MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING FIRE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION IN WAKE OF BRONX APARTMENT FIRE

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed five pieces of fire safety legislation into law, strengthening enforcement, education, and outreach efforts in the wake of the tragic Bronx apartment fire this past January. The laws include shortening the timeline of re-inspection for self-closing door violations, increasing the fine for building owners who do not cure violations, banning the sale of certain space heaters that do not meet certain safety standards, and codifying increased fire safety outreach.

 

“More than a dozen New Yorkers, some just children, were killed in the fire at the Twin Parks apartments. We mourn their passing but that is not enough — we must ensure that a tragedy at that level never happens again,” said Mayor Adams. “In March, I signed an executive order to immediately improve fire safety coordination and outreach. Today, I’m proud to work with the City Council to create long-term solutions that strengthen enforcement and education and will keep all New Yorkers safe.”

“While we mourn the 17 lives lost in the Twin Parks fire this year, we will continue our work strengthening our fire safety laws and enforcement to save lives and build a safer New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks. “Today’s actions are an essential step towards the goal of preventing this kind of tragedy from ever occurring again.”

 

“The Twin Parks Fire was a devastating tragedy, and one that we keep in our minds every day as we focus on the state of our housing stock in New York City,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “I am grateful to our council colleagues for advocating for these bills, which are an important step to hopefully avoid any future fires like this one. We will continue to work with our partners across the government to identify other avenues to building safer, healthier housing for all New Yorkers.”

“The horrific Twin Parks fire earlier this year was a wake-up call for our city, and this administration is committed to taking all steps necessary to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Intro 106 will ensure all space heaters sold in New York City adhere to strict consumer safety standards. I thank our partners in the City Council for advancing this suite of bills to enhance consumer and fire safety throughout our city.”

“Educating New Yorkers on fire safety and prevention is key to the Department’s lifesaving mission,” said New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “These bills, and the mayor’s Executive Order increasing coordination between our department and HPD, will strengthen the FDNY’s ability to reach the neediest residents in our city with critical messages of fire education and prevention.”

“The tragic Twin Parks fire was a call-to-action. Today’s bills strengthen fire safety for New Yorkers while making it clear to landlords that self-closing doors are paramount to protecting lives,” said New York City Housing and Preservation Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “I am proud to stand here united as an administration, a government, and as the people of New York City taking action to prevent apartment fires and make it less likely they can cause the kind of devastation that occurred in the Bronx on January 9.”

“The Twin Parks fire was an unspeakable tragedy that should not have happened. As the city’s consumer protection agency, DCWP will be watching to make sure that space heaters sold in New York City are properly labeled, certified, have a thermostat, and have an auto-shut off,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “I thank the mayor and the City Council for championing these important bills.”

“The Twin Parks fire was a devastating tragedy, the Department of Buildings is committed to working with its partner agencies to improve fire safety and help prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” said New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Eric Ulrich. “This package of legislation will improve fire safety and help keep New Yorkers safe.”

 

The mayor signed the following bills into law today:

 

Intro. 104 clarifies the definition of a self-closing door to mean a door equipped with a device that will ensure the door, when opened and released, returns to the closed position and self-latches shut.

 

Intro. 105 shortens the timeline for correction of self-closing door violations from 21 days to 14 days, requires HPD to reinspect a self-closing door violation no later than 20 days after the expiration of the 14-day correction period, and increases penalties for building owners who do not cure those violations. It establishes a civil penalty range of $250-$500 for the violation of the self-closing door requirement and a $250/day penalty from the date set for correction of the violation until it is corrected. The law also increases civil penalties for the false certification of corrections for Class A, B, and C violations of the Housing Maintenance Code.

 

Intro. 106 bans the sale of electric space heaters that do not have automatic shut off capabilities if the heater falls over or overheats, and requires that space heaters sold in New York City be labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

 

Intro. 131 expands fire safety education to require FDNY to provide educational materials and conduct outreach relating to the safe use of electric space heaters in residences. The law — which takes effect as FDNY continues to conduct a robust fire safety education program — also requires that such educational materials be made available to tenants in the top 10 most common languages in New York City.

