Renderings Reveal Pelham House Mixed-Use Development At 215 Fifth Avenue In Pelham, New York

 

New renderings offer a first look at Pelham House, a forthcoming mixed-use residential structure at 215 Fifth Avenue in Pelham, New York. Described as a transit-oriented development, the property will include 127 apartments, 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, 160 private parking spaces, and an additional 60 parking spaces available to the public.

The development team, represented as Pelham Green LLC, includes Hudson, Excelsior Housing Group, and Sisca Northeast. Construction is expected to break ground next month with estimated costs hovering around $77 million.

Just last month, the developers’ request for financial incentives to facilitate completion of the project was approved by the Westchester IDA. This included a sales tax exemption of $1.1 million and a mortgage recording tax exemption of $500,000. The developer also received a real estate tax exemption through a Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreement of $15.8 million. The tax benefits total $17.4 million, of which $2.1 million would be foregone county tax revenue.

The building’s façade features a mix of red brick, a light gray cementitious material, and double-hung windows.

The residential component will include a total of six apartments designated for households at 80 percent area median income. Building amenities will include a fitness center, a business center, a resident lounge, and roof deck.

The scope of work also includes the construction of a municipal center for the Village of Pelham. Costs for this segment of the project, estimated at $20 million, were not offset by the incentives package and will be completed at the developers’ expense. The developers will make additional cash payments to the village for public improvements related to traffic and pedestrian safety, parking, and other infrastructure-related fees.

“This exciting project is strongly supported by Pelham elected officials,” said Westchester County executive George Latimer. “The community benefit of providing needed public parking spaces, establishing a municipal center with modern police and fire services, and environmentally advanced buildings will have tremendous positive impact. It will also add to job creation and tax ratables.”

The project is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in August 2025.

Permits Filed For 215 West Kingsbridge Road In Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 215 West Kingsbridge Road in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. Located between Heath Avenue and Kingsbridge Terrace, the lot is near the Kingsbridge Road subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Paul Durgaj of Durgaj Properties Corp is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 64-foot-tall development will yield 14,795 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 643 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 12 open parking spaces.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in July 2020 for the three-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

New State Law - If You Request an Absentee Ballot You Can Not Vote on a Voting Machine

 

New Absentee Ballot Law

Due to a recent change in the law, New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have requested to vote by Absentee Ballot.

 

Voters who have requested to vote by Absentee Ballot can still vote in-person using an Affidavit ballot at early voting or election day.

 

The affidavit ballot will be kept separate until the election is completed. Election officials will verify whether the voter’s absentee ballot has been received. If the voter’s absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the voter’s absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHT YOUTH PROGRAM TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE AND ENGAGED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

 

25 New Sites Brings Program to 131 Community Gyms Across City Providing Free Saturday Night Activities for Youth Aged 11-18

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the expansion of the Saturday Night Lights program to include 25 additional sites with an additional $1.25 million investment. The Saturday Night Lights program provides safe and engaging activities for young people in underserved neighborhoods to have a fun and additionally provides a productive place to gather during traditionally high-crime times on Saturday evenings. Young people can enjoy an array of indoor activities at 131 sites in all five boroughs, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, dance, martial arts, and more. Saturday Night Lights is an interagency partnership through the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the New York City Department of Education (DOE), and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, working with the city’s five District Attorney’s Offices and community-based organizations that administer the programs.

“Saturday Night Lights is about changing lives and ensuring no young person is left behind,” said Mayor Adams. “We are building trust between the police, the community, and our youth, while lifting young people up in every borough throughout this city. And we’re proud to be expanding this program to reach even more young people in underserved neighborhoods where they can have a safe, fun, and productive place to gather and play sports. We’re all in this together, and this is about giving young people another choice and keeping our city safe when crimes are most likely to be committed.”

 

“Saturday Night Lights is another hallmark of this administration’s investment and commitment to free, high-quality summer activities foryoung New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “By bringing together local community basedorganizations and multiple agencies, this is a true collaborative process to make sure our young people have a fun, engaging summer.”

“Today marks another great step forward in putting New York City children first,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “The Saturday Night Lights program is centered on enhancing youth development, building trust, and creating opportunities for young people in the communities that need us most. Furthermore, it works to prevent violence by connecting with our youth before they might ever have a first encounter with the criminal-justice system. To that end — in close collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Youth and Community Development, the Department of Education, the Parks Department, and all of our law-enforcement and community partners — we will continue to employ innovative efforts to keep every New York City neighborhood safe.”

 

“Ensuring our children have fun, free, and, most importantly, safe activities throughout the summer months is vital in keeping our youngest engaged and in building supportive and caring environments. Saturday Night Lights is an immensely valuable program, and I’m thrilled to see it being expanded over the next few months,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “I’m grateful to all the community members and city workers for their dedication to facilitating this fantastic program, and look forward to the continued partnership between DYCD, NYPD, and the Department of Education in supporting New York City’s kids.”

 

“The expansion of Saturday Night Lights joins the unprecedented growth of the Summer Youth Employment Program and Summer Rising — a trifecta of investments prioritized by Mayor Adams supporting young people to keep them safe and engaged,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “To raise awareness about the dangers of gun violence, Saturday Night Lights participants are ‘playing with purpose’ for DYCD’s ‘Not One More Shot’ campaign, as they enjoy basketball, soccer, volleyball, and other enrichment activities at gyms in all five boroughs. This truly will be a summer to remember for hundreds of thousands of young people in New York City.”

 

“This PAL Webster location is one of the first two we opened in the Bronx in 2019, and it has been a tremendous success. More than 60 youth actively participate here every weekend, in a positive environment,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. “It began with basketball, but grew to offer mentoring opportunities, including driver’s education, tournament participation, restorative justice conversations, and life skills development. In July 2021, the Saturday Night Lights program expanded to 100 gyms across the city, with the Bronx getting 23 sites. The program gives children a safe, free indoor space to play, instilling teamwork, leadership, and a sense of community. Now we will be getting more sites in the Bronx and across the city, and I couldn’t be happier. I thank Mayor Adams for recognizing the value of Saturday Night Lights. Providing activities for our children starting at 11 years old will influence them in the formative years, leading them away from negative actions. I thank Commissioner Sewell for all the support from the NYPD. It is great to watch the kids interact with cops. It will go a long way in community partnership.” 

 

Saturday Night Lights aims to activate underutilized spaces, build trust between law enforcement and communities, and help enable youth to develop the skills, knowledge, and meaningful relationships necessary to reach their fullest potential. A key component of the program is bringing law enforcement and young people together with teams of youth coordination officers from NYPD precincts. The officers coach and interact with participants to make a lasting and positive impact on their lives.

Gyms will be open Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for seven weeks in the summer (through August 20), and during the school year from September 10, 2022 through June 24, 2023.

 

Saturday Night Lights was launched at a single Harlem gym in 2011. For details on the initiative and to find a program, visit the Saturday Night Lights website.

“Saturday Night Lights has supported the Police Athletic League to keep our youth safe during vital times on the weekend and build relationships between young people and the NYPD. We applaud Mayor Adams, DYCD, the DA’s offices, and all other partners for their continued support and commitment to such a vital program,” said Carlos Velazquez, executive director, Police Athletic League.  

 

“Henry Street Settlement is honored and grateful to serve our community as a Saturday Night Lights location, offering safe, fun, and enriching athletics and recreation programming in spaces that are known and trusted to generations of youth on the Lower East Side,” said David Garza, president and CEO, Henry Street Settlement. “Having served as a Saturday Night Lights partner since the original pilot, we embrace the opportunity to open our doors even wider to young people who are seeking community as never before after several years of isolation and grief. The privations of the pandemic, coupled with recent gun violence that threatens the safety of our youth in a visceral and immediate way, have created an urgent need to revitalize our approaches and reinvest in our youth. Henry Street greatly appreciates the transformational leadership and partnership of the Mayor’s Office, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, DYCD, DOE, and Parks and Recreation in creating this important expansion.”

 

“At Partnership With Children, our programs focus on the mental health and well-being of the whole child. We commend Mayor Adams for providing added support to our youth and communities by opening up additional safe spaces for youth during the critical times of the summer when we have historically seen upticks in community violence,” said Wesner Pierre, CEO, Partnership With Children, Inc.

Jury Convicts Doctor of Health Care Fraud Scheme

 

 A federal jury convicted a New York man for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid by causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims for surgical procedures that were not performed.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Harold Bendelstein, 71, of Queens, billed Medicare and Medicaid for an incision procedure of the external ear for hundreds of patients, when in fact all he actually performed was an ear exam or ear wax removal. Specifically, between January 2014 and February 2018, Bendelstein, an ENT doctor, billed Medicare and Medicaid approximately $585,000 and was paid approximately $191,000. Medicare and Medicaid data demonstrated that Bendelstein was an outlier and the highest biller for this procedure in New York State.

Bendelstein was convicted of one count of health care fraud and one count of making a false claim. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 7, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations; and Acting Medicaid Inspector General Frank T. Walsh of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) made the announcement.

HHS-OIG and OMIG investigated the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Governor Hochul Announces New York State's Record Setting Mobile Sports Wagering Tax Revenue

 

In Less Than Six Months, New York State Collected $302.3 million in Mobile Sports Wagering Tax Revenue - Far Exceeding Any Other State and Surpassing Expectations

Bally Bet - the Ninth and Final Operator To Offer Mobile Sports Wagering in New York - Has Commenced Operations

Tax Revenue Reinvested in Education, Grants for Youth Sports Programming and Problem Gambling Prevention Treatment and Recovery Services

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that in under six months of operation, New York's mobile sports wagering program has far surpassed every other state, as well as the Division of the Budget's FY 2022 revenue projections. According to New York State data, the State has generated more than $302 million in tax revenue from mobile sports wagering since January 8, 2022 - with the entire amount directed for education aid, youth sports and responsible gaming programs. Additionally, the ninth and final operator in New York State - Bally Bet - was authorized to accept wagers on July 7, making the Empire State's latest foray in regulated gaming fully operational.

