Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Weekly Newsletter

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Dear Neighbors,

This week, we continued our commitment to supporting our community by hosting a food giveaway, voting on a community proposal, taking part in community events, and noticing important cases in D13. It is always a joy to engage with our amazing community and ensure we keep providing valuable events that meet the needs of our constituents.

In this newsletter, you will find details about the district events that took place this week, along with information on various upcoming events we have planned.

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council and continue fighting to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous!

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

 

Food Giveaway with Throggs Neck Houses

Proud to once again partner with Throggs Neck Houses for another successful food giveaway right here in District 13 last Wednesday!

Grateful for the opportunity to support our neighbors, provide essential resources to families in need, and continue building a stronger, more connected community.

It’s always inspiring to see the power of teamwork and compassion in action.

Annual Legislative Breakfast Forum with Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Last Thursday, Councilwoman Marmorato had the honor of joining the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for their Annual Legislative Breakfast Forum.

 It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with fellow elected officials, business leaders, and community advocates to discuss key legislative priorities.

She’s grateful for the chance to engage in thoughtful conversations about how we can work together to support economic growth, improve public services, and meet the evolving needs of our Bronx communities.

Summer Day on City Island with NYC Parks and NYPD Community Affairs Officers

There’s no better way to enjoy a beautiful summer day on City Island than with some delicious ice cream, the amazing NYC Parks Recreation team, and our dedicated NYPD Community Affairs officers!

Last Thursday was a fun and meaningful afternoon spent connecting with residents, strengthening community ties, and celebrating the spirit of summer together.

Grateful for everyone who came out and helped make the day so special!

Bally Proposed Casino

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato Issues Statement on Down Vote of Bally’s Proposed Casino

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato has released the following statement in response to today’s official down vote of Bally’s proposed casino development:

Councilwoman Marmorato remains committed to advocating for smart, community-first development that reflects the voices and values of her constituents. This vote represents a critical moment in ensuring that any future projects in our borough are aligned with the long-term needs, safety, and well-being of Bronx residents.

D13 Case Highlights

Thank You, NYC DOT! 

A big thank you to the NYC Department of Transportation for their outstanding cleanup efforts!

Your hard work is making a real impact—helping to keep our public spaces clean, safe, and welcoming for all. We truly appreciate your continued dedication and the positive difference you make in our community every day. Grateful for this ongoing partnership!

Thank You, DSNY! 

A heartfelt thank you to the NYC Department of Sanitation for your incredible cleanup efforts across our community!

Your dedication and hard work play a vital role in keeping our

streets clean, safe, and

welcoming for all.

Thank you for being such a dependable and valued partner in making our city shine!

What's Happening in D13?

Lifeguard Recruitment 

Veterans Services

 SPRING CLEANING COSTUME COLLECTION 

Give Your Old Costumes a Second Life!

Upcoming Events

Shredding Event

Councilwoman Marmorato  

718-931-1721

District13@council.nyc.gov

Governor Hochul Announces New York State Led the Nation in Use of Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits in 2024

Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings Spurred $5 Billion of Economic Activity in Five-Year Period

Enacted Budget Includes Significant Enhancements to Further Stimulate the Creation of Affordable Housing Units in Historic Properties

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State led the nation in the use of State and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits to improve landmark buildings across the state in 2024. Recent data from the National Park Service reports that 154 individual building rehabilitation projects in the state were completed, are currently under construction, or in the planning phase in 2024, totaling $2.8 billion of economic activity. The number of New York State rehabilitation projects was more than double and the total economic activity was more than three times that of the next leading states (Ohio and Texas respectively). Vg.

“The State’s landmark buildings continue to find new life through the support of Federal and State incentives for historic properties,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State’s rehabilitation tax credit programs are attracting strong private investment to these properties, spurring much-needed quality, affordable housing and bringing new life to our communities.”

A significant growth in the Federal and State rehabilitation programs has been the adaptive reuse of historic properties that create new affordable housing units, or in many cases, rehabilitate existing units. Since 2022, there have been 106 affordable housing projects that have used the historic tax credit programs, creating 1,757 new units and revitalizing 2,412 existing units. All told, New York since federal fiscal year 2019 has made strong use of the program, with 491 property owners completing projects and a total of $5.06 billion investment in the state — ahead of other states by wide margins.

In further support of the State’s affordable housing creation and preservation goals, the Governor’s Enacted Budget expands the use of historic tax credits for affordable housing efforts. Use of the New York State rehabilitation tax credit was previously restricted to properties in census tracts at or below the state family median income; however, the restriction has been lifted if the rehabilitation is for the purpose of creating affordable housing. Additionally, technical amendments to the law have been made to increase the opportunity for investors to participate in the program.

Owners of income-producing real properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may be eligible for a 20 percent federal income tax credit and a 20 to 30 percent state credit for the substantial rehabilitation of historic properties. The final credit amount is based on the cost of the rehabilitation. Property owners must be approved for the federal credit in order to be eligible for the state’s credit. The state’s credit is capped at $5 million per building rehabilitation, which is generally restricted to eligible census tracts for commercial uses but now is available statewide for the purposes of creating affordable housing.

For more information on the tax credit program visit https://parks.ny.gov/shpo/tax-credit-programs/

 

EX-BRONX CO-OP BOARD PRESIDENT PAYS BACK $120,000 STOLEN FROM 93-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR

 

Defendant Emptied Savings of Victim While She Was in Nursing Home

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a former Bronx Co-Op Board president has paid more than $120,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing from a 93-year-old woman who entrusted her with her checkbook. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant took advantage of a 93-year-old woman in the hospital, who struggled to read and write in English. The victim asked the defendant, who was the president of her co-op board, to write the checks for maintenance payments while she was sick. Consumed with greed, the defendant stole this vulnerable woman’s life savings.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Majia-Leena Frayer, 74, of St. Petersburg, Florida pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree on May 21, 2025. The defendant was sentenced today to three years conditional discharge by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis. As part of the plea agreement the defendant has paid restitution in the amount of $120,263.

According to the investigation, the victim was a tenant at Varma Cooperative Home at 828 Gerard Avenue, where Frayer also lived and served as co-op board president. The victim, who did not speak English, relied on Frayer to help her write monthly maintenance checks to the co-op board. In February 2021, when the victim entered hospital care, the defendant started writing checks against the account. When the victim went to a nursing home, Frayer wrote checks over the next seven months for more than $120,000. The victim passed away in November 2023. Her nephew and heir, who alerted authorities to the fraud, has inherited her assets.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Criminalist Level IV Dr. Melvin Shaw, and NYPD Detectives Daniel Angen, Sandy Nunez, and Christopher Persaud of the Bronx DA Squad for their work on the case. 

Ship Manager Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Waste into U.S. Waters Off Coast of New Orleans

Eagle Ship Management LLC (ESM), based in Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by deliberately polluting U.S. waters off the coast of New Orleans from the M/V Gannet Bulker, a foreign-flagged bulk carrier. If approved by the court, ESM would pay a criminal fine of $1,750,000 and serve a four-year term of probation that includes external audits by an independent technical expert.

The chief engineer of the Gannet Bulker was prosecuted in a separate case and sentenced to serve a year and a day in prison for his role in the discharge of oil and obstructing justice.

The Coast Guard launched its investigation after a crew member sent a message via social media on March 14, 2021, indicating that the engine room had flooded and that the resulting oil-contaminated bilge waste had been deliberately pumped overboard at night. Flooded bilges can pose a serious threat to the safety of the ship and crew, including creating a risk of electrocution, loss of power, and inability to steer.

At the time, the Gannet Bulker was at an anchorage near the Southwest Passage of the Port of New Orleans, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. According to court records, the intentional overboard oily discharge into U.S. waters involved approximately 39 cubic meters (approximately 10,303 gallons), and was done without the use of required pollution prevention equipment or required recordkeeping

“The Department of Justice vigorously prosecutes violations of the laws that protect U.S. ports and waters,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The criminal conduct involved here was serious, including intentional pollution and a deliberate coverup.”

“This announcement sends a clear message intended to deter deliberate pollution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “This office will continue to work with our agency partners to enforce the laws that were designed to protect U.S. ports and waters.”

“The United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Investigative Service remain steadfast in our commitment to enforcing maritime environmental laws to protect U.S. waters and ensure compliance with international regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Damon J. Youmans of the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s Gulf Field Office. “We will continue to hold accountable those who violate these laws and endanger our marine environment.”

In pleading guilty, ESM admitted that its crew engaged in a variety of obstructive acts to conceal the internal flooding that was caused by a botched repair. The obstructive acts included retaliation against the whistleblower whose identity was known. Senior ship officers and crew also lied to the Coast Guard and destroyed evidence including a printout from the engine control room computer that contained key information. Additionally, senior ship officers created false and backdated personnel evaluations intended to discredit the whistleblower.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 16.

The Coast Guard Criminal Investigations Division and the Coast Guard Heartland District investigated the case.

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Summer Concert Series Continues!

 

Office of General Services Announces Lineup for New York State's Summer Stage in Harlem’s First Three Concerts

 

Free Thursday Evening Concerts on July 17, 24 & 31 and August 7, 14 & 21

NYS Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy announced the lineupfor New York State’s Summer Stage in Harlem 2025 series of free concerts presented by OGS and the Harlem Community Development Corporation. 

The free concerts take place between 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building at 163 West 125th Street in Harlem.

“Team OGS is excited to announce the lineup for the first three concerts of this year’s Summer Stage in Harlem Concert Series,” Commissioner Moy said. “Harlem is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, and this free annual concert series celebrates this iconic reputation by putting on various performances for all to enjoy. I want to thank our partners at the Harlem Community Development Corporation and all our generous sponsors for supporting this summer’s amazing entertainment.”

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Summer Stage supports access to the arts and reinforces Harlem’s legacy as an iconic home of Black culture. The free concert series invites New Yorkers to enjoy Harlem’s arts scene and local businesses, driving community-based economic development that is sustainable and accessible to all.”  

July 17, An Evening of Jazz and Swing

Camille Gainer Jones is a talented drummer and musician known for her versatility and expertise in the music industry. Over the years, Jones has collaborated with various artists across many genres. Some notable artists she has worked with include Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Roberta Flack, Jean Carn, Christian McBride, and more.

Charles Turner III is a Brooklyn-based jazz vocalist and songwriter who has taken the New York City scene by storm. Turner has held residencies, hosted, and performed at venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Smoke Jazz Club, and the historic Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. International performances include Pizza Express in London, Sunside Sunset in Paris, Sala Claomores in Madrid, and more venues abroad, from Seoul, South Korea, to Wellington, New Zealand. Charles’ passion to bring swing and jazz to listeners of all generations and backgrounds proceeds through his new band and project, Charles Turner & Uptown Swing. Bringing the swing and spirit of Harlem to music lovers and dancers worldwide, the band extends music from the swing era to the present under the swing genre.

July 24, Gospel for the Soul

Delivered is a group that performs many genres, including traditional gospel, jazz, funk, rock, reggae, Latin, and R&B. Formed in 2002 in Trenton, New Jersey, the group's message – Jesus saves and heals – ties everything together.

Songs of Solomon: An Inspirational Ensemble is a non-profit organization based in New York City. It is dedicated to performing inspirational music, particularly from the African diaspora, and promoting musical excellence among young people. Founded by Chantel Renee Wright in 2001, the group has gained national and international recognition. It has performed with renowned artists and appeared on major television networks. The ensemble also actively participates in competitions and community events, fostering a supportive environment for young people of diverse backgrounds.

