Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening In District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

Over the next few weeks, our community will gather together at celebrations across the district, including our annual Menorah Lighting at Bronx House and a Holiday Tree Lighting in Morris Park, featuring Santa and the Grinch! This is my favorite time of year, and it’s a pleasure to share these moments with all of you. For more information, scroll to ‘What’s Happening in District 13.’

In recent weeks, our community has been impacted by residential fires, many of them preventable. The American Red Cross has been an active partner in ensuring our neighbors have access to critical resources and has provided temporary housing. To ensure our families have the tools to navigate such tragedies, The Office of Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (CD34-Brooklyn) put together a guide for those impacted by residential fires. To learn more, scroll to ‘Fire Safety.’

In this week’s email, you will find information pertaining to the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), how to submit an application to the U.S. Small Business Administration for disaster loans, and the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health’s upcoming job fair. There are also various events with the Urban Park Rangers, which can be found by scrolling to ‘Youth.’  

To contact my office for additional information or to schedule an appointment, call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

CELEBRATING HANUKKAH

Shining the light of hope and warmth as we celebrate Hanukkah. I wish everyone who observes a joyous festival filled with love, miracles, and gratitude! חנוכה שמח!

HOLIDAY CHEER

Morris Park Holiday Tree Lighting

This Sunday, December 10, from 3:30 PM to 5 PM, join the Morris Park Business Improvement District (MPBID), Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr., and me for this year’s Holiday Tree Lighting! We will kick off the holiday season by taking photos with Santa and the Grinch, indulging in delicious hot cocoa and other holiday treats, and enjoying a special performance from the Student Choir at P.S. 83. 

Menorah Lighting at Bronx House

On Tuesday, December 12 at 4 PM at Bronx House, join me and your Bronx elected officials for this year’s Menorah Lighting! This year’s event will include UJA-Federation’s ‘Shine a Light’ campaign against antisemitism. Together, we can and will make a difference.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 13

Morris Park Library

I am happy to announce the Morris Park Library is now open! This is an exciting time to stop by and check out a book or learn about the many resources they have to offer. As a reminder, current holds will be extended for pickup.

Community Shred Day

On Saturday, December 16  from 10 AM to 2 PM, bring your confidential and important documents to be shredded at our annual Community Shred Day! This event is in partnership with Phipps Neighborhoods P&J Beacon and is the perfect way to safely dispose of unwanted documents.

Location

650 Hollywood Avenue

Bronx, NY 10465

(Side of I.S. 192X Campus on Randall and Throgsneck Expressway)

Travel Advisory

Direct Access from Pelham Parkway to I-95 South 

The New York State Department of Transportation advises motorists that there will be new direct access from eastbound Pelham Parkway to the southbound Bruckner Expressway (I-95) via a newly constructed ramp in the Bronx on or about Friday, December 8th. The new ramp will merge with an existing westbound Pelham Parkway ramp, which was also reconstructed as part of this project. A new traffic signal has been installed, allowing motorists to turn left from eastbound Pelham Parkway to the southbound Bruckner Expressway. 

 

Inclement weather could cause the new direct access to be rescheduled. 

   

Expressway Ramp Relocations

The New York State Department of Transportation is announced that the Exit 50 ramp from westbound Bruckner Boulevard (I-278) to westbound Bruckner Boulevard/Hunts Point Avenue in the Bronx will be temporarily relocated on through Friday, December 22.

Motorists wanting to access westbound Bruckner Boulevard/Hunts Point Avenue from westbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) during this temporary relocation should remain in the right travel lane and follow signs to take the new Exit 50 ramp located west of the temporarily-closed Exit 50 ramp.  

As a reminder, heavy construction work will be performed next to traffic lanes, and motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in the work zone. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Construction 

Sheridan Boulevard 

Please be advised that effective now through July 2025, there will be a change in Traffic Pattern on eastbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) before Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) in the Bronx. 

 

The change in traffic pattern will result in split traffic between motorists accessing Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) and motorists continuing on Bruckner Expressway (I-278). Motorists wanting to access Exit 49 (Sheridan Boulevard) will remain in a single lane to the left of the work zone. All motorists wanting to continue on eastbound Bruckner Expressway (I-278) will be shifted to the two lanes to the right of the work zone.   

Public Transportation

MTA Subway Service

Due to station improvements, Pelham Bay Park-bound 6-trains will skip Westchester Sq-E Tremont Avenue, effective now through early December. For service to this station, take the 6 to Middletown Road and transfer to a Manhattan-bound 6. For service from this station, take the 6 to Zerega Ave and transfer to a Pelham Bay Park-bound 6.

Notice of Public Hearing - NYC Health + Hospitals

Please be advised that on Wednesday, December 13 at 4 PM, NYC Health + Hospitals Jacobi, will host a Public Hearing, related to the “Just Home” proposal. If you would like to speak at the public hearing, please register by calling 212-788-3359 or online using the below link.

Online Registration - https://innovations.nychhc.org/publichearings

Advanced registration will close on Monday, December 11 at 2 PM. In-person registration at the hearing site on December 13, beginning 3:30 PM and will close at 5 PM. Interpretation services in Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), and other languages will be available upon request.

NYC Department of Finance: Booted and Towed Vehicles

The New York City Department of Finance has shared its one-pager with information required on how to retrieve a booted or towed vehicle in New York City. Please be advised that additional documents may be required for those with special cases.