Former Godfather Of Black Stone Gorilla Gang Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL DELAGUILA, a/k/a “Grizz,” was sentenced today to 12 years in prison in connection with his leadership of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang, a violent street gang that operated in New York City and elsewhere, and his participation in narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses.  On May 26, 2021, DELAGUILA pled guilty to narcotics conspiracy and a firearms offense before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Michael Delaguila was one of the Godfathers of a notoriously violent and lawless gang that terrorized communities across New York City and elsewhere.  Delaguila recruited other individuals into the gang and authorized acts of violence and drug trafficking in New York City for years.  Today’s lengthy sentence sends an important message to gang members who commit crimes that they will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

As alleged in the Indictment and based on statements made in open court:

MICHAEL DELAGUILA, a/k/a “Grizz,” was previously one of the Godfathers of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang, a racketeering enterprise that operated principally in the New York City metropolitan area and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, BSGG members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and assaults; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in bank fraud and wire fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.  BSGG members also evaded prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by the gang.  DELAGUILA accepted responsibility for participating in a conspiracy to distribute quantities of cocaine, heroin, and cocaine base, and for using and carrying firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

In addition to his prison term, MICHAEL DELAGUILA, 30, of the Bronx, was sentenced to four years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York City Department of Corrections, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Governor Hochul Continues Her Pledge to Afghan Evacuees by Opening Up Educational and Housing Opportunities While Assembling Local Partners to Provide Immediate Resources to Evacuees in Need

 

In Effort to Help Refugees Resettle in New York, Governor Hochul Announces SUNY to Open Educational Opportunity Centers to Refugees by Waiving the Residency Requirement for Admission In Order to Provide Free ESL Courses and Certifications to Connect Them to Local Job Opportunities

SUNY Buffalo State College Partners to Reserve Unused Dorm Space for Temporary Housing and Provides Excess Laptops On-Site

SUNY Working to Deliver Additional Computers in Order to Access Education Programs for Evacuees Across the State 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced partnerships and resources to provide a safe haven for Afghan evacuees in New York State, including educational resources and temporary housing to support evacuees as they seek to resettle in the United States.

"We can meet the challenges of today and tomorrow with compassion, imagination, and grit, and there are vast resources across the State to give the Afghan evacuees a solid start here in the United States," said Governor Hochul. "This is a call to action, to uphold our state's proud history of sheltering evacuees from persecution and violence. The arduous journey that thousands of Afghans have taken over the last few weeks is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter that we can help them write." 

Believing in and encouraging the civic contributions immigrants bring to our society, The State University of New York will open its 10 Educational Opportunity Centers across New York State to refugees, waiving the New York State 1-year residency requirement for admission. Any evacuee can, and is encouraged to, apply for free courses, certificate and credentialing programs, and mentorship for seeking a post-secondary education and skills for job opportunities. SUNY is partnering with Rochester-based Keeping Our Promise, to develop courses specific to supporting this refugee population, such as an English as a Second Language course tailored for Dari, Farsi, and Pashto speakers. 

Collaboration among refugee resettlement providers and federal and state programs such as the U.S. Department of State's Afghan Placement and Assistance Program, the New York State Department of State's Office for New Americans, and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Bureau of Refugee Services will be paramount to establishing a process to identify skills, training, talents, and backgrounds of individual refugees and build plans for their education, training needs, or licensure qualifications to support their entrance into New York's workforce. 

To assist with temporary housing needs, SUNY's campus at Buffalo State College has partnered with local agencies to reserve vacant dorm space for transitional housing for up to 100 evacuees. Buffalo State and SUNY will also provide excess laptops to Afghan evacuees on site to assist them to access educational programming. It is expected that any individual age 12 and up will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving on Buffalo State's campus. The arrival and support of evacuees while temporarily residing at the college will be coordinated by Buffalo United for Afghan Refugees, a coalition of five Buffalo area organizations leading the region's resettlement efforts. 

SUNY is also working to give additional computers that are being rotated out of service to potential students, to help support resettlement of evacuees. These assets would be used to set up computer labs in libraries, resettlement offices, or locations across the state offering services for evacuees. 

The Office for New Americans also has a hotline that can connect immigrants and refugees to free services across the state. The Hotline can be reached at 1-800-566-7636 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, with assistance available in more than 200 languages. 

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is working with the federal Afghan Placement and Assistance providers to track arrivals of Afghan evacuees. Afghan evacuees can be served under the agency's programs for services such as employment assistance, cultural orientation and school acclimation just to name a few. 

