Governor Hochul Announces New Pilot Program to Improve Public Access along Western New York's Lake Ontario Tributaries Receiving Water from the Erie Canal

 

Access and Conservation Easement Program through the Reimagine the Canals Initiative Will Expand Angling Access to Streams While Preserving the Local Environment

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new pilot program to improve public access along Western New York's Lake Ontario tributaries receiving water from the Erie Canal in Monroe, Orleans, and Niagara counties. Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Canal Corporation, and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), have entered into a partnership to implement the "Access and Conservation Easement" program has been created to provide one-time payments to waterfront property owners to secure public fishing access and other conservation rights. The eligible properties are along north flowing Lake Ontario tributaries which are currently and proposed to become part of the Reimagine the Canals Fall Fishing Program.

"Fishing during the fall season is a cornerstone of recreation in Western New York, and I am delighted to announce the expansion of our efforts to maintain optimal conditions and improve opportunities for anglers," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, this partnership between the state and local landowners in key fishing areas will connect community and conservation along the Lake Ontario tributaries and will provide New Yorkers with additional areas to cast a line while increasing tourism and bolstering local businesses."

A Request for Expressions of Interest is being developed and will be issued to allow landowners in the designated areas to provide property and contact information to be considered for inclusion in the Program.  The ACE program will be piloted on several waterfront properties in Monroe, Orleans, and Niagara counties selected through the RFEI and will follow a transparent process by which an easement price will be determined, with an option for landowners to opt-out at any point prior to reaching an agreement.

The easements will provide public fishing access and convey to the rights to maintain easement areas to improve water quality, enhance habitat, and reduce erosion. Easements or rights-of-way will reside with DEC ensuring public access and water quality improvements into the future. 

KZA Realty Secures 10-Year Lease for OWL Early Intervention Program, LLC In the Bronx

 

KZA Realty Group has successfully closed the leasing rights for the ground floor community facility space located in the Bronx’s residential neighborhood of Morrisania. The location will be home to OWL Early Intervention, LLC, an extension of the Brooklyn-based company that provides a range of therapy services for young children diagnosed with neurologic or orthopedic disabilities.

KZA Realty’s Kathy Zamechansky represented the property owner during this month’s contract of the 10-year lease at 1016 Washington Avenue, Bronx NY. The 7,850 square foot community facility space is located on the ground floor of 1016 Washington Avenue in the Bronx and is close to several first and secondary schools in the area. Paul Moulins of KW Commercial Realty Group represented the lessee during negotiations and secured an agreed-upon price of $30 a square foot, or $210,000 for the entire lease period. The lease will commence on February 1, 2022.

“We are thrilled to have OWL Early Invention as the newest lessee at 1016 Washington Ave. They offer valuable services that will have a positive impact on both the children and families who live in the area – and we couldn’t be more excited for them to join the Morrisania community,” says KZA Realty’s President Kathy Zamechansky.

“It was a pleasure to represent and work alongside OWL Early Intervention, the owners, Rick and Gina, took great care in site selection and their attention to detail in the construction of the space reflects the care and devotion they have for meeting and exceeding the needs of the children,” says KW Commercial’s Managing Director Paul Moulins.

“Our early intervention program is unique, and it is extremely successful with the children we care for.  However, because of the success of the children, our center in Brooklyn always has a waiting list to become part of the OWL program.  We realized that to help more children and families, we needed to expand.  We are very excited to finalize this deal to call the Bronx another home that will allow us to help more children and their families achieve their full potential," says CEO of OWL Early Intervention Program, LLC Gina Levy.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 11/29/21-12/03/21

 

Dear Community,

I hope you are all well and staying safe. I want to bring your attention to important new information about the COVID-19 Omicron variant, and reaffirm the importance for every member of our community to be protected and vaccinated at this time.

The Omicron variant is the latest strain of the COVID-19 to be designated a "variant of concern" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases of the Omicron variant have been reported around the world, and experts are still determining the transmission rates and severity of this variant compared to other COVID-19 strains.

