MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLAN TO EXPAND HARLEM RIVER GREENWAY TO THE BRONX

 

Seven-Mile Route Will Restore Waterfront Access for Bronxites and Connect Van Cortlandt Park to Randall’s Island with Public Open Space and Bike Path

 

Adams Administration’s Nation-Leading Work to Reconnect Communities Divided by Highways Comes to Major Deegan Expressway, Which Separated Bronxites From Harlem River Nearly a Century Ago

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball today announced a groundbreaking plan to deliver a critical public space to a community too often left behind by expanding the Harlem River Greenway to the Bronx.

 

Greenways are shared, linear spaces on public land, available for recreational uses like cycling, running, or walking. Beginning on April 18, 2023, the Adams administration will conduct public engagement and craft a plan for the new greenway. The route will span seven miles, connecting Randall’s Island at the southern tip of the Bronx to Van Cortlandt Park in the north, with continuous cycling and walking, including a critical north-south bike commuting corridor. The project represents a major new front in the administration’s nation-leading effort to reconnect communities divided by highways, focusing on the Major Deegan Expressway, which has cut off Bronxites’ access to the Harlem River waterfront since the 1930s.

 

“This administration continues to deliver for all five boroughs, and expanding the Harlem River Greenway to the Bronx is a huge win for equity and justice,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is leading the way in undoing the devastation caused by highways like the Cross-Bronx Expressway, the BQE, and now the Deegan — reversing the devastation left by others in communities of color. Greenways help us move forward while righting the wrongs of the past, give people a place where they can exercise and breathe freely, and create a sense of community by bringing people together. That’s what the Bronx deserves and what this project will deliver.”

“Historic disinvestment and highway construction has, for decades, severed Bronxites’ connection to their waterfront. This administration is centering equity in all its work — and that means ensuring communities in the Bronx have safe cycling connections and pedestrian access to and along the Harlem River shoreline, one of the city’s most beautiful natural landscapes,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “We look forward to working with Bronxites and our sister agencies in shaping this project as we continue work on our larger greenway development plans.”

 

“We believe that all New Yorkers deserve access to our city’s beautiful public parkland, and greenways often serve as critical connectors to our parks, waterfronts, and greenspaces,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “We are excited to work with our sister agencies to expand the city’s greenway network — including and especially in the outer boroughs — so we can strengthen the connections between parks and increase recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers.”

 

“Access to green and open spaces and safe biking infrastructure is vital to New Yorkers’ quality of life, and the Bronx Harlem River Greenway is a critical component to better connecting New Yorkers to our waterfront,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball. “The Bronx Harlem River Greenway aligns with NYCEDC’s commitment to driving our city’s economic vitality and making New York City an even better place to live, work, and play. I look forward to working with Mayor Adams, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Parks & Recreation, and the community to make this vision a reality.”

 

The expanded Harlem River Greenway will restore Bronxites’ access to the waterfront with a network of off-street, multi-use, shared paths along the waterfront, as well as on-street bicycle facilities that will allow for safe and convenient travel along and around the river. The administration will identify high-priority, quick-build street redesigns to support larger projects, and the implementation plan developed through community engagement will include both short-term and long-term projects on identified preferred routes. Short-term projects will include the installation of markings, signs, and limited concrete work on city streets. Long-term projects will include more complex improvements to be constructed as future capital projects.

 

The community engagement process, launching next month, will outline a comprehensive strategy to create a continuous and accessible path along this corridor. At this first round of public workshops — with one workshop for each of the three segments of the planned greenway — DOT planners will discuss existing conditions along the waterfront and seek input from residents on how they would like to use this space through bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure upgrades. The agency will follow up with an additional round of public workshops this fall before an implementation plan will be published in 2024. DOT will also engage community members at pop-up events throughout the spring and summer, including at “Bike the Block” and “Car-Free Earth Day” events.

 

Community outreach will be conducted in partnership with the Bronx and Harlem River Urban Waters Federal Partnership and the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary Program, which work to help reconnect community residents to their waterways. DOT is also collaborating with the Bronx Center for Environmental Quality and the Harlem River Working Group, which have long advocated for improving environmental quality and access to and along the Harlem River.

 

The expansion of the Harlem River Greenway follows the Adams administration’s receipt of a $7.25 million federal grant award to plan the city’s next generation of greenways, with a focus on expanding the network to historically underserved communities.

 

“Expanding equity of waterfront access is a key goal of our Comprehensive Waterfront Plan,” said New York City Department of City Planning Executive Director Edith Hsu-Chen. “This much-needed greenway extension will link more New Yorkers with their shoreline and lead to a healthier, more connected city for all.”

“Since its inception, the Harlem River Working Group has been led by community members working improve access to the Bronx and Manhattan side of the Harlem River and develop the Harlem and Putnam River Greenways,” said Chauncy Young, coordinator, Harlem River Working Group. “The city’s first greenway plan that included the Harlem River Greenway was developed under Mayor David Dinkins and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in 1993. Today, we can finally make those dreams a reality, and I commend Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres for their unwavering support to secure $7 million for the New York City greenway expansion, and Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriquez for prioritizing this environmental justice project once and for all.”

