MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION OF LOWER EAST SIDE NYC FERRY DOCK, OPENING SUMMER 2018

Two new routes launching this summer from Lower East Side and Soundview will serve more than 1.4 million riders per year  

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and community leaders celebrated the start of construction on the Lower East Side’s new NYC Ferry landing. The dock is one of four new landings for two new ferry routes slated to open this summer, shortening commutes for thousands of New Yorkers traveling to and from the South Bronx and Lower East Side. When service launches, nearby Lower East Side residents will have a 9-minute ferry ride to Wall Street or a 17-minute ride to Midtown, versus a 13-minute walk just to get on the nearest subway.

The Lower East Side Route will serve nearly one million riders annually traveling to and from Manhattan’s Wall Street/Pier 11, Corlears Hook, Stuyvesant Cove, East 34^th Street; and Long Island City, in Queens. The route is expected to substantially reduce travel times for more than 8,000 families living in four NYCHA developments, the Baruch, Jacob Riis, La Guardia and Vladeck Houses.

The Soundview Route, also launching this summer, will serve an estimated 400,000 riders traveling to and from the Soundview area of the Bronx, East 90^th Street, East 34^th Street and Wall Street/Pier 11 in Manhattan each year.

“Docks are under construction and new ferries are on the way for this summer’s new service. Neighborhoods like the Lower East Side haven’t had the transit options they deserve. We can’t wait to launch two new ferry lines that will help New Yorkers get to work and to school, and to connect with their city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“It’s been less than a year since the first NYC Ferry boat carried its passengers from the Rockaways, and already this has become an established part of our city’s transit. With two new lines and nearly one and a half million more passengers using the system this year, we’re bringing more transit service to neighborhoods that need it,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen.

“The start of construction on the Lower East Side and Soundview landings is an exciting step toward expanding an already successful ferry network. NYC Ferry is opening up opportunities and connecting residents to neighborhoods throughout the city,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett.

Four docks are being constructed at Corlears Hook, East 90^th Street, and Stuyvesant Cove on the East River and at Clason Point Park in the Soundview Section of the Bronx. Construction of the ferry docks requires embedding piles into the East River to secure the ferry landing barge, support the gangway and guide the ferry vessels into the landing, as well as installation of the access gangway onto the barge. Additional shore-side work will also be required, including installing utilities, security gates and signage.

Last year, NYC Ferry’s inaugural year, the system launched four routes, the Rockaway, Astoria and South Brooklyn and East River routes, and served nearly three million riders, surpassing initial projections by 34 percent or nearly 800,000 riders. With the Lower East Side and Soundview routes, the system will have a total of six routes.

In response to high demand, NYC Ferry is adding six higher-capacity boats to its fleet. These bigger boats are each outfitted with larger engines and designed to hold up to 349 passengers. The first three of these larger vessels are expected to arrive in the New York Harbor over the summer.

With 20 vessels operating at 21 landings across New York City by the end of summer 2018, the ferry system will provide a new and easily accessible transit option for traditionally underserved communities and where jobs and housing are growing rapidly. A NYC Ferry ride is $2.75, the same as a subway ride, and includes free transfers to other ferry routes. 

Wave Hill Events Mar 23‒Mar 30 Cactus and Succulents Day!

With a cooking demonstration, a talk and a tour of the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory, we’re all about cactus and succulents this weekend. Excellent house plants—and abundant in The Shop at Wave Hill—succulents are a fine topic for a late March Sunday. Wave Hill’s collection consists of lots of potted plants that are grouped by botanical family and displayed on greenhouse benches (at a convenient waist height). The plants are kept small—those that grow too large are re-propagated by cuttings—so there is room for a large and very diverse range of species. It’s an astonishing and charming collection.

