Governor Hochul Announces Major Groundbreaking in the Port Authority’s JFK Transformation Project

Governor Hochul and Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton Join Delta CEO Ed Bastian and JFKIAT CEO Roel Huinink to Kick-Off Construction for $1.5 Billion Expansion of JFK’s Terminal 4

Groundbreaking for Terminal Expansion that will Unify Delta Operations, Add 10 New Gates to T4 and Expand Check-In and Arrival Areas

Key Component of Overall Port Authority JFK Transformation – Delta is Second Project to Break Ground

Expansion and Modernization of Existing Terminal to Include New Retail and Concessions Options, Modern Technology, Upgraded Ticketing and Gate Areas, and New Self-Service Bag Check

Year Ahead Will Be Busiest Yet for the Port Authority’s JFK Transformation 

  Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated a key milestone in the Port Authority’s transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport with the groundbreaking for a $1.5 billion privately financed expansion and modernization of Terminal 4. Earlier this year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reached a revised agreement with Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), the operator of Terminal 4, to expand the facility and to consolidate Delta operations there.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a huge part in the story of New York’s comeback from the hardship we underwent during the pandemic,” Governor Hochul said. “The economic impact of this transformation will be felt for decades, while solidifying our state’s global leading role in welcoming visitors from abroad and those returning home. I look forward to all this partnership with the Port Authority and Delta will bring to New York.”

A restructured and revised agreement for Terminal 4 was successfully negotiated earlier this year and approved by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners at the April board meeting. Initially authorized by the Port Authority Board in February 2020 prior to the pandemic, the plan was revised due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel. Earlier this year, the Board agreed to enter into a revised lease amendment with JFKIAT and Delta for the expansion and renovation of the Terminal 4 arrivals and departures hall, a major concourse expansion to add 10 new gates, the renovation of existing concourses, and roadway upgrades to improve access for vehicles. The expansion at Terminal 4 is expected to be complete with Delta consolidating its operations in 2023. The expansion and upgrade of Terminal 4 is expected to result in over 1,500 total jobs, including over 1,000 union construction jobs.

Expanding Terminal 4 with Customer Needs in Mind

The $1.5 billion Terminal 4 project, which is being financed by private capital, is the second groundbreaking under the JFK Redevelopment Plan. The terminal expansion will create 10 new gates, primarily serving regional and domestic flights, while adding 150,000 square feet to expand the terminal.

This expansion will allow Delta to offer connecting customers a seamless travel experience by consolidating all of its operations into Terminal 4, allowing for more convenient customer transfers Delta currently operates out of both Terminal 4 and Terminal 2. The project will include a new Delta Sky Club in Terminal 4's Concourse A, as well as expanded seating areas and concessions, modern wayfinding, and new or upgraded restrooms designed with travelers in mind.

In addition, the terminal will undergo a renovation program to improve the customer experience with new check-in counters that will improve capacity and efficiency with state-of-the art technology, installation of new self-service kiosks and self-bag check locations, renovations to restrooms, baggage claim and arrival areas, as well as new retail finishes and public art.

Delta continues to grow at JFK and in New York City at large, where it offers the most flights and seats of any carrier at JFK and LGA with 400 total daily departures to 95 domestic and international destinations. The airline operates more than 160 average daily flights to 68 destinations worldwide from JFK alone. Since 2010, Delta has invested more than $3.5 billion in airport expansion and redevelopment in New York, including earlier projects at JFK and LaGuardia Airport. The airline is also undertaking a $3.9 billion project to consolidate Terminals C and D at LGA, with a state-of-the-art arrivals and departures hall set to open next spring.

JFKIAT, a U.S. affiliate of Royal Schiphol Group, has been the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport since 1997. The expansion will further enhance the terminal's offerings for its almost 30 airline partners with technologies to ensure expedited and seamless passenger processing capabilities, additional food options, and other amenities to ensure passenger comfort and convenience.

The redesign of Terminal 4 - which became the first air terminal to achieve LEED Gold O+M certification in 2017 - will continue a commitment by the Port Authority and JFKIAT to energy efficiency, utilizing energy saving equipment and lighting throughout the terminal.

In keeping with the Port Authority's Net Zero emissions’ goals and standards for transitioning to all electric vehicles across its facilities, the project includes charging stations for electric ground service equipment at the new gates, along with a deicing recovery system to capture spent deicing fluid.

The initial plans to redevelop JFK airport were delayed due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant that the original agreement for the project needed to be restructured. Now, the expansion and renovation of Terminal 4 will be fully financed by Delta Air Lines and JFKIAT.

The groundbreaking for the expanded Terminal 4 builds on the momentum of the other three major components of JFK's transformation. Overall, all four major projects to transform JFK airport will total roughly $15 billion in private investment.

The year ahead will witness significant activity and milestones as part of the JFK Redevelopment program. Construction of both the new Terminal 6 and Terminal One will break ground in 2022 and construction of the redeveloped Terminal 8 will be completed in 2023.

Redeveloping JFK Airport in Lockstep with the Local Community   

In 2018, JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council was formed. It is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and composed of elected officials, community boards, business and nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, and clergy leaders from the targeted local communities of Southeast Queens, Southwest Queens, the Rockaways, and western portions of Nassau County. Since its inception, the Council has been working with the Port Authority to expand community outreach efforts and develop community-focused programs, ensuring that this ambitious project solicits ongoing feedback from local stakeholders and provides meaningful opportunities for local businesses, MWBEs, students, and jobseekers.

This includes programming to advance the Port Authority's commitment to a 30 percent MWBE contracting goal in all categories of work, and a special focus on opportunities for local businesses across all aspects of the JFK Redevelopment program, including this terminal project, which will be built by union labor under a full project-labor agreement. Other community development initiatives prioritized by the Council focus on job opportunities and workforce development programs for local residents, small business outreach and development, and educational programming for local students.   

The JFK Redevelopment Community Information Center opened in Jamaica, Queens in early 2019, providing easier access for firms looking for business opportunities, local residents in search of jobs, or neighbors seeking more information about the project.

Peekskill Man Who Identifies As An “Incel” Or “Involuntary Celibate” Pleads Guilty To Stalking Multiple Victims

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Dermot Shea, Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), and Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced today the guilty plea of DAVID KAUFMAN, a/k/a “David Khalifa,” a/k/a “John Morray,” a/k/a “Big Man,” to stalking multiple victims between October 2019 and August 2020.  KAUFMAN pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, to whom the case is assigned.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court, David Kaufman is an adherent of the ‘Incels’ who stalked and terrorized two victims, not only harassing them by impersonating them online, but also graphically threatening to murder them.  Thanks to the FBI, the NYPD, the State Police, and other law enforcement partners, Kaufman is in custody and awaiting sentencing for his admitted crime.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Kaufman’s overt hatred of women and sickening threats to harm potential victims caught the eye of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York.  We know acts of violence among those in the Incel community have increased in recent years.  As Kaufman’s guilty plea brings this topic closer to the forefront, we want the public to know the law enforcement community is aware of the threat and working together to confront it.”

NYSP Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “I applaud the hard, difficult work done by law enforcement in this case, which has led to this plea and ensures the defendant will be held accountable for his crimes. We have zero tolerance for anyone who creates fear online, terrorizing victims because of their gender. Together, we will continue to seek justice for those who have been victimized and protect those vulnerable to these types of crimes.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “The abhorrent acts carried out by David Kaufman are not just isolated offenses but representative of a larger pattern of criminality that tears at the very fabric of our society. I commend our NYPD detectives, our law enforcement partners, those in the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York for their hard work in ensuring a measure of justice was achieved today."