July 31, R&B Night

Ty Stephens and his band (the) SoulJazz, comprising Richard Cummings, Jr, on piano, Robert “R.T.” Taylor on guitar, Tony Lewis on drums, and bassist Gene Torres, have made their mark for decades on the international scene. Stephens and his band have toured as headliners and featured as an opening act for major stars such as Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Steely Dan, Grace Jones, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Eric Clapton, George Benson, Sting, Janet Jackson, Prince, and many more. Stephens is a native of Philadelphia and began his career as a dancer, studying at the famous Alvin Ailey school, touring with modern dance company Rod Rodgers Dance Company and others, subsequently moving to Broadway in the original productions of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Ladies," and the short-lived play "Marilyn, An American Fable."

The Bartlett Contemporaries, a dynamic urban contemporary band based in Queens, is known for their diverse musical style that blends genres. They are led by brothers Charles and Carl Bartlett and have performed for over five decades. Their music ranges from big band swing to soulful, retro funk, and they often feature a mix of musicians, including vocalists, bassists, and saxophonists.

August 7, 14 & 21 to be announced.

All events are free and open to the public. Please bring your own chair.

Summer Stage in Harlem sponsors include Harlem Community Development Corporation, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, National Marrow Donor Program, New York State of Health, WBLS 107.5, and T-Mobile.

For more information and event updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @Plazaeventsharlem, visit www.ogs.ny.gov/plaza-events-harlem, or call 212-961-4390.

CITY OF NEW YORK SIGNS DECLARATION CHALLENGING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S TERMINATION OF MORE THAN $351 MILLION IN GRANTS HELPING WITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS

 

19 Resiliency Projects Slated for BRIC Funding Face Delays, Risking Increased Flooding and Extreme Heat Impacts for Thousands of New Yorkers

The City of New York today submitted a legal declaration in support of a challenge by the Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 states from around the nation challenging the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) illegal termination of more than $351 million in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program funding to protect against natural disasters. BRIC funding — appropriated to New York City by Congress — was established during the first Trump administration with bipartisan support to aid with emergency preparedness. In New York City, funds have been put to great use to prevent the kind of devastating impacts experienced during Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida. Studies have shown that $1 spent in advance saves $6 in response and recovery costs down the line — a six-to-one return on investment.

“As we saw just earlier this week, flooding and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and it will take investments from all levels of government, including our federal partners, to keep New Yorkers safe and prepared against these types of emergencies,” said Mayor Adams. “The 19 projects that rely on BRIC funding will protect jobs, neighborhoods, and housing across New York City and we urge the federal government to continue to help protect the nation’s largest city and economic engine against future emergencies, just like it has since the president’s first term. We’re proud to submit this declaration as we fight to ensure New Yorkers receive every dollar they’re entitled to, especially those dollars that keep us safe.”

“New York City has worked hard to protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather events, and now that work is severely undermined by the federal government's termination of this important program,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “We applaud Attorney General James for her advocacy on behalf of current residents and future generations of New Yorkers.”

As detailed in the declaration, the City of New York currently has 14 projects funded through the BRIC program currently in progress from federal Fiscal Years 2020 through 2022 and an additional five projects selected for BRIC funding from federal Fiscal Year 2023. For these projects, the city expected to receive $351,424,696. The city will continue working to receive the funds it has been granted, in an effort to proceed on projects that protect residents and infrastructure from rising sea levels, increased rain events, and the impacts of extreme heat.

Some examples of current and future BRIC projects in New York City impacted by the funding cuts include the Seaport Coastal Resilience Project, which would reduce flood risk and integrate flood protection into the South Street Seaport historic district; the Tottenville Shoreline Protection Project, which would protect the Tottenville neighborhood from increased flooding, erosion, property damage, interruption of transportation, and injuries from tidal surges and extreme wave impacts; and the Corona East & Kissena Corridor Cloudburst Hub Projects, which would turn existing outdoor public spaces into surface and subsurface infrastructure that can absorb, capture, and divert precipitation to reduce the probability of local flooding.

There are 19 New York City-based projects that were supposed to be funded by the BRIC program.