Sat, March 24    Family Art Project: Palisades in Plaster

Take a look at the rock formations that make up the magnificent cliffs of the Palisades facing Wave Hill. Learn about the minerals that make up the soil around us. Use plaster made from the mineral gypsum to create your own sculptural rock formation, or tint or color it to make a gem. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, March 24    In The Shop: 20% Off All Succulents

In honor of Cactus and Succulent Day, save on your purchase of succulent plants. Cactus and Succulent Day event.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4:30PM

Sat, March 24    Cooking Demo: Cactus and Succulents

Prickly pear, aloe and dragon fruit are a few examples of edible succulents. Find out how to select, prepare and serve these unlikely edibles, and sample some out-of-the-ordinary recipes featuring cacti and succulents, with a chef from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances. Free with admission to the grounds. Cactus and Succulent Day event. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, March 24    Winter Workspace Session 2 Open Studios

This winter, Glyndor Gallery is transformed again into studio spaces for artists to develop new work and offer opportunities for public interaction in the context of the garden. Individual artists share their studio practice with the public on this open studios day. This year’s Session 2 artists are Michele Brody, Tamara Kostianovsky, Athena LaTocha, Maika’i Tubbs and two New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellows, Ashton Agbomenou and Yelaine Rodriguez. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, NOON‒3:30PM

Sat, March 24    Talk & Tour: Caring for Cactus and Succulents

Cactus and succulents make ideal houseplants if you understand their basic needs. Drawing on his eight-plus years of experience maintaining Wave Hill’s eclectic collection, Wave Hill Gardener Harnek Singh shares tips and techniques for keeping your succulents healthy and attractive. Afterwards, join him for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Cactus and Succulent House. Select plants available for sale in The Shop at Wave Hill. Free with admission to the grounds. Cactus and Succulent Day event. 

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1:30–2:30PM

Sun, March 25    Family Art Project: Palisades in Plaster

Take a look at the rock formations that make up the magnificent cliffs of the Palisades facing Wave Hill. Learn about the minerals that make up the soil around us. Use plaster made from the mineral gypsum to create your own sculptural rock formation, or tint or color it to make a gem. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, March 25    Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, March 26

Closed to the public.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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

Jumaane For New York - Join The Fight Against Gun Violence

Dear Friends,

This week, the New York State Assembly made history, passing major legislation to fight the public health crisis of gun violence.

New Yorkers can not afford for these life-saving measures to languish in the State Senate or on the Governor's desk. 

If we are serious about protecting the public from the scourge of gun violence- not just grabbing headlines -we need bold advocates in Albany with long, consistent records of fighting gun violence and opposing NRA-controlled conservatives to drive real progress in the conversation and in legislation. 

As the People's Lieutenant Governor, I will continue the passionate work to stop not only the mass shootings that make the news, but the daily gun violence that plagues our streets from Brooklyn to Buffalo.

Help us to keep pushing for life-saving gun safety measures in New York. 

Sincerely,

Jumaane D. Williams

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice to see that City Councilman Williams is not getting arrested to get some publicity. It is unfortunate that he only thinks of Brooklyn and Buffalo, and not the rest of New York City or New York State.

New Scathing Report & Survey on Mold in NYCHA Unveiled by the Independent Democratic Conference, NYCHA Tenants & Advocates

While mold remains unabated, Senators fight for legislation to protect NYCHA tenants

Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Marisol Alcantara (D-Manhattan), joined by tenant leaders, NYCHA mold victims, the Citywide Council of Presidents, At Risk Community Services, the Black Institute and advocates, issued a new, disturbing report, “Break the Mold: Cleaning Up NYCHA’s Mess.”

This report comes on the heels of the Independent Democratic Conference’s report, “The New Flint,” which compared the lead scandal at NYCHA to the lead-water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The new investigation and survey looked at mold and lack of remediation efforts in NYCHA buildings across all five boroughs.

More that 59% of NYCHA residents surveyed said they had problems with mold, which could result in serious lung and respiratory problems.

“NYCHA lets our tenants live in the most squalid, unlivable conditions imaginable and we must stand up on behalf of the 400,000 people who live there and demand that they clean up their act. Mold, lead and leaks lead to serious health problems and NYCHA tenants, living in the city’s largest affordable housing stock, deserve better. These human rights violations will not be tolerated and I will continue to fight for the safety and rights of these tenants,”  said Senator Klein.

