New York City Council Member
ERIC DINOWITZ
11th Council District, Bronx · 277 West 231st, Bronx, NY
10463 · Tel: (718) 549 - 7300
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Dear Neighbor,
What happened in the community last week? Well, I can’t wait to tell you!
We began with exciting news about my legislation that increases transparency and accountability in our city government. The 311 RSAT Dashboard, which is one component of my bill, has officially been launched. Coming up, we will have a webinar on the new dashboard–what it’s used for, the data included, and how to navigate it. Stay tuned for more information. Also, you can read the press release here.
At the Stated Meeting on February 27th, I co-sponsored five important bills that will improve waste management, protect against scams, and support our community. These include bills to help community gardens access organic waste collection, ensure eligible buildings receive official NYC waste bins, and protect older adults from internet scams. We also passed legislation to strengthen identity theft protections and improve public education on the topic.
I also filmed a “Know Your Rights” video in Spanish to ensure our immigrant neighbors are aware of vital resources and protections. You can watch it here.
On Friday, I showed my support for nurses at a rally to advocate for better conditions and recognition of their hard work. Read more about that below.
Thank you for your continued engagement. As always, my office is here for you—don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Council Member Eric Dinowitz
Work In the Community
Spuyten Duyvil Library Visit
I had the opportunity to meet with a group of retired teachers and educators at the Spuyten Duyvil Library to discuss their concerns about Project 2025 and the potential implications of abolishing the Department of Education (DOE), as well as issues related to immigration, IEPs, and other current events. They shared their thoughts on how such a move could impact the city’s education system, and we had a great conversation about the need for careful consideration of how to best support both students and educators moving forward.
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United Charter High School Visit
I visited United Charter High School at the JFK Campus (a campus I'm very familiar with), and had the privilege of speaking with students studying civics. Students were incredibly engaged, asking insightful questions about social justice issues. It was inspiring to see young people so passionate about learning and eager to make a difference in the world. Their drive for knowledge and advocacy gives me hope for the future of our community.
Read Alliance Site Visit at PS279
I visited PS279 to observe the work of the Read Alliance, which is doing incredible things to improve literacy in our schools. Public school high schoolers are trained to teach literacy, then paired with a first or second grader to provide direct, one-on-one instruction. I spent time in two classrooms, engaging with the students and seeing firsthand the positive impact the program is having. The Read Alliance, in partnership with Hunter College, is making a real difference by providing critical literacy support to early learners, helping to set them up for success in the future. This is the type of program that should be expanded to more schools, and I am working to bring this program to schools in Council District 11.
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Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association Meeting
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association (FIPNA) to discuss how we can continue improving the community. FIPNA, made up of 155 dedicated members in the Northwest Bronx, is focused on working together to address key issues in the neighborhood. We had a productive conversation about enhancing pedestrian and traffic safety, including possible solutions for intersections like Orloff and Cannon and Bailey Place, where FIPNA members have identified areas of concern. We also talked about the need for ongoing tree plantings and the maintenance of public spaces like the Bailey Place Triangle, and I’m committed to helping ensure these spaces are properly cared for. I’m proud to offer my office’s support for these efforts and will continue to work closely with FIPNA to address these important community needs.
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I stood alongside Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Borough President Vanessa Gibson at the NYSNA rally at Montefiore Medical Center in solidarity with the healthcare workers fighting for safe staffing and quality care for patients in the Bronx. Every community deserves access to safe, dignified care, including enough hospital beds to meet patient needs. Unfortunately, Montefiore continues to experience severe overcrowding in its emergency rooms, with patients waiting for hours or days for beds. Despite promises to eliminate hallway admissions, this practice persists, worsening the situation. Montefiore’s Bronx patients deserve the same level of care as those in the suburbs. I stand with our nurses and call on Montefiore to listen to frontline staff and ensure our communities have the healthcare they need.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and I will continue to stand by our healthcare workers as they fight for better conditions for our patients.