 

“Over the course of decades, the investment in the Bronx River Greenway has created acres of new parkland and invaluable connections between neighborhoods that were separated for so long,” said Siddharth Motwani, Bronx River Greenway coordinator, Bronx River Alliance. “Focusing on the Harlem River Greenway is an opportunity for the city to bring these same benefits to communities around the Harlem River. We applaud this investment and look forward to the development of accessible waterfront green spaces for the west Bronx.”

 

“The Randall’s Island Park Alliance is thrilled to learn of plans for increased connections to the island’s Bronx neighbors,” said Deborah Maher, president, Randall’s Island Park Alliance. “An expanded Harlem River Greenway will provide crucial commuting and recreational resources for New Yorkers and enable even more visitors to enjoy the park's resources.”

 

“Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is the coordinating organization of the New York City Greenways Coalition that has advanced the citywide cause of this vital open space and active transportation infrastructure,” said Hunter Armstrong, executive director, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. “In Brooklyn, we know how valuable it was when the New York City Department of Transportation developed the 2012 implementation plan for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Having this plan in place has enabled the City of New York to make steady progress towards building out the greenway in our borough. The launch of the Harlem River Greenway plan is a significant and tangible win for the residents of the Bronx, and the other communities that the coalition supports, and hopefully, a sign of additional implementation studies to come.”

 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Women of Distinction Luncheon

 

Friday, March 31, 2023 11:30am - 2:00pm Villa Barone Manor 737 Throggs Neck Expressway Bronx, New York For 18 years, the Women of Distinction Luncheon  has recognized outstanding women leaders for their  contributions to the Bronx community. Each year with  the support of local Bronx businesses and Bronx Chamber  of Commerce members we are able to provide  scholarships to deserving college-bound female students  through the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Join us this year as we honor a new class of scholars and  celebrate the strong women leaders of our community. Purchase Tickets & Sponsor- Click Here An educator and facilitator, Vivian Vázquez Irizarry ran  educational and youth leadership development programs at  the Coro Foundation, Bronxworks, and is currently the director  of community-school partnerships at the New Settlement  Community Campus. Vázquez Irizarry managed educational  youth development models in GED completion and college  access programs across New York City. A former member of the National Congress for Puerto  Rican Rights, she is a member of 52 People for Progress,  a community organization that saved her childhood  playground and revitalized the South Bronx for the last  35 years. In DECADE OF FIRE, Bronx-born Vivian Vázquez Irizarry  pursues the truth surrounding the fires – uncovering policies  of racism and neglect that still shape our cities, and offering  hope to communities on the brink today. Vázquez Irizarry, in  her role as the film’s central character and co-director seeks  not only healing for her community, but to redeem them from  the harmful mythology spread by the media that has continued  largely unchallenged to this day. She tells the story of a people  who held on, worked to save their community and start anew  against impossible odds.  Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships - Click Here

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA CONDEMNS MICHAEL BLOOMBERG’S PAID CAMPAIGN TO INFLUENCE ALBANY BUDGET PROCESS

 

In the wake of a New York Times report highlighting billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s $5 million ad buy to influence budget agenda, State Senator and Chair of the Senate Health Committee Gustavo Rivera responded via Twitter:

Gustavo Rivera

@NYSenatorRivera

·

@MikeBloomberg thinks he can buy NY. We can't allow him to privatize our schools & profit off of our City. NYers won’t be fooled by his dirty tricks. We need to get dark money out of politics #TaxtheRich & Invest in our NY. We deserve a budget that works for us, not billionaires.

Six Additional Oath Keepers Members and Affiliates Found Guilty of Charges Related to Capitol Breach

 

Five Defendants Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Obstruct the Certification of the 2020 Presidential Election

 Six additional members and affiliates of the Oath Keepers were found guilty in the District of Columbia for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Sandra Parker, 63, of Morrow, Ohio; Bennie Parker, 72, of Morrow, Ohio, Connie Meggs, 60, of Dunnellon, Florida; Laura Steele, 53, of Thomasville, North Carolina; and William Isaacs, 23, of Kissimmee, Florida, were found guilty of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, a felony. Sandra Parker, Meggs, Steele, and Isaacs were also convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiring to prevent an officer of the United States from discharging a duty and destruction of government property, all felonies. All five defendants, along with co-defendant Michael Greene, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor.

“With this verdict, the Justice Department has now secured convictions of 14 Oath Keepers members and affiliates for felonies surrounding the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the prosecutors, agents, and staff for their tireless work on these cases. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those criminally responsible for the January 6th assault on our democracy.”

“This is another important step in holding accountable those who broke laws and tried to interfere with our democratic process during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “While the FBI will always protect the rights of all citizens to peacefully protest, we will continue to work with our partners to make sure those who violate our laws face justice.”

“This trial was the third trial involving individuals associated with the Oath Keepers for their role in delaying the certification of results of the 2020 Presidential election. Juries have now convicted all defendants tried to date, including convicting 14 of the defendants charged with of serious felonies,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. “The verdicts returned reflect that these juries have carefully reviewed the evidence; considered each defendant’s individual conduct; and reached the outcomes they concluded were required by law. We are incredibly appreciative of all of their hard work.”