As of December 2nd, five cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed in the New York City metropolitan area, with one case discovered in Suffolk County and four in New York City. While this is news of concern, experts recommend that the best way to continue to protect yourselves and your loved ones against COVID-19 is to get your booster dose, get vaccinated, and continue to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. 

New York has approved booster shots for all adults in the state, and I strongly encourage everyone to get their booster dose if they have not already done so. Clinics with vaccines can be found through this vaccine finder tool. While walk-up vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. Westchester residents can find state-run vaccination sites here. 

Additionally, New York City offers in-home vaccinations to all New Yorkers age 12+. These may be requested through nyc.gov/homevaccine or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC. NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses are still providing vaccines throughout the Bronx, and the full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.

Getting our communities vaccinated is the best and only way to protect our loved ones from the Omicron variant, and I urge us all to stay diligent on how to best prevent COVID-19 spread.Please continue to use your discretion so that we can all do our part to protect our communities this winter.

I would also like to wish our Jewish neighbors a happy Hanukkah, which started last Sunday evening and concludes Monday evening. I hope everyone has a joyful holiday! 

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

3 Men Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Kidnapping And Torturing Government Informant

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that EDWARD HERNANDEZ was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 10 years in prison for his role in kidnapping and torturing a Government informant.  WALKIN FRANCISCO ARIAS VILLAR and JOSIEL GUSTAVO MARTINEZ GUZMAN were each sentenced, on September 16, 2021, and September 22, 2021, respectively, to 10 years in prison for their roles in the offense.  HERNANDEZ and ARIAS VILLAR pled guilty on April 6, 2021, and MARTINEZ GUZMAN pled guilty on March 23, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty, who also imposed the sentences.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Edward Hernandez now joins his codefendants in being sentenced to spend a decade in federal prison for his admitted role in the brutal and violent kidnapping, torture, and extortion of their victim.  This case illustrates yet again how violence goes hand in hand with the illegal drug trade.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court proceedings: 

ARIAS VILLAR and MARTINEZ GUZMAN forced a Government informant (the “Victim”) into their car after the Victim – who was acting at the direction of law enforcement – arrived at a meeting in the Bronx, purportedly to retrieve $178,000 in narcotics proceeds to be laundered.  HERNANDEZ, who was driving, sped away after the Victim was forced into the car. 

MARTINEZ GUZMAN and ARIAS VILLAR physically assaulted the Victim in an effort to extort the Victim into transferring money to their co-conspirators.  MARTINEZ GUZMAN burned the Victim with cigarettes, beat him with a handgun, and threatened the Victim’s life.  ARIAS VILLAR pointed the handgun at the Victim repeatedly, threatened the Victim’s life, and demanded that the Victim pay them.  ARIAS VILLAR broke the Victim’s nose when he threw a laptop computer at his face.  HERNANDEZ, ARIAS VILLAR, and MARTINEZ GUZMAN apparently did not know that the Victim was a Government informant, but sought repayment for narcotics proceeds lost to law enforcement seizures.  The Victim, fearing for his life, transferred approximately $16,000 of his own money to accounts his abductors supplied. 

Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agents located the car in Fairfield, Connecticut, approximately three hours after the Victim was abducted.  MARTINEZ GUZMAN, ARIAS VILLAR, and HERNANDEZ were arrested and the Victim was brought to a hospital for treatment.

HERNANDEZ, 42, ARIAS VILLAR, 31, and MARTINEZ GUZMAN, 29, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.  In addition to their prison terms, HERNANDEZ, ARIAS VILLAR, and MARTINZ GUZMAN were each sentenced to three years of supervised release.  Charges remain pending against Dacheng Zhen.

Mr. Williams praised and thanked the DEA for its outstanding work locating and safely recovering the Victim.

Governor Hochul Announces Construction of $15 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in Onondaga County

 

Monarch Commons Will Provide 50 Affordable Apartments for Older Adults and Homeless Veterans in Highly Energy-Efficient Building

Investment Complements 'CNY Rising' - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Design Image Available here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on a $15 million affordable and energy-efficient housing development with 50 apartments in the town of Cicero in Onondaga County. Monarch Commons will include 35 apartments for adults aged 55 and older, and 15 apartments for veterans experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. 

