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Thursday, April 25, 2013
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Neighborhood Festival!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES PLANS TO TRANSFORM KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY INTO WORLD’S LARGEST INDOOR ICE FACILITY
Kingsbridge
National Ice Center Will Feature Nine Year-Round Indoor Ice Rinks,
Including a 5,000-Seat Feature Rink for Major Ice Hockey and Skating
Events
KNIC
Partners LLC Will Invest $275 Million to Redevelop the Vacant Building,
Creating More Than 260 Permanent Jobs and 890 Construction Jobs
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today
announced plans to transform the iconic Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx –
vacant since 1996 – into the world’s largest indoor ice facility. The
landmark armory, which occupies a full City block
at 29 West Kingsbridge Road, will be redeveloped into a
750,000-square-foot ice sports facility to be known as Kingsbridge
National Ice Center (KNIC). KNIC will feature nine year-round indoor
regulation size ice rinks, including a feature rink that can seat
approximately 5,000 people and be used to host national and
international ice hockey tournaments, figure and speed skating
competitions and ice shows. The project will also include 50,000 square
feet of space designated for community uses. It is expected that
KNIC will draw more than 2 million visitors a year, vastly increasing
the options of ice facilities in New York City, where there are
currently only seven year-round ice rinks, none of which are located in
the Bronx. The project represents a private investment
of $275 million, which will generate 890 construction jobs and 267
permanent jobs. Mayor Bloomberg made the announcement at the Kingsbridge
Armory and was joined by KNIC Partners LLC Founder Kevin Parker, New
York Rangers hockey legend Mark Messier, Olympic
Figure Skating Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes, Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member Cabrera and New York City Economic
Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky.
“Through this redevelopment the
Kingsbridge Armory will now have an interior program befitting its
iconic exterior architecture,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The construction
of the world’s largest indoor ice rink facility will create
recreational opportunities for millions of visitors and local
residents, and most importantly create hundreds of jobs for the local
community. This plan is proof that working together we can put aside our
differences and do what’s best for the city" Bloomberg and Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. said.
“This historic
announcement represents a great achievement for the Bronx and the entire
City,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President
Seth W. Pinsky. “The Bloomberg Administration has long
been committed to revitalizing the Bronx, and this $275 million private
investment is another step forward, bringing a landmark building back
to life with the largest ice sports facility in the world, while
creating nearly 1,200 permanent and construction
jobs that will contribute the area’s long-term economic growth.”
“Today marks the
beginning of a new chapter for the historic Kingsbridge Armory,” said
Kevin Parker, founder of KNIC Partners. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and the
New York City Economic Development Corporation
for this tremendous honor and for believing in our vision, and look
forward to working with the community throughout this process to ensure
the Armory’s future is as incredible as its past. This project is about
opportunity, first and foremost, and we are
confident the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will become a source of
pride for the Bronx and all of New York City for generations to come.”
“This is a fantastic project, one that will bring living
wage jobs and new recreation opportunities to the northwest Bronx while
completely transforming a long-vacant space into a new amenity that will
complement the surrounding
community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This project
shows the tremendous opportunity the Bronx has to offer, and I am proud
to have helped move the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory
forward.”
“Today we are one step
closer to transforming the Kingsbridge Armory into an important economic
engine for the surrounding Kingsbridge community and the Bronx as a
whole,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I am
incredibly pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with the
Kingsbridge National Ice Center that addresses the needs of the
community I serve.”
“I
commend Mayor Bloomberg for his leadership in reaching this decision,”
said New York Rangers legend and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier. “As a
hockey player, I believe the Kingsbridge
National Ice Center will change the sport in the metropolitan area. As a
New Yorker, I know it will also change this city, providing invaluable
educational and athletic opportunity to thousands of young people, and
transforming the Bronx into the new center
of ice sports in the United States.”
“Today
is a day for New York City to celebrate,” said Olympic Champion figure
skater Sarah Hughes. “The Kingsbridge National Ice Center – and the
educational and fitness initiatives
it will create – represents new possibilities for so many children,
including those who dream of one day becoming Olympic champions. This is
the start of something incredible for the Bronx and I am proud to be
part of it.”
Of the nine ice rinks,
five will be located on the main floor and four will be constructed on
two platforms elevated approximately 40 feet above the main floor. At
least two rinks at KNIC will be sled hockey-compatible
for people with disabilities. The facility is expected to be open 365
days a year. In addition to the ice rinks, the facility will feature: a
wellness center, with off-ice training fitness, rehabilitation and
sports therapy programs; dressing rooms and lockers
with storage for individual hockey equipment; concession space; retail
space for ice sport goods; and parking for approximately 480 cars.
Renderings are available at
www.flickr.com/nycmayorsoffice .
KNIC also plans to create a
foundation to establish free after-school ice sports and academic
tutoring programs for disadvantaged youth. The program will be modeled
after the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in
Philadelphia with the goal of providing 12 hours of ice time each
weekday during the school year and 9 hours each weekday during summer.
The project will now begin
a comprehensive public and environmental review with an anticipated
groundbreaking in late 2014. The entire project will be built in two
phases, with the first phase, consisting of five
ice rinks, 50,000 square feet community space, concessions and parking,
expected to be complete by September 2018. The remainder of the project
will be built in the second phase which is expected to open by
September 2019.
KNIC Partners LLC was
selected through a competitive public process that began with the
issuance of an RFP by NYCEDC in January 2012, and will now enter into a
99-year lease for the property. The RFP sought a redevelopment
plan that would promote economic growth in Kingsbridge and surrounding
neighborhoods, provide quality jobs for local residents, and create an
exciting destination for people throughout the Bronx and the City.
Built between 1912 and
1917, the Kingsbridge Armory was designed by the architecture firm of
Pilcher and Tachau and is an outstanding example of military
architecture featuring Romanesque arches, vaulted ceilings,
decorative brick and terra cotta, and large battlement towers. Thought
to be the largest armory in the world, Kingsbridge Armory is an
approximately 575,000 square foot land marked building. The 180,000
square foot main drill floor measures 300 feet by 600
feet – more than a full New York City block – and is spanned freely by
pairs of vaulted steel trusses that rise 110 feet above the drill hall
floor. Beneath the drill floor, a 105,000 square foot basement level and
a 207,000 square foot sub-basement formerly
housed offices, a garage, rifle and pistol ranges, a dining room, a
gymnasium, and an auditorium. In addition, on the Armory’s south facade
is a 35,000 square foot head-house, the central feature of which is a
double-height entrance foyer with a vaulted ceiling.
The Armory has not been used for military purposes since 1993. The City
has invested about $30 million in capital funds for environmental
cleanup in the building, replacement of its roof and repairs to the
facade.
Left - Mayor Bloomberg at the mike announcing the plan to house the Kingsbridge National Ice Center at the Kingsbridge Armory. L - R are Mr. Kevin Parker of KNIC, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., CB 7 chair Paul Foster, Councilman Fernando Cabrera, Gold Medalist skater Sarah Hughes, NYCEDC President Seth Pinsky.
Right - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. at the mike.
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What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. RubĂ©n DĂaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
HISTORY ALWAYS REPEATS ITSELF
You
should know that a lot of people have been calling me and asking me about the
endorsement by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda to Mayoral Candidate Bill de Blasio.
They are also asking me if my relationship with Luis Sepulveda has gone sour.
As
you know, Luis Sepulveda was my protégé and when the Bronx Democratic Chairman
and Committee did not want to endorse him, I was there to support, pressure and
fight for their support. I was the only elected official, that four years ago,
came out in support of Luis Sepulveda against an 18-year incumbent leader,
Peter Rivera. That election was lost by almost 400 votes, but it was a
stepping-stone for Luis Sepulveda to regroup and continue to fight and making
Assemblyman Peter Rivera to resign and become New York State Commissioner of
Labor and open the opportunity for Luis Sepulveda to be who he is today, a New
York State Assemblyman for the 87th District in the Bronx.
Now,
Luis Sepulveda has gone on his own and has supported Bill de Blasio for Mayor
against my candidate, Rev. Erick Salgado.
All
of my friends, all of my colleagues, and everyone in the media know that I am
supporting a candidate whose name is Rev. Erick Salgado who announced his
candidacy for Mayor earlier this month. Rev. Erick Salgado is a conservative
Democrat and a businessman who is ready and willing to unite with all New
Yorkers to fix our broken city. He is the only Hispanic running in the
Mayoral Democratic Primary.
My
candidate, Rev. Erick Salgado and I know that at this moment, he is at the
bottom rung and has only one way to go - up - and he will!
We
all saw how Christine Quinn's poll numbers took a real hit after Senator
Gustavo Rivera endorsed her for Mayor. Before his endorsement, Christine
Quinn had the support of 37 percent of those polled. She was so close to that
coveted 40 percent mark. After Senator Gustavo Rivera's endorsement, she's down
to 26 percent.
My
advise to my dear friend Luis Sepulveda is to work very hard, especially in the
Hispanic community, to be sure that Bill DeBlasio's poll numbers, which even
last week were said to be sluggish, don't come down because as a Hispanic, I
could imagine that Bill de Blasio is expecting him to deliver the Hispanic
vote. One way to prove real leadership is when you and your followers endorse a
candidate and after doing so, the poll number rise. When you endorse a
candidate and your candidate gets pummeled, you will lose credibility.
And
to those that are questioning why this is happening, I must say that this is
America where people can decide what is best for them. I should remind them,
that this is not the first time and it will not be the last time that people
come to our churches, meet our ministers, kiss our babies, tell us to pray for
them, ask for our support and once elected, they vanish. We shall continue our
struggle because some of us are in this business because of conviction and
others only seek convenience.
This
is Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.
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Monday, April 22, 2013
What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. RubĂ©n DĂaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
TO FRACK OR NOT TO FRACK?
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York
TO FRACK OR NOT TO FRACK?
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!
You should know that hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is
a process used to extract natural gas from underground shale formations.
It involves drilling thousands of feet below the earth's surface
and pumping chemicals, sand and millions of gallons of water at high pressure
into a well. When the shale shatters, the gas rises up into the well. There
are currently 30 states in the United States where hydraulic fracturing
is used.
You should also know that the Marcellus Shale formation stretches from the western part of New York State to Pennsylvania, and is a tremendous resource for natural gas. There are many pros and cons about fracking this region of New York State, and I'd like to share some of them, today.
The pros of fracking include New Yorkers no longer having to be held hostage to and relying upon oil from the Middle East. Marcellus Shale is believed to be the largest known deposit of shale gas in the United States America. Fracking in New York would bring natural gas - cheap energy - to the market. New Yorkers could finally be energy independent.
Natural gas produced by fracking is a cleaner energy source - much cleaner than coal mining. If gas displaces coal, then fracking will be good for the global environment.
Jobs would be created and provide help for New York's economically depressed areas. Between 2009 and 2011 there were 72,000 shale jobs created in Pennsylvania.
The cons of fracking include serious concerns about the environmental impact in New York. These include how drilling and extraction will affect the air and water quality, truck traffic, and industrial accidents.
We have all heard the voices of high-profile celebrities who oppose fracking while claiming to be environmentalists, saying that we need to do more with less. If we take a closer look at some of these outspoken actors and artists, some who are quite wealthy and never have less, I have to wonder if they are just trying to ban progress.
You should know that while I support efforts in New York State to utilize solar, wind, and tidal resources, and while I share the concerns of those who oppose hydrofracking in New York, I strongly believe that if we make sure that our environmental regulations are prepared for the hydrofracking industry, and if we can control the air and water impact of fracking, it will be fine.
If it is safe, let's do it!
This is Senator Reverend RubĂ©n DĂaz and this is what you should know.
You should also know that the Marcellus Shale formation stretches from the western part of New York State to Pennsylvania, and is a tremendous resource for natural gas. There are many pros and cons about fracking this region of New York State, and I'd like to share some of them, today.
The pros of fracking include New Yorkers no longer having to be held hostage to and relying upon oil from the Middle East. Marcellus Shale is believed to be the largest known deposit of shale gas in the United States America. Fracking in New York would bring natural gas - cheap energy - to the market. New Yorkers could finally be energy independent.
Natural gas produced by fracking is a cleaner energy source - much cleaner than coal mining. If gas displaces coal, then fracking will be good for the global environment.
Jobs would be created and provide help for New York's economically depressed areas. Between 2009 and 2011 there were 72,000 shale jobs created in Pennsylvania.
The cons of fracking include serious concerns about the environmental impact in New York. These include how drilling and extraction will affect the air and water quality, truck traffic, and industrial accidents.
We have all heard the voices of high-profile celebrities who oppose fracking while claiming to be environmentalists, saying that we need to do more with less. If we take a closer look at some of these outspoken actors and artists, some who are quite wealthy and never have less, I have to wonder if they are just trying to ban progress.
