Community Leaders and People Come Out to Support Bronx Republican Candidates in the November General Election .

Saturday the sun was shinning and people came to the new Bronx Republican Party Office located at 1478 Williamsbridge Road in former Councilman Mark Gjonaj's former City Council office to see the Bronx Republican Party candidates led by the open 80th Assembly District candidate Phylis 'Tiz' Nastasio, and the open 34nd State Senate District candidate Hasime 'Samantha' Zherka. Also in attendance were 78th Assembly candidate Michael Dister, 82nd Assembly candidate John M. Greaney Jr., 84th Assembly candidate Rosalina Nieves, and 87th Assembly candidate Ariel Rivera-Diaz. Michael Rendino is the Bronx Republican Party Chairman, and he reminded everyone of the Bronx Republican Party Dinner on Wednesday September 28th at Villa Barrone.

Phyllis 'Tiz' Nastasio tells why she is best qualified be the next 80th Assembly District Assemblywoman.

Samantha Zherka explains why she is best qualified to be the next 34th State Senator.

Mr. Al D'angelo gives his thumb up to his choice for 80th Assembly.

Part of the crowd at the Bronx Republican Party to join their candidates.

Attorney General James Announces 172 Guns Turned in at Onondaga County Gun Buyback

 

AG James Has Taken Nearly 3,500 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that 172 firearms and more than 50 pounds of ammunition were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Camillus Police Department. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. Today’s event is a part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and protect New Yorkers throughout the state. To date, Attorney General James has taken nearly 3,500 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other initiatives since taking office in 2019.

“Getting guns off the streets and out of our communities is one of the many ways my office is working to protect New York families and combat rising crime rates,” said Attorney General James. “By working closely with our partners in the Camillus Police Department, we were able to organize this successful event and remove 172 guns from the local community. I will keep working to protect New Yorkers from gun violence and ensure that our state is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.”

Today’s community gun buyback resulted in the collection of 172 guns, including 91 long guns, 51 handguns, 26 non-working guns, and four assault rifles. Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected nearly 5,500 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove nearly 3,500 guns out of communities since 2019.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on site.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO ACCELERATE CRITICAL, LONG-TERM BQE FIX, ADVANCE PLANNING EFFORT TO RECONNECT COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN CORRIDOR

 

Adams Administration Seizing Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Speed Up Long-Term Fix for City-Owned Section

 

Corridor-Wide Visioning Will Explore Potential Improvements to North and South Sections of BQE, Identify Opportunities to Reconnect Communities Divided by Highway

 

Community Visioning Council Will Advise on Engagement Process to Empower Residents, Ensure an Inclusive Process

 

DOT to Continue Urgent Interim Repairs on Triple Cantilever Section Along With Ongoing Sophisticated Monitoring and Enforcement

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today outlined the community engagement process that will inform the administration’s effort to tackle long-standing issues with the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) with an expedited, long-term fix for the city-owned section from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street and a concrete plan to explore options for improving the BQE corridors in Brooklyn to the north and south, reconnecting communities needlessly divided by the creation of the highway.

 

The administration will kick off two parallel public engagement efforts this month. The “BQE Central” project engagement will inform design for the city-owned section of the BQE, including the triple cantilever. Construction on this section will start within five years. The “BQE North and South” project engagement will identify strategies to reconnect communities north of Sands Street to the Kosciusko Bridge and south of Atlantic Avenue to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge that have been left out of previous BQE engagement processes. With federal funds newly available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Adams administration is taking advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund this much-needed work on the BQE.

 

“It’s time to take a new approach to the BQE and ‘Get Stuff Done,’” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to partner with communities and develop a bold vision for a safe and resilient BQE. Together, we are finally confronting the racism built into our infrastructure and putting equity front and center to modernize this vital transportation artery now.”

 

“The Adams administration is tackling the inequity in our built environment across the BQE corridor, and we are getting to work immediately,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Repairing the wrongs of the BQE is one of the most complex and necessary infrastructure projects of our nation, and we will not waste time, money, community patience, or the once-in-a-generation opportunity to use increased federal infrastructure dollars to get the job done right.”

 

“We must reckon with the harm these 20^th-century highways have caused communities of color in New York City,” said NYCDOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “While we undertake the BQE Central project, we will ensure we are also planning how best to reconnect other neighborhoods that have been split apart by this highway, from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint.”

The sections of the BQE covered by BQE Central and BQE North and South, respectively. Credit: New York City Department of Transportation

BQE Central

 

Under the Adams administration’s new approach— the BQE Central project — the city will immediately begin work on a necessary, long-term fix for the stretch of the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street, saving hundreds of millions of dollars that would have been spent to delay long-term repairs for two decades. First built in the mid-1940s, this corridor carries more than 130,000 vehicles daily, including 13,000 trucks. NYCDOT and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will work closely with federal partners to advance the BQE Central long-term fix.

 

NYCDOT continues to make near-term interim repairs to this section scheduled for 2023 to ensure it remains safe. Monitoring of the triple cantilever also continues through a combination of regular, in-person inspections and remote tracking with sensors placed on the structure. NYCDOT will also deploy a nation-leading automated enforcement program for overweight trucks, using weigh-in-motion technology to ticket these illegal vehicles that stress the structure.

 

BQE North and South

 

NYCDOT will simultaneously embark on a community outreach process and build on already-completed community planning to develop designs for reuniting communities north and south of the BQE by creating public spaces like parks and plaza and providing new mobility options for commuting, recreation, and commerce. These communities have suffered for decades from increased traffic pollution and road safety risks after being divided by the highway.

 

As the north and south sections of the BQE are state-owned property, the NYCDOT will continue to engage with NYSDOT to create a partnership that can bring about real and valuable change. NYCDOT will also work on short-term fixes to improve the safety and quality of life of communities on either side of the corridor.

 

Community Outreach

 

Community engagement will include in-person and remote public workshops beginning in September as well as a public survey, pop-up outreach in neighborhoods along the entire BQE corridor, meetings with community stakeholder groups, and updated online resources. The processes are designed to invite a wide range of voices to work towards projects that improve communities while prioritizing technical and fiscal feasibility.

 

Funding will be made available to community-based organizations to engage underrepresented voices at the grassroots level. These engagement resources for community-based organizations will prioritize work that promotes equitable access to visioning through tailored events and activities​, grassroots information-sharing and feedback, and individual supports for participation in visioning processes, including for childcare, food, and transportation. Funding will be prioritized for groups with community ties, demonstrated experience in mobilizing their constituencies, and multilingual capacity. An application will be released later in September.

 

Additionally, NYCDOT is planning to bring on community engagement specialists to lead the visioning process corridor-wide, including engineering firm WSP USA Inc., design and public space studio WXY Architecture and Urban Design, and inclusive innovation agency 3x3. NYCDOT also retained the Triple Cantilever Joint Venture for design and planning for BQE Central, led in partnership by AECOM USA, Inc. and Parsons Transportation Group of New York, Inc., and working with AKRF, Inc., Bjarke Ingels Group, Fitzgerald and Halliday, Inc., SCAPE Landscape Architecture, and others.

 

BQE Community Visioning Council

 

The Adams administration is launching a BQE Community Visioning Council (CVC) to advise NYCDOT on engagement content and strategies, meeting on a regular basis throughout the visioning process to discuss emerging concerns, plan for future engagement, analyze information from previous engagement, and share feedback. The administration is encouraging applications from those who live or work within geographic areas along the corridor, as well as those affiliated with small businesses and the freight, trucking, and manufacturing industries, the New York City Housing Authority, or transportation and environmental justice advocacy. NYCDOT will include one representative per organization, with the goal of developing a diverse membership.

 

The CVC will work in partnership with the city to ensure an effective, responsive, and equitable visioning process for participants. Applications will be accepted until September 29, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST. NYCDOT will inform selected applicants and publish the list of the CVC members. The application is available online.

 

2022 Initial Outreach Schedule

 

• September 28: Corridor-wide kickoff (virtual)
• October 6: Corridor-wide kickoff (virtual)
• October 11: BQE Central workshop (in-person)
• October 13: BQE Central workshop (virtual)
• November 3: BQE North and South workshop (virtual)
• November 7: BQE South workshop (in-person)
• November 10: BQE North workshop (in-person)

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

There are seven community meeting about a highway project in Brooklyn, but when it comes to changing a Bronx community forever by placing people from Rikers Island in Jacobi Hospital with no plan on how to keep these people out of the community something is wrong here Mayor Adams. 

Maybe that is why you are not taking reporters questions at press conferences. answer our questions from the media, Mayor Adams what is going on at Jacobi Hospital?

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - TODAY: African Heritage Celebration and Festival

Dear Neighbors,

 

Join us today for our African Heritage Celebration and Festival at Lou Gehrig Plaza beginning at 10:00 am. The all-day event features musical and traditional dance performances, spoken word artists, backpack and grocery giveaways, a parade, face painting, free health screenings, and much more.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

 

Permits Filed For 61 Buchanan Place In University Heights, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 61 Buchanan Place in University Heights, The Bronx. Located between Aqueduct Avenue E and Grand Avenue, the lot is near the 183rd Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Remzi Kurbogaj under the 61 Buchanan LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 64-foot-tall development will yield 6,814 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 12 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 567 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a 32-foot-long rear yard but no accessory parking.

C2B Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced. 

Permits Filed For 1404 Stebbins Avenue In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 1404 Stebbins Avenue in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between East 170th Street and Boston Road, the lot is near the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Shang Dai of Kuafu Properties is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 73-foot-tall development will yield 66,538 square feet, with 34,070 square feet designated for community facility space and 32,468 square feet for residential space. The building will have 113 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 588 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Aufgang Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Hispanic Heritage Month + Leading With Purpose

 

Dear Neighbor,

We are finally in Hispanic Heritage Month, and I am so excited to celebrate this year for many reasons. This month is all about culture and recognizing contributions made by the Hispanic community. From community activists and elected officials to teachers and entrepreneurs, we must support each other as we continue to grow and prosper on both small and large stages.

This month, I was recognized by City and State NY in this year’s Power of Diversity: Latino 100. It is an honor to be recognized as I continue to work towards breaking barriers and inspiring other Latino to follow their dreams and establish fulfilling careers. I am proud to say that my office is a space where Latinos and people of color can begin their careers in public service, gaining the necessary skills for a successful career. It’s only when you create opportunities that our community members will prosper.

In this week’s newsletter, you will find information about upcoming events and opportunities for all ages, from our youngest neighbors to our eldest. There’s also information about recently introduced legislation and City-wide initiatives, and I encourage you all to take advantage of the opportunity to make your voice heard. If you have any questions or would like further information, you can reach out to my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all around the district and hope you have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Mobile Office Hours

Join us for Mobile Office Hours on Monday, September 19th in Westchester Square at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Lane Avenue from 2 PM to 4 PM to address any questions or concerns you may have. We are here to help YOU make the most out of your community.

Sinkhole on Hollywood Avenue & Schley Avenue

On Tuesday, September 13th, two sinkholes opened in the vicinity of Hollywood Avenue and Schley Avenue. The rainfall our community has experienced has led to multiple sinkholes opening over the last year, showing the declining health of our infrastructure. The Department of Environmental Protection responded to the issue in a timely manner and observed the situation to evaluate and repair the sinkholes. DEP has reported that neither sinkhole was sewer related; both sinkholes have been repaired, and the area is under observation.

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

Res 0304 - A resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.9414/S.5806, in relation to authorizing the New York City Council to oversee the activities of the New York City Housing Authority.

What does it do? - For far too long, our NYCHA communities have been impacted by various issues, including public health and safety concerns. At this time, the New York City Council has no involvement in NYCHA’s operations; should the Governor sign A.9414/S.5806, the City Council will oversee the daily operations of the New York City Housing Authority.

Int. No. 444 - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of environmental protection to post information online regarding scheduled and requested infrastructure services

What does it do? - This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to post information on its website regarding requests it receives and work it has scheduled, including catch basin maintenance, water quality testing, and sinkhole repairs.

Int. No. 606 - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to motor vehicles idling adjacent to and within New York city parks, green spaces, and playgrounds

What does it do? - This bill would require the NYPD, Parks Department, and DSNY to issue summonses, notices, of violation and/or appearance tickets to motor vehicles idling adjacent to NYC parks, green spaces, and playgrounds for longer than one minute.

Int. No. 660 - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a program to provide transition services for students with disabilities entering higher education

What does it do? - This bill would require the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to establish a program to help high school students with disabilities who are graduating in the current school year, obtain accommodations at institutions for higher education.

Hurricane Ida Recovery Support

Last year, our community felt the impact of Hurricane Ida, which included flooding, sewage backup, organic growth, and so much more. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations has extended its deadline for those who resided in a home that has now been considered uninhabitable. If you would like more information on how to apply, please email IdaAssist@recovery.nyc.gov or call (212) 615-8329.

A Message For Our Homeowners

Recently, I helped pass a law within the New York City Council that has since been signed by Mayor Adams, indicating that eligible New York City homeowners will receive property tax rebates of up to $150.

The majority of eligible property owners have received their checks automatically and did not need to take any action. However, many property owners are unaware they may be eligible for this rebate, and we are working to ensure our residents have access to information to determine their eligibility.

Owners may be eligible for a property tax rebate if they own their home, it serves as their primary residence, and their household income is $250,000 or less. More information about the rebates is available at www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate.

Constituents who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but do not receive a check by the end of September can take the following steps by November 15, 2022:

1. Visit www.nyc.gov/dofsmartfile.

2. If you do not already have an account, select “Create Account” and log in.

3. Select “2022 - Property Tax Rebate Form.”

4. Complete the information and upload the documentation requested.

5. Remember to click “Submit.” The Department of Finance will notify property owners whether they are eligible for the rebate.

If you have any questions about the rebate initiative, please contact the Department of Finance via our online customer service portal, www.nyc.gov/dofcustomerservice, or call 311.

NYC Congestion Pricing

The MTA recently announced their draft Environmental Assessment for the ‘Central Business District Tolling Program,’ commonly known as congestion pricing. This program would call for tolls ranging from $9 to $23 to enter and travel through Manhattan, south of 60th Street by car. If you were unable to attend a hearing to testify, click here for a list of upcoming regional meetings and environmental justice public meetings

Previous hearings, meetings and video presentations explaining the project can be found on the MTA’s project website by clicking here.

Upcoming Regional Public Meetings (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island)

• Thursday, September 23, 2021 (click here to view meeting)

• Thursday, September 30, 2021 (click here to view meeting)

Reminder: Today is the last day to submit a testimony through the MTA website by clicking here. For many of our neighbors, congestion pricing is a huge factor that will effect one’s ability to commute between their homes and Manhattan. I am also including a link here to a survey that has been put together by my office, so that we can support those in our district in regards to congestion pricing.

For information on how Congestion Pricing can impact our community, click here.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & MENTAL HEALTH

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES $35 MILLION INVESTMENT IN PHASE ONE OF NEW LINEAR PARK IN QUEENS

 

Met Hub Section Represents First Phase of QueensWay, a Comprehensive Plan to Reimagine Abandoned Railroad Corridor and Vacant Land as 47-Acre Linear Park

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a $35 million investment for design and construction of the Metropolitan Hub (Met Hub) in Queens — phase one of a new multi-phase greenway and park project called QueensWay. This phase of the project will transform a vacant, city-owned corridor in Forest Hills into a five-acre park with 0.7 miles of greenway, providing residents with new open space, improved access to recreational amenities, outdoor education opportunities for students, and a safe transportation corridor connecting people to schools, businesses, and 10 bus lines. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) will manage the construction of the Met Hub in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks). The funding includes $2.5 million from the New York City Council.

 

“New York is a five-borough city, and every borough deserves high-quality park space. That’s exactly what we are delivering with this $35 million investment in one of our vital neighborhoods in Queens,” said Mayor Adams. “QueensWay phase one will convert abandoned railroad tracks that have been used as a dumping ground into a linear park that will make this community safer, healthier, greener, and more prosperous. The community has been asking for this for decades, and I am proud to stand with them to show how we ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

“The QueensWay, which will open new parkland and add greenway miles, demonstrates our commitment to expanding access to healthy open spaces and safe options for mobility,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We’re incredibly proud to be supporting this community-led proposal and want to thank those residents, students, commuters, and recreationists who rallied for this project for years.”

 

“Now more than ever, New Yorkers are calling for open and green spaces, and this first phase of the QueensWay will deliver a beautiful new one for local Queens residents and visitors alike. Once complete, I am confident that it will be a tremendous neighborhood asset and catalyze local economic development for years to come,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “My gratitude to all the partners who nurtured this project’s vision for years together with the community.”

 

“One of our main goals at Parks is to expand our thriving parks system, and, thanks to this new $35 million investment from Mayor Adams for phase one of the multi-phase QueensWay project, countless New Yorkers will have access to a brand-new green space and greenway in their neighborhood,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This investment in the Met Hub and the future QueensWay strikes to the core of several of this administration’s top parks priorities, including safer transportation in and around our parks, more parkland and green space, and connecting more New Yorkers to a park within walking distance of where they live, and we’re so excited to work on this project with all of our sister agencies in the future.”

 

“NYCEDC is committed to improving the city’s greenway efforts, and this exciting new project in Queens will provide residents with much-needed open space that also serves as a safe path to walk or bike,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “We thank Mayor Adams, Trust for Public Land, Friends of the QueensWay, Assemblymember Hevesi, and all the elected officials and organizations who have shown their support to transform this unused land into a greenway that will connect New Yorkers to schools, businesses, and mass transit.”

Once complete, the QueensWay will include a 47-acre park and seven miles of greenway from a converted unused railroad line. The project will cover the Queens neighborhoods of Rego Park, Forest Hills, Glendale, Forest Park, Woodhaven, and Ozone Park. The proposal was conceived by the Trust for Public Land and Friends of the QueensWay. The project concept is the result of an extensive community outreach that included public and stakeholder workshops, information tables at local community events and festivals, and more than 20 public tours.