“The problems in NYCHA in multiple areas including lead paint, life-threatening mold, and failing boiler maintenance expose the complete culture change that is required at the agency. Public housing residents and elected officials alike deserve answers, not more of the same complacent attitude and disrespect which NYCHA officials have given them. My Occupant Protection Plan bill would require NYCHA to post signs when areas of lead poisoning are found, giving NYCHA residents the ability to take their own precautions and hold NYCHA accountable,” said Senator Alcantara.

The IDC surveyed NYCHA residents in all five boroughs regarding mold and the authority’s response.

Key Findings ●       59% of those surveyed reported that they have found mold in their apartment ●       56% reported that it took more than two weeks to respond, or never did respond ●    24% of those surveyed responded that it took management more than a month to remove the mold ●       24% responded that someone in their household suffers from asthma ●     52% responded that they have had or have leaking roofs, windows, or pipes that has caused water to leak into the apartment

Mold exposure, even at 24 to 48 hours, could result in health issues like itchy and watery eyes. Prolonged exposure leads to serious lung and respiratory problems, and exacerbates problems for asthma sufferers, making it important to remedy mold and the moisture issues that create mold immediately.

The Authority does not employ professionals trained in mold remediation, and had itself removed from a law that required certified workers perform such work. The IDC wants to close this loophole.

The IDC will be advocating for legislation for the state to declare a state of emergency at NYCHA and for design build in NYCHA buildings to expedite repairs.

The New York State Senate passed the IDC’s legislation to install a state-appointed  independent NYCHA Monitor, who would be a watchdog and ensure money invested in public housing is spent appropriately, this independent monitor would report to the Assembly, Senate and Governor.

Senator Klein would like residents to have input on the Independent Monitor’s selection and called on the Council of Presidents to convene to discuss the selection of a candidate for the job.

To clean-up the mess NYCHA has left residents with the IDC has proposed a package of legislation including:

• Closing the NYCHA Mold loophole - NYCHA cut itself out of a law requiring certified professionals to abate mold. The IDC wants to close that loophole and mandate that licensed professionals perform mold remediation in NYCHA apartments.

• City Council oversight - The New York State Senate also passed legislation to increase transparency by empowering the New York City Council to get the information they seek from NYCHA when their members request it.

• Requiring 311 to accept NYCHA complaints - Currently NYHCA complaints are fielded directly by NYCHA and there is no public record or accountability. Requiring 311 to take and track complaints would provide transparency and allow residents to better track action.

• The Repair Certificate Program - With buildings in dire need of repair, we need experienced developers to make quality, expedited fixes. In exchange experts would receive zoning bonuses for other projects.

• Lead Based Paint Reports - This legislation would require NYCHA to submit lead based paint reports to the legislature, which would include valuable information on lead paint inspections by the authority.  

• Property tax abatements for lead removal - This legislation incentivizes the removal of lead paint from buildings by providing owners with a tax abatement to keep their tenants safe.

• Mandatory lead screening for children - This legislation would require children to be screened for lead when they enter kindergarten, second or fourth grade.

• Follow-ups for children who test for elevated blood levels - Primary care physicians would be required to conduct follow-up tests to monitor blood lead levels if a child tests for elevated lead levels. In addition, the state must ensure there is a full environmental review of the child’s home if elevated blood lead levels are found.

• The Occupant Protection Plan - Buildings inspected between 2012 and 2018 would have to be re-inspected for lead paint. All buildings constructing in 1978 or earlier would have to develop plans to protect occupants from the hazards of lead paint.

“CCOP has heard the cries of the Residents of Public Housing  and we will stand TOGETHER AND SPEAK IN ONE VOICE to say, ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.’   We will not continue to sit by and accept the deplorable conditions that the Residents have been forced to endure for so many years. We the Residents of Public Housing are truly Living a tale of the Two Cities.  However we too have a voice and we are speaking out,” said Daniel Barber, Chair of the Citywide Council of Presidents.

“The problems regarding NYCHA mold remediation are well known.  This goes for mold as well as lead, vermin and a host of other issues the tenants are facing every day. The lawsuit that was jointly filed on behalf of At-Risk Community Services, Inc. and CCOP, against NYCHA, is specifically focused on getting them to step up and fix all of the things that are broken, including mold,” said Elie Hecht, attorney-spokesman of At Risk Community Services.