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "Public higher education empowers social mobility and social progress and it's part of our core mission to open our doors to individuals in need. The entire SUNY community thanks Governor Hochul for her leadership in opening New York's door to Afghan evacuees. We will do our part by providing high quality educational opportunities so they can be part of the American dream. We are made stronger by their stories and their heritage, and we welcome them with safety and opportunity." 

Buffalo State College President Katherine Conway-Turner said, "As a college committed to social justice, diversity, and inclusion, Buffalo State strives to be a steadying and compassionate force in a world riddled with chaos and injustice. We have made it part of our mission to reach out to local, national and global communities to help individuals from all backgrounds and ethnicities who may be suffering. Buffalo State thanks Governor Hochul and Chancellor Malatras for leading the way in New York State to welcome and support these individuals on their journey to a better life. We also thank Catholic Charities of Buffalo, the International Institute of Buffalo, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Jewish Family Services, and Journey's End Refugee Services for all of their efforts to welcome these cherished individuals to our region."  

Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, Interim Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo said, "We at the International Institute of Buffalo believe that New York State is made stronger by immigrants and refugees, and our mission is to resettle evacuees while providing them with safety, respect, dignity, education and employment opportunities. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for welcoming the Afghan evacuees with open arms, and working with local partners such as IIB to usher in this incoming population and raise them up, giving them a new start."  

DEC ADVISES HOMEOWNERS TO CHECK FUEL OIL TANKS TO PREVENT LEAKS AND SPILLS

 

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded homeowners that heating fuel oil storage tanks should be inspected for potential leaks or spills prior to receiving the first shipment of fuel oil for the upcoming heating season.

More than two million homes in New York are heated by fuel oil. Each year, the DEC Spills Hotline receives hundreds of reports of fuel oil spills from home heating oil tanks. These spills result in basement contamination, damage to basement contents, contamination of groundwater, wells, and soils, and expensive cleanups that are rarely covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Some of the most common causes of home fuel oil spills include: failing storage tanks; faulty fuel lines and connections; collapsing tank legs and supports; and overflows during delivery. Homeowners should consider using a company that offers a service contract to maintain tanks and heating systems. DEC also encourages homeowners to get their tank(s) inspected each year. An annual inspection can prevent impacts to human health and the environment from leaks and spills.

Homeowners are advised to look for the following concerns and contact their fuel oil service provider if they see any of the items from the lists below.

For above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for

• Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation;
• Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank’s surface;
• Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves;
• Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing – even if under concrete;
• Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank;
• Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank;
• Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank;
• Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled – ask fuel delivery person;
• Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
• Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
• Improperly sized vent pipes – ask fuel delivery person; and
• Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them.
  

For underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

• Water in the tank – ask fuel delivery person to check;
• Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain;
• Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled – ask fuel delivery person;
• Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
• Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
• Well water has strange tastes or smells;
• Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells; and
• Using more than normal amount of fuel.
  

Report any actual spill or leak of fuel oil to the DEC Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. For more information on home heating oil tank stewardship, visit the Underground Heating Oil Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide webpage on DEC's website.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 50,000 BLOCKS HAND SWEPT BY THE CITY CLEANUP CORPS

 

Several Milestones Achieved in First Six Months of New Deal-Inspired Economic Recovery Program 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City Cleanup Corps has hand-swept over 50,000 blocks, among several milestones achieved within six months of the program’s launch.  

Since April 2021, Mayor de Blasio’s New Deal-inspired economic recovery program has also removed 600,000 bags of trash, hosted 400,000 work shifts, repainted 900 defaced properties, and cleaned 25,000 rain gardens, among efforts to revitalize and refresh public areas in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. 

“City Cleanup Corps was created not only as an opportunity to get hard-working New Yorkers back on their feet, but also to fortify our commitment to the City's neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With over 50,000 blocks cleaned, thousands of pounds of litter removed, and many other milestones met, City Cleanup Corps members are creating a clear, lasting impact that is being felt by New Yorkers and revitalizing the streets, parks, and public spaces that make our City great."  

“I congratulate the members of the City Cleanup Corps on reaching the milestone of 50,000 blocks hand-swept, among other milestones, as the Corps reaches its six-month anniversary,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phil Thompson.  “The City Cleanup Corps is fostering an economic recovery by refreshing and revitalizing our city while also providing job opportunities for 10,000 New Yorkers.  The Corps will also help build a recovery for all of us by providing transformative career preparation opportunities for Corps members, who are predominantly from communities identified by the Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity.” 

 

“City Cleanup Corps members are helping to lead a ground-up economic recovery that prioritizes our communities and public spaces,” said the City's Senior Advisor for Recovery Lorraine Grillo. “In neighborhoods across the five boroughs—from Flushing and Bay Ridge to Brighton Beach, Pelham Parkway, and beyond—Corps members’ dedicated efforts are ensuring that New York City will recover from the pandemic stronger than ever.”

 

The New York City Cleanup Corps is revitalizing neighborhoods and public spaces across the five boroughs while creating 10,000 jobs for New York City residents. Jobs with flexible hours and competitive hourly rates are still available. Learn more and apply today at https://nyc.gov/ccc. Follow the City Cleanup Corps on Instagram and Facebook.

 

In response to Hurricane Ida, City Cleanup Corps members helped New Yorkers across the five boroughs clear debris from their residential properties damaged by the storm.

 

“The efforts of the City Cleanup Corps have been instrumental in storm cleanup, pandemic recovery and the revitalization of our city,” said Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson. “On behalf of the nearly 10,000 NYC Sanitation employees who work hard to pick up 12,000 tons of residential refuse every day, I thank the City Cleanup Corps for their partnership in our shared mission of keeping our city clean and safe for all.”

 

“We are proud to work with NYC Cleanup Corps as they provide vital maintenance services to Open Streets locations, plazas, and other public spaces,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Public spaces make our communities vibrant, and we thank NYC Cleanup Corps for keeping them that way with daily maintenance services, horticultural care, and as public space ambassadors.”

 

"In just six months, the City's Cleanup Corps have proven to be an invaluable asset as we work towards recovery throughout the five boroughs, and especially in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic. Parks did its part and hired 3,200 of the 10,000 Cleanup Corps members and it proved to be a worthwhile investment. Over this past summer, they were instrumental in keeping our greenspaces clean and making our parks inviting spaces for New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy," said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. "As the CCC celebrates this milestone of hand sweeping 50,000 blocks, allow it to serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to beautify and preserve the communities we serve." 

 

“The City Cleanup Corps has been a terrific help in ensuring the City’s drainage infrastructure is operating as efficiently as possible,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “The Cleanup Corps has helped to clear trash and debris from catch basins and curbside rain gardens across the city. This is an important reminder that all New Yorkers can play a part in making New York a more livable city and support our drainage system by not littering on our streets.”

 

“DYCD and our funded community-based organizations are proud to be part of the City Cleanup Corps and its efforts to bring New York back from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. This is truly a win-win: the City’s hardest hit communities are being beautified one block at a time, and thousands of young people are benefiting from paid work, with an emphasis on high schoolers who need the most support and opportunities. DYCD looks forward to launching the new Work, Learn & Grow Environmental Corps in November, which will provide youth with work readiness, career exploration and training, with a focus on environmental justice and the City’s ongoing recovery,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong.

 

“New Yorkers continue to show their willingness to help their neighbors disaster after disaster. This is a testament to the spirit of resiliency and community throughout New York City. Programs like the New York City Cleanup Corps are a great complement to the emergency preparedness plans available to New Yorkers prior, during and after emergencies,” said Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani. “The response and outpouring of assistance for the residents impacted by the devastating floods due to Hurricane Ida is just another example of that sense of community.”

 

"The Cleanup Corps has allowed the Department of Probation and our Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) to pay hundreds of young people to beautify and clean up New York City, giving back to their communities. We applaud our Corps members, who are from some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Covid-19, for stepping up and being part of the recovery and rebuilding of New York City," said Department of Probation Commissioner Ana M. Bermúdez Esq.

 

“The NYPD is a proud government partner in the recovery efforts ongoing across all five boroughs of our city. Our dedicated men and women officers work tirelessly to support city residents in these cleanup efforts that are integral to our common good,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

 

"The amazing work of the City Cleanup Corps has played, and continues to play, a critical role in New York City's recovery efforts," said the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo. "By creating clean spaces, and revitalizing communities hardest hit by the pandemic, we can welcome back locals and visitors alike to once again enjoy everything the greatest city in the world has to offer."

 

“The City Cleanup Corps team has been instrumental in helping revitalize the City’s hardest-hit neighborhoods and helping our immigrant communities get back on their feet after Ida,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Raquel Batista. “We congratulate the team on their milestones and encourage New Yorkers to be a part of this initiative and take full advantage of the current job opportunities.”

 

“We are proud of our CleaNYC and Graffiti Free NYC programs, which employ hardworking men and women and improve our neighborhoods and public spaces. Our continued economic recovery depends on providing New Yorkers with quality jobs, which programs like these create, while improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Rachel Loeb.