According to the allegations in the Complaint and the Indictment, as well as statements made in White Plains federal court: 

Background on “Incels”

KAUFMAN self-identifies as a member of the “Incels,” or the “Involuntary Celibate,” which refers to a group of individuals, typically heterosexual, white males, who adhere to a violent and misogynist ideology of male supremacy.  Incels believe they are entitled to sex with women and to women’s bodies, and they blame women for refusing to have sex with them.  Incels have an active online community and over the last seven years, Incels also have committed acts of violence against women across the world, including in the United States.  For example, in 2014, a self-proclaimed Incel named Elliot Rodger declared a “War on Women” and killed six people and injured 14 others near a college campus in California.  Prior to these attacks, Rodger posted a video manifesto online, in which he explained that he planned his attack to punish women for rejecting him and for depriving him of sex, and to punish sexually active men because he envied them.

KAUFMAN Harasses and Threatens Victim-1 and Victim-2

Beginning in or about October 2019, KAUFMAN sent two victims (“Victim-1” and “Victim-2”), among others, violent and threatening messages using various social media accounts.  In these messages, KAUFMAN self-identified as an Incel and expressed his hatred of women.  For example:

• On or about June 24, 2020, KAUFMAN sent the following message to Victim-1:  “Hey wanna hear a joke?  What’s worse than 10 Stacy’s nailed to one tree?  One Stacy nailed to ten trees [laughing crying face emoji].”  “Stacy” is an Incel term that refers to an attractive female who rejects or refuses to have sex with an Incel, is hated by Incels, and is targeted by Incels for harassment, vitriol, humiliation, and violence.

• On or about June 29, 2020, KAUFMAN sent a series of messages to Victim-2.  These messages included an image of one of Elliot Rodger’s victims, a deceased female who had been stabbed to death, accompanied by the following message:  “This is what happened when a woman said ‘no’ to Elliot Rodger . . . . Hopefully [Victim-1] never said no to someone just like Elliot Rodger.” 

• In or about July 2020, KAUFMAN posted the following messages:  “Don’t piss off BIG MAN” and “When [Victim-1] and I are dead, we’ll be in heaven together forever.”

• On or about July 11, 2020, KAUFMAN sent the following message to Victim-1:  “Women have done nothing but spit in my face.  Soon I’ll be getting a gun.”

• On or about July 12, 2020, KAUFMAN posted the following messages:  “A beautiful environment is the darkest hell, if you have to experience it all alone . . . –Elliot Rodger” and “I don’t think [Victim-1] will be laughing too much later on.”

KAUFMAN also created social media accounts using the first and last names of Victim-1 and Victim-2, respectively, and impersonated Victim-1 and Victim-2 online.

In the summer of 2020, law enforcement officers approached KAUFMAN and told him to stop harassing Victim-1 and Victim-2.  On or about July 14, 2020, an order of protection was issued in Westchester County ordering KAUFMAN to, among other things, refrain from communication or any other contact with Victim-1 or Victim-2. 

Notwithstanding the order of protection and warnings by law enforcement, KAUFMAN continued to send harassing and threatening messages to Victim-1 and Victim-2 through in or about August 2020.  On or about August 16, 2020, KAUFMAN posted a picture of himself licking a photograph of Victim-1.  KAUFMAN also conducted online surveillance of Victim-1’s residence and researched how to illegally purchase a gun and assemble a semi-automatic rifle.

KAUFMAN, 27, of Peekskill, New York, pled guilty to one count of stalking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A(2)(a) and 2261(b)(6), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The statutory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  KAUFMAN is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Román on March 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, as well as the NYSP.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Cortlandt County Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, the Peekskill Police Department, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and cooperation.

18 Days and Counting

 

There I was in the Kingsbridge Armory, pointing upward to a higher goal. To use the armory for a food distribution center to those who were in lockdown, since it was not going to be an Ice Palace during my and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's administration. Ruben is in the New York jacket hoping the Yankees would win that year, but my Boston Red Sox took the division. 

Yes that's Katherine Garcia in green on the right, and I hope she will be working once again for me when I am elected governor of New York State. Oops I shouldn't have said that since I haven't announced that I am running for governor yet. My consultants are telling me to wait until I am about to throw the switch to drop the ball on New Year's Eve to announce that I am running for governor. It seems that they are also telling me that Governor David Paterson, I mean Kathy Hochul is clearing the way of opponents, and I have a target on my back now that AG James is out of the way. 