 

Intro. 155 prohibits the DOB from charging filing fees for a permit to repair fire damaged conditions of one-, two- or three-family homes. If construction defects are discovered at such fire-damaged locations, this fee exemption would extend to other dwellings within the same homeowner or cooperative association to correct the same construction defect. The law will diminish repair costs for owners remediating fire-damaged properties and construction defects found during the remediation process and task DOB with conducting targeted outreach showcasing the fee-exemption program.

 

The signing of these bills into law follow Mayor Adams’ signing of Executive Order 12 in March that strengthened fire safety enforcement and outreach to increase coordination between FDNY and HPD inspectors to identify safety violations earlier, as well as increased fire safety compliance.

 

“We must ensure that tragedies, like the Twin Parks fire in the Bronx that claimed the lives of 17 New Yorkers, never happen again,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This fire safety legislative package is a pivotal step towards enacting proper measures that protect our city's residents and save lives. I thank Council Members Feliz, Hanif, Sanchez, and Carr for their leadership on these critical bills."

 

“There was one tool that could have prevented the unspeakable Twin Parks fire tragedy: properly-functioning self-closing doors,” said New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz. “Had the self-closing doors worked, smoke wouldn't have filled the 19-story tower, and families would've been able to safely escape the fire. These fire safety bills will help ensure another similar tragedy never happens again, by ensuring that self-closing door laws are scrupulously followed and enforced. Properly functioning self-closing doors can prevent tragedies and save lives. They prevent smoke from spreading and harming others. I thank everyone who supported the bills and took action to help ensure self-closing doors are closing.”

  

“This package of legislation is the first iteration of the City Council’s commitment to improving fire safety. Int. 131-A will expand educational outreach regarding space heaters and add increased language access for immigrant communities,” said New York City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, chair, Committee on Housing and Buildings. “Educational outreach by the FDNY has reached thousands of New Yorkers, but expanding this to include language access to the top 10 languages will ensure our immigrant communities have access to the same information in New York. The first package of legislation addressing the Twin Parks fire is just a start, to be clear. We do not rest now. We will continue to improve building and fire safety by holding landlords accountable, modernizing our fire and building codes and ensuring adequate code enforcement is working for all New Yorkers.”

 

NEW JERSEY MAN CHARGED IN $45 MILLION SCHEME TO DEFRAUD NYC DURING HEIGHT OF PANDEMIC PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO VIOLATE THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT

 

 Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), issued the following statement on today’s guilty plea by RONALD ROMANO, 60, to conspiring to violate the Defense Production Act, in connection with a scheme to supply Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) to New York City that he did not possess or have authority to sell, at a substantial mark-up. ROMANO, a used car dealer from Manalapan, N.J., engaged in this illegal conduct during the height of the pandemic, at a time when the City of New York was desperately trying to obtain this essential equipment to protect its frontline workers. Today’s plea was entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York before U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2022. DOI investigated this matter in partnership with the office of Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

 DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “Scheming to defraud New York City during a global pandemic with respect to the supply of vital PPE needed to protect frontline workers from a deadly virus was a reprehensible act of pure greed by Mr. Romano. His efforts failed, and instead earned him a federal conviction, thanks in part to procurement specialists at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), who helped to expose the scheme and protect millions of dollars in City funds when they determined that Mr. Romano’s prices were exorbitant. As this investigation shows, every City worker plays a critical role in stopping corruption and I commend the DCAS specialists for their diligent and swift action here. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for its partnership on this important and successful prosecution.”

