Permits Filed For 245 East 176th Street In Tremont, The Bronx

   

Permits have been filed to horizontally expand a four-story residential building at 245 East 176th Street in Tremont, The Bronx. Located between Monroe Avenue and Anthony Avenue, the interior lot is three blocks south of the Tremont Avenue subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Ascher Berkowitz in Big Dream Developers is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 35-foot-tall development will yield 3,218 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have eight residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 402 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a basement and a 34-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the project calls for an expansion. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Hochul Marks One-Year Anniversary of the Implementation of Stronger Gun Safety Laws in New York State

 

Governor Convened Extraordinary Session of the Legislature in Response to the U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen

New York State Has Led the Way in Implementing Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation to Protect All New Yorkers

 Governor Kathy Hochul today marked the one-year anniversary of common sense legislation that strengthened New York’s pistol permitting process and provided a national model for gun safety and the fight against gun violence. The laws that took effect on September 1, 2022, included requirements for comprehensive background checks and firearm safety and live-fire training for individuals seeking to obtain concealed carry permits; prohibited concealed carry permit holders from bringing their firearms into sensitive locations, such as schools, government buildings and hospitals, among others; and required renewal or recertification of permits every three years. The State also launched a gun safety website to provide the public, gun owners, and gun dealers with comprehensive information about the new requirements under state law.

“All too often, New York has witnessed the devastation caused by gun violence in our communities," Governor Hochul said. "As Governor, I took swift action to keep people safe following the Supreme Court's decision in Bruen to strike down our state’s century-old concealed carry law. One year later, we are continuing to lead the nation in the fight against gun violence and saving lives.”

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, "We applaud Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to reducing gun violence and preventing unnecessary tragedies in our communities. Gun safety and stopping the illegal possession of firearms, and gun violence in any form, is a top priority for the State Police and all our law enforcement partners. We remain steadfast in the fight against gun violence and keeping all New Yorkers safe.”

In response to the Bruen decision, the state standardized and strengthened the background checks for concealed carry permits by requiring four character references; a list of former and current social media accounts for the last three years; disclosure of applicant's spouse or domestic partner, any other adults residing in the applicant's home, including any adult children of the applicant; and an in-person interview with their licensing officer or designee. Under the law, licensing officers may request any additional information they deem appropriate.

All concealed carry permit applicants who applied on or after September 1, 2022, must take a firearms safety training course that includes a 16-hour classroom component and two-hour, live-fire firearm safety training. Individuals who live in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties are required to renew their permits and must take the training.

The training is designed to provide licensed firearm owners the skills and knowledge necessary to safely store and carry their firearms, and educate them about other topics, including conflict de-escalation, suicide prevention and use of deadly force, that will help keep them and others safe.

In addition, renewal and recertification of concealed carry permits is now required every three years instead of five. Information about the online recertification process for permit holders can be found here.

Last year, Governor Hochul also announced new permitting and minimum age requirements related to ownership of semiautomatic rifles that took effect September 4, 2022. An individual must now be at least 21 years old and have a permit prior to purchasing or taking possession of a semiautomatic rifle. These new requirements were included in a package of legislation signed by the Governor in response to the racially motivated mass shooting and murders in Buffalo in May 2022.

The State Police and state Division of Criminal Justice Services also developed Frequently Asked Questions about the new gun laws for the public, gun owners, and gun dealers. In addition to training and expanded background check requirements, the laws also:

• Restricted individuals from carrying their concealed pistol or revolver in sensitive locations. Individuals who are not exempt from this restriction under the law can be charged with a felony for violating its sensitive locations provision;
• Required monthly checks of permit holders to determine if they have criminal convictions or court orders that may disqualify them from having concealed carry permits;
• Mandated that firearms in unattended vehicles be unloaded and locked in a fire, impact, and tamper resistant storage depository that is hidden from view; and
• Expanded safe storage requirements if children younger than 18 or anyone prohibited from possessing a gun live in a home with firearms, rifles, and shotguns.

Also, effective as of September 1, 2022, any seller of ammunition or dealer in firearms is required to keep either an electronic record, dataset, or an organized collection of structured information, or data, typically stored electronically in a computer system. The record must be entered at the time of every transaction involving ammunition and include the date, name, age, occupation, and residence of any person from whom ammunition is received or to whom ammunition is delivered, and the amount, caliber, manufacturer's name and serial number, or if none, any other distinguishing number or identification mark on the ammunition.