 

“NYCHA campuses are interwoven throughout New York City, and the City Cleanup Corps Initiative plays an indispensable role in keeping our public spaces clean,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “Today’s milestone is a shining example of the transformations that can come when you engage residents in the sustainability and future of their communities.”

 

Four Defendants Charged In $7.6 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

 

Defendants Allegedly Submitted More Than 1,000 Fraudulent Applications for U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (“SBA-OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging JACOB CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and CHRISTAL RANSOM with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, false statements, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), resulting in a loss to the SBA of more than $7.6 million.  The defendants were arrested this morning.  QUADRI SALAHUDDIN and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court.  JACOB CARTER will be presented this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  CHRISTAL RANSOM will be presented later today in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants schemed to steal taxpayer-funded resources intended for small businesses in need of assistance during the pandemic.  My Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who would illegally seek to profit from a national emergency.”   

FBI Assistant Michael J. Driscoll said: “Today’s defendants have become the latest in line to be charged for SBA loan fraud as a result of their alleged conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic. As this behavior continues to be uncovered, the FBI will continue to respond to illegal activity with appropriate legal action.”

As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

The SBA is a federal agency of the Executive Branch that administers assistance to American small businesses.  This assistance includes making direct loans to applicants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) Program.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded SBA’s EIDL Program to provide small businesses with low-interest loans of up to $2 million prior to in or about May 2020 and up to $150,000 beginning in or about May 2020, in order to provide vital economic support to help overcome the loss of revenue small businesses are experiencing due to COVID-19.  Applicants seeking a loan under the EIDL program were also now permitted to request and receive an advance of approximately $1,000 per employee, for an amount up to $10,000, which the SBA has generally provided while the loan application was pending.

From March through July 2020, JACOB CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and CHRISTAL RANSOM used the identities of more than 1,000 other individuals (the “Applicants”) to submit more than 1,000 online applications to the SBA, seeking over $10 million of funds through the SBA’s EIDL Program.  (the “EIDL Applications”).  In connection with the EIDL Applications, CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and RANSOM falsely represented to the SBA, among other things, that the Applicants were the owners of businesses with 10 or more employees.  Based on the fraudulent EIDL Applications, the SBA made advance payments of more than $7.6 million to the Applicants, who often then kicked back a portion of the advance payments to CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and RANSOM.

JACOB CARTER, 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, 25, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, 35, of Mount Vernon, New York, and CHRISTAL RANSOM, 44, of Los Angeles, California, are each charged with (1) conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, (2) wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, (3) false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and (4) aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.   

The maximum potential sentences in these cases are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the SBA-OIG.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Announces $44.2 Million for Clean Water Systems and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects Statewide

 

Projects Located in 6 Regions Upstate.

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved more than $44 million for drinking water and wastewater projects across New York State. The funding includes grants, interest-free financings, and low-cost financings, approved by the EFC Board of Directors. This will provide cost-effective solutions for critical infrastructure projects across the state that protect or improve water quality.   

"One of the most important things to keeping a community strong and resilient is access to clean water. By ensuring our local partners have the resources they need to invest in critical water projects, we can bolster the public health in our state, and lay the foundation for growth and economic development," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will help local governments make critical upgrades to key infrastructure, like wastewater collection systems, drinking water mains and water storage tanks, helping to protect water quality for New Yorkers for generations to come."   

  

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "In the face of our changing climate and more frequent and severe storms, New York's aging drinking and wastewater systems are being challenged like never before. Governor Hochul understands the fiscal challenges local governments face in making necessary upgrades to water infrastructure and has made supporting their efforts a top priority. Today's announcement of more than $44 million in grants and low-cost financing through New York's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds and the Clean Water infrastructure Act will help local governments implement major infrastructure projects critical to protecting and improving water quality. DEC is proud to partner with the state's Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities across the state to help strengthen New York's water infrastructure systems. The Board of Directors welcomes EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman, as she continues EFC's mission to help communities with critical water infrastructure needs across New York State."  

EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to provide unprecedented support to help communities improve water quality as shown with her recent announcement of providing $400 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvement grants available to local communities. By approving funding to local governments for critical water infrastructure work, the EFC Board of Directors has ensured that communities statewide can cost-effectively undertake important projects that help protect our precious water resources. We are pleased to partner with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, and local governments as we work together to strengthen and modernize New York's aging water infrastructure systems."  

Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "New York's continued commitment to fund drinking water upgrades and other clean water initiatives is making a lasting impact on the health of communities statewide. Water systems are doing the work now to shore up outdated infrastructure that will ensure residents' access to quality drinking water long into the future."   

The Board's approval includes financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.   

The project financings approved at the Oct. 14 meeting include:  

Drinking Water Projects:  

• City of Jamestown in Chautauqua County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant for water main replacement.   
• Village of Canisteo in Steuben County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant and $1,776,800 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• Village of Walton in Delaware County - $1,200,000 WIIA grant and $800,000 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• City of Kingston in Ulster County - $900,000 WIIA grant and $600,000 in short-term, market-rate financing to upgrade transmission and distribution systems.  
• Massapequa Water District in Nassau County - $4,000,400 Intermunicipal Grant to upgrade a distribution system.  

Clean Water Projects:  

• City of Lockport in Niagara County - $531,250 WIIA grant, $2,268,750 short-term interest-free financing, and $1,000,000 short-term market-rate financing for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Village of Addison in Steuben County - $2,914,513 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater system improvements.   
• City of Binghamton in Broome County - $2,740,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the Village of Johnson City.   
• ­Village of Johnson City in Broome County - $2,260,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the City of Binghamton.  
• Village of Boonville in Oneida County - $5,122,500 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $2,457,500 grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Town of Ticonderoga in Essex County - $9,275,936 in long-term, interest-free financing for treatment plant improvements, sanitary sewer separation and stream daylighting.  
• Town of New Windsor in Orange County - $392,188 WIIA grant for sewer rehabilitation.  

The CWSRF and the DWSRF are EFC's core funding programs. With its partner DEC, EFC is responsible for the operation and administration of the CWSRF. The CWSRF allows EFC to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants to support a variety of eligible water quality improvement projects. EFC similarly operates and administers the DWSRF, with its partner DOH, to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants for drinking water infrastructure projects. To learn more about how EFC provides access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance, visit EFC's website at www.efc.ny.gov. 

79 Days and Counting

 

Those weren't cheers and greetings for me in the Bronx Columbus Day Parade Sunday. Those people in the Bronx were outright mean to me Charlene. I bet they would have driven me out of office on railroad tracks as in the old days. We better start packing up everything that is not nailed down.

I also have to worry about that Department of Investigation person whom I put in charge there. Her report makes me appear that I misappropriated funds of over three-hundred thousand dollars. They put Alan Hevisi in jail for less than that. Now you know why I did not want to visit Rikers Island, but it is good that the 'No Cash Bail Law' is in effect, because all I would have to do is sign myself out, an leave the country. There goes my chance at being Governor of New York.

27-Story Residential Building Breaks Ground At 2413 Third Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Rendering of 2413 Third Avenue

RXR Realty recently celebrated the commencement of construction on 2413 Third Avenue, a 27-story residential tower in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Designed by CetraRuddy Architecture, the development will comprise a mix of residences, parking, and ground-floor commercial area. 2413 Third Avenue arrives as RXR Realty’s first entry into the Bronx market.

“As the South Bronx’s population grows, RXR welcomes the opportunity to meet this demand and provide accessible, smartly designed, and amenitized homes,” said Joanne Minieri, senior executive vice president and COO of development and construction at RXR Realty. “RXR is fully committed to working in partnership with the community to increase local hiring and activate the neighborhood through direct investment.”

Groundbreaking ceremony at 2413 Third Avenue

2413 Third Avenue will house 200 rental units including 60 rent-stabilized units for middle-income households. All units are equipped with stainless steel appliances, white oak flooring, matte black iron fixtures, and subway tiling. Amenity spaces will include a fitness center, communal lounge areas, landscaped outdoor space, and a roof terrace with barbecue grills and dining area.

“The building design is rooted in the traditions of the vibrant community of Mott Haven,” said Nancy J. Ruddy and John Cetra of CetraRuddy Architecture. “A bold massing creates a sculpted presence that both engages the sky while opening up to pedestrian activity. Indoor/outdoor connectivity and integration with nature is an important element that helped form the project, creating gardens and varied outdoor spaces.”

The rendering shows a lively modern design incorporating a number of rectangular volumes composed of light colored paneling framing sleek floor-to-ceiling glass. These volumes are assembled together at various angles, and are interspersed by a core of earth-toned brick masonry, creating a striking contrast.

The commercial component will occupy a modest 721 square feet and will be divided into a separate gallery and retail business. The development will also include a parking garage designed to accommodate 81 vehicles with electric vehicle charging stations, a trending amenity among new developments in the New York City area.

This past summer, RXR and Bank of America closed on a $75.2 million construction loan to finance the development. Construction is on track to wrap by the end of 2023.