 According to the indictment, between February 2020 and April 2020, ROMANO participated in a scheme to price gouge the City of New York during the pandemic by making false and fraudulent statements to induce the City to pay more than $45 million for what ROMANO represented to be 3M-brand N95 respirators, a price that was more than 400% above the list price for such respirators. At the time of the scheme, the City of New York was in critical need of lifesaving PPE. Among the fraudulent and false representations made by ROMANO was the submission of a false and misleading document to the City that listed a PPE deal with the Florida Division of Emergency Management that had never occurred. On March 25, 2020, certain PPE was designated as scarce materials under the Defense Production Act, including as relevant here, N95 filtering facepiece respirators. ROMANO was charged in May 2020. Please click here to read the original release.

 Commissioner Strauber thanked U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, and his staff, for their partnership and successful prosecution of this matter. The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas W. Chiuchiolo and Timothy V. Capozzi of the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. At DOI, the matter was investigated by DOI Office of the Inspector General for the City Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR RAPING WOMAN IN BUILDING ELEVATOR

Defendant Charged with Rape, Robbery and Additional Charges 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for raping a 40-year-old woman and robbing her in her building elevator.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly brutally attacked a woman at knifepoint, stealing her money, and then raping her. The defendant was on parole for rape and robbery when he committed this crime. We will do everything in our power to keep women in the Bronx safe.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Ramon Rotestan, 46, of 3560 Webster Avenue in the Bronx was arraigned on Predatory Sexual Assault, first-degree Rape, first-degree Robbery, firstdegree Burglary, first-degree Sexual Abuse, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. He was remanded and is due back August 16, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on May 9, 2022 the defendant allegedly followed a 40-yearold woman into her apartment building in the Pelham Parkway section and then into the elevator. Once inside, the defendant took out a knife and demanded the victim hand over all her money which was $112. He then allegedly patted her down and raped her in the elevator. A neighbor made noise in the hallway outside the elevator which startled the defendant leading him to run off. The entire attack was recorded on a security camera.

 The defendant is a registered sex offender and was released from state prison on parole 39 days prior to this attack for convictions of first-degree Rape, Sexual Abuse and Robbery.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Shaniqua Clark and Detective Ernesto Castillo of the NYPD Bronx Special Victims Squad, and Detective Michael Gersch, and Officer Mark Polak of the 49th Precinct.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

Former Employee Of NFT Marketplace Charged In First Ever Digital Asset Insider Trading Scheme

 

Defendant Allegedly Traded on Inside Information About NFTs That Were Scheduled to be Featured on The Homepage of The Largest NFT Marketplace

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NATHANIEL CHASTAIN, a former product manager at Ozone Networks, Inc. d/b/a OpenSea (“OpenSea”), with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to commit insider trading in Non-Fungible Tokens, or “NFTs,” by using confidential information about what NFTs were going to be featured on OpenSea’s homepage for his personal financial gain.  CHASTAIN was arrested this morning in New York, New York and will be presented today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “NFTs might be new, but this type of criminal scheme is not.  As alleged, Nathaniel Chastain betrayed OpenSea by using its confidential business information to make money for himself.  Today’s charges demonstrate the commitment of this Office to stamping out insider trading – whether it occurs on the stock market or the blockchain.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said:  “In this case, as alleged, Chastain launched an age-old scheme to commit insider trading by using his knowledge of confidential information to purchase dozens of NFTs in advance of them being featured on OpenSea’s homepage. With the emergence of any new investment tool, such as blockchain supported non-fungible tokens, there are those who will exploit vulnerabilities for their own gain. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue actors who choose to manipulate the market in this way.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

This case concerns insider trading in NFTs on OpenSea, the largest online marketplace for the purchase and sale of NFTs. In violation of the duties of trust and confidence he owed to his employer, OpenSea, CHASTAIN exploited his advanced knowledge of what NFTs would be featured on OpenSea’s homepage for his personal financial gain.

As part of his employment, CHASTAIN was responsible for selecting NFTs to be featured on OpenSea’s homepage. OpenSea kept confidential the identity of featured NFTs until they appeared on its homepage. After an NFT was featured on OpenSea’s homepage, the price buyers were willing to pay for that NFT, and for other NFTs made by the same NFT creator, typically increased substantially.

