Governor Hochul Announces $739 Million Kew Gardens Interchange Project Honored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

 

NYSDOT Project Earns Regional Award in 2023 America’s Transportation Awards Competition in “Best Use of Technology & Innovation, Large Project” Category

View Video on Interchange’s Completion Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a major project recently completed by the State Department of Transportation has been honored with an award in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition. The Kew Gardens Interchange was named a winner of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials region in the “Best Use of Technology & Innovation, Large Project” category. This year, 36 state transportation departments participated in the competition, nominating 81 total projects. The award was presented at the NASTO Annual Meeting on July 11 in Wilmington, DE.

“The Department of Transportation’s Kew Gardens Interchange project was a massive undertaking that utilized innovation and technology to improve the transportation infrastructure in Queens, all while reducing bottlenecks and helping keep traffic moving," Governor Hochul said. "To be recognized on a national level for this work is a testament to our efforts to make the lives of New Yorkers better. I thank the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for this recognition and send my sincere congratulations to the entire New York State Department of Transportation team for their hard work on this project.”

Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the America’s Transportation Awards competition recognize the projects and programs that make their communities better places to live, work, and play. Now in its 16th year, the awards help to showcase why transportation infrastructure is so vital.

The $739 million Kew Gardens Interchange project in Queens, which was completed in late 2022, revamped one of the metropolitan area’s most heavily traveled corridors, creating faster travel times, safer merging and exiting, and more reliable connections for the hundreds of thousands of commuters, travelers, and local businesses who use it daily to reach the John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and other key destinations throughout the region. The Kew Gardens Interchange project also recently earned a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards competition, which was announced by Governor Hochul in April 2023.

The Best Use of Technology & Innovation category recognizes new technology and/or creative/innovative solutions implemented by a state department of transportation as part of a transportation project. Overall, there were three categories for the awards: Operations Excellence, Quality of Life/Community Development, and Best Use of Technology & Innovation.

After all regional meetings have taken place over the summer, the three highest scoring projects from each region will be named the “Top 12” and will go on to compete for the top two national prizes. The Grand Prize is chosen by an independent panel of judges while the People’s Choice Award is determined by the public through online voting. Winners will be announced at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Indianapolis this November.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The transformative Kew Gardens Interchange project has led to less congestion and enhanced safety while improving climate resiliency and promoting multi-modal transportation. This award belongs to all the dedicated women and men of the New York State Department of Transportation who make projects like this possible and who’s focus is to advance safe transportation for all. Our sincere thanks to America’s Transportation Awards - it is an honor to have the Kew Gardens Interchange recognized as a transformative, climate-conscious projects that has changed a transportation system for the better, in Queens and beyond.” 

Visit americastransportationawards.org to learn more about this year’s nominees, including the Kew Gardens Interchange.

Move-Ins Begin At 2856 Webster Avenue, Affordable Housing Complex In Bedford Park, The Bronx

 

Douglaston Development is now welcoming the first wave of tenants at 2856 Webster Avenue, a 188-unit affordable housing property in The Bronx. Located in the Bedford Park neighborhood, all of the units are reserved for seniors earning up to 50 percent Area Median Income.

“We’re thrilled to begin welcoming residents to 2856 Webster Avenue, providing much-needed senior affordable housing to the Bronx community,” said Jeffrey E. Levine, founder and chairman of Douglaston Development. “We are proud of the work completed alongside our project and community partners to bring this initial phase to fruition and look forward to continuing to work together throughout Phase II of the project.”

The 12-story building topped out in July 2022. In addition to affordable units, the building also houses a 12,000-square-foot Cherry Valley supermarket and a community facility offering on-site social services. The latter is operated by the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, an organization that serves underrepresented families in the Northwest Bronx.

Douglaston Development is also working on a second phase of the Webster Avenue development, a 277-unit affordable project. Located at 2868 Webster Avenue, the building will also comprise 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, which is expected to be leased to another grocer.

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON RIGHT TO SHELTER HEARING HELD TODAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams released the following statement following today’s court conference in Callahan v. Carey regarding the right to shelter:

“As we’ve known since the early days of this crisis, this is not just a New York City emergency, but a crisis that requires support from the state and federal governments. We need all of our partners to step up and treat this crisis like the emergency that it is, instead of abandoning New York City to provide shelter and care for more than 95,000 asylum seekers by ourselves. As we have been warning for months, our shelter system has buckled as its population has more than doubled in a single year. Unless the state and federal governments fulfil their obligations to join us and do more in supporting asylum seekers, scenes like the one that broke our hearts outside The Roosevelt may sadly become more common, despite the best efforts of thousands of dedicated public servants to find space for hundreds of new asylum seekers every day, in a city already facing a severe housing shortage.”

