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Friday, August 4, 2023
Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use
ADAMS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED NEARLY $1 BILLION IN TOTAL FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, INCLUDING MORE THAN $350 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE FUNDING
City Has Submitted Applications for More Than $1.5 Billion in Competitive Funding Since Beginning of Adams Administration
City’s Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force Aims to Submit $1 Billion More in Competitive Grant Applications by End of Year, Totaling $2.5 Billion in Competitive Federal Funding Applications
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that New York City has been allocated for $987 million in federal infrastructure funding through the city’s Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, including $367 million in competitive funding. Additionally, the city has submitted $1.5 billion worth of competitive federal infrastructure grant applications and plans to submit $1 billion more — totaling more than $2.5 billion — in grant applications by the end of the year. The task force is chaired by Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi and comprised of representatives from over a dozen city agencies.
“Over the past year, we’ve had an unprecedented opportunity to secure much-needed resources for critical infrastructure projects, and today, I’m proud to announce that our diligent work is paying off,” said Mayor Adams. “The nearly $1 billion in funding we’ve already been allocated, as well as the additional more than a billion we will soon be seeking, will allow us to build a stronger, more resilient city that delivers a better product for New Yorkers. And we’re not stopping there — we’ll continue to go after every federal dollar we can to keep building world-leading infrastructure projects across the five boroughs.”
“From roads, bridges, ports, and airports to clean water and high-speed internet, President Biden’s ‘Investing in America Agenda’ is delivering on rebuilding our infrastructure.” said Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “Our investments in New York through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are strengthening our supply chains and our national economy — creating good-paying jobs and improving sustainability in our nation’s most populated city. The work we are doing in New York with Mayor Adams, countless state and local officials, and community leaders is proof that, together, we are growing our economy from the bottom up and middle out and working for working people. That’s Bidenomics at work.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act represent once-in-a-generation opportunities to secure federal dollars for our most critical infrastructure projects. This funding will be used to invest in New York City’s infrastructure, ensure our most important assets are in a state of good repair, and adapt our streets and facilities for the future,” said Deputy Mayor Joshi. “I commend our agencies for developing shovel ready and shovel worthy projects for these important federal programs. I also want to thank our congressional delegation for their continued support in securing these funds. These investments in sustainability and resiliency will help make New York City a greener and healthier city built on a strong foundation.”
“Thank you to Deputy Mayor Joshi, the Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, and our broad coalition of community and government partners for successfully securing funding for economic and environmental development projects across our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Seizing these opportunities for unprecedented federal funding allows us to support more projects that enhance economic growth and sustainable infrastructure. I look forward to seeing the task force continue to identify more creative avenues to make our city more equitable and more resilient."
Recent federal legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, have made unprecedented amounts of federal funding available for key projects across the country. Recognizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Mayor Adams formed the Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force. Under Deputy Mayor Joshi’s guidance, that task force evaluates the competitive grant opportunities available, with a focus on new opportunities made possible through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act and works to break silos and foster creativity across the agencies. The city has aligned its priorities for high-quality, sustainable, and equitable infrastructure with aggressive and creative grant applications from a wide range of infrastructure agencies. To date, the city has submitted over 70 individual applications to more than 35 grant programs.
Select Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants announced from January 2022 to date:
- Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market Redevelopment – $110 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Program
- The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), with the New York City Department of Small Business Services and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), is redeveloping the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market. The new produce market will be an approximately 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art intermodal freight facility with more than 800,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space and 200,000 square feet of ancillary space. The produce market distributes over 2.5 billion pounds of produce a year to New York City and the New York metropolitan region.
- Community Garden Water Management – $47 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program
- The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) will provide on-site water infrastructure to 260 food-producing community gardens throughout the city, supporting city parks and urban agriculture infrastructure in all five boroughs.
- New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) SAFEMicromobility E-Bike Charging – $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program
- NYCHA will build safe and secure e-bike charging and storage facilities. This grant covers 173 stations across 53 NYCHA developments. The charging and storage stations will reduce the chances of e-bike related fires at NYCHA facilities. This means that residents will no longer need to charge their e-bikes in their apartments. They will be able to do so safely, outdoors.
- This year represents the first time a public housing authority has won a capital construction transportation RAISE grant.
- Delancey Street Roadway Improvements and Streety Safety Planning – $21.48 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Program
- DOT will use $18.5 million for safety improvements at Delancey Street at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge. These upgrades will include a road diet, a separated bikeway, accessibility improvements, and street reconstruction for pedestrian, bike, and vehicle safety outcomes.
- The remaining funding will support planning grant activities focusing on pedestrian flow modelling and a Micromobility safety tool kit.
- The Safe Streets and Roads for All program is a new funding stream from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Broadway Junction Streetscapes Improvement - $20 million from the S. Department of Transportation RAISE Program
- NYCEDC will support a bigger re-imagining of the Broadway Junction area with plans to focus on pedestrian conditions on the streets, including adding lighting, redesigning of intersections, planting street trees, adding green infrastructure, and creating a welcoming, safe, and accessible pedestrian streetscape.
- Electric School Buses – $18.3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Rebate Program
- The New York City Department of Education (DOE) will work with its vendors to purchase 51 electric school buses. The Clean School Bus Program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for school districts, and produce cleaner air.
- This will contribute to the city and state goal of converting to all electric school buses by 2035.
- The EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program is a new program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- NYC Greenways Planning – $7.25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE Program
- DOT, NYC Parks, and NYCEDC will work together to develop a comprehensive vision plan to fill critical gaps in the city’s greenway network, improve cyclist and pedestrian safety with improved infrastructure, and enhance quality of life with green transportation options and greater waterfront access.
- Jerome Avenue Bus Facilities - $6 million from the S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Bus Facilities Program
- DOT will support safety and accessibility conditions at bus stops on Jerome Avenue, focused on bus pads, lighting, and street furniture to improve pedestrian safety and connections between buses and the subway.
- Harbor Landing Upgrades for Freight and “Last-Mile” Deliveries – $5.16 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration America’s Marine Highway Program
- NYCEDC will improve six harbor landings across the city to strengthen critical freight movement on waterways by enabling these landings to dock watercraft and prepare cargo for local delivery.
- East River Bridges Capital Planning – $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant
- DOT will facilitate planning and development of a 30-year capital construction program for the four iconic East River Bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.
- The Bridge Investment Program is a new funding stream from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“We have a responsibility to build a more sustainable and equitable system for our youngest New Yorkers and create the groundwork for greener and healthier communities,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “I’m looking forward to continuing to prioritize work and initiatives like the Clean School Bus Program alongside Mayor Adams and our agency partners across the city.”
“Because of the mayor’s Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, DEP is confident that we are pursuing every grant opportunity to support our mission of enriching the environment and protecting public health for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This administration is focused on delivering the infrastructure and climate resilience projects that New Yorkers deserve by accessing our fair share of the unprecedented federal funding on the table.”
“As New York City continues to experience increasing numbers of extreme weather events due to climate change, it has never been more important to protect New Yorkers with critical investments in infrastructure,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “By seeking these federal funds, Mayor Adams is working to build a stronger and more resilient New York City for today and future generations.”
“This funding will bring transformative safety upgrades to our roads, help clean our air, and expand the city’s cycling infrastructure,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank the Biden-Harris administration and Mayor Adams for their support, and look forward to the great work ahead through our close partnership with the federal government.”
“The Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice is grateful for Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Joshi’s leadership as we continue to go after every dollar we can to invest in our communities for a healthier, resilient, sustainable, and equitable city,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Acting Executive Director Victoria Cerullo. “Federal and city collaboration has helped New York rebuild at crucial moments in its history, and the challenges of climate change and environmental injustice require an all-hands-on-deck approach. This once-in-a-generation opportunity to access federal funding requires us to meet the moment — and we are.”
"The Biden-Harris administration, through historic federal funding, has made it possible to fund projects critical to New York City’s future — like Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market, Seaport Coastal Resilience, sustainable freight and blue highways, and the NYC Greenways network," said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “Through the leadership of Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Joshi, and the entire Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, we are advancing projects that will have significant impact on New Yorkers for generations to come. I look forward to working with our partners in government to bring these projects to fruition, and continuing to make New York City a more vibrant, inclusive economy for all New Yorkers.”
“NYC Parks is grateful that that the city has secured federal infrastructure grants that will improve the greening of our city. This funding will provide water infrastructure to 260 food-producing community gardens citywide and help fill in crucial gaps in the city’s greenway network that will connect New Yorkers with waterfront access while encouraging green transportation options,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re thankful to Mayor Adams for his continued advocacy for federal funding opportunities, and to the Biden-Harris administration for its support in making our city’s infrastructure stronger and more sustainable.”
"The $25 million RAISE grant from the U.S. DOT will go a long way toward furthering our efforts to ensure safe e-micromobility device charging and storage at our campuses," said NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. "We extend our sincere thanks to the Adams administration for their assistance in obtaining this grant, and for ongoing leadership on this important issue."
“We applaud the Adams administration for taking full advantage of the historic infrastructure funding coming down from the federal government,” said Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “These projects have the potential to transform our city by improving connectivity, making our communities more resilient and creating numerous jobs for New Yorkers. We will continue to advocate down in Washington DC to make sure this funding gets out the door, and on the ground as soon as possible. Our industry is eager to get these projects built.”
