Inquiring Photographer: State of the Bronx

With Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. set to deliver his State of the Borough address on Feb. 20, we asked readers to offer their take on the state of the Bronx. Right now, the main thing I’m concerned about is police actions. Other than that, the Bronx is a good place to live. Yeah, they’re still doing stop and frisk. They stop people for anything: weed, guns. I don’t mind them getting the guns off the street, but stopping everyone is harassment … I do worry about gentrification and that’s scary because it pushes the poor people right out of

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

In an effort to authorize an additional story and nine feet to its construction project at 2856 Webster Ave., New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) appeared before the Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use and Economic Development Committee monthly meeting on Tuesday. They requested a letter from CB7 certifying support for the height increase. Before presenting a slide show in conjunction with Douglaston Development, Aaron Bouska, NYBG’s vice president for community and government relations, publicly notified CB7 of its development plans. “Tonight, I’m here to announce the partnership between NYBG, Cherry Valley Supermarket, Douglaston Development, and Fordham Bedford Housing to construct and

Bankruptcy Issues Push Back Bedford Green House Completion

By HENRY MCEACHERN

An impending residential building spearheaded by Project Renewal in Bedford Park has would-be tenants lining up at the door. But despite a sign reading the project would be completed by fall 2019, the project deadline is now being pushed back, delaying any plans for prospective residents to move in. The Bedford Green House’s path to completion may be rocky for Project Renewal, and applicants are still waiting, but their contingency plans could have the building completed soon enough to have tenants feeling a warm breeze from their rooftop garden, surrounded by fruits and fish ponds. It was thought that the

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We’ve loaded up 24 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a long-awaited project announced by the New York Botanical Garden, which is now entering the residential housing market. The affordable housing residences, with one set aside exclusively to seniors, will soon pop up along Webster Avenue. The area had been rezoned in ten years, clearing the path for projects such as this.

“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address

By HENRY MCEACHERN

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his State of the City address yesterday at the American Natural History Museum, framing his points that centered around the theme dubbed “save our city” in a town hall style format. That included promises to expand education, spur small business reform, and create greater affordability. Under the enormous blue whale model inside the American Natural History Museum, de Blasio also focused on creating stronger bonds between the NYPD and young people. Last year, there was an increase in the number of youth-on-youth robberies, with 29 percent of those arrested falling under the age of eighteen,

Botanical Square Revives Long-Dormant Tenants Association, Amplify Need for Fixes

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

For 10 years Rosalina Garcia has been living on the first floor of 2995 Botanical Square in an apartment with “crooked floors.” With help from the executive director at West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center, Joshua Stephenson, she is hopeful to see the floors fixed soon. “Now, through the petitions that we put in court with [the help of] Steph, they will eventually have to fix it,” Garcia said. “Steph” is Garcia’s shorthand for Stephenson. He has also helped the residents at 2985-2995 Botanical Square, known collectively as Botanical Square, organize a tenants association to address the concerns at

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s third edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We have packed 28 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a bill being championed by Councilman Andrew Cohen and housing advocacy groups that expands Right to Counsel. The act–which provides free legal counsel to those facing eviction–covers those considered extreme low income. New legislation looks to expand the income eligibility standards. Jose A. Giralt breaks it all down for us. Inside the

New West Bronx Housing Executive Director Looks to Build Legacy Started by Predecessor

By DAVID CRUZ

As Sally Dunford was preparing for retirement as executive director of West Bronx Housing, a job she’s held on to for 28 years, there was already someone she had in mind to succeed her. It didn’t require any sifting of resumes or recommendations, but an understanding of who already demonstrated the capability in doing the work. It came from Joshua Stephenson, the former constituent services director for Councilman Andrew Cohen, who had worked with Dunford over the last two years to settle housing grievances for tenants living within Cohen’s 11th Council District. The work was already familiar to him, and

Lt. Govenor Outlines State's Vision for 2020 at Montefiore

By DAVID CRUZ

Days before Governor Andrew Cuomo’s preliminary budget announcement, his second-in-command paid a special visit to Montefiore Health System on Jan. 16, reiterating Cuomo’s State of the State address, which includes the promise of seeing four Metro-North stations built in the East Bronx. Mixing policy with shtick, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul–introduced by newly appointed President and CEO for Montefiore Health System, Dr. Philip O. Ozuah–broke down a bevy of initiatives spearheaded by Cuomo that have statewide interest. That includes combating domestic violence, ferreting out hate crimes, adding greater protections for gig workers, reducing taxes, reducing the unemployment rate in the Bronx,

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Housing

Inquiring Photographer: State of the Bronx

CB7 Committee Approves Extra Floor Space for NYBG Affordable Residences

Bankruptcy Woes for Bedford Green House Builder Delay Completion

NYBG Enters Residential Housing Market, Five-Two’s Thoughts on Criminal Justice Reform: Check out the Latest Norwood News!

“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address

Botanical Square Revives Long-Dormant Tenants Association, Amplify Need for Fixes

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

New West Bronx Housing Executive Director Looks to Build Legacy Started by Predecessor

Lt. Governor Outlines State’s Vision for 2020 at Montefiore