From at least in or about June 2021 to at least in or about September 2021, CHASTAIN used OpenSea’s confidential business information about what NFTs were going to be featured on its homepage to secretly purchase dozens of NFTs shortly before they were featured. After those NFTs were featured on OpenSea, CHASTAIN sold them at profits of two- to five-times his initial purchase price. To conceal the fraud, CHASTAIN conducted these purchases and sales using anonymous digital currency wallets and anonymous accounts on OpenSea.

CHASTAIN, 31, of New York, New York is charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team for their assistance in the investigation. 

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

THIS FRIDAY: 2022 Noche Borinquena at Maestros Caterers

 

THIS FRIDAY! The time has arrived. Join NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. & Freddy Perez, Jr for the 2022 Noche Borinquena. This is a FREE event, open to the first 500 guests. See flyer below for more details. Hope to see you there!

Governor Hochul Announces Start of Statewide Gas and Diesel Tax Holiday

 

Suspension of Certain Taxes on Motor Fuel and Diesel Motor Fuel Extends through December     

Initiative to Provide an Estimated $609 Million in Relief for Working Families and Businesses  

25 Counties Have Elected to Cap Local Sales Tax per Gallon for More Savings 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the suspension of certain taxes on motor fuel and diesel motor fuel takes effect today, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. The motor fuel excise tax, State sales tax, and Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District sales tax on motor fuel and diesel motor fuel will remain suspended through the end of the year. This fuel taxes suspension will provide a reduction of at least $0.16 per gallon statewide, with some counties providing additional savings per gallon.

"Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses the most, and it is crucial that we provide New Yorkers relief," Governor Hochul said. "By suspending certain fuel taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing some $609 million in direct relief to New Yorkers -- a critical lifeline for those who need it most. At a time when families are struggling because of economic headwinds and inflation, we will continue to take bold action to reduce the economic burden on New Yorkers and get money back in their pockets."

Counties Contribute to Additional Savings

Twenty-five counties across the State have also taken action to set temporary caps on the sales tax charged per gallon of gas and diesel. This program was authorized as part of the State's FY 2023 Enacted Budget.

Beginning today, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Putnam, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, Ulster, Wayne and Yates counties will collect tax only on the first $2 charged per gallon of gas and diesel, regardless of the actual price at the pump.

Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Jefferson, Livingston, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Suffolk and Westchester counties will collect tax only on the first $3 charged per gallon of gas and diesel, regardless of the actual price at the pump.

These actions will save New Yorkers additional cents per gallon with each customer's specific savings depending on the local sales tax rate and the difference between the price per gallon and the local cap. You can view the local sales tax rates on certain motor fuels in your county here.

Information for Distributors, Wholesales, and Retailers

Governor Hochul had previously directed distributors, wholesales, and retailers of motor fuel and highway diesel motor fuel to prepare for the upcoming suspension of these taxes. Those businesses can learn more here.

MAYOR ADAMS OUTLINES VISION FOR “CITY OF YES,” PLAN FOR CITYWIDE ZONING INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, CREATE NEW HOUSING, PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY

 

Three Citywide Zoning Text Amendments Will Support Small Businesses and Accelerate City’s Economic Recovery, Tackle Housing Shortage and Create Affordable Housing, and Accelerate Transition to Renewable Energy

 

Beginning in Bronx and Brooklyn, City Will Plan for Next Generation of Economic Hubs in All Five Boroughs, Take Steps to Cut Red Tape While Investing in Communities and Centering Equity

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today laid out a plan to use the city’s zoning tools to support small businesses, create affordable housing, and promote sustainability — part of his vision for New York to become a more inclusive, equitable “City of Yes.” The plan, announced this morning at the Association for a Better New York breakfast, includes three major citywide amendments (Zoning for Economic Opportunity, Zoning for Housing Opportunity, and Zoning for Zero Carbon); an effort to invest in and plan around emerging job hubs and commercial corridors in all five boroughs, starting in the Bronx; and initiatives to cut red tape and center equity in planning.