"As we focus on helping New Yorkers recover from the pandemic, boosting affordable, sustainable, and supportive housing is one of our best strategies to fight homelessness and ensure that everyone has a roof over their head," Governor Hochul said. "Monarch Commons not only helps our most vulnerable residents in Onondaga County, including our veterans, it is a model for energy efficiency as we work to create a cleaner, greener future."

Monarch Commons will consist of a single two-story building with 48 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

Fifteen of the apartments will be reserved for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These individuals will have access to on-site supportive services provided by Soldier On, a national organization specializing in supporting veterans. Services and rental subsidies will be funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Development Assistance.

Monarch Commons has been designed to adhere to energy efficiency and green building standards required under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's New Construction - Housing Program (Tier 3) and the project will pursue LEED certification. Other energy efficient features include LED lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, continuously operating bath fans, and all Energy Star or equivalent appliances, equipment, lighting, and fixtures. 

Each apartment will have ample storage space, modern kitchen amenities and a patio or balcony. Bathrooms will be equipped with grab bars and emergency pull cords. Building amenities will include a lounge, community room, exercise room, and computer room. The building will also include a dedicated office space and separate meeting area for the supportive service provider. The project's developer is CDS Monarch, Inc. 

State financing includes federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $12 million in equity and $2.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA will provide $175,000 in support. Additional financing is being provided by the CDS Wolf Foundation and the Central New York Community Foundation. 

Monarch Commons is part of the state's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan to make housing accessible and to combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested $190 million in Onondaga County, which has created or preserved nearly 2,800 affordable homes. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on a $15 million affordable and energy-efficient housing development with 50 apartments in the town of Cicero in Onondaga County. Monarch Commons will include 35 apartments for adults aged 55 and older, and 15 apartments for veterans experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. 

"As we focus on helping New Yorkers recover from the pandemic, boosting affordable, sustainable, and supportive housing is one of our best strategies to fight homelessness and ensure that everyone has a roof over their head," Governor Hochul said. "Monarch Commons not only helps our most vulnerable residents in Onondaga County, including our veterans, it is a model for energy efficiency as we work to create a cleaner, greener future."

Monarch Commons will consist of a single two-story building with 48 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

Fifteen of the apartments will be reserved for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These individuals will have access to on-site supportive services provided by Soldier On, a national organization specializing in supporting veterans. Services and rental subsidies will be funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Development Assistance.

Monarch Commons has been designed to adhere to energy efficiency and green building standards required under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's New Construction - Housing Program (Tier 3) and the project will pursue LEED certification. Other energy efficient features include LED lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, continuously operating bath fans, and all Energy Star or equivalent appliances, equipment, lighting, and fixtures. 

Each apartment will have ample storage space, modern kitchen amenities and a patio or balcony. Bathrooms will be equipped with grab bars and emergency pull cords. Building amenities will include a lounge, community room, exercise room, and computer room. The building will also include a dedicated office space and separate meeting area for the supportive service provider. The project's developer is CDS Monarch, Inc. 

State financing includes federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $12 million in equity and $2.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA will provide $175,000 in support. Additional financing is being provided by the CDS Wolf Foundation and the Central New York Community Foundation. 

Monarch Commons is part of the state's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan to make housing accessible and to combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested $190 million in Onondaga County, which has created or preserved nearly 2,800 affordable homes. 

30 Days and Counting

 

Maybe I will try out for the Brooklyn Nets, or audition for Saturday Night Live where I can play that famous Sesame Street character, you know that big yellow bird. Anyway I have less than one month left in office as your mayor, and I was not able like my predecessor to get the term limit law changed.

It's funny though, as the members of the city council want to overturn the will of the people who voted against giving non citizens of the city the right to vote. They have said they have a super majority to get the bill passed. I believe in the will of the people, and that will be my platform for my run for governor. 

