Norwood Commercial Building to Get Major Facelift

By DAVID GREENE

A Brooklyn developer has purchased a parcel of land at the northwest corner of Hull Avenue and East 204th Street, with hopes of transforming it into a modern two-story building featuring medical offices, a fitness center and popular restaurants. Both the Miramar Grocery and Botanica on Hull Avenue closed more than a year ago. The popular Beso Lounge on East 204th Street closed this past June and Liberty Tax closed around the same time. This came shortly before Transition Acquisitions, a family-owned Brooklyn-based real estate firm purchased the 78-year-old, 5,150-square-foot property. Faith Hope Consolo of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, the

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News, largely covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. We pack 16 pages worth of news so let’s get started! We begin, as usual, with page one. There you’ll find a nice human interest story on Nilda Hofmann, a born-and-bred Bronxite who rose to the rank of NYPD Chief of Community Affairs in January. We’ll take you to the ceremony where the 28-year veteran received her gold star from NYPD top cop James O’Neill. You’ll also hear how the NYPD’s Neighborhood

By MARY MELLON

There will finally be a city-funded animal shelter in the Bronx, city officials announced. The 47,000-square-foot Bronx shelter is expected to be built in Co-op City by 2024, and will have room for 70 dogs, 140 cats, 30 rabbits, and 20 animals from other species. The news comes after years of wrangling by animal rights groups in the Bronx, who see shuttling animals to Manhattan as unfair. In a statement, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the shelter will “offer direct adoption because we know how much New Yorkers love their pets, especially those in need of a home.” City-funded animal

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Become Civically Engaged Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. encourages New Yorkers to become more civically engaged as part of the “Hour New York Challenge.” Those interested take a pledge to dedicate at least one hour each month throughout 2018. Activities include attending community board meetings, volunteering with a nonprofit, and generally being a more informed and active citizen to improve neighborhoods. For more information, call (718) 590-3543. Catholic Schools Open Houses Bronx Catholic elementary schools are holding “Touring Tuesdays” open houses: Jan. 30, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or by appointment. Local

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. There are 16 pages filled with a lot of useful information intended to make your aware of where you live. We begin, of course, with page one. In one of the more hotly controversial stories of the year (we’re only the second edition of 2018) teachers and staffers of JHS/MS 80 came in the defense of its principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The five-year principal and the school are under investigation for covering up a fight

Number of Chain Stores Grows in the Bronx Again

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

The Bronx has seen an increase in the number of chain stores in 2017, a sign of anticipated economic growth in the borough, according to a newly released report by a think tank group. The news is in lockstep with the rest of the city, which has seen its ninth consecutive year of growth in the number of national retailers and food establishments. The report by the Center for Urban Future (CUF), a research group that focuses on the economy and infrastructure in New York City, found the number of Bronx stores rose by 1.8 percent. There were a total

Michael Cotto of Norwood, along with his wife and two kids, are among those lucky to be alive in the Knox Place blaze that disrupted them and the lives of many others on Dec. 27. They escaped the four-alarm inferno unscathed. When compared to the devastating fire at Prospect Avenue in Belmont that claimed 12 victims a day later, the Cottos were presented with a silver lining. The fire happened at 3414 Knox Pl. a building notorious for its subpar living conditions, according to the New York Public Advocate’s Office. For the last few years, the city has placed the

Bronx Braves First Storm of 2018 (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

The first major snowstorm of 2018 forced the closure of the entire public school system, lawmakers offices, while emptying streets usually busy. The storm began at 1 a.m., intensifying during the morning rush. Trains operated smoother, with no outrageous delays. The MTA warns anyone traveling via the Metro-North should anticipate possible train delays. By noon, some six to eight inches of snow fell in the Bronx. For the last few hours, officials have warned New Yorkers to stay home and only travel if absolutely necessary. They’ve also asked loved ones to check on neighbors. Hazardous travel warnings have also been

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News produced a total of 284 stories (not counting Public & Community Meetings, Neighborhood Notes and Out & About) throughout the 25-issue print run for 2017. The issues the paper called attention to ranged, though some stories bore greater urgency in the hopes action from local legislators could be taken. Below are some topics that surfaced and resurfaced throughout the last 12 months, and are once again highlighted in the Norwood News’ annual Year in Review: Homeless Crisis Norwood was not immune to homelessness, an issue that continues pressing across the city. In the 25 Norwood News issues