Betances Residence Completes Construction At 443 East 142nd Street In Mott Haven, The Bronx

Breaking Ground has completed construction on Betances Residence, a 152-unit affordable and supportive housing property at 443 East 142nd Street in Mott Haven, The Bronx. The development is Breaking Ground’s first Passive House-certified building and was completed in partnership with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

Designed by COOKFOX, Betances Residences features two eight-story towers that together comprise approximately 120,000 square feet. As a Passive House structure, the property’s high-performance façade provides greater airtightness compared to typical multifamily residential buildings. This level of insulation reduces the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable interior temperature, annual utility costs, and overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The mix of apartments includes 130 studios and 22 one-bedroom layouts. All of the apartments are reserved for formerly homeless and low-income adult households, plus a single unit for the superintendent. A total of 26 units were made available to current residents of NYCHA apartments.

Amenity spaces include a laundry room, a library and computer lab, a multipurpose room for events and programming, a landscaped courtyard, and a roof deck.

The building also features 4,700 square feet for a community facility with educational programming for underserved youth.

“Older adults are the fastest growing population in New York, and Betances helps ensure that our most vulnerable seniors can age in place without constant fear of losing their home,” said Brenda Rosen, president and CEO of Breaking Ground at a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. “We are especially grateful to NYCHA and our government partners, whose commitment to expanding affordable housing is unmatched. It is a privilege to continue to invest in the South Bronx and bring this beautiful, sustainable residence, along with programs for youth, to the Mott Haven community.”

Betances Residence received capital funding from the New York City Council and Bronx borough president’s office, HPD, HDC, OTDA/HHAC, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Corporation for Supportive housing provided pre-development funds. The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust purchased tax-exempt bonds to finance the development.

“Current NYCHA residents and low-income seniors will now have access to permanently affordable and supportive housing, a critical lifeline for our city’s seniors as they age,” said Jonathan Gouveia, executive vice president of real estate development of The New York City Housing Authority. “We congratulate Breaking Ground on the completion of this energy-efficient and thoughtfully designed building and look forward to continued partnership across city and state agencies.”

Permits Filed For 665 East 183rd Street In Belmont, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story mixed-use building at 665 East 183rd Street in Belmont, The Bronx. Located between Belmont Avenue and Cambreleng Avenue, the lot is closest to the 182-183 Street subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Nikolin Mjerashaj under the 3539 Drinon LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 65-foot-tall development will yield 9,403 square feet, with 8,561 square feet designated for residential space and 841 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 11 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 778 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Adnan Engineering is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed last July for the two-story residential building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Major Multi-Drug Seizure of Over 250 Pounds of Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, Crystal Meth and Counterfeit Pills in the Bronx

Accused Major Trafficker Arrested Inside Apartment 

 A court authorized search of an apartment in the Mount Hope neighborhood of the Bronx resulted in the seizure of approximately 110 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, plus 50 pounds of a substance believed to be crystal meth and up to 75,000 counterfeit pills believed to contain fentanyl. The drugs, which were allegedly intended for citywide distribution, carry an estimated street value of approximately $24 million. JULIO MOTA PLASENCIA was arrested in the stash apartment on Monday night and is charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker.

 Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, Ricky J. Patel, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen announced the seizure and arrest following the arraignment of MOTA PLASENCIA in Manhattan Criminal Court last night, where he was ordered held without bail.

 MOTA PLASENCIA was arrested on the evening of Monday, June 27, 2022, inside 112 Henwood Place, Apt. 3D in the Bronx. A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor contains charges of Operating as a Major Trafficker and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees.

 The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

 The New York OCDETF Strike Force is housed at the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA; the New York City Police Department; the New York State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Marshals Service; New York National Guard; U.S. Coast Guard; Port Washington Police Department; and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

 Pursuant to an investigation, members of the New York OCDETF Strike Force obtained a court authorized warrant for 112 Henwood Place, Apt. 3D. Upon entering the apartment at about 6:55 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022, agents and officers allegedly observed MOTA PLASENCIA run to the rear of the third floor apartment. Agents and officers pursued and found him standing on a windowsill in the bedroom. An open duffle bag that allegedly contained approximately 20 kilograms of narcotics was nearby.

 A thorough search of the apartment revealed drugs present throughout. Inside one closet near the entrance to the apartment, agents and officers found a gym bag with 50,000 to 75,000 counterfeit pills that were blue in color and stamped “M-30” mimicking a commonly abused form of oxycodone. The pills are believed to contain fentanyl.

 A second closet held two duffle bags containing 30 to 40 kilograms of narcotics and three ziplock bags of heroin, two of which were labelled “Cartel” and “Goma.” Also inside that closet were four boxes of rifle ammunition, with a total of 80 rounds, that can also be used in certain handguns.

 Inside the living room, agents and officers recovered a red cooler containing approximately 26 kilograms of cocaine, and a duffle bag containing cylindrical packages wrapped in plastic that are believed to have contained crystal meth. Also in the living room was a cardboard box with miscellaneous car parts and a kilogram of cocaine.

 A hamper in a hallway outside the bedroom contained approximately three kilograms of cocaine. On the kitchen counter were two kilograms of cocaine that had been opened up, as if being prepared for packaging.

 Some kilogram packages were labeled with various names, such as Toyota and Audi, and an image of the Dockers logo. The drugs seized will be submitted for DEA laboratory analysis.

 Drug paraphernalia was also recovered from various places in the apartment. A suitcase contained a kilo press used in packaging wholesale quantities of narcotics. A duffle bag contained plates for the kilo press. Other items recovered included scales, plastic gloves and other packaging materials. A drug ledger contained MOTA PLASENCIA’s name and multiple dollar amounts. Agents and officers seized evidence of multiple alias. Multiple forms of identification bore his picture and different names, including a driver’s license from the Dominican Republic.

 Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and commended her office’s Special Investigations Bureau, and the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, including the DEA; the New York City Police Department; the New York State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Marshals Service; New York National Guard; U.S. Coast Guard; Port Washington Police Department; and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

 “It appears that this apartment served as the Amazon warehouse for lethal drugs in New York City and surrounding regions,” said Special Prosecutor Brennan “While this case is consistent with the trend towards high-level traffickers selling many different drug types, it is highly unusual to find such large amounts concentrated in one location.”

 “Data doesn’t lie, New York is under siege by criminal drug networks flooding our city streets with fentanyl, killing people at record rates,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “This significant seizure proves that today’s traffickers have all the ingredients to make toxic cocktails for retail sales, deliberately blinding the users of what they are really getting. Through great teamwork among the New York Strike Force and NYC Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, we have taken $24 million worth of deadly drugs off our streets.”

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “This seizure illustrates what we are up against in the Bronx with traffickers bringing vast amounts of poisonous drugs that devastate communities here and in the metropolitan area. It is particularly disturbing that there was such a variety of dangerous drugs; fentanyl and crystal meth are especially destructive to people’s health. We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners to target these traffickers and get these deadly drugs off our streets. I thank Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, for their partnership, as well as HSI, New York, NYPD and the New York State Police.”

 “These illegal narcotics are poison. Period. They are peddled for profit by criminals who prey on some of the most vulnerable communities in New York City – and as this case demonstrates it is behavior that can never be tolerated,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “The work of our NYPD investigators, together with the city’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the DEA, and all of our law enforcement partners has shut down a depraved drug-dealing operation in this case and I want to thank all of our investigators for their outstanding in doing so.”

 Defendant                                  Charges

Julio Mota Plasencia           Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct

Bronx, NY                           CPCS 1st – 1 ct.

Age: 39                                CPCS 3rd – 1 ct

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DiNapoli: Rechargeable Batteries Use Rising, But State Not Enforcing Recycling Law

 

Rechargeable Batteries in Waste Stream Can Contaminate Waterways, Cause Fires

Audit Finds Department of Environmental Conservation Unaware If Manufacturers, Retailers Obey Recycling Law Created to Protect Environment, Public Safety

 The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is not doing enough to ensure rechargeable batteries are recycled as required by law to protect the environment and public safety, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“We use devices with rechargeable batteries every day, but they pose serious environmental risks if they’re not properly recycled,” DiNapoli said. “Unfortunately, the agency responsible for making sure they get recycled has little knowledge of whether it’s actually happening or whether they’re going out with the trash where they put New York’s environment, public health and safety at risk. DEC has to start monitoring compliance with the law, and enforcing it, or this hazard will only get worse as use of rechargeable batteries increases.”

Rechargeable batteries can contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and silver, and lithium-ion, all of which can pose a threat to the environment and human health and safety if they are not properly recycled. If they’re just put in the garbage and enter the waste stream, they can end up in landfills and their chemicals can leak into public water systems, lakes and streams. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite or explode if they are damaged in the waste stream and were the cause of a six-alarm fire on a trash barge in December 2021.

DEC is responsible for enforcing the 2010 New York State Rechargeable Battery Law that requires manufacturers and retailers recycle rechargeable batteries with some exceptions such as large batteries weighing over 25 pounds and rechargeable vehicle batteries. Recycling in New York is managed by Call2Recycle (C2R), a non-profit program funded by the rechargeable battery and portable electronics industry, under a plan approved by the DEC in 2013.

C2R provides collection bins, pays for shipping and sorting and selects recycling facilities, so there are no public costs or public collection sites. C2R also creates, and submits to the DEC, an annual report on the recycling efforts that battery manufacturers are required to provide under the law. Between 2017 and 2020, C2R reported collecting 996,149 pounds of rechargeable batteries – mostly nickel-cadmium, followed by sealed lead, lithium-ion, and nickel metal hydride.

DiNapoli’s audit found that, outside of C2R’s efforts, the DEC has no independent awareness of whether rechargeable batteries are being recycled in New York as the law requires or how much is being recycled. The agency also does little with the annual reports that C2R submits on behalf of manufacturers.

C2R’s 2020 report listed 189 manufacturers in its recycling program that sell rechargeable batteries in the state. In 2014, it gave DEC a list of 75 manufacturers that were not in the program and might not have been complying with the law. DEC sent letters that resulted in 25 joining the program, but has taken no action since then to check on the remaining 50 manufacturers.

In 2021, C2R sent DEC a list of the top 10 manufacturers that are not in its recycling program, but the agency has not taken any action on it. Auditors were able to reach seven of the manufacturers who each stated they had no recycling program. Two of them are large companies with more than 14,000 employees and $5 billion in revenue.

As of September 2021, there were 911 retail locations in C2R’s program. Auditors checked on 30 of them and found five did not know they were enrolled in the program to collect and recycle rechargeable batteries and three did not have a collection bin. There are at least 1,248 more retailers that may be subject to the law but are not in the program or have not implemented another means for collecting and recycling batteries. Auditors checked with 72 of them and found a large majority (69%) did not have collection bins for consumers.

Because it is not checking to see if manufacturers and retailers are following the law, DEC has not issued a single fine or penalty since the law was passed. Violators of the law can face penalties of $50 to $200 for consumers, $200 to $500 for retailers, and $2,000 to $5,000 for manufacturers.

DEC is required under the law to analyze the information it gets from C2R, and its own monitoring efforts, and submit a report every two years to the Legislature and the Executive. It has never submitted a report.

Rechargeable battery usage will continue to grow, including those powering electric vehicles, not covered by the law. A law passed in September 2021 requires that by 2035 all new cars and trucks sold in New York have zero emissions. Rechargeable vehicle batteries pose the same threats to the environment and individuals’ health as the batteries that are required to be recycled under the law. The rising use of the batteries increases the urgency that DEC uphold its responsibilities under the law and demonstrate strong oversight of recycling.

DiNapoli’s audit recommended that DEC monitor, enforce and promote the recycling law and that it submit the biennial reports called for in the law.

In its response, the agency cited lack of resources for its failure to monitor or enforce the law. In 2018, it reported seven employees spent 7% of their time on oversight of rechargeable battery recycling, falling to five employees spending 2% of their time as of August 2021. The employees are also charged with overseeing proper disposal of electronic waste, mercury products and toxins in packaging. The agency’s full response is in the audit.

Report

Department of Environmental Conservation, Oversight and Enforcement of the Rechargeable Battery Law

Attorney General James Calls on Google to Address Dangerous Amplification of Fake Pregnancy Centers

 

Search Results on Google Maps Often Direct Abortion-Seeking Individuals to Anti-Abortion Clinics

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today called on Google to correct search results that direct individuals seeking abortions to dangerous and misleading anti-abortion clinics in New York. In a letter to Google, Attorney General James expressed grave concerns regarding the failure of Google Maps to distinguish between facilities that offer abortion services and those that do not, which could lead individuals seeking abortions to visit crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) for care. The CPCs’ websites often misrepresent that they provide reproductive health care services — including abortion — but in reality, they do not provide abortion or any health care services, and frequently do not have any licensed medical providers on staff. Because of their misleading sites, CPCs are often included in Google Maps search results for “abortion” when in fact they exist solely to discourage pregnant individuals from having an abortion. Attorney General James’ urged Google to take immediate action to ensure that results for abortion providers in New York are accurate.

“Given the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it is more important than ever that New York stands strong in providing safe access to abortion,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers, and others traveling to the state, should trust that Google Maps will provide accurate information and direct them to real and safe care. My office will do whatever is necessary to work with Google to make these changes and ensure that people can locate the reproductive health care facilities that they need.”

Due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization laws banning abortions in states across the nation, pregnant individuals seeking abortions will be forced to travel to states where abortion remains legal, including New York. Individuals often rely on search engines like Google to find abortion providers and facilities but currently, Google Map search results don’t distinguish between clinics that offer abortion services and anti-abortion entities like CPCs. By relying on Google’s search results in these cases, individuals are unknowingly directed towards dangerous situations and harmful experiences.

Google is aware of these issues and has previously promised to address them. In 2018, Google agreed to investigate reports of CPCs included in abortion searches on Google Maps. In 2019, the company stated that human analysts were working on deciphering which facilities offer abortion and those that work to interfere with a pregnant persons’ decision. However, the issue is continuing to interfere with access to accurate abortion information in New York. For example, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recently tested Google Maps in Binghamton, New York and found that a search for local abortion clinics generated a list which included several CPCs located in the area.

Attorney General James warned Google to immediately address the misinformation and work to provide accurate direction to abortion clinics. The OAG is requesting that Google implement measures so that abortion-related search results show local facilities that are confirmed to provide abortion services.

If New Yorkers have questions, concerns, or incidents to report on this matter they should contact OAG’s Health Care Bureau online or call 1-800-428-9071.

This action is the most recent that Attorney General James has taken to support and expand access to abortion care. This week, Attorney General James’ Pro Bono Task Force on Reproductive Health launched a legal hotline that will provide legal guidance and resources to patients, healthcare providers, and supporters seeking information about their legal rights to access and provide abortions. Also this week, Attorney General James joined national coalition of 22 attorneys general in reaffirming their commitment to fighting for the rights of pregnant people nationwide.

Gang Members And Others Who Used Violence To Take Control Of New York Fire Mitigation Industry Charged With Racketeering And Extortion

 

 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”), Ricky J. Patel, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Jocelyn Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the unsealing of a two-count Indictment charging nine defendants with racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy.  Eight of the defendants were arrested yesterday and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron in federal court in Manhattan.  Defendant JATIEK SMITH was arrested and presented in the District of Puerto Rico.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.

The defendants, who include members of the violent Bloods street gang, took control of First Response Cleaning Corp. (“First Response”), a Brooklyn-based company which provides clean-up services to properties damaged by fire.  The defendants used First Response as a vehicle to extort other participants in the fire mitigation industry and to assert control over the industry using violence and threats of violence. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “We are smoking out corruption and violence in the fire mitigation industry with today’s charges.  As alleged, the defendants used threats and violence to take over a company and then an industry.  Thanks to our law enforcement partners’ work, today’s arrests bring an end to the defendants’ violent scheme.    

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said:  “We allege gang members deployed mob-like tactics, using extortion and violence in their attempts to take over an entire industry designed to help victims after a fire. They employed violence to force other companies and vendors to do their bidding. Thanks to the incredible work by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, this crew can no longer threaten to kill people's families, retaliate against potential witnesses, and profit off of someone else's loss.”

HSI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Ricky J. Patel said:  “Members of the Bloods allegedly infiltrated the First Response Cleaning Corporation and utilized violence to command dominance and compliance over their competitors within the insurance industry.  This criminal organization took advantage of people in time of personal and professional turmoil to enrich themselves at others expense.  HSI will continue to work alongside our partners to disrupt and dismantle complex criminal organizations who seek to exploit legitimate businesses to further their violent agendas.”

NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said:  “This indictment is a clear demonstration that those who use violence, force and threats of force to inflict harm on New Yorkers – will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Due to the relentless efforts of the NYPD, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, and all of our law enforcement partners, these defendants are now forced to answer for their alleged gang-motivated crimes.  I thank everyone who worked on this important case.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said:  “As alleged, the defendants used violence and threats of violence to seize control of the fire restoration industry in New York City, and submitted false claims to insurance companies in a scheme to ensure insurance coverage for defective restoration work.  DOI is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the NYPD to dismantle this charged criminal enterprise and to hold its members accountable for their illegal and violent charged conduct.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court and statements made in court filings[1]:

First Response is an emergency mitigation services (or “EMS”) company which provides clean-up services to properties damaged by fire.  When properties suffer fire damage, property owners often hire an EMS company to clean up the damaged property.  Property owners also often rely upon adjusters—either a “public adjuster” or an “independent adjuster”—to investigate, process, and submit the insurance claims to their insurer.  A public adjuster is paid by the property owner with a percentage of the settlement paid out by the insurer on the insurance claim, while an independent adjuster works for and is paid by the insurer.  

Beginning in 2019, defendants JATIEK SMITH, a/k/a “Tiek,” SEQUAN JACKSON, a/k/a “Supa,” ANTHONY MCGEE, a/k/a “Touch,” KAHEEN SMALL, a/k/a “Biz,” DAMON DORE, a/k/a “Demo,” HASIM SMITH, a/k/a “Hoodie,” RAHMIEK LACEWELL, a/k/a “Ready,” and MANUEL PEREIRA, a/k/a “Manny,” many of whom are members of the Bloods street gang, worked together to take control of First Response.  JATIEK SMITH was the leader of the crew.  After taking control of First Response, SMITH and the others then used force and threats of force against other EMS companies and public adjusters to exert control over the entire fire mitigation industry.  Defendant OCTAVIO PERALTA was a public adjuster who participated in the enterprise’s efforts to defraud and who helped the conspirators solidify their control over the industry.  The enterprise’s threats included threats to kill or shoot their victims and members of the victims’ families.  With the backing of these threats of force, they imposed a system of rules upon other EMS companies and on public adjusters, including a strict rotation system in which the defendants dictated which companies got which losses.  The enterprise also extorted money from EMS companies and public adjusters and required these other companies to pay if they wanted to continue to work without being attacked.  On multiple occasions, the enterprise used force against other EMS companies and public adjusters to ensure that they submitted to the rules, including physically assaulting victims.  They sometimes created video recordings of this violence and distributed the recordings within the industry to threaten other victims.  The enterprise also helped submit false insurance claims for damaged properties and threatened violence or retaliation against potential witnesses who were believed to be cooperating with the federal investigation into the enterprise’s crimes.

