Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - This Week in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

This weekend, my office will be participating in several events across the district, including the highly-requested, HPD in Your District program. This is a great opportunity to ask housing-related questions, apply for affordable housing, file a complain and more. For additional information or to find a pop-up near you, scroll to ‘What’s Happening in District 13.’

In this week’s email, you will find information about school year 2023-2024 enrollment assistance, Back-to-School events, Giving Friends’ Community Baby Shower, New York City Parks’ Flag Football, MTA fare rates, the MTA Mobile Sales Van, job opportunities, and more. I’m also excited to inform you that the Empire State Development has extended its Covid-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program for businesses. To learn more about this initiative or to apply, scroll to ‘Commerce Corner.’  

To contact our office for additional information or concerns, please call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Drive In Movie Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Join me and Friends of Pelham Bay Park on Friday, August 25 for the annual drive-in movie, featuring Black Panther: Wakanda Forever! I am so excited for this year’s event, including the activities planned by Friends of Pelham Bay Park. This year’s event is at the Orchard Beach parking lot, so get there early for a parking spot!

Movies Under Stars: Super Mario Bros

Get ready to level up for our epic movie night at Mazzei Playground next Saturday, August 26! Join us as we dive into the nostalgic world of Super Mario Bros and embark on an adventure, relive childhood memories, and embrace the magic of the Mushroom Kingdom. Grab your family, popcorn, and Power-Ups, and let's make this movie night one for the books!

Construction Advisory Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge From Friday, August 11 to Thursday, August 31, the NYCDOT Division of Bridges will conduct maintenance on the Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge over the Hutchinson River. As a result, two southbound lanes of the bridge will be closed weeknights from 12 Am to 5 AM. This work is subject to weather condition. Whitestone Expressway The New York State Department of Transportation has announced that there will be closures of the Exit 9E ramp from the eastbound Grand Central Parkway to Whitestone Expressway (I-678) on Friday, August 11, Tuesday, August 15th through Friday, August 18, Tuesday, August 22 through Friday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31 at 12 AM (midnight) and continuing through approximately 5 AM each morning. This closure will also occur from Saturday, August 19 at 12 AM through Monday, August 21 at 5 AM.  Shore Road The New York City Department of Transportation will continue routine maintenance of the Shore Road Bridge over the Hutchinson River. As a result, single-land closures will continue from Tuesday, August 15 to Friday, September 15. Daytime Northbound - 7 AM to 9 AM Northbound and Southbound - 9 AM to 1 PM Nighttime Northbound and Southbound - 10 PM to 7 AM The New York State Department of Transportation has announced a 24-hour lane closure, impacting the center westbound lane between Shore Road and Hutchinson River Parkway. This closure is necessary for reconstruction work and will take place until Friday, August 25. August 7 - 11 One lane will be closed eastbound between Hutchinson River Parkway and Shore Road from 10 AM to 3 PM for storm drainage installation One lane will be closed westbound between Shore Road and Hutchinson River Parkway from 10 AM to 3 PM. This closure is necessary to install traffic signals August 7 - 13 There will be a 24-hour, partial ramp closure, westbound ramp to southbound Bruckner Expressway (I-95). This closure is necessary for reconstruction work. Whitestone Bridge Please be advised there will be overnight construction at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge requiring Queens-bound lane closures this weekend. There will be a single-southbound lane closure from Friday, August 4th at 11 PM through Sunday, August 6th, at 9 AM. In addition, a second lane will be closed from Friday, August 4th at 11 PM through Saturday, August 5th at 6 AM, and Saturday, August 5th from 11 PM through Sunday, August 6th at 7 AM. No Parking The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘No Parking’ advisory for Pelham Parkway North Service Road between Eastchester Road and Bronx Park East, though Thursday, August 31, from 7 AM to 4 PM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate ‘end of construction’ work and is a moving operation. Lane Closures The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘Lane Closure’ advisory on Pelham Parkway Westbound Main Road and Eastbound Main Road between Boston Road and Stillwell Avenue through Thursday, August 31, from 7 AM to 4 PM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate roadway reconstruction and is a moving operation. Back-To-School Giveaway and Community Baby Shower Join Giving Friends and my office this Saturday for a Back-to-School Giveaway and Community Baby Shower at PS 71! Everyone needs a little help now and then, and as a community, we’re making sure no one is left behind. Stop by and pick up a backpack, school supplies, or baby essentials - we’re all in this together.  Location 3040 Roberts Avenue Bronx, NY 10461 NYC Summer Streets The New York City Department of Transportation will be hosting Summer Streets in the Bronx on Saturday, August 26 along Grand Concourse between East Tremont Avenue and Mosholu Parkway. Participants will enjoy free fitness classes, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities along the route and at rest stops. Please be advised there will be a ‘No Parking’ regulation in place beginning Friday, August 25 at 11 PM through Saturday, August 26 at 2 PM. Street closures will begin at 5 AM, Saturday, August 26 and will reopen at 1:30 PM. Back to School Enrollment SY 2023-2023 The first day of school is Thursday, September 7, and with thousands of families enrolling their children, Family Welcome Centers will provide information on what happens during this time period, as well as other information to help navigate the enrollment process. To better serve families across the city, Family Welcome Centers will close some of their smaller locations and will operate in nearby schools. Families interested in scheduling an appointment can do so by calling 718-935-2828 or emailing their local Family Welcome Center by visiting schools.nyc.gov/FWC. Families who have children with a placement will be best served by contacting Family Welcome Center’s enrollment office. Responses may take up to three business days. 3-K, pre-K, kindergarten, Gifted & Talented: ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov Middle School: msenrollment@schools.nyc.gov High School: hsenrollment@schools.nyc.gov If you child is not enrolled in school or you are new to the community, below is information to support during the enrollment period. New Student - schools.nyc.gov/NewStudents or call  311 Find Your School District - schoolsearch.schools.nyc Use MySchools - MySchools.nyc MTA Mobile Sales Van The MTA Mobile Sales Van will be at 3033 Middletown Road, from 1 PM to 3 PM, on the fourth Friday of each month. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about your MetroCard, apply for a reduced fare rate, replace expired or damaged cards, and more. Express bus fares will be $700 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard will be $64 All discounts for seniors and reduced fares will remain in place. OMNY Seven-Day Fare Capping is More Flexible & Tailored to Each Rider’s Usage OMNY customers can start their seven-day fare capping period any day of the week, giving customers the best deal for any seven-day period, beginning on the day of the rider’s first tap. It will renew upon the rider’s first tap after the seven-day period has concluded. The OMNY “best fare” initiative gives customers the financial flexibility to pay-as-they-go until they have spent $34 in any consecutive seven days, after which the cap will be in effect through the end of seven days.