Beginning on September 13, 2023, background checks will also be required for purchasers of ammunition and antique firearms in New York State. The legislation requiring NYS to perform background checks for both firearm and ammunition transfers mandates a fee be charged for each transaction. The $9 fee for gun background transactions and the $2.50 fee for ammunition background transactions will be used to fund the New York State background check system.

Since the implementation of this new law to protect New Yorkers from gun violence or any other form of harm, shootings are down approximately 26 percent across the state in the last year. CDC data shows that New York has the fourth lowest firearm mortality rate in the nation and, due to the impact of our conceal and carry laws, New York continues to lead the way forward implementing common sense gun safety legislation that prevents harm to people and communities.

 

And just like that, the Autumnal Equinox arrives this weekend. Our four-week, autumn-inspired Plein Air Workshop series begins on Sep 28. All levels are welcome at this instructor-led series, inspired by the beauty of autumn at Wave Hill. Be sure to register promptly. 

The Family Art Project programming has switched up its scheduling as well. On September 23 and 24, Glydndor Gallery exhibiting artist Jill Cohen-Nuñez will be leading a special Family Art Project and our storytime program will return to the Gund Theater. (This was featured in last weeks email as well and has changed slots with a sundial making project.) 

The gardens close early on Thursday, Sept 21, at 2PM as we dress for our annual Gardeners’ Party, honoring Margaret Roach and featuring our famous plant auction. Proceeds help care for Wave Hill's world-class garden and train the next generation of horticulturalists through the John Nally Intern Program.   

Gardener’s Party 

Thu, Sep 21, 2023 

Gardens close early at 2PM to dress for the party. 

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 12–12:45PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration is not required 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels.  

Family Art Project: Nature’s Masks 

Sat, Sep 23, 2023, 10AM–1PM 

Sun, Sep 24, 2023, 10AM–1PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

Join visiting artist Jill Cohen-Nuñez in exploring our personal connection with nature through mask-making. Learn how to hand-build a clay mask that represents your relationship with the great outdoors. Decorate it with leaves and twigs to create a fanciful façade displaying your inner feelings about the season. At 11:30AM, families may enjoy a storytime program in the Gund Theater, all ages welcome.  

Public Gallery Tour 

Sat, Sep 23, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are on view in the spring, summer and fall, Gallery Greeters lead public exhibition tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.   

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Sep 24, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels.  

House and Gardens: Plein Air Sketch & Watercolor Workshop  

Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 10AM –1PM 

$170, including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill members save 10% 

Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. The one-time fee is for the entire series. 

Using sketch and watercolor techniques and a palette of luminous colors, explore the architectural elements and garden structures that compliment Wave Hill’s exuberant autumn landscape. Artist Wennie Huang leads this seasonally inspired plein air workshop series for artists of all levels and abilities. A supplies list will be provided prior to the first class. This series is rain or shine, with an indoor location reserved in case of rain. This four-session workshop series continues on October 5, 12 and 19, 2023.  

Mixed-media artist Wennie Huang, PSA, produces works that range from small drawings and limited-edition books and projects to site-specific installations. For over a decade, Wennie has led Wave Hill art workshops in pastel, watercolor and mixed media, and even a book-making workshop for children. Huang currently teaches at Parsons School for Design, 92nd Street Y and the Pastel Society of America (PSA), where she is a Signature Member.  

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 12–12:45PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration is not required 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels.  

Public Gallery Tour 

Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration is not required 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are on view in the spring, summer and fall, Gallery Greeters lead public exhibition tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.  

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service runs Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - VCPA Joins Local Elected Officials to Say No to the Proposed Cricket Stadium

 

Friday morning, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance stood beside US Representative Ritchie Torres, NYS Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz, NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan, New Yorkers for Parks, and Bronx Council for Environmental Quality to voice our strong opposition to the International Cricket Council’s plan to build a 20-acre temporary stadium in Van Cortlandt Park. 

 

Christina Taylor, VCPA’s Deputy Director, spoke on behalf of the organization: 

“Van Cortlandt Park Alliance says no to ICC’s outrageous plan to poach the people’s park for a year to build a structure the size of Yankee stadium with no public process, feasibility study, or respect for community input, and no plan for restoration or compensation.”

 

Thank you to Representative Ritchie Torres, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Eric Dinowitz for vowing to fight this proposal.

 

If you share our concerns, please take a moment to show your opposition by signing this online petition.

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org