Council Member James F. Gennaro Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection - Statement on Intro. 2317, the 'Gas Ban Bill'

 

“As Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, I am proud to support Intro. 2317, which was passed out of my committee after I personally negotiated every word in this bill. When passed, this bill will yield a cumulative savings of 2.1 million tons of CO2 by 2040 – the equivalent of the carbon that is produced from 450,000 cars in a whole year.

This legislation is the latest in a host of climate and clean air bills to come from the City Council – a movement that began with the Council’s NYC Climate Protection Act of 2008 – a bill I authored that is reducing CO2 in NYC by 30 percent.

New York City buildings emit more than 70 percent of the city’s carbon each year. By requiring almost all new construction (after the phase in period) to be all-electric, we are committing to a greener, healthier future, eliminating harmful pollutants from our atmosphere and improving New York City’s air quality. I look forward to joining my colleagues in the New York City Council in voting yes on Intro. 2317 this week, and thereby saying yes to cleaner air, pushing back against climate change, and advancing our new green economy.”

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Meeting and Christmas Party

 

It was a very brief meeting Monday evening of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance with one main Item on the agenda. That was the December 20th Community Board 11 Public Hearing on making Rhinelander Avenue into a one way street from a two way street. 

The full board will then vote at its December 23rd meeting to ask the NYCDOT for a traffic study in making Rhinelander Avenue a one way street. VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara who is a member of Community Board 11 explained that the DOT may decide that changing the street is unwarranted, or that the street should be a one way street, but it may not be in the choice of the community board or those who asked for the street change. 

Why the VNNA had taken no position on the matter with Rhinelander Avenue running through part of Van Nest was answered by parliamentarian Robert Nolan. In the vote months before there were only three yes votes, two no votes, and nine abstentions. Not having a majority of the votes the resolution did not pass at the time. President Ferrara wants to see how the community board will vote before bringing the matter up again. The meeting was then adjourned to the Christmas Party. 

L - R, VNNA Executive Board Trustee Shradhanand Pirtam, Treasurer John Messenger, President Bernadette Ferrara, Senior Advisor Robert Nolan, Sergeant of Arms John Fernandez, and Secretary Marion Manfredi. Missing is, Vice President Sharlene Jackson-Mendez.

The large audience for the meeting and Christmas Party.

L - R, Front row. Ms. Grace Lovag, VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara, 80th A.D. Female District Leader Irene Estrada, Mr. Sammy Ravelo, Mr. Dion Powell. Back row Mr. Carlos Sanchez, Community Board 9 District Manager William Rivera, and Mr. Al Quattlebaum candidate for 82nd A.D.

Bronx Conservative Party Christmas Event Features Bronx Republican Candidates

The Bronx Conservative Party under new Chairman Patrick McManus held its Christmas Party Sunday where Bronx Republican Party Chair Michael Rendino showcased his choices for the June Republican Primary led by Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin who will be facing announced candidates Rob Astorino and Andrew Giuliani for the position of Governor of New York State.

Other members of the Rendino team were Attorney General candidate Michael Henry, U.S. Senate candidate Aleksander Mici. 14th Congressional District candidate Pura H. Dejesus-Coniglio, 80th A.D. candidate Phyliss 'Tiz Nastasio, 81st A.D. candidate Kevin Pazmino, and 82nd A.D. candidate John Cerini. Congressman Zeldin  spoke about the Fight for Freedom, being a former member of the armed forces, he said that losing in the June primary and then the November General election was not an option. Zeldin added that people have crime as their number one issue, and that it seems that New York State has gone back to when crime was rampant in the 1980's. As governor he will change that.

Congressman Lee Zeldin and his wife Diana are greeted by  Bronx Conservative Party Chair Patrick McManus. 