"In just six months, New York has become a leader among states in implementing successful gaming policies, with hundreds of millions of dollars going to important programs that will improve the lives of all New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "The recent launch of New York's final sports wagering operator will provide key revenue for education, youth sports programs, and problem gambling support. I look forward to continuing to enact responsible gaming policies that provide exciting entertainment for New Yorkers of legal age - all with important safeguards in place to help those who need it."

According to reports, New York has collected more in mobile sports wagering revenue in six months than the total sports wagering revenue—both mobile and on-premises—that any other state has generated over several years. Through May 2022, Pennsylvania has collected $265.6 million in sports wagering tax revenue since November 2018, and New Jersey has generated $237.1 million since June 2018.

In January, New York State projected $249 million in mobile sports wagering tax revenue (including $200 million in already-collected license fees) in FY 2022, while total collections were $361 million (including the $200 million in license fees). As of April, New York State projects $357 million in FY 2023, $465 million in FY 2024, $493 million in FY 2025, $509 million in FY 2026 and $518 million in FY 2027.

New York State Gaming Commission Executive Director Robert Williams said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State has established itself as the leader in sports wagering in only six months. The numbers and timeline clearly indicate that New York's model successfully harnessed the excitement of sports wagering and continues to maximize its potential."

With the advent of mobile sports wagering, the New York State Gaming Commission, its partners in the Responsible Play Partnership, and gaming venues have engaged in proactive, informational events and outreach to encourage responsible gambling.

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, "We look forward to the positive impact that this revenue will have on the expansion of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services for problem gambling. These additional funds will allow OASAS to enhance efforts to prevent problem gambling and reach more individuals with screening and treatment services in all areas of New York State."

New York's mobile sports wagering tax revenue is reinvested into elementary and secondary education and grants for youth sports programming, along with problem gambling prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Additionally, the State has collected $25 million in license fees from eight mobile sports wagering platform providers, totaling an additional $200 million to the State. All of the license fees revenue has already been directed to education.

According to GeoComply, a software firm used by sports books to ensure geolocation requirements, more than 2.9 million unique player accounts have been created since January, conducting nearly 707 million transactions.

For FY 2023 and annually thereafter, revenues from mobile sports wagering are distributed as follows: $5 million to fund sports programs for underserved youths, $6 million to fund problem gambling education and treatment, and the remaining majority to education aid.

Every Friday, the NYS Gaming Commission publishes weekly mobile sports wagering reports from all of its operators online here.

The Commission's regulations require operators to prevent underage gaming, provide bettors the availability to impose spending limits, and share information on gambling risks and signs of problem gambling. New Yorkers who are struggling with a gambling problem or know someone with a gambling problem can call the state's toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369). New Yorkers can also contact the Regional Problem Gambling Resource Center at: https://nyproblemgamblinghelp.org/.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

How much additional monies are going to education, and the other areas that are mentioned. Or is it just like the Lottery monies that went to education, but only replaced monies that were allocated elsewhere in the New York State budget.

New York State Department of Labor - Finishers Recruit Apprentices

 

The Finishing Trades Institute of New York will conduct a recruitment from August 9, 2022 through August 22, 2022 for 50 Dry Wall Taper (Finisher) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Please note, the openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for two recruitment regions – the New York City and Long Island regions.

Applications can be obtained, in person only, from the Finishing Trades Institute of New York, 45-15 36th Street, Long Island City, NY, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the recruitment period. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 500 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-served basis. The recruitment will be offered for 10 business days or until 500 applications have been issued, whichever comes first.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required at time of enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must attend a mandatory orientation which includes an evaluation for working from heights and completing a personal statement.
• Must sign an affidavit attesting that they are physically able to perform the work of a Dry Wall Taper (Finisher), which may include:
  • Lifting and moving heavy equipment, and/or materials weighing up to 70 pounds.
  • Working from ladders, scaffolds, stilts, and personal lifts, which may exceed 100 feet in height.
• Must take and pass a drug test, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and randomly throughout the apprenticeship.
• Must be able to travel throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island to reach job sites.
• Must be able to hear and understand instructions and warnings in English.

For further information, applicants should contact the Finishing Trades Institute of New York at (718) 937-7440. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - Green Day of Action at Bronx Park East

Greetings, On Monday, July 11th between 10am - 12pm, I will be hosting a Green Day of Action in partnership with NYC Parks and other community collaborators at Bronx Park East and Allerton Avenue. I invite you all to come out and volunteer as we do our part to protect our environment and keep our community green with this day of action! If you and/or your organization are interested in participating please fill out this attached google form by using the link below: https://bit.ly/GreenDayOfAction We appreciate your time and efforts in advance!   Best Regards, New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez