Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - The Farm Stand is back!!!

 

The farm stand is back… and so are the season’s most delicious fruits & veggies! 

Stop by the Youth Run Farmstand, featuring fresh, local produce at affordable prices, healthy recipes, and a chance to chat with our awesome interns. 

See you at the corner of Orloff and Gale Place, Wednesdays, 2 to 7 pm through October. 

We accept WIC, FMNP Checks, EBT, Snap, Fresh Connect Checks, Cash and Credit/Debit.

Meet the crew! Our 6 Garden 2 Market interns and 2 Crew Leaders (pictured below at VCPA’s Learning Garden) are looking forward to welcoming you. Cooking demonstrations and recipe sharing start on July 9.

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org

Permits Filed for 1978 Needham Avenue in Edenwald, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1978 Needham Avenue in Edenwald, The Bronx. Located between Baychester Avenue and Edson Avenue, the lot is within walking distance of the Baychester Avenue subway station, served by the 5 train. Moishe Fischman under the 1978 Needham Avenue LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 40-foot-tall development will yield 10,862 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 15 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 724 square feet. The steel-based structure will not have any accessory parking.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

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

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DELIVERY TO BOOST STREET SAFETY, HOLD DELIVERY APP COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE; RENEWS CALLS ON CITY COUNCIL TO PASS CRITICAL LEGISLATION

 

Department Will Harness Potential of Sustainable Transportation Options, Improve  Street Safety, and Bring Order to Rapid Growth of Deliveries in New York City 

  

Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget Includes Funding to Hire 45 New Peace Officers, With First Class of Officers Expected to Be Deployed in 2028, Focused on Delivery-Related Enforcement 

  

Mayor Adams Renews Calls for City Council to Pass Legislation to Hold Delivery Companies Accountable 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the Department of Sustainable Delivery (DSD), a new entity housed within the DOT. The DSD will conduct enforcement against illegal moped, e-bike, and e-scooter riding; hold delivery apps accountable by ensuring that commercial cyclists are using safe and legal equipment and that delivery companies face repercussions for unsafe behavior; and address vehicle parking behaviors that endanger pedestrians, cyclists, and e-bike riders. As part of Mayor Adams’ Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget, new funding will support DOT hiring up to 45 new peace officers trained to issue moving violations, and enforce commercial cycling laws against businesses. This department will bring order to New York City streets as the number of app-based deliveries, and delivery workers have soared, with little accountability in place for app-based companies. 

  

“Our administration continues to make the safety of every New Yorker our number one priority, and that includes keeping everyone on our streets safe, including pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Mayor Adams. “The newly created Department of Sustainable Delivery is yet another step that we’re taking to support delivery workers, keep pedestrians safe, and hold delivery app companies accountable for placing unrealistic expectations on their workers that put New Yorkers in harm’s way. Today, I’m also renewing my calls, yet again, to our partners in the City Council to pass our long-proposed legislation that will strengthen delivery worker safety and bolster the work of this newly created department — it's time to protect delivery workers and all New Yorkers, once and for all.” 

  

“New Yorkers are receiving more deliveries than ever before, and this must happen in a safe and orderly fashion that protects everyone who shares our streets. This new Department of Sustainable Delivery will help us crack down on a range of illegal behavior and hold delivery apps accountable,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “DOT is taking a holistic approach to traffic safety through better street design, education, and now, a new dedicated enforcement team. We continue to call on the City Council to pass comprehensive legislation to support this new department and maximize its potential to bring order to the delivery business and our streets.” 

  

First announced as part of Mayor Adams 2024 State of the City address and transmitted in draft form to the New York City Council over nine months ago, the Adams administration’s proposed legislation would authorize the city to revoke delivery apps’ licenses for incentivizing reckless e-bike riding by requiring workers to meet unreasonably fast delivery times. If passed, the legislation would: 

  

•   Hold big delivery app companies accountable for incentivizing reckless e-bike riding by forcing delivery workers to make unreasonably fast deliveries;  

•   Establish safe delivery times;  

•   Penalize app companies that break the law; and 

•   Allow the city to revoke delivery apps’ licenses over continued bad behavior.  

  

The DSD’s enforcement team will supplement, in a targeted and data-driven fashion, traffic enforcement handled by the New York City Police Department and will be deployed at safety hotspots across the five boroughs. Officers will be deployed in teams, including officers on e-bikes, and will work alongside DOT’s Vision Zero Street Team to engage street users on safe and legal operation of vehicles and educate them about the leading causes of crashes. These officers — similar to New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission officers — will be unarmed. 

  

In addition to this announcement, the administration is advancing measures to combat reckless driving, including rules to prohibit e-bikes and e-scooters from travelling faster than 15 miles-per-hour on city streets; mirroring best regulatory practices in countries that are at the forefront of sustainable transportation, such as the Netherlands and Belgium; and matching the existing speed limit in New York City for stand-up e-scooters to ensure speed limits are applied consistently across e-mobility devices. 

  

This announcement builds on the Adams administration’s continued work to improve e-bike access and foster the growing use of legal e-micromobility options through the “Charge Safe, Ride Safe Action Plan,” while also shifting deliveries to more sustainable modes of transportation.   

 

DOT has also installed wider bike lanes along its busiest routes, expanded public e-bike charging options for riders, and educated the public and delivery workers about safe and legal e-bike use. This past spring, the city launched an e-bike trade-in program for delivery workers to exchange illegal mopeds and uncertified e-bikes for legal, fire-safe e-bikes and batteries. The city also established “microhubs” to shift deliveries from large, congestion-causing trucks to more sustainable modes, such as cargo e-bikes and smaller electric vehicles. 

FEMA Activates in Texas Following President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration Announcement

 

FEMA will partner with Texas state and local authorities to provide resources and assist in recovery efforts

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated in Texas following President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration. 

Beginning on the evening of July 3, heavy storms across the state of Texas produced rainfall totals between 5 to 15 inches and over 18 inches in some isolated areas, leading to significant flooding, especially in Kerr County located in the Texas Hill Country. 

“Thank you, President Trump. We are currently deploying federal emergency management resources to Texas first responders, and will work closely with state and local authorities to ensure the people of Texas get the support they need as search efforts continue and recovery begins,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Pray for the victims, the families, and our first responders. God bless Texas.”

The Department of Homeland Security will ensure that state and local authorities have the resources they need to lead a swift and effective response amid this tragic disaster. Secretary Noem was on the ground with Governor Abbott and local leaders on Saturday and will continue to work to make sure Texas has the resources needed to respond and recover. 

In addition, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is working around the clock, including overnight, on search and rescue operations. Today, USCG continues to fly two helicopters in the Llano, Texas area and is assisting with two helicopters and three C-144 airplanes equipped with thermal cameras to find more survivors. 850 people have been rescued.

Individuals who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service. 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City Metro Region

In Effect for Sunday, July 6, 2025 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Sunday, July 6, 2025, for ozone for the New York City Metro region. 

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone 

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

The Sunday, July 6, Air Quality Health Advisory region consist of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

OZONE 

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.  

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations. 

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, the elderly, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician. 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available. 

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps: 

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities; 
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips; 
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas; 
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees; 
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air; 
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters; 
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures; 
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and 
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.? 

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is available on DEC’s website or by PDF download https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/aqiweb.pdf.  

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

Permits Filed for 1422 Vyse Avenue in Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1422 Vyse Avenue in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between Freeman Street and Jennings Street, the lot is one block from the Freeman Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Eduard Haxhari of REK Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 6,268 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 12 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 522 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Chad Firmstone of C2B Architects is listed as the architect of record.

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

Plans Announced for New Blue Highways Facility in Hunts Point, The Bronx

 

Con Agg Global and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) have announced a plan to establish a new waterside trans-loading facility adjacent to the Fulton Fish Market in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in Hunts Point, The Bronx. The project, supported by equity investors BDT & MSD Partners and shareholder William J. Sandbrook, aims to reduce roadway congestion and promote sustainable freight transport via New York City waterways. Operations are expected to begin later in 2025, with plans for a more permanent facility pending further approvals.

The planned facility will serve wholesale food and beverage distribution for the Hunts Point hub and broader NYC metro area, and is projected to eliminate around 1,000 truck trips per month in the South Bronx. In addition to marine shipping, the permanent facility design allows for modular deployment and will accommodate cargo types including bulk aggregates and micro-freight such as heavy-duty cargo trikes paired with small barges. The system draws from European freight models previously implemented at local construction projects like Governors Island and JFK Airport.

Con Agg Global’s inland standard barge design and modular pier configuration will enable scalable and adaptable shipping solutions. The infrastructure is intended to move goods between Hunts Point and other maritime terminals such as the Downtown Skyport, furthering efforts to reduce truck dependence and enhance logistical resilience across the city.

“By shifting freight movement from our overcrowded roads to our underutilized waterways, we are easing congestion, improving air quality, and protecting the health of our communities, especially in neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by truck traffic,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “This project is a model for how we can build a more sustainable and resilient freight system that serves New Yorkers now and into the future.”