 

“We are going to turn New York into a ‘City of Yes’ — yes in my backyard, yes on my block, yes in my neighborhood,” said Mayor Adams. “These proposals focused on economic recovery, affordable housing, and sustainability will remove red tape for small businesses, expand housing opportunities in every neighborhood, and accelerate the transition to our energy future. New Yorkers are not going to wait around while other cities and other countries sprint towards a post-pandemic world, and now we won’t have to.”

 

“A citywide recovery requires a citywide approach, including how we create opportunities for New Yorkers using our tools of zoning and land use,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I am proud to be advancing three citywide zoning text amendments focused on some of our city’s most urgent challenges — supporting our businesses, increasing housing options, and reducing our carbon footprint — and jumpstarting neighborhood planning efforts around the Bronx Metro-North stations and across all five boroughs to bring opportunities closer to residents.”

 

“As we face an ongoing housing and homelessness crisis, we need bold strategies to increase the capacity for new housing supply citywide,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “The citywide text amendment will create new housing opportunities in every neighborhood, saving time and resources to house our neighbors faster.”

 

“​This is an important step towards making it easier for buildings to reduce their carbon emissions and energy consumption, which will help us fight climate change,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Rohit T. Aggarwala.

 

“These citywide initiatives will help us significantly to create jobs, to promote a more sustainable city, and to deliver housing everywhere,” said New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “And what’s more, we are committed to making our land use process work faster and better as we deliver results. With these changes, we’re setting the stage for a more adaptable New York City that moves with the times.”

 

Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” plan follows his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” and comes ahead of the release of his housing plan.

 

The first citywide text amendment — Zoning for Economic Opportunity — will provide local businesses with the flexibility to repurpose their space for a post-pandemic city. This amendment will:

• Remove unnecessary geographic limitations on certain businesses, including life sciences, custom manufacturing, maker-retail, and nightlife;
• Eliminate obstacles to repurposing space, allowing the city’s businesses and economy to evolve over time; and
• Create flexibility for local businesses to expand without relocation and without triggering needs for additional parking.

 

The second citywide text amendment — Zoning for Housing Opportunity — will encourage the creation of more housing in neighborhoods across the entire city. This amendment will:

• Expand opportunities for affordable and supportive homes for New Yorkers by increasing the floor area ratio for all types of affordable housing, similar to the allowance already afforded to affordable housing for seniors;
• Broaden the acceptable variety of housing types and sizes, including studios, to accommodate a wider range of families and households;
• Ease conversions of underutilized commercial buildings into homes; and
• Reduce unnecessary parking requirements that add cost and take up space in buildings that could be used for additional homes.

 

The final citywide text amendment — Zoning for Zero Carbon — represents a critical step towards New York City reaching its carbon reduction goals. This amendment will:

• Remove obstacles to deploying new clean energy storage and uses, including electric vehicle charging;
• Facilitate building retrofits for sustainability, including allowing more rooftop coverage for solar panels; and
• Eliminate barriers to the electrification of building systems such as heat pumps or efficient HVAC systems.

 

The Adams administration will also continue delivering on its commitment to invest in growing business districts and emerging job hubs across all five boroughs with a planning effort around coming Metro-North train stations in the Bronx. DCP will jumpstart the process in collaboration with the local community and the City Council to create new jobs and affordable homes, identify infrastructure investments, enact land use changes, and strengthen workforce and economic development work to build on this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

 

Building on Mayor Adams’ years of work as Brooklyn borough president on a neighborhood development initiative along Atlantic Avenue in Crown Heights known as M-CROWN, the administration will work with the community there and communities across the city, as well as the City Council, to plan for neighborhood development, job creation, and mixed-income housing.

 

Delivering on another commitment in his economic recovery blueprint, Mayor Adams launched the New York City Strategy for Equity and Economic Development (NYC SEED) Fund, which will provide neighborhood-wide capital investments in areas where those funds will most effectively catalyze the creation of jobs, housing, and economic opportunity for New Yorkers — not just areas where there is a rezoning. The NYC SEED Fund will create a new, equitable, cross-agency capital planning framework to make investments that address historic disinvestment, immediate public health and safety issues, and growing climate risks.