JATIEK SMITH, 37, of Staten Island, New York; JACKSON, 33, of Staten Island, New York; MCGEE, 32, of Staten Island, New York; SMALL, 35, of Brooklyn, New York; DORE, 36, of Staten Island, New York; HASIM SMITH, 29, of Staten Island, New York; LACEWELL, 37, of Staten Island, New York; PEREIRA 38, of Brooklyn, New York; and OCTAVIO PERALTA, 42, of Staten Island, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.  Each count carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, for a combined statutory maximum of 40 years in prison. 

The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, HSI, NYPD, and DOI.  Mr. Williams also thanked the HSI Puerto Rico Gang Unit and the National Insurance Crime Bureau for their assistance with this investigation. 

The charges contained in the Indictment 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 Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Announces Early 2024 Completion of Environmental Assessment for East Buffalo Kensington Expressway Project

 

Project Groundbreaking in East Buffalo Expected by Late 2024

Environmental Assessment Already Underway and will be Completed in Less than Two Years

New Website Launches Today as Part of Ongoing Public Engagement Process

Two Public Scoping Meetings to be Held on June 30 at the Buffalo Museum of Science

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that an environmental assessment for the Kensington Expressway project is underway and will be completed in early 2024, opening the door for an official groundbreaking by the end of that year. A new website is also being launched in advance of two public scoping meetings being held at the Buffalo Museum of Science on June 30.

"With East Buffalo and all New Yorkers still reeling from the horrific terrorist attack that took place at Tops Supermarket last month, I am laser-focused on uplifting this community now and into the future," Governor Hochul said. "The Kensington Expressway project represents a historic opportunity to right a wrong of the past by reuniting communities, creating jobs, and igniting economic growth throughout the region — helping build a brighter future for East Buffalo."

Today's announcement builds on Governor Hochul's commitment to strengthening East Buffalo in the wake of last month's white supremacist terror attack at Tops Supermarket. On June 18, the Governor visited East Buffalo to announce $50 million in targeted investments as part of the state's ongoing efforts to address the immediate needs of East Buffalo, which she called "a down payment on the much larger amount of work that lies ahead."

Constructed during the 1950s and 1960s, the Kensington Expressway replaced what had been a grand, tree-lined boulevard — the historic Humboldt Parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted — with a below-grade highway that severed the connection between the surrounding neighborhoods. With up to $1 billion set aside by Governor Hochul for this transformational project in East Buffalo, the neighborhood was wrongly divided by the Kensington Expressway's original construction, will once again be reunited.

As part of the ongoing public engagement process, a new website has been launched to provide information on the Kensington Expressway project options. The website will go live ahead of two public scoping sessions taking place on June 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Buffalo Museum of Science. The scoping sessions will provide community members with an opportunity to learn about the various options being considered for the project, including two options NYSDOT believes best represent the foundation for the restoration of an at-grade highway that would restore the original streetscape of the Olmstead-designed Humboldt Parkway.

Community input received at these sessions and other public involvement opportunities to be held during the environmental review will help inform NYSDOT's decision-making process. The Department will consider the comments received at the scoping sessions and during the subsequent 30-day scoping comment period and respond to substantive comments in the Project Scoping Report to be completed later this summer. Working in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the New York State Department of Transportation's is advancing the environmental review process for this project through an environmental assessment that will build on years of public outreach by NYSDOT and conversations with local leaders how to best right the wrongs of the past for neighborhoods in East Buffalo.

NYSDOT is currently assessing opportunities to create new open public spaces, enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety, and address noise and air pollution as part of the environmental process. The Department is also assessing enhancements to the local roadways to facilitate safe vehicle operations within reconnected neighborhoods. Project boundaries include the eastern limit of East Ferry Street and western limit at Best Street. The Kensington Expressway carries about 80,000 cars per day.

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - Community Shredding Event

 

Greetings, On Friday, July 8th between 11:00am - 1pm, our office will be hosting a Community Shredding Event in partnership with the Department of Sanitation at the 80th Assembly District Office: 2018 Williamsbridge Road, Our office invites you all to come out and shred as many documents as needed on a first come, first serve basis! We appreciate your time and efforts in advance! Best Regards, New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez