NYC’S FIRST MAJOR PARKS EQUITY INITIATIVE ADDS NINE NEW SITES FOR RECONSTRUCTION

Community Parks Initiative Expands While Inaugural 35 Sites Break Ground

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, announced the addition of nine new parks to the portfolio of sites in line to receive full reconstruction through the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) – a citywide program launched in 2014 improving historically under-funded parks in densely populated and growing neighborhoods with higher-than-average concentrations of poverty. Through Mayoral funding, CPI is investing $285 million in capital dollars – along with a sustained annual commitment of more than $2.5 million in expense funding – to improve neighborhoods’ quality of life by revitalizing more than 60 smaller community parks that have not undergone significant improvements in decades.

The Community Parks Initiative is NYC Parks' first major equity initiative and part of oneNYC, the mayor’s plan for a just and strong New York City. After its 2014 launch, CPI funding was doubled by the Mayor in 2015.

“At its core, the Community Parks Initiative is about making good on our promise of a strong, equitable city, giving once-overlooked neighborhood parks the resources they need to become true focal points of community life,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With more than 60 parks receiving full transformations – and targeted improvements and enhanced programming in more than 100 additional sites – CPI is a sustained commitment to high quality parks that serve all New Yorkers.”

“All around the city, parks act as meeting spaces that serve a variety of needs in our communities,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The Community Parks Initiative targets the most underfunded parks to ensure that they are reinvigorated, and better equipped to offer their local residents a safe, clean and welcoming place to gather and play. For those in my own district, Playground 134 will become a revitalized neighborhood hub. I commend Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Silver for their work on bringing improved park space to New Yorkers across the city.”

“For health, for relaxation, and for happiness, great neighborhoods need the great neighborhood spaces the Community Parks Initiative creates” said Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “This is why CPI is not only an investment in parks – it’s an investment in the wellbeing of millions of New Yorkers for generations to come.”

The following nine parks have been identified for the 2017 CPI site expansion:

Bronx

·         Garrison Playground

·         Playground 174

·         Playground 134

·         Plimpton Playground

Brooklyn

·         La Guardia Playground

·         Weeksville Playground

Manhattan

·         Abraham Lincoln Playground

·         Audubon Playground

Queens

·         Almeda Playground

Since Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Silver committed to create a more equitable park system at the 2014 CPI launch, neighborhoods across the city have benefitted from immediate, high impact improvements—47 parks have begun the overall capital reconstruction process on time and on budget. The inaugural 35 CPI sites have completed design and have begun breaking ground for construction across the five boroughs; most recently DeMatti Playground and Arrochar Playground in Staten Island. The 12 parks announced in 2015 are in design, with final designs expected in spring 2017. In addition to the nine new sites announced, more parks will be added next year.

CPI also includes ongoing Targeted Improvements – high-impact, fast-action enhancements such as new pavements for basketball courts, new plantings, and aesthetic improvements. Since 2014, 85 CPI neighborhood playgrounds have been identified for these improvements; 60 completed in 2015, and 25 are on track for completion this fall. Last year’s additional funding also allows the Targeted Improvements program to continue, with 25 additional sites to be completed over the next 12 months.

In addition to CPI’s capital investment in neighborhood parks, the initiative has an impact on these neighborhoods through community partnership building, park programming, enhanced sustainability, and operating support. Through funding from the City Council, The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD); in-kind donations from park conservancies; and community engagement — through partners including City Parks Foundation, New York Road Runners, the Public Theater, the Uni Project and El Museo del Barrio — resources are allocated across critical categories including community outreach, recreational programming, green infrastructure, and park maintenance.

“New Yorkers in every neighborhood deserve first-rate local parks and playgrounds,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I’m pleased that through this initiative, two additional playgrounds in Harlem and Washington Heights will be transformed, and I look forward to seeing gleaming new play equipment and landscaping at these playgrounds soon.”

Congressman Jose E. Serrano stated: “As a longtime advocate and champion of expanding access to green spaces in urban areas, I’m glad that Mayor de Blasio has decided to expand the Parks Equity initiative and invest millions more in the reconstruction of dozens of small community parks in neglected neighborhoods, including 4 in the Bronx. Thanks to this effort, Bronxites will be able to enjoy a better quality of life by having access to more recreational areas where they can relax with family, friends or by themselves.

State Senator Jose M. Serrano stated: “Our local parks and playgrounds provide a vital source for recreation while improving the health of our community. The reconstruction of Plimpton Playground, Garrison Playground, and Playground 134 will ensure a fun and healthy outlet for the youth in our neighborhoods. Many thanks to Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Silver for their commitment to our local green spaces." 