 

Finally, Mayor Adams announced the Building and Land Use Approval Streamlining Task Force (BLAST) — a coordinated effort across a dozen agencies to cut red tape, streamline processes, and remove administrative burdens that are slowing down the city’s economic recovery. BLAST will speed up the city review process of private applications for new investments in neighborhoods across the city.

 

“Mayor Adams’ announcement today to modernize the city’s zoning code is long overdue,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers. “I’m happy to join Mayor Adams in calling for an end to zoning that ends the harmful remnants of the Cabaret Law. After such difficult times, New Yorkers deserve the right to dance freely and celebrate our great city. This is a great dance, dance, resolution.”

 

“Mayor Adams’ progressive agenda — which advocates for Zoning for Zero Carbon, amends zoning codes to increase opportunities for more affordable housing, and enriches communities through the creation of new transportation hubs with neighborhood plans — will foster efforts to make New York City more livable and equitable,” said Benjamin Prosky, executive director, American Institute of Architects New York — Center for Architecture. “Architects and designers look forward to working with the mayor to give form to these ambitious land-use policies with a dedication to innovation, sustainable practice, and design excellence.”

 

“Now that the historically discriminatory Cabaret Law was repealed, we applaud Mayor Adams for taking the next critical step to eliminate the dancing prohibition at so many of our city’s restaurants, bars, and nightclubs,” said Andrew Rigie, executive director, New York City Hospitality Alliance. “This is not Footloose, and the city should not be telling businesses their customers can’t dance; rather they should encourage self-expression through dance and support our small businesses, while implementing proper safety protocols and policies at our local venues. We look forward to working with Mayor Adams’ administration, Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, and the City Council to get our city’s groove back.”

 

“The Building Congress’ number-one priorities for construction growth, as announced in our ‘100 Years: Policy’ report last month, call for streamlined approvals, more flexible zoning rules, and elimination of obsolete zoning distinctions,” said Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “Mayor Adams is hitting it out of the park with today’s announcements. We applaud his moving to eliminate burdensome red tape and look forward to working hand-in-hand with his administration to ensure smooth, safe transitions with the changed rules and regulations.”

 

“We are thrilled at the expansion of Metro-North to four additional communities in the Bronx. The East Bronx has historically been a transit desert; however, the addition of the Morris Park station will create accessible and affordable transportation, a catalyst for economic development,” said Lisa Sorin, president, New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “The Morris Park station alone will foster thousands of new high-paying jobs, while also providing easy access to various large-scale employers such as the Hutch Metro Center and Montefiore Hospital. Overall, it is safe to say that the addition of convenient, safe transit will be transformative for the Morris Park area.”

 

“New York City is ready to get back on its feet, and Mayor Adams understands that our city will never fully thrive until every New Yorker can afford their rent or fulfill their dreams of home ownership,” said William Thomas, executive director, Open New York. “The Adams administration knows that the city’s recovery shouldn’t just aim for a return to the status quo — it must seize this moment as a historic opportunity to build housing to benefit the city as whole. We need bold thinking and big ideas to tackle a housing crisis that has driven rents to sky-high levels, locked young people out of homeownership, and forced long-time residents out of the neighborhoods they helped build.”

 

“Zoning for Zero Carbon is a forward-looking plan to ensure the city continues to innovate and build with a focus on eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels,” said Julie Tighe, president, New York League of Conservation Voters. “By removing obstacles to deploy new clean energy storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and making it easier to retrofit buildings for sustainability, the city is removing barriers to clean, green progress. The League appreciates the mayor and Department of City Planning for this creative step to move us toward a greener New York City.”

 

“This is yet another smart strategy from the Adams administration to unleash economic growth,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “We must make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business here, and the easing of these zoning restrictions goes a long way toward that goal.”