Edward Mullins, Former President Of NYPD Sergeants’ Union, Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Stealing Union Funds

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that EDWARD MULLINS, the former President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association (“SBA”), the union that represents all current and former sergeants of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), was sentenced to two years in prison in connection with a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the SBA through the submission of fraudulent expense reports. MULLINS pled guilty on January 19, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl, who imposed today’s sentence.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For years, Edward Mullins abused his position as the head of the SBA to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the pockets of hard-working NYPD sergeants.  Mullins publicly vowed to protect the interests of the thousands of active and retired sergeants that he represented.  But behind the scenes, Mullins stole from the SBA and its members, treating the SBA as his personal piggy bank.  In doing so, Mullins disgraced his uniform, broke the law, and undermined the public’s trust in law enforcement.  As this sentence demonstrates, no one — not even high-ranking union bosses — is above the law.”

According to the Information filed in the case and other filings and statements made in court:

The SBA is the fifth-largest police union in the United States with its headquarters located in lower Manhattan.  The SBA’s membership consists of all active and retired sergeants of the NYPD with approximately 13,000 members.  From 2002 until October 2021, EDWARD MULLINS served as President of the SBA.

Beginning in 2017, MULLINS devised a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the SBA.  MULLINS used his personal credit card to pay for meals at high-end restaurants and to purchase luxury personal items, among other things, and then submitted false and inflated expense reports to the SBA, representing that his charges were legitimate SBA expenditures when, in fact, they were not.  MULLINS’s expense reports were fraudulent in at least three ways.  First, MULLINS routinely included meals on his expense reports that were not SBA-related.  Second, MULLINS routinely inflated the costs of his meals – whether SBA-related or not  – thereby taking more money from the SBA.  Third, MULLINS took certain expenses from his credit card statements, including clothing and supermarket expenses, and recategorized them as SBA-related meals, thereby obtaining even more money from the SBA.

MULLINS’s fraudulent expenses were paid through the SBA’s Contingent Fund, which was funded primarily through annual dues paid by SBA members.  In total, between 2017 and 2021, MULLINS stole at least $600,000 from the SBA through the filing of hundreds of fraudulent expense reports.

In addition to his prison term, MULLINS, 61, of Port Washington, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to make restitution to the SBA in the amount of $600,000.  MULLINS was also ordered to forfeit $600,000.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and the FBI/NYPD Public Corruption Task Force. 

Attorney General James Announces the Convictions of Crew Linked to Over 200 Commercial Burglaries

 

Six Individuals Linked to Burglaries in 11 Counties Sentenced for Stealing More Than $3 Million Dollars in Cars, Merchandise, and Cash

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the convictions of six members of a crew responsible for over 200 burglaries of car dealerships, cellular phone stores, and ATM businesses located in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island. The crew of Willie Baines, Josepher Cartagena, Brandon Collazo-Rivera, Justin Herrera, Douglas Noble, and Alexander Santiago, all of Bronx County, allegedly stole cars, cellular phones, merchandise, and cash valued at more than $3 million, including at least 54 vehicles. The convictions were the result of a 13-month joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Auto Crime Unit, and 29 local and county police departments.

“The six individuals convicted and sentenced went on a crime spree that impacted businesses and residents throughout downstate New York,” said Attorney General James. “These burglars left a trail of broken glass, smashed businesses, and dangerous high-speed chases in their wake. I thank my partners in local law enforcement for their coordination and support as we took down this dangerous crew. Our communities are safer now that these six individuals have been brought to justice.”

“This is one of those cases that highlights the extraordinary cooperation across multiple police departments and agencies in the New York Metropolitan area,” said NYPD Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The NYPD Auto Crime Unit is proud to have worked with the New York State Attorney General and all the other departments involved in bringing this brazen burglary crew to justice.”

During the 13-month investigation, the theft crew was connected to over 200 commercial burglaries in 11 downstate counties, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens County, Kings County, Richmond County, Bronx County, Rockland County, Westchester County, Orange County, Putnam County, and Dutchess County, in addition to burglaries in Connecticut and New Jersey. The six individuals, Willie Baines, Josepher Cartagena, Brandon Collazo-Rivera, Justin Herrera, Douglas Noble, and Alexander Santiago stole cars, cellular phones, merchandise, and cash valued at more than $3 million, including at least 54 vehicles. The investigation revealed that members of the theft crew would travel to neighborhoods that contained several car dealerships and cell phone stores, often burglarizing several stores in one night. In the automobile dealership burglaries, members of the crew would smash the large windows at the front of the building, locate boxes in the dealership that contained key fobs, and then drive vehicles they were able to start right through the broken windows. In the cell phone and ATM store burglaries, members of the crew would smash the glass front doors, enter the stores’ showrooms and offices, and steal as much merchandise and cash as they could carry out.

