookshop and Book Clubs for South Bronx Kids and Teens
Overview: South Bronx-based startup Boogie Down Books™ is presenting Fall Into Reading, a month-long celebration of youth and community literacy. On Saturday, October 28, two hundred free books across six titles will be distributed at a free pop-up bookshop for young people ages 11-18 and their caregivers. Free book clubs on those six titles will then be facilitated by volunteer educators on November 4 and 18. The book clubs will be open to the young people and caregivers who received free books on October 28 as well as readers of all ages from the New York City area who would like to discuss these books as a community. Select authors will appear at book club meetings to participate in discussions of their books. Fall Into Reading is funded by the Citizens Committee for New York City.
What: Free Pop-Up Bookshop and Book Clubs for South Bronx Youth Ages 11-18
Why: Approximately 25% of the Bronx’s 1.4 million residents are under the age of eighteen, and yet the borough currently has zero specialty booksellers for children and young adult readers (or any general-interest bookstores, for that matter). In an effort to help address that, Boogie Down Books™ was recently launched to empower South Bronx kids, teens, caregivers, and educators through transformative reading experiences and inspiring community events. Two of the most important factors in promoting a lifelong love of reading in young people are the ability to choose what they read and the opportunity to discuss what they read with others. Fall Into Reading provides young people with both choice and community-based discussions.
Who: Boogie Down Books™; more than 30 volunteers from throughout the community; anyone who wants to read and build community in conversation with fellow readers of all ages; House of SpeakEasy Foundation.
When and Where:
Saturday, October 28, 2017
10am-3pm
M.S. 224 / M.S. 343
345 Brook Ave., Bronx
Cafeteria
Saturday, November 4 & 18, 2017
10:30am-4:15pm
New York Public Library, Mott Haven Branch
321 E. 140 St., Bronx
3rd Floor
Zumper.com issued its latest asking rent prices in New York City, the nation’s second most expensive rental market, and the Bronx neighborhoods of Mott Haven and Port Morris showed the highest jump as other parts of the city were modest or even saw dips in rents.
Port Morris saw the highest jump with 11.9% increase to a median of $1,790 followed by Mott Haven at $1,700 representing an increase of 9%.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn neighborhoods of Borough Hall and Ocean Park saw the largest drop at 12% in both areas since the last quarter.
It should be noted that this data doesn’t present a complete picture of the actual market as only rents available on Zumper.com are utilized but nevertheless it is indicative of what’s going on in the South Bronx as gentrification continues full speed ahead despite many naysayers who deny it’s happening.
When you look at the median income of these neighborhoods which is barely $20k a year, these rents are well beyond the grasp of the majority of local residents.
While many advocate that mixed income neighborhoods will “improve” an area for residents, we’ve already seen that this is not the case as existing residents are continuously displaced with escalating rents.
You can argue against this point all you want but just take a stroll down Lenox Avenue in Harlem, 8th Avenue in Chelsea or through Hell’s Kitchen, and of course the beacon of gentrification that is Williamsburg over on Brooklyn.
The longtime residents didn’t really last long enough to reap the alleged benefits that gentrification is supposed to bestow upon a neighborhood.
Let’s hope that our borough doesn’t end up like the rest.
Since the faster Select Bus Service began its New York City launch in 2008 in The Bronx with the creation of the Bx12 SBS, ridership along the now 15 routes across the city have seen 10-30% faster bus speeds, 10% increase in ridership, more reliable service, customer satisfaction of 95%, and safer streets and reduction in crashes.
Now, according to a report issued by NYC Department of Transportation in partnership with the MTA, 21 new SBS routes will be added across the city with 6 of them in The Bronx.
The six routes currently under study in The Bronx are:
Broadway to Central Bronx (Bx9)
Gun Hill Road (Bx28)
University Avenue (Bx3)
Tremont Avenue (Bx40)
Harlem to Southern Boulevard (Bx19)
Soundview to Washington Heights (Bx36)
According to the report, “…the existing SBS network has over 309,000 daily riders, 12% of city bus ridership. With the addition of the new proposed SBS routes, over 800,000 bus riders would be on routes with fast and reliable service, over 32% of city bus ridership.”
One thing we can agree on is that crosstown mass transit service in The Bronx is absolutely abysmal and with the Bx12 SBS and now the Bx6 SBS things are slightly better so it’s a good thing to see that these proposed routes are more focused on getting folks across our borough as fast and as efficient as possible.
The report states that implementation of the lines will begin from 2018-2019 for the first phase. No indication as to which will be the first lines to be upgraded but once we find out, we’ll keep you posted.
After years of advocacy by local Bronx residents, and myself included, attending dozens of meetings to advocate for increased Metro North rail service at Melrose and Tremont Stations in The Bronx, the MTA has approved a major increase in service at these stations thanks to a successful year-long pilot program.
Last October, the MTA increased service at these stations to hourly up from every two hours along with an increase in the service day for the pilot.
During this time, ridership at both stations increased by a whopping total of 81% (67% increase for weekday ridership and 101% increase in weekend ridership).
Back in August, a public hearing was held to discuss the pilot and finally, thanks to the success of the pilot program, service is now permanently increased at these stations.
Between 1990 and 2012 there was an increase of 150% of reverse commuters and in 2011 of 8.1 million rides taking to and from The Bronx, two-thirds were Bronxites heading away from the city and heading north.
According to the MTA the permanent service will be as follows:
Details of increased service at Melrose and Tremont stations are below:
Weekday inbound service is now available from 5:51 a.m. to 12:47 a.m.
Weekday outbound service is now available from 5:38 a.m. to 1:20 a.m.
Weekend inbound service is now available from 6:44 a.m. to 12:44 a.m.
Weekend outbound service is now available from 6:25 a.m. to 1:20 a.m.
Let us know what you think! This is a perfect example of community residents and activists banding together for the community.
Puerto Rico born and Bronx raised Rita Moreno is one of several major Puerto Rican artists who recorded Lin-Manuel Miranda’s benefit song for Puerto Rico.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Puerto Rican Pulitzer Prize, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winning composer and playwright behind the hit plays Hamilton and In The Heights, has written a benefit song for Puerto Rico relief efforts due to the devastation left behind by Hurricane Maria.
‘Almost Like Praying’ features Bronx artists like Rita Moreno, Fat Joe, and Jennifer Lopez aka J Lo alongside other Puerto Rican and Latin American recording artists who got together to record this beautiful song that not only pays tribute to the island but each of the 78 municipios (municipalities or counties if you will) that make up the Puerto Rican archipelago.
This past Monday’s edition of BronxTalk focused on the new Diabetes Relief Center coming to the South Bronx―the first of its kind in the northeast.
Dr Jack Lewin, MD, Chief Medical and Science Advisor at Diabetes Relief Center speaks on how this new way to fight diabetes has shown in 90% of patients in research they’ve done so far to eliminate 90% of neuropathy along with other comorbidities.
Please watch this video to learn more about the new center which will open its doors by November 1st of this year. You can also come next week to the center for a preview informational session but space is limited so place RSVP here at this link.
Local Mott Haven resident Alejandro Brown sent us this image.
We first broke the news last year of the first new construction market-rate luxury condominium coming to the South Bronx at 221 E 138th Street and now they have finally put out the welcome mat announcing the development as “The Joinery Condominiums” and that they’re “Making The Bronx Great Again.”
What?!
Newsflash: The Bronx is already great and we don’t need gentrifying developers approval or interest in our borough for us to know that.
Adding more insult to injury, the website touts, “Over the past several years, the neighborhood residents have witnessed the beginning of the gentrification of this area.” as if this is a selling point they should be proud of. They actually legit used the word gentrification.
Story continues below the break
According to the sales office, they have already released 5 of the units to the market of which 3 are already in contract. These units were sold to individuals who had been calling for months since construction began so they created a waiting list and began working from there.
Two units currently available are 1 bedroom units. The first is #201, a 579 square foot unit for $373,455 and the second is #507, a 655 square foot unit for $432,850.
This is the rendering of what the condominium was supposed to look like but as you can see from the above image, it looks nothing like this.
This averages out to $650 a square foot for these units which the developer’s office said the first 5 units all averaged out to including the 3 currently in contract.
For the next phase of sales they are planning to offer them at $750 a square foot and both offerings are significantly lower than the average list price of $1,100 for condos in neighboring East Harlem which is literally just blocks away over the Madison Avenue Bridge (and Third and Willis Avenue Bridges for that matter).
This would place some of the remaining units like a 1,300 square foot 2 bedroom apartment on the top 7th floor at a whopping $975,000.
Other than Bronx Bricks which was a condo loft conversion, this is the first time that luxury market-rate condos are being constructed and sold in The South Bronx.
People will argue that this isn’t gentrification because there was “nothing” on this site before and it isn’t displacing people but that’s not the full story of what gentrification is. When luxury housing is built, it has a ripple effect in the neighborhood and landlords begin raising their rents both commercial and residential forcing long time resident out.
Residents who rebuilt this neighborhood and stabilized it when no one wanted it.
This is yet another nail on the coffin that will swallow up The Bronx.