 

“We are so excited that the Adams administration is being bold about increasing housing opportunities all across the city,” said Sarah Watson, interim executive director, Citizens Housing and Planning Council (CHPC). “As we face concurrent crises of housing affordability and homelessness, racial and economic inequality and climate change, we are desperate for new safe and legal housing options for New Yorkers, especially in neighborhoods where new housing opportunities have been limited and our housing supply cannot keep up with our demand pressures. Zoning changes are a powerful tool to create a clear pathway to a more equitable and inclusive city, and we laud the administration for putting forward a strategy for citywide zoning reform that will allow us to move onward and upward. We look forward to offering CHPC’s practical recommendations, especially on the facilitation of accessory dwelling units, as the technical details roll out.”

 

“The mayor has put forward a proactive framework for achieving several objectives needed for a strong economic recovery, including fostering vibrant commercial corridors, encouraging sustainability, and creating more housing,” said James Whelan, president, Real Estate Board of New York. “We look forward to working with City Planning and other stakeholders to see this framework come to fruition.”

 

“Solving New York’s housing crisis requires a new approach that incorporates all of the city, not just a few neighborhoods,” said Tom Wright, president and CEO, Regional Planning Association (RPA). “RPA is excited to work with Mayor Adams to ensure that these opportunities are more equitably distributed across the city. We also applaud the Adams administration’s leadership in proactively planning for the new Metro-North stations in the Bronx that will be part of Penn Station Access. This package of reforms is a unique opportunity to pair accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.”

 

“The Adams administration is proposing a necessary update of our 1960s-era zoning code that will support New York’s transition to a digital economy and to a more livable and affordable city,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. “This is a critically important undertaking.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Will this be the death note to the protest against the Foodtown proposal, to give the project a green light to procede at full steam to kill the East Side of the Bronx?

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all had a fun, safe, and eventful Memorial Day weekend with friends and family. This weekend I had the pleasure of joining with my colleagues in government and community members to celebrate our men and women who have served in the armed services. We owe an insurmountable debt of gratitude to our servicemen and women and thank them each day for their service to our borough, city, and country.

This weekend was also the summer opening of Orchard Beach. Thank you to our New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for keeping our Bronx Riviera clean and safe in preparation for the summer season. You can click this link for more information regarding New York City beaches, pools, and parks.

We recently had a Legionnaires outbreak in the Highbridge section of our borough. As of today, 22 people have been infected and unfortunately, we had one fatality. The risk to most people is low, but if you have flu-like symptoms, please see a health care provider immediately. Additional information can be found on our website here.

Also, as we prepare for the summer to gather with friends and family, please take necessary precautions: wear face coverings when indoors, get tested, and make sure to get vaccinated and boosted.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

BP Gibson joined her colleagues in government and Hunger Free America to bring attention to food scarcity in our borough. BP Gibson joined the NYC Parks Department for the Orchard Beach Opening Ceremony.

BP Gibson toured Fordham Landing. BP Gibson attended and spoke at the Lehman College Commencement Ceremony.

BP Gibson honored staff from East Side House Settlement for their work in our community. BP Gibson attended a basketball clinic hosted by the NY Knicks alongside Council Member Kevin Riley.

Last week, I attended the Topping Off Ceremony for the Universal Hip Hop Museum. This moment was the culmination of a deep commitment, collaboration and labor of love for hip-hop. The Bronx is the original birthplace of hip-hop and we are proud to cultivate a place to honor and pay tribute to our pioneers and trailblazers in the hip-hop community. I want to thank Executive Director, Rocky Bucano, the Board of Directors, Founding Members, Advisors, Staff, the Development Team, elected officials, contributors, partners, and everyone else who believes in the vision of Bronx Point and the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Looking forward to the official opening!

We also hosted our National Dominican Day Parade Celebration and honored Nallely De Jesus and Marcos Crespo!  Our borough is home to over 200,000 residents of Dominican descent with almost 40% of Dominican people today residing in New York living in the Bronx.

UPCOMING EVENTS