"As we look to uplift our economy and make New York better now and for future generations, we must continue to fund critical infrastructure projects that not only upgrade our city, but create thousands of good paying, family sustaining careers," said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. "This latest federal funding will go a long way in achieving these goals and providing hard working New Yorkers from all backgrounds an opportunity to enter the middle class and provide much needed economic stimulus to their communities. We applaud Mayor Adams and the Biden Administration for their commitment to driving forward infrastructure initiatives that will revitalize and modernize our city, and our tradesmen and tradeswomen look forward to getting started on bringing these important development and improvement plans to fruition."
Housing Lottery Launches For 1325 Southern Boulevard In Crotona Park East, The Bronx
The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1325 Southern Boulevard, an eight-story mixed-use building in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Designed by Stat Architecture and developed under the 1319-25 Southern Boulevard LLC, the structure yields 31 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 22 units for residents at 50 to 100 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $32,263 to $152,500.
1325 Southern Boulevard in Crotona Park East, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect
Units include name-brand countertops and finishes, energy-efficient appliances, and hardwood floors. Tenants are responsible for electricity.
At 50 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $866 for incomes ranging from $32,263 to $56,500; and four one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,092 for incomes ranging from $40,355 to $63,550.
At 60 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $1,066 for incomes ranging from $39,120 to $67,800; five one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,342 for incomes ranging from $48,926 to $76,260; four two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,601 for incomes ranging from $58,663 to $91,500; and two three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,841 for incomes ranging from $67,783 to $105,060.
At 100 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of $1,357 for incomes ranging from $49,098 to $113,000; one one-bedroom with a monthly rent of $1,517 for incomes ranging from $54,926 to $127,100; and one two-bedroom with a monthly rent of $1,938 for incomes ranging from $70,218 to $152,500.
Governor Hochul Announces $12 Million to Advance Electric Vehicle Adoption and Integration With the Electric Grid
Initiative Seeks Novel Demonstrations of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies
Supports the State’s Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by 2035
Advances the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Requirements to Achieve a Zero-Emission Electricity Sector by 2040
Forwards the State’s Goal to Reduce Emissions 85 Percent by 2050
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $12 million initiative to support the development and demonstration of innovative, replicable solutions that advance electric vehicle adoption and the integration of electric vehicles with the electric grid. The initiative also seeks to support novel demonstrations of medium- and heavy-duty electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. In addition to supporting the State’s transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, today's announcement advances the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requirements to achieve a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and reduce emissions 85 percent by 2050.
“As New York continues to advance toward a zero-emission future, it’s imperative that we continue to improve the affordability of clean transportation ownership as we scale up a resilient and reliable energy grid,” Governor Hochul said. “This $12 million initiative offers an innovative way to do both — exploring and supporting options for vehicle charging infrastructure that also provides energy back to the grid. We are committed to making it possible for both residents and companies to transition to owning and charging electric vehicles — building a greener future for all.”
Through this competitive program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the State seeks to:
- Advance well-managed electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and reduced grid integration costs;
- Improve the economics of EV ownership for residential consumers and commercial fleet managers;
- Spur research and innovation that supports widespread deployment of EVs as a beneficial asset to both EV owners and grid operators including combining EVs with bi-directional charging, energy storage, and on-site energy generation; and
- Demonstrate medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, either through fuel-cell electric vehicles or standard battery operated EVs.
Awards of up to $3 million each will be granted for product development and demonstrations of technologies and business models that help reduce energy demand peaks and provide grid benefits through managed charging/discharging that will lower the overall cost of necessary electric grid infrastructure upgrades. By completing successful demonstrations of electric and fuel cell vehicles in hard-to-electrify use cases, such as heavy on-road vehicles and construction equipment, this initiative is expected to enhance utilization of existing grid infrastructure while contributing to environmental and energy equity and broader deployment of zero-emission vehicles throughout New York State.
Concept papers for consideration for full proposal submission under this new initiative will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. on September 12, 2023. For those selected to move forward, the deadline for full proposal submission is November 8, 2023. A second round of funding may be issued in early 2024 if all funds are not awarded in the first round. To learn more, please register for the informational webinar on August 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. For additional information and associated documents, visit NYSERDA’s website.
New York State aims to rapidly remove barriers to economy-wide electric vehicle deployment including advancing equitable access to clean transportation in historically marginalized communities which face disproportionate air pollution and health impacts from tailpipe emissions and pollution. In April, Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Public Service Commission initiated a proceeding to implement policies and develop programs related to medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure and planning including proactive investment in the utility infrastructure required to serve transportation electrification. The adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation in December 2021 also supports an increase in the number of medium- and heavy-duty ZEV models available as purchase options for vehicle purchasers and fleets.