By the way watch out for the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and I will leave it up to Governor Hochul to screw that up. 

Permits Filed For 170 W 225th Street In Marble Hill, The Bronx

 

170 W 225th Street in Marble Hill, The Bronx via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 170 W 225th Street in Marble Hill, The Bronx. Located between Teunissen Place and Adrian Avenue, the lot is within walking distance of the Marble Hill-225 Street subway station, serviced by the 1 train. Michel Perle is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 74-foot-tall development will yield 87,812 square feet, with 78,112 square feet designated for residential space and 9,700 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 115 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 679 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 43-foot-long rear yard, and 50 enclosed parking spaces.

Marin Architects is listed as the architect of record.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This property is not in the Bronx, but in the borough of Manhattan, as Manhattan is not just an island. Marble Hill may have a Bronx zip code, be serviced by Bronx Community Board 8 and Bronx School District 10, and have other Bronx services, Marble Hill has Manhattan representatives in elected office, serve on Manhattan juries, and are residents of the borough of Manhattan.

Governor Hochul Announces Five Confirmed COVID-19 Omicron Variant Cases in New York

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the first confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in New York State. So far, the five cases appear unrelated and have been confirmed through sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One case is from Suffolk County with a history of travel to South Africa. The individual was asymptomatic while traveling home and after returning became symptomatic. Sequencing performed at the Pandemic Response Lab (PRL) confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant. The other four cases are New York City residents. Two cases from Queens and one from Brooklyn were confirmed at PRL, while the other case, whose borough of residence is still being determined, was confirmed by the New York City Public Health Lab.

"As I've said since we first became aware of the emergence of the Omicron variant and said earlier today, it was only a matter of time before it was detected here in New York State," Governor Hochul said. "I want to thank Mayor de Blasio and his team for working closely with us in this effort to detect the Omicron variant and for our joint pandemic efforts. I also want all New Yorkers to know that we are prepared for this and will continue to communicate openly with New Yorkers as we work closely with our partners at the national, state and local level. Thanks to the life-saving tools at our disposal, like vaccines and boosters, we have the tools in our arsenal to fight this pandemic - including the Delta and Omicron variants. I urge every New Yorker to take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their communities safe: get vaccinated, get boosted and wear a mask."

These New York State cases come after Governor Hochul's morning announcement, alongside Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, that the Omicron variant had been detected in a Minnesota resident who spent time in New York City at a recent anime convention at the Javits Center. The Governor and Health Commissioner urged anyone who attended to get tested for COVID-19. These cases are believed to be unrelated to that convention.

"As I said earlier today at the Governor's briefing, the most important advice we can give New Yorkers at this time is to get vaccinated, get a booster shot if you are already vaccinated and wear your mask," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "We urge the public not to panic, as we are still learning more about this variant and are prepared to handle it. Labs across New York State, including our world-renowned public health lab, the Wadsworth Center, have ramped up sequencing efforts to detect and study the Omicron variant and we will continue to work with our premier public health experts to protect New Yorkers."

New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center Laboratory continues to actively monitor COVID-19 virus samples selected throughout the State to compare sequences and identify circulating and new variants, including Omicron. The Department also monitors all data submitted to public sequence databases by the many other sequencing laboratories throughout New York State and across the US, contributing to a robust and collaborative surveillance program for variant analysis. The Wadsworth Center is currently sequencing COVID-19 virus specimens with a capacity up to approximately 100 per day. Specimens are selected at random from throughout the state to provide surveillance across all geographic locations and data analyzed across the entire sequence of the virus. The analyses include assessment for mutations that indicate variants of concern and variants of interest.

Other laboratories in New York State are conducting similar work. These results from Wadsworth and other laboratories are uploaded into public databases, primarily GISAID. From this database, sequence data from all contributors can be downloaded and analyzed for a more complete picture of virus trends across the state and the distribution of variants from these analyses summarized over time. The State has made this data available for all New Yorkers at their COVID-19 Variant Page.