“The proposed upgrades for Plimpton Playground will enhance the park as a great escape for families living near Plimpton Avenue, West 172nd Street and Edward L. Grant Highway in my district,” said Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD). “Now, with this investment from Mayor de Blasio and NYC Parks Commissioner Silver, the Community Parks Initiative will infuse Plimpton Playground and other similarly under-funded and overlooked neighborhood parks like it in the Bronx and across the City with much needed improvements that can help ensure families in our community are granted access to superb parks that are built to last for generations. These investments will improve the quality of life for my constituents and ensure the community has a say in what their local neighborhood park should look like.” 

"New York City’s small parks and playgrounds are the under-appreciated jewels of our park system. But too many have languished for decades without adequate upgrades and renovations--especially in our low- and moderate income neighborhoods,” said Council Member Mark Levine, Chair of the Committee on Parks. "The Community Parks Initiative has injected new life into dozens of these special places already, and I am thrilled that nine more parks will now be receiving similar investments.”

"I applaud the de Blasio administration for incorporating Playground 174 in my district through the Community Parks Initiative. For too long, parks domiciled in economically underserved communities have been overlooked, eventually transitioning into a perpetual state of disrepair. This initiative is an encouraging step in the right direction. I look forward to witnessing the constituents I represent partake in all of the forthcoming improvements," said Council Member Annabel Palma.

“I’m incredibly pleased to see such a commitment to making real investments into our parks and playgrounds, specifically the Garrison Playground in the South Bronx,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “Often we forget what a difference quality greenspace makes to a community, particularly communities that struggle with high poverty, which is why today’s announcement is so important.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

With the Manhattan Bororough President and several Bronx elected officials named, one has to wonder where is the name of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

For additional information on the Community Parks Initiative, please visit nyc.gov/parks.

STATEMENT BY SENATOR JEFF KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ & COUNCILMAN ANDREW COHEN ON THE VAN CORTLANDT MOTEL

   “A year ago the City promised not to transform the Van Cortlandt Motel into a homeless shelter — and then they did. Six months ago, when the community learned of the secret men’s shelter inside of the motel, the City promised to forgo the motel’s use as a shelter by September. Today, we’ve learned that the city is moving the men out to make way for a family shelter. This is simply another case of broken promises, lies and a severe lack of transparency. Communities must voice their opinions when shelters come into neighborhoods and the opaque siting process must end.  The legislature must pass Senator Klein’s commonsense homeless shelter siting legislation to empower communities by giving them a say to prevent this from happening over and over again.”

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting (CFMC) - Agenda - Thursday, September 29, 2016

Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting (CFMC)

Thursday, September 29, 2016 – 6:30 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY (718) 231-8470

I  Welcome, Call Meeting to Order

Dan Padernacht, Chair

II Consider, Adopt September 29 CFMC Agenda -

CFMC Representatives

III Consider, Adopt Minutes from June 15, 2016 Meeting

      CFMC Representatives

IV Jerome Park Reservoir Task Force Report

Bill Hall & Task Force on Public Access

V  Future Construction at Jerome Park Reservoir

Vincent Sapienza, Commissioner DEP

VI Croton Costs Report & Construction Update

Bernard Daly, DEP

VII Old Business CFMC Representatives, & Public

VIII New Business CFMC Representatives, & Public

IX Adjourn

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Luncheon: Thursday, September 22 at Tosca Marquee

Bronx Borough President - Annual Ecuadorian Heritage Month Celebration

Ischia Bravo for Assembly - THANK YOU

                    THANK YOU                             

I would like to thank everyone who supported our campaign. I am truly humbled by the amount of support we received. From the start we focused on how we could draw attention to the issues which affect our community.  From the lack of resources for our schools, to the need for representation for our tenants against greedy landlords, to residents living in squalor while paying high rents - we worked to draw attention to the problems our neighborhoods must deal with. We knew what we were up against - an incumbency defined by a 35-year status quo. And although we were not successful this time, we still know that we deserve a representative that will work for us. It was and is time for change. We deserve to be represented throughout the year, not just when campaigns are in effect. Thirty five percent of this district stood for change and I won't let them down. This has been my home and will continue to be my family's home. I met so many wonderful people throughout this journey who believe that our community deserves better.  I will continue to work on issues that directly affect us through my advocacy on Community Board 7 and the 52nd Precinct Community Council. And I eagerly await the day to represent you in Albany.  Until that time,  Team BRAVO and I will continue to work hard in support of you, our residents.

Those Who Make Money Out of the Suffering of the Poor and the Homeless

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that there are many people who are making a lot of money out of the suffering of the poor and the homeless.

It is important for you to know that as the homeless population in the City of New York nears 60,000 and everyone talks about ways we can help the homeless – and even though the City and State spend exorbitant amounts of taxpayer dollars on homeless families, the money doesn’t really go to the homeless. It goes to people who are taking advantage of the situation, who will go

Some individuals who are exploiting the homeless situation are landlords, who raise the rents higher and higher until they push their tenants out onto the streets. This way, their empty apartments can be converted to “cluster sites” or shelter units.

Whereas in the past, a landlord may have been charging $1,000 per month for an apartment for a lease-holding tenant, under these new circumstances, that same landlord can get $109 per night, in some cases up to $3,400 per month to use these same apartments as municipal shelters.

Those landlords have many friends in high places, and they are protected by powerful people.

You should also know that throughout the City of New York, they are building more and more self-storage facilities than housing units. There are places where every two blocks you will find a self-storage facility being built. These storage facilities are a growth industry that feed off the homeless situation.

The owners of these storage facilities don’t have to employ too many people, pay workers insurance, health insurance and unemployment benefits, because the homeless people who use the facility have to do all of the manual labor themselves to store their furniture and belongings.

As you can see, my dear friend, the self-storage facilities not only feed off of the homeless but also use them to do work for them.

While families are being displaced from their apartments and are being thrown into the streets, the City of New York will place them in cluster site shelters and at the same time, the City will pay the storage costs for the families’ furniture and belongings.

My dear friend, it is important for you know that each storage unit can cost up to $150 to $200 per month.  Add that to the moving costs the City pays to relocate the evicted family from their home to a shelter – which can run between $500 to $1000 per move, plus the $3,400 landlord charge and the administrative costs to run the shelter. Wow!

Some New York City cluster site shelters only permit families to reside there for 6 months, and if the family continues to remain homeless, more money is spent to transport the families to yet another shelter or cluster housing site.  The tax dollars that New Yorkers pay to transport and shuttle homeless families from shelter to shelter continue to keep homeless families with no stability while making other people rich.

My dear reader, it’s not just me who says this. The Coalition for the Homeless website states: “The City’s “cluster-site” program creates powerful, perverse incentives for owners to displace lease-holding tenants in favor of lucrative shelter deals with the City.”

It is important for you to know that there are motels throughout the City of New York that are being transformed into cluster housing shelter sites for families.  Without kitchen facilities available, additional funds have to be provided to feed families in those sites. These meals may merely consist of cold sandwiches, and again, the providers get to make even more money.

Instead of using our taxpayer dollars to make some people rich, like paying landlords three times the rent in cluster sites and shelters, and paying for the cost of storage units, along with any number of other expenses that don’t directly help our families, the City of New York should be building long-term permanent housing for our families.

Ladies and gentlemen, taking some words out of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s Drum Major Instinct Sermon, I would like to say:

You don't have to have a college degree. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics. You only need to have common sense to know that the City of New York is spending so much money to help some people get rich at the expense of the suffering of the poor and the homeless.  Common sense tells us that taxpayers would save so much money and help our families and communities if they would use our money to help provide permanent housing for the homeless.  

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION RELEASES MAYOR’S MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

Decreases in emergency response times, murders, traffic fatalities

Increases in graduation rates, IDNYC cardholders, construction inspections, housing & preservation starts under Housing NY

  The de Blasio administration today released the Mayor’s Management Report (MMR) for fiscal year 2016, an analysis of City agencies’ performance from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. In fiscal year 2016, 59% of indicators show improved or stable performance, compared to 57% in fiscal year 2015 and 56% in fiscal year 2014. For critical indicators, which are key measures of agency performance, 56% show improved or stable performance in fiscal year 2016, compared to 56% in fiscal year 2015 and 55% in fiscal year 2014. The MMR presents more than 2,000 metrics from City agencies, showing the City’s performance in providing services to New Yorkers.

“From increases in the number of IDNYC cards and graduation rates, to decreases in murders and emergency response times, we’re seeing improvements across the board in key areas,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This MMR highlights all of the hard work we’ve done to lift up all New Yorkers and make this city a stronger and more equitable place to live.”

“The MMR is a vital instrument of public accountability, transparency, and data-driven performance management, and we’re proud of its evolution under Mayor de Blasio’s leadership,” said Mindy Tarlow, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations. “From fundamental service delivery that New Yorkers count on every day, to innovative, multi-agency initiatives such as ThriveNYC, the MMR reflects the far-reaching work of City government.”

Key Improvements Include:

·         NYPD: Murder and non-negligent manslaughter decreased 2% (from 348 to 341); murder related to domestic violence decreased 13.1% (from 61 to 53); major felony crimes in schools decreased 13.4% (from 614 to 532); other criminal activities in schools decreased 2.9% (from 2,286 to 2,219); and burglary decreased 8.6% (from 15,828 to 14,463). End-to-end average response time decreased for all crimes in progress by 23 seconds (from 10:58 to 10:35); for critical crimes in progress by 20 seconds from (7:29 to 7:09); and for serious crimes in progress by 14 seconds (from 9:38 to 9:24)

·         FDNY: End-to-end combined response time to life-threatening medical emergencies by ambulance & fire units decreased by 1 second (from 8:18 to 8:17) and by ambulance units by 4 seconds (from 9:13 to 9:09); structural fires decreased 1.0%, (from 27,189 to 26,922).

·         DOT: Citywide traffic fatalities decreased 5.2% (from 249 to 236); traffic fatalities of motorists and passengers decreased 6.7% (from 90 to 84); lane miles resurfaced citywide, in-house plus contracted, is 1,281 – the largest number of lane miles resurfaced citywide in more than 25 years; Staten Island Ferry ridership increased from 21,911,000 to 23,067,000, a change of 5.3%; Citi Bike trips increased 39.6% (from 8,765,000 to 12,234,000); annual Select Bus Service ridership increased 27.8% (from 45,200,000 to 57,762,000).

·         DOE: The four-year graduation rate in School Year 2015 rose two percentage points to 70.5%; English results increased in each of the City’s 32 Community School Districts across all five boroughs; students in grades 3 to 8 meeting/exceeding standards in Math increased 1.2 percentage points (from 35.2% to 36.4%) and meeting/exceeding standards in English increased 7.6 percentage points (from 30.4% to 38%); students in grades 3 to 8 scoring below standards and progressing into a higher level in English increased 8.8 percentage points (from 29.5% to 38.3%); students in grades 3 to 8 progressing from below standards to meeting standards in English increased 6.2 percentage points (from 12.2% to 18.4%); parents attending parent-teacher conferences increased 3.8% (from 1,910,000 to 1,983,000).

·         DPR: Capital projects completed increased 15.5% (from 84 to 97); total recreation center attendance increased 25.0% (from 3,422,683 to 4,277,349).

·         DOHMH: New tuberculosis cases (CY preliminary) decreased 1.7% (from 585 to 575); new HIV diagnoses (CY preliminary) decreased 9.9% (from 2,718 to 2,449); childhood blood lead levels decreased 4.2% (from 818 to 784); and units of supportive housing available to persons with serious mental illness increased 5.3% (from 5.7 to 6.0).

·         ACS: Substantiated abuse and/or neglect reports for children in child care decreased 12.5 percentage points (from 27.6% to 15.1%).

·         HPD: Affordable units completed under Housing NY jumped 395% (from 2,079 to 10,292); affordable units completed jumped 82.1% (from 10,128 to 18,442); heat and hot water complaints reported fell10.3% (from 122,612 to 109,950).

·         NYCHA: Applicants placed through Section 8 vouchers increased 91.3% (from 892 to 1,706); resident job placements increased 30.1% from (1,084 to 1,410); time to resolve emergency service requests decreased 11.0% (from 14.7 to 13.1 hours);  turnaround days for vacant apartments decreased 14.0% (from 58.1 to 50.0).

·         DOC: Serious injury to staff as a result of inmate assault on staff decreased by 42.9%. Total inmate assault on staff decreased by 8.5%.

·         DHS: The percentage of households and people who returned to shelter within one year after exiting to permanent housing decreased by 6.5 percentage points for families with children (from 16.5% to 10%); by 5.5 percentage points for adult families (from 14.2% to 8.7%); and by 0.3 percentage points for single adults (from 3.6% to 3.2%).

·         DEP: Water main breaks decreased 29.8% (from 563 to 395).

·         EDC: Businesses served by industry-focused programmatic initiatives (including NYCEDC’s incubator network and centers for excellence, technology competitions, partnership funds and programmatic ventures) nearly doubled (from 1,366 to 2,722); average monthly ridership on the East River ferry increased 16.3% (from 113,366 to 131,896).

·         TLC: Active medallion taxis that are accessible increased 53.1% (from 572 to 876); Active Boro Taxis that are accessible increased 12.3% (from 1,240 to 1,393).

·         DSNY: Streets rated acceptably clean increased 2.3 percentage points (from 92.7% to 95.0%).

·         HRA: SNAP application timeliness rate increased 12.5 percentage points (from 81.4% to 93.9%); cash assistance application timeliness rate increased 3.1 percentage points (from 94.4% to 97.5%).

·         311: Wait time for calls decreased 7 seconds, from 23 to 16 seconds.

·         IDNYC: total number of IDNYC cards issued increased 62.5% (from 334,794 to 544,083).

See full report here: http://www.nyc.gov/mmr