The theft crew would often wait for the police to respond to a burglary alarm, and then engage in high-speed chases from the crime scene which posed additional risks for law enforcement and the surrounding community. This behavior led law enforcement to dub the investigation “Operation Redline” in reference to the redline on speedometers and the extreme speeds the burglars would achieve as they fled crime scenes. Investigators from OCTF and NYPD were able to identify the six individuals charged in the case through the review of video surveillance recordings, data from cellular telephones, license plate reader data, and information provided by numerous county and local police departments. A search of the residences of two of the individuals led to the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen cell phones and key fobs from car dealerships. Additionally, several of the defendants posted photographs on various social media outlets posing with some of the stolen vehicles, and displaying large quantities of cash. Many of the social media posts occurred just minutes after the crimes, allowing investigators to connect the stolen property seen in the posts to specific burglaries and defendants.

Some examples of those posts are displayed below:

The six defendants were charged with various counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class C felony), Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D felony), and Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D felony). All of the defendants have pled guilty to felony charges and all of the individuals received prison sentences. The defendants and their convictions are listed below:

• Josepher Cartagena, 27, pled guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.
• Brandon Collazo-Rivera, 26, pled guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.
• Douglas Noble, 29, pled guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.
• Alexander Santiago, 28, pled guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.
• Justin Herrera, 23, pled guilty to Burglary in the Third Degree.
• Willie Baines, 47, pled guilty to Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree.

The charges in the indictments were the result of a joint investigation by OAG’s OCTF and NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit. In addition, Attorney General James would like to thank Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery for their valuable participation in this investigation.

The investigation involved the cooperation of numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and Attorney General James acknowledges the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, New Haven, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York Field Offices, and the Eastern District of New York and District of Connecticut U.S. Marshal Service. Attorney General James also thanks her partners in local law enforcement for their close coordination, including the Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, Amityville Police Department, Floral Park Police Department, Blauvelt Police Department, Village of Hempstead Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, White Plains Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department, Tarrytown Police Department, Mamaroneck Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, Clarkstown Police Department, Ramapo Police Department, Spring Valley Police Department, Ramsey Police Department, Newburgh Police Department, Washingtonville Police Department, Chester Police Department, New Windsor Police Department, and Poughkeepsie Police Department. Additionally, Attorney General James thanks police departments from New Jersey for their coordination in this investigation, including the Hackensack Police Department, Passaic Police Department, Denville Police Department, and Eatontown Police Department.

The investigation was jointly led by NYPD Auto Crime Unit’s Detective Brian DeMasi and OCTF Detectives Luis Flores and David Walsh. Detective DeMasi is under the supervision of Sergeant John Hansen, and the overall supervision of Inspector Robert LaPollo. Detectives Flores and Walsh are under the supervision of Supervising Detective Bradford Miller and the overall supervision of Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. The OAG Investigations Division is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folks.

Statement From Governor Hochul on Train Derailment in Montgomery County

 

"I have been briefed on the train derailment in Montgomery County where several tanker cars came off the tracks this morning and have directed State personnel to provide all necessary assistance to local emergency response officials. The New York State Police, Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Department of Transportation officials are onsite to monitor the situation, assist with the response and manage traffic. At this time, there are no injuries reported and no spills have been detected. Rail traffic has been stopped which will impact Amtrak passenger service, and Route 5 has been closed in both directions. Our top priority is ensuring all railroad workers and nearby motorists are safe and that Amtrak service is restored as quickly as possible."