You should know that while I support efforts in New York State to utilize solar, wind, and tidal resources, and while I share the concerns of those who oppose hydrofracking in New York, I strongly believe that if we make sure that our environmental regulations are prepared for the hydrofracking industry, and if we can control the air and water impact of fracking, it will be fine.
If it is safe, let's do it!
This is Senator Reverend RubĂ©n DĂaz and this is what you should know.
***********************************************************************************
Committee For Effective Leadership Luncheon
The Committee for Effective Leadership lead by Honorary Chair people Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Assemblyman & Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie, Councilwoman Annabel Palma, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Councilman James Vacca held a luncheon Sunday afternoon to honor people for their exemplary leadership and service to their respective communities and to New York City. The honorees were 80th A.D. Male District Leader Kenneth Agosto, Executive Director of the Center for Community Change Deepak Bhargava, Director, & Senior Adviser on Disability and Access to the Democratic National Committee Becky Ogle. and 82nd A.D. State Committee person Naita Semaj.
The event was opened by Bronx Democratic County Adviser Patrick Jenkins who introduced 82nd A.D. State Committeeman Lewis Goldstein. Mr. Goldstein gave a brief speech about the honorees and brought up Congressman Eliot Engel. Congressman Engel said that he had to catch a plane to head back to Washington, spoke of the good work of the honorees, and did not miss any chance of slamming his Republican counterparts in Congress. Mr. Goldstein also introduced the Keynote speaker President of the NYS AFL/CIO Mario Cilento. Mr. Cilento spoke of the gains and struggles of the labor movement in the past and now. He mentioned that some members of the legislature want to cut back on some of the gains that workers have made. He also wished the honorees all the best for the causes that they promote.
Right - Congressman Engel thanks Mr. Lewis Goldstein for his hard work as BDCC advisor Patrick Jenkins looks on.
A group photo of the elected officials and honorees.
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Sunday, April 21, 2013
Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda Endorses Bill DeBlasio for Mayor
Parkchester Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda and about 100 of the assemblyman's supporters came out today at the Metropolitan Oval to watch and cheer on Sepulveda's endorsement of current Public Advocate Bill BeBlasio for mayor in the upcoming Democratic primary. Assemblyman Sepulveda welcomed everyone by saying this year a new mayor will be elected. Parkchester is a microcosm of New York City made up of a lot of different people. Like New York City Parkchester has similar problems that have not been paid attention to. After careful talks with the candidates, community leaders, and his advisers he has chosen to endorse Bill DeBlasio for mayor in the Democratic primary.
Deblasio thanked Assemblyman Sepulveda for his choice of who to support in the mayors race, and Luis has done a great job for the community as an assemblyman and even before he was elected. Deblasio said that there needs to be a lot changed in the city starting off with a new Police commissioner, and that policing can be done that is more community friendly than it is now. Deblasio said that there are two New York City's. One where the rich get richer, and one where the poor get poorer. He added that the income disparity is now as great as it was in 1929 the year of the great depression.
DeBlasio went on to blast City Council Speaker (and opponent for mayor) Christine Quinn for holding up legislation in the council, sometimes for three years that was favorable to poor working New Yorkers. DeBlasio wants to tax the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay for full day Pre-K, and after school programs for middle school students. He said that Mayor Bloomberg is trying to close to many schools without helping said schools when they get into academic trouble. He added that he is in favor of an Inspector General to oversee the Police Department, and said "Yes you can have safety and respect also".
Deblasio closed by saying that Speaker Quinn wants to continue the Bloomberg Administration's policies that he wants to change.
Left - Before the endorsement Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, poses with Assemblyman Sepulveda. Deblasio's wife Charlene is between the two men.
Right - Deblasio shakes hands with some Parkchester residents.
Left - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda tells why he is endorsing Bill DeBlasio for mayor in the upcoming Democratic primary. Sepulveda's wife Elizabeth stands to his right.
Right - Bill DeBlasio thanks Assemblyman Sepulveda for his endorsement, with DeBlasio's wife Charline on his left.