Bronx Conservative Party Chair Patrick McManus welcomes everyone to the Bronx Conservative Party headquarters on Morris Park Avenue. 

Bronx Republican Party Chair Michael Rendino announces his slate of candidates that will be also on the Bronx Conservative Party line. 

Candidate for New York State governor Congressman Lee Zeldin addresses the many issues he says that face New Yorkers with crime leading the way.

Candidate for the 14th Congressional District Pura H. Dejusus-Coniglio said that God told her to run for the 14th Congressional District. She is the Pastor of Love Gospel Church Without Walls.

L - R Bronx Conservative Party candidate 79th A.D. 2020, John Cerini Republican candidate 82d A.D. 2022, Kevin Pazmino Republican candidate 81st A.D. 2022, Phyliss 'Tiz' Nastasio Republican candidate 80th A.D. 2022, Anthony Rivieccio founder Northwest Bronx Democrats. 

Bronx Man Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison For Lying To Federal Agents Which Led To The Shooting Of Two Deputy United States Marshals

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that GRANT GRANDISON was sentenced to 24 months in prison for making false statements to federal agents, which led to the shooting of two Deputy U.S. Marshals on December 4, 2020.  GRANDISON pled guilty on June 28, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra A. Freeman.  U.S. District Court Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Grant Grandison lied when a team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, NYPD officers, and Massachusetts state troopers came to his apartment early on the morning of December 4, 2020 to arrest Andre Sterling, who was a fugitive from law enforcement.  After Grandison lied to them, two federal agents were shot and injured that fateful morning, and several other agents were placed in serious danger.  Grandison will now serve a meaningful sentence in prison to account for his crimes.  This Office stands firmly behind all of our law enforcement partners, and especially the U.S. Marshals Service, as they work to enforce the laws and keep all New Yorkers safe.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

On or about November 20, 2020, Andre Sterling allegedly shot a Massachusetts State Trooper during a traffic stop in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Sterling fled from Massachusetts and was deemed a fugitive.  On or about November 24, 2020, a federal warrant was issued for Sterling’s arrest.

On the morning of December 4, 2020, several Deputy United States Marshals (the “Marshals”), along with officers from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and state troopers from the Massachusetts State Police, traveled to GRANDISON’s apartment in the Bronx (the “Apartment”), where they believed that Sterling was located, in order to arrest Sterling.  The Marshals announced themselves as “U.S. Marshals” and encountered GRANDISON at the door.  The Marshals asked GRANDISON, in sum and substance, if anyone else was in the Apartment, and GRANDISON replied, in sum and substance, that no one else was in the Apartment.  At the time of GRANDISON’s statements to the Marshals, GRANDISON knew that Sterling was a fugitive, and that Sterling was hiding in a bedroom in the Apartment. 

The Marshals proceeded into the Apartment, at which point Sterling came out from a bedroom in the Apartment and began firing at the Marshals, striking and injuring two Marshals.  The Marshals returned fire, and Sterling was killed in the exchange.  Law enforcement agents recovered a firearm from near Sterling.

In addition to his prison sentence, GRANDISON was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $80,775 in restitution.    

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Marshals Service, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the New York City Police Department’s 47 Precinct Detective Squad, and the Massachusetts State Police.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 13, 2021

 

62,934 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

46 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"The vaccine is the first and best line of defense we have against this virus," Governor Hochul said. "With the holiday travel season upon us and friends and family gathering together indoors, it's more important than ever that we stay vigilant and take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe. Get the vaccine if you haven't already, get the booster if you have, and make sure your loved ones do the same." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 179,704
• Total Positive - 8,993
• Percent Positive - 5.00%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.62%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,683 (+109)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 445
• Patients in ICU - 736 (+43)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 399 (+11)
• Total Discharges - 220,524 (+330)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 47,183 
  The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.  
• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 59,990 
  
  
  This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.  
• Total vaccine doses administered - 31,361,706
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 62,934
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 846,658
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 86.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 79.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 93.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 82.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 75.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 67.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.4%