“With alarming frequency I hear about mold infestations throughout my development. Nobody should be subjected to these very avoidable conditions, and I'm thankful that Senator Klein and the IDC continue to expose this recurring problem. The next step to help alleviate this issue is to ensure certified professionals remediate the mold, which is exactly what the legislation mentioned today aims to do,” said Monique Johnson, President of Throggs Neck Resident Council.

"The people who live in NYCHA housing are entitled to live in the same standards that those in Park Slope or on the Upper Eastside are entitled to. Gracie Mansion isn't complaining about mold issue nor should NYCHA residents, "stated Community Advocate Tony Herbert/Chair of The NAACP-NYCHA Branch's Citywide Civic Engagement Committee.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Ms. Monique Johnson challenged the mayor to spend two weeks at the apartment of her choosing in the Throggs Neck Houses.

My question to Senator Klein was if he has done a survey on any Asbestos contamination in NYCHA apartments, and Senator Klein replied "That's Next".

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES TO EXPEDITE NYCHA HEATING SYSTEM UPGRADES BY UP TO 20 MONTHS

City presses for Design-Build from State, which would save an additional 12 to 15 months on these repairs

The de Blasio Administration today announced measures to expedite major heating upgrades at public housing by 8 to 20 months, depending on the size of the project. In January, the Mayor announced $200 million in heating system upgrades at 20 developments experiencing chronic outages. The Administration conducted a review of NYCHA’s capital program and will make the scoping and design, procurement and construction processes more efficient. The City is also pressing the State to grant Design-Build authority, which would save an additional 12 to 15 months on these upgrades.

 “Our investment in new heating systems goes right to the heart of the biggest problems NYCHA residents face, and will make a difference thousands of them will feel,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are cutting through red tape to expedite these critically needed repairs for tenants, and urge our state partners to do the same by authorizing design-build immediately.”

“This interagency partnership is about looking at how we can all work smarter and more collaboratively in support of New York City residents,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “With the Mayor’s investment and commitments from our city agency partners, we are able to bring better quality heat service to 45,000 New Yorkers much faster. This is a tremendous effort from everyone involved.”

The Administration reviewed NYCHA’s capital program and identified several ways to expedite repairs by 8 to 20 months, depending on the size of the heating system, including:

1. Design Phase: NYCHA will provide estimated load calculations to engineers to minimize pre-design services. They have also committed to reviewing fewer submissions from designers, and will create a single standard specification to streamline design. These steps will shave 6 months off what is normally a year long process. 
2. Procurement:  NYCHA is seeking authority from the NYCHA Board to delegate authority for awarding contracts ahead of Board approval; the Board would ratify the contracts. This would cut 30 – 45 days each time a contract is awarded.
3. Construction & Commissioning: DEP has agreed to expedite review and approval of NYCHA installations for usages, saving 3 weeks. NYCHA will also work with DOB to streamline the inspection and approval processes.

 

Since 2014, NYCHA has committed nearly $300 million in HUD funds to upgrade heating and plumbing at 100 developments. Also, more than $100 million of the $3 billion FEMA grant for Sandy Recovery and Resilience will fund replacement of 67 boilers at 17 developments, and NYCHA’s three in-progress Energy Performance Contracts include more than $40 million in heating-related improvements.

The de Blasio Administration has made an unprecedented commitment to preserve and strengthen public housing. This latest investment brings the Administration’s total commitment to $2.1 billion to support NYCHA’s capital infrastructure from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2027 and $1.6 billion to support NYCHA’s operations from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2022. This investment includes $1.3 billion to fix over 900 roofs, over $500 million to repair deteriorating exterior brickwork at nearly 400 buildings, and $140 million to improve security at 15 NYCHA developments.  The City waived NYCHA’s annual PILOT and NYPD payments to the City, relieving NYCHA of nearly $100 million in operating expenses a year. In January 2018, the Mayor announced $13 million to improve NYCHA’s response to heating emergencies this winter.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This announcement came out at the time the State Senators Jeff Klein and Marcia Alcantara of the Independent Democratic Conference of the State Senate were holding a press conference on the 'Mold Crisis in NYCHA' right across from City Hall.   

