Report: Investment in Bronx at $2.7B in 2017

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

The Bronx saw $2.3 billion in residential development last year, falling short of the 2016 total dollar figure for residential properties, according to a new report released by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Most of the new residential development across the borough is government funded, according to the report. In 2017, over 58 percent of new residential units were subsidized, with the vast majority going towards developing multi-family residential buildings. This includes a $70 million investment in new apartments near Creston Ave. and 191st Street in Fordham. “We are making sure that new development works for those families who

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering Bronx communities, is out this week! Check out these stories put together by our dedicated interns and freelancers that can get the conversation going across the Bronx. We begin, of course, with page one! The uncommon fatal shootings of two people in the Norwood section of the Bronx prompted it to be our front page. Read the story of 37-year-old Dwayne Saunders, shot to death in broad daylight. Read what the local commander for the 52nd Precinct has to say about these rarer homicides in Norwood. Other stories include the

By DAVID CRUZ

Elections for the Tracey Towers Tenants Organization are slated for May 17, and at least one challenger has come forward. What is known is that Jean Hill, the incumbent president of the TTTO, is not concerned over who’s running. She’s taking it very seriously having taped up fliers that show a photo of her slate while also running through the list of her board’s accomplishments. “I see the need to have a strong, exceptional board; people who go in and get the job done,” said Hill, a resident of Tracey Towers for more than 40 years. “It’s not an easy

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Low-income residents can save some green by going green. “Weatherization is not like a sexy subject. The fact of the matter is that it really helps families, and it helps the planet, and it helps neighborhoods, and it’s a great addition to housing,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representing Norwood’s 13th Congressional District at a news conference announcing additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program increases the energy efficiency of low-income homes, which leads to lower utility bills. Some services WAP provides include repairing indoor heating systems, replacing windows and doors, sealing holes to reduce heat loss, installing

By DAVID GREENE

With the naming of Stan Brezenoff as interim chairman of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), we asked residents at local housing complexes the specific problems in their buildings and solutions to the bureaucracy of living in a city-run housing complex. The staircases look like crap. I’ve been here 14 years and they were messed up since I got here. We have rats and mice running around. Maintenance is not doing their job and the residents don’t really care as long as they make it through another day. It’s terrible here. Joseph Liborsi Fort Independence Houses (Kingsbridge) They

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering Bronx communities, is out this week! Check out these stories put together by our dedicated interns and freelancers that can get the conversation going. We begin, of course, with page one! The political season came early this year as a special election impacting Norwood happened on April 24, with Democrat Nathalia Fernandez becoming the interim Assembly Member for the 80th Assembly District. Learn Fernandez’ goals and whether others are gunning for the seat. It will be interesting to see who throws their hat into this seat. Other stories include the

BronxNet Nosotros Program Profiles Bronx Judge

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Judge Llinet Rosado sat down with Yeila Lluberes of BronxNet’s Nosotros on April 25 at 9:30 p.m. The pair discussed Rosado’s journey from having grown up in housing projects on the Lower East Side to her election as a Bronx County Civil Court judge. Rosado was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States as a young child. She worked at the Bronx Legal Aid Society and as a family law attorney. Nosotros is a Spanish language program that profiles prominent members of the Bronx community, with in-depth discussions meant to inspire and connect. Rosado’s Nosotros episode

State Strong-arming Park Reservoir Houses into Loan Tenants Say

By DAVID CRUZ

Rosa Perez, 61, a retired social worker, has called Park Reservoir Houses (PRH) home for the last 30 years calling it a “hidden gem of the city.” Like all cooperators, she pays her monthly maintenance fees for the state-funded Mitchell-Lama complex in Van Cortlandt Village. But those fees could skyrocket by 100 percent if the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), which regulates Mitchell-Lama buildings, gets its way. “Many have spoken to me indicating that they will need financial support from their family and friends to make up the difference of the proposed increases because of DHCR delays,”

Editorial: Bedford Park Locals Should Consider a No Solicitation Zone

By MARY MELLON

Bedford Park residents are trying another tactic to ward off overdevelopment in the neighborhood: preservation. Kelly Carroll, who works for the Historic Districts Council (HDC), a landmarks advocacy group, met with neighborhood residents at the April 4 Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) meeting to discuss the prospect of landmarking certain sections of the neighborhood. Apart from making sure “the landmarks preservation commission behaves itself,” HDC educates the public, and meets with communities to address their concerns about preservation. “So what we can help with is getting to know the neighborhood. If there’s an active interest in preservation here it would