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Saturday, April 20, 2013
Cohen Picks up Endorsement of Padernacht in 11th Council District
In front of the Shalom Aleichem Houses in the Van Cortlandt Village section of the Bronx, where Mr. Dan Padernacht both works and lives, he brought out several of his supporters to endorse the candidacy of Andrew Cohen for the 11th City Council seat. Mr. Padernacht is best known from 2010 when he entered the race for the 33rd State Senate that was occupied then by State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. Mr. Padernacht a member of Community Board 8 and has been the Chairman of the boards Traffic & Transportation Committee the past few years. It was rumored that Mr. Padernacht would be running for the 11th council seat currently occupied by term limited Councilman G. Oliver Koppel, but after speculation that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz would run it held back Mr. Padernachts council campaign. While Padernacht felt he could easily beat the only announced candidate at the time Mr. Cliff Stanton, he had to contemplate the candidacy of Assemblyman Dinowitz. Mr. Andrew Cohen later decided to go ahead with his campaign for city council, and started to rack up the endorsements of the local elected officials as well as many others including numerous unions. With petition gathering for the September Primary only a few weeks away it was time to decide to continue a candidacy for city council or endorse one of the announced candidates. Mr. Padernacht chose to endorse the candidacy of fellow Community Board 8 member and friend, Andrew Cohen for the 11th City Council seat citing Mr. Cohen's record of achievement and commitment to the community.
Candidate Andrew Cohen said “Dan
Padernacht's credentials as an activist committed to the community and
city are familiar to all of us who care for the Bronx". “As
the Chair of the Traffic and Transportation Committee for Community
Board 8, Dan has stood up to irresponsible developers, always putting
the will of the people and the betterment of our neighborhoods first.
His endorsement is an important validation for my campaign and I welcome
his support with enthusiasm as we work together to make the 11th
Council District even better.”
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Friday, April 19, 2013
5TH ANNUAL “FAIR @ THE SQUARE”! May 11th at 11am
The Westchester
Square Merchants Association, in partnership with the Bronx Council on the Arts and NYC
Dept. of Parks & Recreation, invite you to the 5th Annual “Fair @ The Square”, taking place Saturday, May 11th from 11am to 6pm along the streets of Westchester Square between St. Raymond and Westchester Avenues. We
hope you will join us at this FREE, fantastic, fun-filled, community event,
which is held as part of Bronx Week 2013.
The
main sponsor of this year’s “Fair @ The Square” is the Westchester Square Business Improvement District, recently formed
and whose immediate goal is to promote the diversity in the commerce,
culture, and community of Westchester Square, one of the busiest areas
in the Bronx, traveled through by over 80,000 commuters daily.
Major
sponsors include the Hutchinson Metro Center, Healthfirst, New York Daily News,
United Healthcare, Visiting Nurse Services of New York, and WellCare.
This
FREE multi-cultural event attracts
thousands of fair-goers throughout the day, will feature an all day concert
series hosted by Rhina Valentin "La Reina del Barrio" of
BronxNet's OPEN Show and Dennis "Dion" Nardone of WVOX 1460AM Radio,
as popular NY artists take the stage, including Alive N
Kickin' ("Tighter, Tighter"), one of the premier event
bands in the Tri-State area, Freestyle sensations Soave ("Cryin' Over
You") and Fascination
("Why You Wanna Go"), Top 10 Billboard Songwriter Ron Rogers performing his worldwide
#1 hit song "Deputy of Love" and giving us a sneak peak
at his upcoming show production "Cowboys & Gangsters", returning
artists -- Gene DiNapoli with
his new Bronx Bombers Show featuring songs by Bobby Darin, Tony
Orlando and many others, the Bronx Reign
Dancers, Italian Hip Hop Movement artist SALESE, recording artist J Universal, freestyle
artist Donna Williams, W.R.A.T.H., the new voice of Hip Hop, Bronx
Undergound bands Scoutmaster
Jack and If But When, Sierra Nelson of Mind Builders, students
from the Just Nuts Music School, and many more performers and
dancers... a show not to be missed!
This
year’s fair will feature a new and expanded Kid’s Fair & Activities Area
with games, rides, and performances, merchant displays, Artisans and art
exhibits by the Bronx Council on the Arts, vendors, arts & crafts, face
painting, an FDNY Smoke House and & Antique Fire Engine, a dunk tank, an MTA
Antique Bus, the Bronx Children’s Mobile Museum, Skate, Play & Fitness
mobile units, food from local restaurants, contests, prizes, raffles, and much
more!
EVENT INFO:
Name: 5th Annual “Fair @ The Square”
Date: Saturday, May 11,
2013
Time: 11am-6pm
Place: Westchester Square between St. Raymond and Westchester Avenues.
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