News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

WEEK IN REVIEW 

REOPENING OF THE HUNTS POINT LIBRARY!

 BTS of our newly-renovated Hunts Point Library!

A project 5 years in the making, it was an emotional moment for me to walk through my childhood NYPL The New York Public Library - where both myself and my son, Aidan, got our first library cards - and see firsthand all the positive experiences it will bring to the Bronx.  

Knowing what this institution means to our community, I was proud to have allocated $3.7 million in funding to help make this day a reality for all Bronxites.

*Information on the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in February coming soon*

DISCUSSING FOOD INSECURITY WITH LISA EVERS

 

 Lisa Evers for visiting the South Bronx to discuss the pressing needs we are facing with rising food insecurity

Home to the largest network of food markets, my office will continue partnering with local organizations to ensure that our community has access to healthy and nutritious sustenance

COAT AND TOY DISTRIBUTION WITH BRONX RIVER HOUSES!

A beautiful morning in the South Bronx as Team Salamanca and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s Bronx River Houses joined forces to host a community coat & toy distribution! 

 Bronx River Houses TA Norma Saunders for your continued dedication towards your community 

 All together, we distributed 275 coats and 400 toys to Bronx youth

INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES!

 From my walkthrough interview with The New York Times discussing the staggering opioid use District 17 is facing at Roberto Clemente Plaza

 With our City’s opioid epidemic rising at alarming rates, I will continue bringing attention to all the ways this issue has impacted the Bronx to stress upon Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams our growing need for increased resources to help combat this crisis

INAUGURATION OF ASSEMBLY MEMBER EMERITA TORRES!

Congratulations to our newly sworn-in Assembly Member Emerita Torres. I look forward to working alongside you to Build Back the Bronx!

BELMONT COVE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

It was an exciting morning in East Tremont as I joined the ribbon cutting ceremony for Belmont Cove - a new 11-story, 100% affordable housing complex in the South Bronx. 

 A project that I am proud to have personally approved back in 2019, these 153 units arrive at a time when the need for housing in our borough has never been greater.

 With our City’s affordable housing crisis rapidly growing, I will continue working to address the housing inequality that has plagued the Bronx at alarming rates.

MEETING WITH THE BRONX PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE BOARD

Thank you to the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Board for all your successful efforts in bringing the parade back to our Borough!

I look forward to marching with you all in May

3-K & PRE-K APPLICATION DEADLINE

🚨 PARENTS: Have you submitted your 3-K or Pre-Applications for the 2025-2026 school year yet?

🗓️ REMINDER: ALL applications are due by FEBRUARY 28, 2025, and can be submitted in three ways:

💻 Online at MySchools.nyc (http://myschools.nyc/)
😊 Visiting a Family Welcome Center
📞 Calling 718-935-2009 

For help with the admissions process?
Visit: nyc.gov/3k (http://nyc.gov/3k) 
and nyc.gov/pk (http://nyc.gov/ pk)

IN THE NEWS

“It's just total disrespect to the South Bronx,” said City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., whose district lies just north of the intended site – a vacant building off of Bruckner Boulevard and 141st Street. By his count, the area is already home to 60 shelters serving non-migrant homeless people.

“You're just dumping everything that's bad into the South Bronx, and it is wrong,” said Salamanca, who added that he has received at least a dozen calls and texts objecting to the facility, which the administration says will open by June. It'll serve single men transferred from the sprawling “tent city” emergency site for migrants at Randall’s Island, which is due to close next month.

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov