VCJC News & Notes 2/21/25

 

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

1. 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 2/21/25 @ 5:20 pm
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 2/22/25 @ 6:24 pm
   If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.
    

2. Participate in the VCJC Purim Greetings Program!
   For a donation of $21.00 we can include your name (only) along with others who are wishing our VCJC and your family, friends and neighbors Chag Sameach – may this Purim mark the beginning of great happiness, health and prosperity to all!!

   
   

   PURIM is FRIDAY,MARCH 14^th

   
   

   The deadline for subscribing to the greetings program is February 27.

   To enroll online, go to our Donations Page and use the second drop down option. Enter your name and Purim Greeting as the Directive. Submit the form and be sure to complete the payment as well, donating at least $21.  

   You can also come into the office with your donation and fill out a form there.
   

3. Public Service Announcement
   You may not be aware that Amazon has announced that effective Feb. 26, you will no longer be able to download your Kindle books to your computer or via USB.  If you have Kindle books that are stored on the Amazon system, they will be affected.  You will still be able to get them to your Kindle via wi-fi, but that will be it.
   You can find a lot of discussion about this online.  
   If this affects you, then consider downloading your books now.  Amazon’s system forces you to download them one at a time.  If you have a lot of books, that is either tedious or overwhelming.

   Here is a link to a YouTube video that presents a method that speeds up the process.  Use it at your own risk, VCJC has no information about whether it works or how safe it is beyond what is presented in the comments of the video.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES BOLD NEW VISION FOR CONEY ISLAND, INCLUDING 1,500 NEW UNITS OF MIXED-INCOME HOUSING, NEW INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC REALM AND COMMUNITY AMENETIES

First Announced in Mayor Adams’ Fourth State of the City Address, City Advancing Coney Island West Redevelopment by  Releasing RFP for 500+ Unit Mixed-Income Housing Development 

  

Procurement to Begin for $42 Million Renovation of Abe Stark Sports Center with Release of RFQ for Design-Build Team  

See Rendering Here for Adams Administration’s Bold Vision for Coney Island  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the next phase of an ambitious, bold new vision for Coney Island  , Brooklyn that will deliver 1,500 new homes and invest in the reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk. In addition, the city will invest in new streets, sewers, and public realm improvements, including a $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center. First announced in Mayor Adams’ fourth State of the City address last month, today’s news builds on the Adams administration’s commitment to advance bold, forward-looking housing projects, like Coney Island West, to make New York City the best, most affordable place to raise a family.   

  

“Coney Island is America’s playground — home to iconic venues and parks, countless small businesses, and a hard-working community. Our administration is advancing a vision to turn this waterfront district into a great place to live, work, and play, contributing to making New York City the best place to raise a family,” said Mayor Adams. “We are delivering mixed-income affordable housing, investing $42 million to renovate Abe Stark Sports Center, and making significant improvements across streets, sewers, and the public realm. Coney Island’s best days still lie ahead, and today, we are starting the next chapter of its bright future.”  

  

“From day one, the Adams administration has been steadfast in its commitment to addressing the housing crisis across all five boroughs,” said First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer. “Our new vision to transform historic Coney Island builds on more than 15 years of reinvestment by the city and will bring hundreds of affordable homes, along with improvements to community assets and infrastructure. This initiative strengthens our promise to ensure that New Yorkers can raise their families in the world’s greatest city.” 

 

“Coney Island is a historic, one-of-a-kind amusement district that offers fun for all ages, and we are thrilled to transform the area into a place where New Yorkers can live, learn, work, and play year-round,” said New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “The projects underway in Coney Island West will bring hundreds of new, affordable homes to the community, and it helps deliver on the mayor’s commitment to consider all publicly owned lots for new housing development.” 

  

“As both an iconic summer destination and a vibrant residential neighborhood, Coney Island is an example of how beautiful, well maintained public spaces make our communities more dynamic, livable, and welcoming for all,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “These improvements to the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk and the Abe Stark Sports Center will help ensure that New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy all that Coney Island has to offer for generations to come, reaping all the mental and physical health benefits of time outdoors. By giving New Yorkers the affordable, accessible, and engaging public spaces and recreation options they deserve, we continue to make New York City the best place to raise a family.” 

 

The NYCEDC today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for “Parcel A,” an 80,000-square foot city-owned site located on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Streets, west of the iconic Coney Island Amusement District. The future development of Parcel A will bring more than 500 mixed-income homes — 25 percent of which will be affordable — and ground-floor retail to the site. The city is seeking developers who share a vision for inclusive, sustainable growth that honors Coney Island’s rich history and contributes to the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization.    

 

  

Rendering of Coney Island West, including development of Parcel A  housing and

Abe Stark Center renovations. Credit: ONE Architecture & Urbanism 

  

To further support the neighborhood’s growth, the city will renovate Abe Stark Sports Center and the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk by enhancing the public realm and building new streets and utilities. The Abe Stark Center renovation will include a new entrance and signage on the boardwalk, improved ice-skating facilities, and other amenities. A Request for Quote (RFQ) has been released for a design-build team to lead the renovation. The boardwalk’s reconstruction will take place in phases and incorporate coastal resilience features, including elevation. 

  

Additionally, the city will advance the development of approximately 1,500 new homes on city-owned sites near the ballpark, boardwalk, and Abe Stark Center, beginning with Parcel A. Development of this area, known as “Coney Island West,” began with the construction of two affordable housing projects — Surf Vets Place and Raven Hall — which opened in 2019 and 2022, respectively. An additional affordable housing project — Luna Green — is currently under construction on the same block and another residential building is in the planning phase. New streets — including Ocean Way and Parachute Way — will accompany development, and ground-floor retail will provide new neighborhood amenities. The result will be a vibrant beachfront district where Coney residents and visitors live, work, and play. 

  

To prepare for extreme weather, the city is actively working to advance a series of shoreline enhancements along Coney Island Creek to protect against rising sea levels and the impacts of climate change. Currently, thanks to a $2.1 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, the city is looking to mitigate upland flooding and enhance infrastructure around the creek.  

This year, Mayor Adams is doubling down on his commitment to build more affordable housing across the five boroughs. In his fourth State of the City address last month, Mayor Adams unveiled the “Manhattan Plan,” which will create 100,000 new homes in the borough, bringing the total number of homes in Manhattan to 1 million over the next decade. Additionally, Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) celebrated a $82 million investment to put homeownership within reach for more New Yorkers by expanding the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program. Finally, the Adams administration has advanced several bold, forward-looking projects, including reimagining  Gansevoort Square to build mixed-income housing, building 100 percent affordable housing at the Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx, and kicking off public review on the Midtown South Mixed-Use plan to create nearly 10,000 homes — all follow-up announcements to this year’s State of the City. 

  

Since entering office, Mayor Adams had made historic investments toward creating affordable housing and ensuring more New Yorkers have a place to call home. Last December, Mayor Adams celebrated the passage of “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing proposal in city history that will build 80,000 new homes over 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. In June 2024, City Hall and the New York City Council agreed to an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invested $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and the New York City Housing Authority’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.5 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. In July 2024, Mayor Adams announced back-to-back record breaking fiscal years in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. This past spring, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation.  

  

Further, the Adams administration is using every tool available to address the city's housing crisis. Mayor Adams announced multiple new tools, including a $4 million state grant, to help New York City homeowners create accessory dwelling units that will not only help older adults afford to remain in the communities they call home but also help build generational wealth. 

  

Finally, Mayor Adams and members of his administration also successfully advocated for new tools in the 2024 New York state budget that will spur the creation of urgently-needed housing. These tools include a new tax incentive for multifamily rental construction, a tax incentive program to encourage office conversions to create more affordable units, lifting the arbitrary "floor-to-area ratio" cap that held back affordable housing production in certain high-demand areas of the city, and the ability to create a pilot program to legalize and make safe basement apartments.    

 

Bronx Parks speak UP!

 

31st Bronx Parks speak UP! Bronx Parks: Where Rivers Flow and Nature Grows Join us this Saturday, February 22, from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm at Lehman College in the Faculty Dining Room of the Music Building for an important event including a panel discussion, workshops, presentations, and more. Show up for the Bronx!  Learn more here Register here

STATEMENT FROM NYS INSPECTOR GENERAL LUCY LANG

 

"Independent watchdogs are vital to democracy. It is mission critical — now more than ever — that Inspectors General are protected when they speak truth to power. The dedicated members of the Offices of the New York State Inspector General are committed to integrity, accountability, and transparency. Inspectors General across this state and nation must be similarly empowered to follow facts where they lead, without fear or favor. I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation and her team remain able to do their crucial work shining a light on corruption in New York City." 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE GOVERNOR'S GUARDRAIL PROPOSALS

 

"The urgency of this mayor-made crisis mandates everyone with tools at their disposal – the governor, other elected leaders, voters – use them to meet this moment. My office is reviewing the details, feasibility, and potential impact of this announcement. 

 

"Proposing laws to constrain a specific person underscores the harm of having that person in office as mayor. Before attempting to create new structures and precedents, though, I hope the governor will fully consider all current contingencies, including the upcoming decision from Judge Ho. And I hope that the mayor will fully consider the damage to New York that he would cause through a reduction in the city’s autonomy, as he contemplates his own future. 

 

"No one can deny the need for action at this point, and the fact that the governor feels the need to step in once again speaks to the gravity of the moment and the validity of concerns about this mayor. Any initiatives undertaken to correct the mayoral crisis of leadership must balance the need to protect the city in this moment, without creating unintended harm beyond it." 

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT FOLLOWING GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S ADDRESS

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after New York Governor Kathy Hochul provided an address: 

  

“I was elected by the people of New York City and its working-class communities to uphold their values — and that is what our administration has done. While there is no legal basis for limiting New Yorkers' power by limiting the authority of my office, I have told the governor, as we have done in the past, that I am willing to work with her to ensure faith in our government is strong. I look forward to continuing those conversations.” 

Governor Hochul Announces Actions to Restore Public Trust in New York City’s Municipal Government Leadership

Creates Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs To Support and Protect Independence of City Investigations

Gives Independently-Elected City Officials Powers To Litigate Against the Federal Government and Defend the Rights of Constituents

Strengthens New York State Comptroller Oversight of New York City’s Finances

Special Authorities Designed To Expire at the End of 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul today proposed new actions to restore public trust in New York City government with a sweeping expansion of state oversight and new guardrails to ensure accountability and protect New Yorkers. These actions will require legislative action and would take effect immediately upon passage.

“To move this city forward, I am undertaking the implementation of certain guardrails that I believe are a first start toward re-establishing trust for New York City residents,” Governor Hochul said. “These proposed guardrails will help ensure that all decisions out of City Hall are in the clear interests of the people of New York City and not at the behest of the President.”

Governor Hochul announced the following actions:

New Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs and Protection of City Commissioner of Investigation

A new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will be established within the Office of the New York State Inspector General. The Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will receive updates and information directly from the New York City Department of Investigations (NYCDOI) about corruption investigations, and also be able to direct NYCDOI to commence investigations across city government.

To ensure her continued independence, the New York City Charter will be revised to provide that the Mayor of New York City will not be able to terminate the New York City Commissioner of Investigation without approval by the State Inspector General.

This new structure will ensure that state officials have access to information about any current or future investigations. It will also allow the State to closely monitor or advance any such investigations into potential corruption within city government.

Empowering Citywide Elected Leaders To Utilize Federal Litigation

Under the Governor’s plan, the City Comptroller, Council and Public Advocate will be given explicit authority to bring litigation against the federal government using outside counsel if the City's Law Department declines to do so promptly after a request. Such litigation could be filed against any federal government agency or entity.

This action will ensure that New Yorkers have multiple avenues to initiate legal action in cases where the rights or freedoms of New York City residents are under attack by the federal government.

Strengthens State Oversight of New York City’s Finances

Given the unprecedented breadth and number of executive orders and other policy documents and notices issued by the Trump Administration, the Governor is proposing additional funds for the Office of the State Comptroller of the City to support the State’s existing ability to continue to monitor the City and its finances in this complex environment.

The State will expand the Office of the Deputy State Comptroller for City Oversight. The new funding will be paid for using New York City tax receipts.

These new resources will enable state officials to more closely monitor New York City’s fiscal operations, and to take any actions needed based on such review.