The IDC will be advocating for legislation for the state to declare a state of emergency at NYCHA and for design build in NYCHA buildings to expedite repairs.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS TWO JUDGES TO CIVIL COURT

  Mayor de Blasio announced the appointment of two interim Civil Court judges. These judges have a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors and are uniquely qualified to serve all New Yorkers.

"These judges bring a unique perspective to the court and I am confident they will work tirelessly to serve the people of New York," said Mayor de Blasio. 

CIVIL COURT

Judge Jeffrey Gershuny

Judge Gershuny served as a Supervising Court Attorney in Criminal Court, New York County for seven years, before becoming the Chief Counsel to the Administrative Judge of New York City Criminal Court. Judge Gershuny received his undergraduate degree from SUNY Binghamton University and his law degree from Hofstra University Law School. Judge Gershuny is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Judge Adam Perlmutter

Judge Perlmutter has been practicing criminal law for 22 years as a prosecutor with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, a solo practitioner, and a partner in various firms, most recently at Perlmutter & McGuinness, PC. Judge Perlmutter received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Judge Perlmutter is appointed to Civil Court and will be serving in Criminal Court.

Congressman Eliot Engel to Trump Administration: Hands Off the 9/11 Health Program

Congressman Eliot L. Engel, an original cosponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, joined Members of Congress from the Tri-State Area to call on the Trump Administration to halt its efforts to separate the World Trade Center Health Program from the National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The World Trade Center Health Program ensures that Americans suffering from debilitating conditions as a result of exposure to toxins from the 9/11 terrorist attacks do not bear any of the financial costs related to those conditions. The Program has afforded medical care to more than 83,000 9/11 survivors and first responders.

In the letter, the Members criticize the Administration for failing to consult with stakeholders, or to recognize the expertise NIOSH staff brings to the Program.

The Members write, “None of the Office of Management and Budget documents describe how the WTC Health Program would be untangled from NIOSH, nor do they address how this change would be achieved without negatively impacting the health of the 9/11 responders and survivors who rely on the WTC Health Program.”

“We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for the heroes of 9/11,” Engel said. “We fought an obstructionist Congress for years to ensure survivors and first responders are afforded the care and compensation they deserve, and we must continue fighting to make sure the World Trade Center Health Program is working as we promised it would.”

The full text of the letter is available here.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Specialized High School Admissions Test Results

   

"The results of this year's Specialized High School Admissions Test are extremely disheartening, and make it crystal clear that this city has a long way to go before it can claim it provides parity in accelerated education to all communities. The percentage of Black and Latino students accepted to the city's specialized high schools actually decreased this year. 

 

"A path to true excellence in education begins at the earliest levels and must be fostered throughout a student's career. All students, no matter where they live, must be provided equal access to gifted and talented education at the earliest levels. A single test must not be the only source of admission to our best public high schools. One's socio-economic background, race, neighborhood or borough must no longer determine the quality of a public education.," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

In May 2012, Borough President Diaz issued “An Action Plan for Fixing the Specialized High School Admissions Process.” That report can be read athttp://on.nyc.gov/2I8COLb.

In June 2017, Borough President Diaz and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams released a new report, titled “Fixing the Pipeline: Solutions to Disparities in Gifted Education in New York City,” outlining multiple recommendations for the future of gifted and talented education at all levels in New York City’s public schools. That report can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/2IbBLKB.http://on.nyc.gov/2IbBLKB.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We agree 100 Percent with Bronx BP Diaz Jr., and we say just look at the graduation rates recently released by Mayor Bill de Blasio. Those results showed that Bronx students were still behind their citywide counterparts when it came to just graduating high school.

It is no wonder that in a borough of mostly Black and Latino students that Bronx students are not getting accepted into specialized high schools, but we urge the Bronx BP to look at the quality of education that Bronx students are getting at the elementary and the middle school levels in the Bronx. As one mother said at a school board meeting twenty years, the school she went to had failed her, and was now failing her child. Unfortunately that same school is probably now failing her grandchildren.