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Summer Friday Schedule - The Bronx Chamber of Commerce offices will be closed for professional development on Fridays beginning 7/7/2023 through Labor Day. 2023 Gala - The Bronx is Building Honorees Announced Summer BBQ Networking Reception Success Bronx Chamber Reinvigorates Focus on Restaurant & Hospitality Sector Legislative Updates & Advocacy Skip the Stuff Legislation Takes Effect Outdoor Dining Legislation Passes Member Spotlight Tax Focused Collab Business Success Story Empanadas RD Upcoming Events Business to Business Back to School Festival, 8/31/2023 - 1377 Jerome Avenue, 11:00am - 6:00pm Business to Business Networking & Financial Education w. Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez, 9/14/2023 - The Living Room, 2883 Dill Place Bronx, NY 2023 Gala - The Bronx is Building, 9/21/2023 - Marina Del Rey, 6:30pm

2023 GALA - THE BRONX IS BUILDING HONOREES ANNOUNCED

The Board of Directors and leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 Gala - The Bronx is Building Honorees. Madeline Marquez, Ponce Bank - The Joseph P. Kelleher Award of Excellence  Sentry Management Solutions - Business of the Year MDB Housing - Community Organization of the Year Galaxy Contracting Corporation - Developer of the Year Join us in celebrating these esteemed leaders in our business community. The evening is the Bronx's #1 business networking event of the year and features a two-hour cocktail reception, dinner, live entertainment, dancing, and so much more. All while raising critical funds to support our borough's small businesses, economic recovery and development. The event, gathering over 600 attendees, highlights the rich history and achievements of the Bronx’s oldest economic development agency and celebrates the contributions of Business of the Year, Developer of the Year, and Community Organization of the Year as well as the annual Joseph P. Kelleher Award of Excellence. Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 6:30pm at Marina Del Rey, 1 Marina Drive Bronx, NY For sponsorships and tables, click here or visit www.bronxchamber.org/events

SUMMER BBQ RECEPTION A NETWORKING SUCCESS

BBQing! How fabulous is that!? What a wonderful celebration of networking as the Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosted our annual Summer BBQ Networking Reception at Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course. Over 150 Bronx businesses, members, elected officials, and friends gathered to network, learn about business services, and enjoy the company of the Bronx Chamber Board of Directors and team. Special thank you to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clarke, NYS Senator Nathalia Fernandez, NYS Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, NYC City Councilmember Althea Stevens, and Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero for joining and celebrating the Summer with our members. Had fun? Learn more about Chamber Membership, membership@bronxchamber.org

BRONX CHAMBER DOUBLES DOWN ON RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY SECTOR

The Bronx Chamber team is doubling down on services to the restaurant and hospitality sector as we continue to work through New York City's economic recovery. Through the Small Business Resource Network, our team of business and restaurant specialists will canvass the Bronx's hospitality businesses to assist in navigating government, identifying financing opportunities, enhancing digital and marketing services, and work with the business owner to implement operational and financial systems to grow your business. Over the next four months the Chamber team will hit the streets to provide these services to this growing Bronx business sector. For more information or to schedule a free consultation: outreach@bronxchamber.org

LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATES

Outdoor Dining Legislation Passes NYC City Council - INT. 31C A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to granting licenses and revocable consents for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes, to repeal subchapter 6 of chapter 2 of title 20 of such administrative code, relating to granting licenses and revocable consents for sidewalk cafes, to amend section 2 of local law number 114 for the year 2020, relating to the establishment of a permanent outdoor dining program, in relation to the commencement of such program, and to amend section 1 of local law number 77 for the year 2020, relating to establishing a temporary outdoor dining program, in relation to the expiration of such program. For more information, Click Here

Skip the Stuff Legislation Takes Effect Effective July 31, 2023, New York City food service establishments* providing take-out and delivery service must comply with these restrictions: Do not provide utensils, condiment packets, napkins, or extra containers to take-out or delivery customers, unless requested by the customer. Your online ordering and delivery apps must be set to a default of not providing these items. You must provide customers with the option to request these items only if you offer them. Delivery and courier services may not provide these items unless such items are requested by the customer. For more information, click here Additional Resources We are committed to working with businesses to ensure that they understand the law and help them transition away from single-use plastics. Learn more about our business resources: Access educational material Attend a free training Request an educational site visit

UPCOMING EVENTS

Make Me Over NYC Grand Opening August 8 at 1:00pm 1967 Turnbull Avenue, Suite 128 Bronx, NY Join Bronx Chamber of Commerce for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of new member, Make Me Over NYC, on August 8, 2023 at 1967 Turnbull Avenue, Suite 128.

Business to Business Street Festival August 31 at 11:00am - 3:00pm 1377 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY Join Councilmember Althea Stevens, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, New Settlement, and New York City government agencies in celebrating back to school while supporting local businesses. Enjoy face painting Bouncy Castles Music & Games Business to Business Networking NYC Agencies On-Site Assistance M/WBE Certification Information This is the culmination of economic and business development work in District 16 and seeks to continue to build strong neighborhoods and relationships between businesses and our young people. Reserve Your Spot

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!