THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY
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Façade work is progressing on Lyra, a two-building residential complex at 414 and 445 Gerard Avenue in the South Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven. Developed by The Domain Companies and The Vorea Group with financing from the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, the $310 million project will yield 544 apartments, with 30 percent designated for affordable housing for households earning 80 to 130 percent of the area median income, as well as 10,000 square feet of retail space. Monadnock Construction is the general contractor for the property, which is bound by Exterior Street to the west, Walton Avenue to the east, East 146th Street to the north, East 144th Street to the south, and Gerard Avenue running north and south down the middle.
Recent photos show both reinforced concrete structures topped out. 414 Gerard Avenue is largely covered in a veil of black netting and metal scaffolding. The building has a U-shaped massing with an open-air rectangular space in the middle of the parcel that could likely serve as a private courtyard for residents. The eastern walls are blank and have no windows up against the lot line. The gray-colored surface is subtly visible through the scaffolding, and appears mostly finished.
Meanwhile 445 Gerard Avenue is further ahead with the installation of its red brick envelope, which encloses almost all of the structure except for the uppermost levels and the gap where the construction elevator is attached. Some windows still remain to be installed, and the ground floor is surrounded by scaffolding as work proceeds above.
414 Gerard Avenue is slated for completion in May 2023, while 445 Gerard Street is expected to be done on June 1, 2023.
You should know that although the Hispanic elected officials in New York have shamefully turned their backs on, and chose to ignore the unjust plight of José Alba, Mr. Francisco Marte came to his rescue and to his defense arriving as "El Cid Campeador".
It is important for you to know that on Friday, July 1, Jose Alba was arrested, and charged with second-degree murder and sent to Rikers Island on a half-million-dollar bond, $500,000.00.
According to news reports, José Alba, 61 years old, was minding his own business, peacefully working in an upper Manhattan bodega. He works daily to support himself and his family. While at his job in the bodega, a 33-year-old man, named Austin Simon, pushed his way into the bodega and violently began to attack Mr. Alba, fearful of losing his life, took out a blade and fatally stabbed the assailant, Austin Simon.
You should know that this attack was captured on security videos. All the videos and comments clearly show the brutal way the assailant attacked Mr. Alba. CCTV videos clearly show that Mr. Alba acted in self-defense because he feared for his own life.
This evidence and videos tell the story and are self-explanatory. Unfortunately, the visual evidence did not suffice for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose policies have shown that he is an advocate, and defender of the criminal element, and not the victims. District Attorney Bragg unjustly arrested Mr. José Alba, a Dominican national, and set bail at five hundred thousand dollars, $500,000.00. Mr. Alba being of humble means, even the blind can see that he could never come up with that amount of money to get out of prison on bail.
It is public knowledge that, D.A. Braggs soft on crime policies, since he was sworn in as Manhattan’s prosecutor, there has been an outcry to Governor Kathy Hochul to remove him as our District Attorney. However, The Governor has refused to remove Braggs and she has practically endorsed the anti-police, and Pro-Criminal positions of prosecutor Alvin Bragg.
Leaders such as City Mayor Eric Adams, the News Media, (7) seven White members of the City Council have come out in defense of Mr. Alba, and hope that other Hispanic elected leaders, especially those that represent the Dominican Community, would join the outcry to free Mr. Alba. Unfortunately, not one of the Hispanic politicians have joined the clamor in favor of Justice for José Alba leaving him practically alone to rot in Rikers Island.
However, Thanks, to Mr. Francisco Marte, President of the Association of Bodegueros of New York who as “El Cid Campeador", appeared in court securing a lawyer for Mr. Alba and managed to reduce the bail bond to $ 50,000.00 dollars.
Francisco Marte, recognized that even the $ 50,000.00 dollars bond was also impossible for José Alba and his relatives to raise. Mr. Marte generously put up the bail money from his own pocket, without personally knowing Mr. Alba. Francisco Marte also recognized that what is being done to Jose Alba is unjust.
What Braggs has done to this hardworking, Hispanic, Dominican, humble man, who only wanted to defend his own life, had him arrested, charged with murder, held in prison, and assigned a high bail to ensure he stayed locked up, is clearly a miscarriage of justice. But thanks to Francisco Marte, who recognized the injustice being perpetrated on Mr. Alba, at least for now, he is back with his family. We need more Francisco Martes in our community and fewer cowardly elected leaders.
To All Hispanic Elected Leaders and to those who still choose to support Alvin Bragg and his “WOKE” policies, you should know that this is the time to come out from hiding in your cave and stand up to Governor Kathy Hochul and Alvin Bragg and their stand in defense and protection of criminals, while neglecting to protect the victims of crime in our city and state.
I Am the Reverend Ruben Diaz, and This Is What You Should Know.
Grant Expands Existing Programs and Creates Career Pathways Into STEM Sector
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a $1.5 million grant from Pfizer Inc. to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City — with funds earmarked for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational programs for middle and high school students.
“If we don’t educate, we incarcerate, and this generous grant will bolster STEM educational programs to give our middle and high school students the ability to thrive in life by giving them the opportunity to explore careers many never thought possible,” said Mayor Adams. “Supporting our youth is a win for us all — giving them the chance to learn new skills and create innovative change that will move our city forward. These programs will help ensure their future is that much brighter and secure, and I thank Pfizer for helping put our city’s students first.”
Specifically, this $1.5 million grant will advance the goals of two STEM-related initiatives: Exploring Futures and College Now for Careers.
Both Exploring Futures and College Now for Careers are initiatives that the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment (MOYE), developed in support of the city’s goal of universal career readiness. Exploring Futures — launched in 2020 — currently operates in nine middle schools, serving 225 students in sixth through eighth grades. The program’s objectives include supporting youths to both explore potential careers and inform their high school selection process. College Now for Careers is a College Now initiative. College Now — a partnership of DOE and CUNY — is the country’s largest program enabling high school students to earn college credit. It serves over 20,000 students per year, giving them a leg up on college enrollment, persistence, and completion. College Now for Careers served 2,000 students in the school year 2021-2022 and will service another 1,000 students in the upcoming 2022-2023 year.
The nonprofit ExpandED — renowned for their innovative after-school and enrichment programming — is supporting the Mayor’s Fund, MOYE, DOE, and participating schools in managing the program.
“One of the hallmarks of this administration is its ability to forge partnerships with leading innovators, like Pfizer, to lift up our young people and deliver educational opportunities to pursue the careers of tomorrow,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “This generous investment will enable more of our city’s schoolchildren to develop expertise in high-demand, growth industries that will promote economic mobility and prosperity for all New Yorkers in the years to come.”
“Providing career exploration is essential for young New Yorkers to reach their fullest potential,” said Daniele Baierlein, executive director, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “Thanks to this generous donation by Pfizer, middle school, and high school students will have access to STEM programming that will put them on a path towards a successful career. We are grateful for our partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment, The City University of New York, and ExpandED for their work in developing and executing such impactful programs for young New Yorkers.”
"What our children can achieve is unlimited if we help activate their passion and purpose. I am proud to see this administration take strides towards the bright north star that is long-term economic security and real career-connected learning pathways for all our students, " said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “Thanks to Pfizer for their generous support, giving middle school and high school students access to important STEM programming that will expand their future career opportunities and propel them into the possibilities of the 21st century workforce."
“In keeping with CUNY’s historical mission as an engine of social mobility, the expanded College Now for Careers program will support more of our city’s high school students as they explore the many unique STEM pathways that can ultimately lead them to meaningful and well-paying careers,” said CUNY Chancellor FĂ©lix V. Matos RodrĂguez. “Buoyed by Mayor Adams’ vision and Pfizer’s generous support, CUNY’s beneficial partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment will help to ensure success for a new generation of STEM scholars, researchers, and workers.”
“We are delighted to partner with the Mayor’s Fund to advance STEM education in New York City. At Pfizer, we understand that the future of medical breakthroughs and American innovation as a whole depend on the strength and diversity of our workforce. It is never too early to attract, engage, and motivate students – of all backgrounds – to pursue careers in STEM. We hope our work with the Mayor’s Fund and other city groups will result in increased awareness and interest in STEM careers,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
“Mayor Adams committed his administration to supporting career readiness as a ‘north star goal’ for all young New Yorkers because he knew that government alone could not bring this vision to life and called on the private sector to join our effort,” said David Fischer, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment. “With this generous commitment of $1.5 million to support our youth toward career success in STEM fields, Pfizer has answered that call in exemplary fashion. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and excited for further collaboration.”
“Exploring Futures builds young people’s STEM skills and ignites their passions,” said Saskia Traill, president and CEO, ExpandED Schools. “ExpandED is honored to work with the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment, the Mayor’s Fund, the Department of Education, and Pfizer because we know partnerships are critical to ensure a vibrant future for our city and its children.”
It was a nice sunny Friday afternoon, a perfect beach day, as Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez hosted a shredding event with the Department of Sanitation. Two shredding trucks arrived in front of the assemblywoman's office, and the Sanitation Department workers had several plastic bins to throw whatever paper a person wanted to shred. The bin would be set under the opening where the bin is lifted up and the paper goes into the shredder, and the empty bin is returned to be filled again.
In talking to the DOS superintendent on hand the paper is cross cut, then bagged and stored in a warehouse for New Year's Eve to be dropped upon Times Square when the New Year's Ball reaches the bottom to light up the New Year. The Shredding unit works citywide and is in popular demand, because when the event was over at 1 PM, the trucks were off to another site.
I received word that Assemblywoman Fernandez was not happy with me showing up, and I was told she ran into her office and said" What the F*** was he doing here, spying on me?" That was after I asked a former Councilman Mark Gjonaj staffer if he was looking for a job on the campaign. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez if you want to know what this reporter was doing with a bag of papers to shred at a public shredding event I was asked to promote, you candidate Nathalia Fernandez can come on the Talking Bronx Politics show I host Live (Friday 12 PM - 1 PM on YouTube and Facebook Live), and ask me whatever question(s) you may have, but I will ask you questions that I have. My co-host and I will be talking about the 34th State Senate race going into detail about the candidates. Two candidates have already come on the show, when can I expect you candidate Nathalia Fernandez to come on the show or do you have something to hide?
