KNIC Project Recognized in Google Maps

Progress at the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) can be seen in Google Maps. Even though it’s yet to break ground since winning a bid in 2013, the impending project slated inside the cavernous Kingsbridge Armory was still recognized by the online map provider. Under a rule imposed by the city Economic Development Corporation, which cleared KNIC to occupy the space, developers have a deadline of March next year to show it has funds to start the project. The project is estimated to cost $350 million. Developers plan to house nine ice skating rinks and a 5,000-seat arena inside the vacant castle that

By DAVID CRUZ Residents can expect another supportive/affordable housing hybrid in the neighborhood, adding to a cluster of new specialized housing sites in Norwood/Bedford Park and fueling an ongoing tug of war between residents and non-profit housing groups over the community’s vision.

Fordham Road BID a Mid-Summer Star

The Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID) continues to focus on the beautification of public spaces with the start of the Fordham Plaza renovation and the recently completed Bryan Park (intersecting Fordham and Kingsbridge roads). We are also ramping up our sanitation efforts to ensure that Fordham Road is clean for everyone to enjoy! This summer, we are hosting a record number of seasonal outdoor events including our film festival, sidewalk sales, and Fordham Fever Fridays. Our goal is to engage the Fordham Road community through these events.

Economic Gardening Can Bloom in the Bronx

By MARCIA CAMERON Economic gardening is an intriguing concept that has been used to create jobs and help increase revenue in local communities across the United States. Much like a garden that gradually grows, successful businesses need tender care to assist in their growth.

EDITORIAL: A Neighborhood’s Longstanding Plea for a Park Paid Lip Service

There’s a photo buried in the Norwood News archives taken over a decade ago, but completely relevant today. It’s that of an abandoned hatchback vehicle, its windows shattered and bodywork charred, found blocking the entrance to a rundown city-owned lot on Decatur Avenue and Oliver Place. By the looks of it, the vehicle plowed into the space, and was left to rot.

Cohen Allocates to $135K Three Norwood/Bedford Park Nonprofits

By EMMANUEL ANOKYE Norwood and Bedford Park were represented in this year’s city budget, with $135,000 going towards several neighborhood initiatives courtesy of the communities’ local councilman. Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) within Community District 7 led the way, with $100,000 going towards the Norwood non-profit. About $25,000 went towards support programming of afterschool day camp for children with special needs, $35,000 for educational and recreational services for teens in the Teen Center in Van Cortlandt Village, and $40,000 towards recreational, leadership and computer skill building opportunities for teens. “[MMCC] is a well-established institution that is dedicated to helping Bronxites. Historically,

By DAVID CRUZ The latest, community-packed edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. This is our month-long edition where we hope to keep you in the know with some community happenings taking place near you. We first, however, go to Kingsbridge where tenants at a newly plush apartment building are getting soaked with a proposed rent increase as high as $500. Read what tenants and the building landlords have to say, and how elected are stepping in to get a handle on this. Check out another related story of a Creston Avenue landlord

By DAVID CRUZ The exterior of 2400 Webb Ave., an eight-story building tucked behind Fordham Hill Oval Cooperative, showed significant signs of improvement. New terraces, a high-tech intercom system and modern mailboxes were welcome enhancements for residents.

Another Property Sold Blocks from Kingsbridge Armory

By DAVID CRUZ Another piece of property has sold for nearly $15 million in Kingsbridge, blocks from the Kingsbridge Armory. The transaction is just another sign of growing real estate activity near the Armory that’s now slated to become an enormous ice skating center. Eastern Consolidated brokered a deal with an unnamed buyer for the real estate property at 135-145 W. Kingsbridge Rd. just near the James J. Peters Veterans Hospital. The 67,000-square-foot property, is home to a six-story walk-up complete with 10 occupied retail stores and 57 mostly rent-regulated apartments. “The strength of the retail was a driving force in