LATEST NEWS

The Bronx Leads New York State With Residents Paying The Highest Percentage Of Income For Rent: Illustrates Affordable Housing Crisis Further

New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli released a report today which tells us what we already knew in the Bronx: That there is an affordable housing crisis in our borough.

According to the report, “Incomes and housing costs vary regionally statewide and are generally higher in the New York City metropolitan area, although housing affordability is a statewide challenge. Bronx County, for example, had the highest proportion of renters with housing costs of 30 percent or more of income in 2012, at nearly 58 percent.”

It’s no secret that Bronxites are struggling to make ends meet and even though the Bronx saw some of the highest numbers of new construction affordable housing units in the city, rising rents and stagnant income are keeping many of our residents in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

Times Ledger: Willets Point business owners sign lease to move to the Bronx

From the Times Ledger:

By Alex Robinson

The Sunrise Co-op signed a lease Friday on a 84,000-square-foot space in Hunts Point, at 1080 Leggett Ave.

Many of the group’s members have been without properties to conduct their business since the end of January when they accepted deals worth six months’ rent from the city to vacate their businesses. Some accepted payments worth 12 months’ rent to leave the Iron Triangle by the end of November.

Espresso’s Disciples Worship Here: New York Times Features A Morris Park Cafe

I gave up coffee years ago due to hypertension issues but after reading this article and watching the video, it makes me want to jump on the 5 train and head to Morris Park to see what all the fuss is about.

From the New York Times:

You can travel to La Casa del Caffe, on Morris Park Avenue in the Bronx, and try to coax Anna Agovino into spilling some of the secrets behind making a perfect cup of coffee. She will shoot you that Fellini-worthy smile of hers, and she’ll be patient with your questions. For a minute or two.

Bronx Mass Transit Improvements for the Present

The following is a guest article by John Rozankowski, PhD

In January, an article appeared in this blog which encouraged a mass transit enhancement that can be done “NOW.” It proposed that the #5 train run at night, a change which would spare riders from Manhattan to the Bronx two or more transfers. I wholeheartedly support this idea adding that even more can be done for the #5 and other lines to improve Bronx mass transit dramatically.

Wall Street Journal: A Tag-Team Art Competition Launches in the Bronx

From the Wall Street Journal:

By Tanyanika Samuels

At 2 a.m. Thursday, a weary Aaron Lazansky-Olivas spray-painted pastel yellows and greens onto wooden panels that would become an art installation at the Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx.

LATEST NEWS

Why We Need The Bronx Documentary Center

The Bronx Documentary Center, in the short time that it’s been in existence, has become one of the most important cultural institutions of  not just the South Bronx but the entire borough.

In just over two years, the BDC has had 5 major exhibitions not only bringing the world to the Bronx but the Bronx to the world. There have been over 80 screenings followed by in depth panel discussions providing an unparalleled educational experience.

Now the Bronx Documentary Center needs you as they launch their Kickstarter campaign to fund a year’s worth of programming.

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FreshDirect, Operation Move Along, And The South Bronx Waterfront: Yes, They Are Related

This week, Mayor De Blasio’s ambitious plan to reduce pedestrian fatalities, Vision Zero, began in the Bronx with Operation Move Along on 138th Street (between Third and Jackson Avenues) by cracking down on double parking. Officers from the 40th precinct slapped educational flyers on double parked cars but on March 16th they will begin issuing summonses for illegally parked vehicles.

The East 138th Street corridor is one of the South Bronx’s busiest roads with trucks and traffic already roaring across it to get from one end of the borough to the other.

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Bronx Politics: Assemblyman José Rivera In Bizarre Video Talking About ‘Bedding Young Girls’ in The Dominican Republic

The only negative topic you’ll hear on Welcome2TheBronx is politics because we still have a long way to go in the Bronx when it comes to our elected officials.

Here’s a rather horrifying tale from Politicker (who referenced a Welcome2TheBronx article) with video evidence of Assemblyman José Rivera from the Bronx talking about “getting laid with young girls”.

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Get the Facts: The NY Health Insurance Exchange 

This Thursday, March 6th at 7pm,the Bronx Documentary Center will be hosting an important FREE workshop on the Affordable Care Act. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AS SEATING IS LIMITED!

Still on the fence about getting health insurance before the March 31st deadline? Think it’s too expensive? Confused about the NY Health Insurance Exchange? Then join us on Thursday, March 6, for a FREE and informative seminar to learn more.

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