Constituent Corner
In a recent case, our Constituent Advocate, Moises, helped a building in the district that had been without gas since December 26, 2024. During renovations, an uncovered gas line was found that did not meet code standards, requiring the gas to be shut off for safety reasons. Moises worked with ConEd to ensure the issue was resolved, and after an inspection, ConEd was able to restore service to the building! We're pleased to see this issue resolved and will continue to support constituents in addressing such challenges. Also last week, a constituent stopped by our office because her elderly mother was feeling unwell, and she wanted at-home Covid tests. We provided her with multiple tests, high-quality masks and hand sanitizer - for free! If you need at-home tests or PPE, call our office and we will reserve some for you. City Hall |
Every bill that I put my name to is directly inspired by the constituents who seek help from my office, and these bills are in direct response to the concerns I’ve heard from many of you.
The following bills that I co-sponsored passed the full body:
Accessibility - Int. No. 138-2024 - Establishes a program providing public service announcements in ASL in areas such as LinkNYC kiosks. This program would help deaf and hard-of-hearing New Yorkers access important city services.
Education - Int. No. 0432 - Requires the DOE to provide information on afterschool programming to students at NYC public schools.
Education - Int. No. 1057 - Mandates the creation of annual reports on journalism programming in high schools and the distribution of related materials to students by the DOE.
Supporting Home Owners - Int. No. 0901 - Requires the Homeowner’s Advocate to work with the Department of Consumer and Record Protection (DCWP) to offer support services to homeowners.
Street Paving - Int. No. 0552 & Int. No. 1160 - Add requirements to DOT street resurfacing projects. The first bill will require the DOT to coordinate with other agencies and public utility companies when beginning these projects, making the process more efficient. The second bill requires the DOT to install pavement markings after street resurfacing and report annually on these repaving projects and corresponding installations.
Members of the community are highly encouraged to view, attend, or testify at NYC Council Hearings. The calendar of hearings can be found here. To testify in person or online, or to submit written testimony, community members can visit http://www.council.ny.gov/
I also have an intake form where you can submit questions or comments directly to him pertaining to a particular committee hearing. (Please note, the Google Form is for internal purposes only and is not official testimony)
Budget Feedback
Where do you want your tax dollars spent? What should be prioritized in our community? Fill out my survey below to share your thoughts with me as we head into budget season for fiscal year 2026.
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Submit a Capital Project Idea!
I'm excited to announce that my office has created a feedback form to gather your valuable input on capital projects for our community as we prepare for Fiscal Year 2026.
As constituents of District 11, you have the opportunity to suggest new capital projects that require a minimum budget of $50,000. These projects could include improvements to parks, upgrades to schools, infrastructure enhancements, or the addition of community facilities that will benefit our neighborhood for years to come.
Past projects have included significant investments such as $5 million for renovating the JFK campus football field and $750,000 for a new playground at PS24. Your ideas can help shape our initiatives and ensure we are addressing the needs of our community. Please take a moment to fill out the form linked below.
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Note to All Constituents
Please read all the terms and conditions of your leases to ensure you have full knowledge of what you are signing onto.
In addition, your leases MUST be signed by the respective landlord in order to be recognized as a legal document of the State of New York. If you are having difficulty with any of the above, our office is happy to assist.
The Major Capital Improvements (MCI) rent increases are rent increases applied for by landlords to sustain building-wide improvements. Please be advised that the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) MUST approve them, and tenants are able to fight these increases. If you require assistance regarding MCI rent increases, our office will be happy to help you.
Community Announcements
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Apply to Become a NYC Lifeguard for the 2025 Season!
Looking for a rewarding summer job? Apply to become a New York City lifeguard for the 2025 season! Lifeguards play a critical role in keeping New Yorkers safe at the city’s pools and beaches while building valuable leadership and teamwork skills.
Lifeguard qualifying tests are running until early March - don’t miss your chance to apply! Register online
See upcoming Bronx dates, times, and high school locations for qualifying tests below, beginning next week:
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