“This week, a third jury found members of the Oath Keepers guilty of conspiracy for their actions to block the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “These consistent verdicts show that the criminal actions of this group were intentional and bolster the FBI’s determination to hold accountable those who used violence in an attempt to substitute their will for the will of the people.”

Parker, Steele, and Isaacs were, additionally, found guilty of obstructing officers during a civil disorder, a felony, for joining the mob that tried to push against officers down the hallway from the Rotunda to the Senate Chamber; Isaacs was found guilty of one additional count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder for his conduct in entering the building; and Steele was found guilty of tampering with evidence.

The jury could not reach a verdict with respect to the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding against defendant Greene. Greene was found not guilty of the first and third counts of the indictment, and Bennie Parker was found not guilty of the second and third counts.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants and their alleged co-conspirators coordinated in advance of Jan. 6 and traveled across the country to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in early January 2021. On the afternoon of Jan. 6, around 1:30 p.m., Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, who was convicted in an earlier trial of seditious conspiracy and related charges, sent a message on an encrypted group chat announcing that Vice President Michael R. Pence would not intercede to stop Congress’ certification of the electoral college vote, and so “patriots” were taking matters into their own hands. Moments later, Sandra Parker, Bennie Parker, Steele, Meggs, and Isaacs joined with other Oath Keepers members and affiliates in marching towards the Capitol. They donned paramilitary gear such as helmets and vests. They passed barricades and Capitol Police officers and entered the restricted area of the Capitol grounds. Then Sandra Parker, Steele, Meggs, and Isaacs joined with 10 co-conspirators in placing hands on shoulders and marching up the steps and into the Capitol in a military “stack” formation.

Once inside, half of the group – including Sandra Parker, Steele, and Isaacs – tried to force their way past riot police officers towards the Senate Chamber. The other half of the group – including Meggs – moved towards the House Chamber, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office. In the words of Kelly Meggs, a co-conspirator who was convicted in an earlier trial of seditious conspiracy and related charges, the group was looking for Speaker Pelosi.

In total, 29 Oath Keepers members and affiliates were charged as part of the Capitol Breach investigation. To date, eight have pleaded guilty, and all 15 who have proceeded to trial have been found guilty. Six are awaiting trial.

The charges of conspiracy to obstruct Congress, obstruction of Congress, and tampering with evidence carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; the charge of destruction of government property carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; the charge of conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their duties carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison; and the charge of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison; the charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds carries a statutory maximum of one year in prison. All charges carry potential financial penalties. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with valuable assistance provided by the Justice Department’s National Security Division and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Cincinnati Field Office, Charlotte Field Office, Jacksonville Field Office, and Tampa Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Statement from Speaker Adams on Indictments Related to the Deaths of Aamir Griffin, Sean Vance

 

Speaker Adams released the following statement in response to the Queens District Attorney and NYPD’s announcement that 33 individuals have been indicted for more than 22 shootings in Southeast Queens:

“The devastating toll of gun violence disproportionately impacts families and communities, like mine in Southeast Queens, which have experienced far too many losses to bear. While we must never forget Aamir Griffin, Sean Vance, and countless others whose lives were cut short by violence, it is critical that we also not forget the surviving families and communities and ensuring their recovery and well-being.

“As a new Council Member at the time of Aamir’s death, I vividly remember responding alongside the 113th Precinct, Life Camp, and many other community organizations to the shooting outside Baisley Park Houses. We were all in tears as we collectively grieved his loss. Since Aamir’s death, our community has continuously come together to uplift his life and support his family.

“Violence leaves behind trauma that, if unaddressed, only perpetuates cycles of harm in our communities. Apart from the legal process, we must ensure the surviving families of violence have support and access to victim services so they can heal. My priority remains on ensuring victims and their families have what they need to recover. I thank Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz for her work to pursue accountability, and for not ignoring the victimization that our public safety systems can too often deprioritize in communities of color. Our community must continue to be focused on rooting out violence and healing trauma to make our families safer, an effort we will undertake with the many community stakeholders.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review. Spring has sprung! We hope you are all enjoying these warmer days as much as we are and taking time for self-care and rejuvenation.

First, we'd like to thank everyone who applied to our Community Boards! We are happy to see an increase in community engagement and excited to work with you to build a better Bronx.

Last week, we were happy to join with residents for our third and final Together for Kingsbridge Workshop at Lehman College. We saw more than 500 people come out! Thank you to Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Co-Chair Sandra Lobo from the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition, NYC EDC's Fernando Baez and all of our community partners your collaboration and leadership.

Throughout this journey, we’ve engaged over 1500 residents in the visioning process of redevelopment for the Kingsbridge Armory. Our community continues to show up in record-breaking numbers and we will continue to ensure that this process is community led. We need your input! If you haven’t had a chance to join our public workshops, please complete the community engagement survey here.

Lastly, don't forget to nominate a Bronx educator to be recognized by the People's Choice Award during Bronx Week! Our application is live on ilovethebronx.com.

As always, 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