New York State’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector is vital to meeting the State’s sweeping climate and clean energy plan. New York is rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero emissions by 2035, along with all school buses being zero emissions the same year. The state has a range of initiatives that grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the Drive Clean Rebate and the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP).
NYSERDA’s Grid Modernization Program, is providing a total of $133 million through 2026 to further research, develop, and provide funding for innovative solutions that support the advancement of a smart, modernized electric grid, remove barriers, and enable the utility investments necessary for full deployment at scale of advanced technologies for the power grid. Since 2016, NYSERDA’s Grid Modernization Program has awarded approximately $65 million under 111 contracts to grid technology companies and research organizations for projects including low-cost, high-accuracy grid sensors, modeling and simulation tools, and advanced engineering solutions for more effective integration of renewable energy resources. Learn more on NYSERDA's website.
Funding for this initiative is through the State’s 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about this funding is available on NYSERDA’s website.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
NYC COUNCIL PASSES PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS’ BILL TO INCENTIVIZE GREEN BUILDING PROJECTS CITYWIDE
The New York City Council today passed New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams’ legislation designed to incentivize the building of green projects throughout New York City. The Green Building Project Bill– co-sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse– will continue the work of increasing efficiency, decreasing emissions, and building a greener New York City.
“The climate crisis is here and it’s affecting communities across New York City in profound ways– especially in low-income communities and communities of more color,” said Public Advocate Williams. “Every New Yorker deserves access to a safe and healthy home. We must invest in clean energy and actions towards environmental justice. Not only will this allow us to reach our environmental protection goals but it will also provide much needed relief to homeowners while allowing us to reach economic growth with new jobs.”
In 2019, the city enacted Local Law 97, which requires buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet new energy efficiency standards and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024. The law also created an advisory board and climate working group that supports the City on meeting these aggressive sustainability goals, with the goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from buildings to 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Intro 689-A from the Public Advocate broadens the parameters for certain green incentives established in that 2019 landmark law to include smaller buildings. By expanding the definition of a green building project to include those undertaken in one to three family homes and eliminating fees for those projects, the bill provides incentives for owners to improve green energy efficiency. The Public Advocate noted that in implementing this measure, just as with Local Law 97, it would be critical to verify that sustainability standards are truly being met to merit these incentives. Full text of the legislation can be found here.
"At a time when New Yorkers are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, we need to remove as many barriers as possible for the construction of sustainable green buildings that reduce energy and emissions," said Council Member Sandy Nurse, co-sponsor of the legislation. "As a long time champion for climate and environmental justice, I'm proud to be a co-sponsor on this bill with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams that incentivizes and streamlines the process for building a livable city."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - They know that we can win.
It goes without saying that there's a great deal of dark money involved in the fight against climate change right now. That dark money is intended for us to not act in this situation.
We have lobbyists from companies like Exxon Mobil who are bragging about their role in shaping our federal legislation, curtailing our ambitions, and fighting against key provisions to draw down our carbon emissions.
So many of the people that are in charge of blocking action on climate will not see the world that they’re leaving to generations to come.
We have a moral responsibility to leave this world better than we found it. This is not about theory anymore, this is not about challenging the science anymore.
Wildfires will impact all of us.
Floods and waters will impact all of us.
But they will not impact all of us equally. The most vulnerable communities will be left behind — but we can stop it.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Not only can we stop it, and not only can we draw down our emissions, but we can create millions of jobs doing so — millions of good, union jobs.
We can transition to renewable energy.
We can build infrastructure that all people can enjoy that’s not just attuned to the wealthy.
We can restore our lands.
We can build this world, and this world is close. So close. And that is why we see dark money mobilizing the way it is right now. Because they know that we can win.
So we're going to keep fighting.
Thanks for being a part of this,
Alexandria
VCJC News & Notes 8/4/23
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes
Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!
Reminders
Funeral Announcement
Ted Meyrowitz passed away last night/early this morning (Thursday). There will be a grave site service on Friday, 8/4, at 11 AM. Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ, 07652. It will be at the Stern, Tenenbaum, Meyrowitz plot, Block 17, Lot 70, Row 3, Grave 3.
A minyan in needed for the funeral. If you can attend, please do so. If you can provide transportation for others, please let the office know no later than 10AM Friday. If you need transportation, please let the office know no later than 10AM.
You can call 718-884-6105 or email info@vcjewishcenter.org.
Shabbos
Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
Here are the times you need:
Shabbos Candles Friday 8/4/23 @ 7:50 pm
Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am. Please join the services if you can do so safely.
Shabbos Ends Saturday 8/5/23 @ 8:53 pm
Center Light correction
The meet and greet with Rabbi Lowenthal is on Sunday September 10.
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave
Bronx, NY 10463