2011 Year in Review: Bronx Housing Stories

The top housing-related stories that appeared this year in the Norwood News.

Tuesday Bronx Links: First Baby of 2012, Espada Drama & More

A roundup of the top Bronx news stories of the last few days.

2011 Year in Review: Bronx Church’s Fight with DOE Goes Supreme

The Bronx Household of Faith’s 17-year legal battle with the Department of Education came to a close in 2011, with the University Heights church and dozens of other religious groups facing eviction from school buildings throughout the five boroughs.

2011 Year in Review: In Kingsbridge Armory Plans, Lots of Ideas, But No Substance

Two years after the City Council voted down plans to turn the hulking and empty Kingsbridge Armory into a shopping mall, local groups and elected officials spent much of 2011 pondering what should be done now with the 575,000-square-foot space.

City’s Newspapers Take Sides in Living Wage Debate

In an editorial printed on Christmas day, the New York Times made an endorsement for the controversial, Bronx-born living wage bill that’s being considered in the City Council.

Pedro Espada Continues Fight to Keep Bronx Clinics Open

Pedro Espada, Jr., is facing another legal battle this morning. According to a press release sent last night by his Soundview Healthcare Network, a judge today will once again weigh whether or not to allow the former state senator’s health clinics to continue participating in the state’s Medicaid program. According to the statement, Espada and workers from his Soundview Health Care Network planned to rally outside the Bronx County Courthouse early this morning, before a hearing scheduled for 9:45 a.m. that would decide the clinics’ future. Soundview was banned from the state’s Medicaid program this summer, after the Department of

Livery Cab Bill ‘Victory’ for Bronx and Commuters, Pols Say

Gov. Cuomo and state lawmakers announced yesterday that they’d reached a deal on legislation that will expand taxi services in the outer boroughs and bring more handicapped cabs to the city. The bill, which has been in negotiations since last June, will allow livery cabs–largely the only car service available here in the outer boroughs and upper Manhattan–to legally pick up street hails (yes, it was illegal before). The new law will also permit the Taxi and Limousine Commission to issue 18,000 new livery cab licenses 2,000 new medallions for traditional yellow taxis, reserved for cars that are wheelchair accessible.

Borough President’s Survey Finds Bronxites Want Better Schools, More Jobs

This summer and fall, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s office asked residents to fill out an online “wellness” survey, asking questions to gauge how Bronxites feel about living in the Boogie Down, what areas they’re happy with and what things they think need fixing. Last week, Diaz’ office released the results of the survey, which 1,901 people filled out. The majority of respondents said they think Bronx schools are the area that needs the most improvement, with 57 percent listing education as their number one priority. Other areas ranking as less-than-stellar were crime/public safety and economic development/jobs. However, just

Bronx Kids ‘Glee’-ful, Klein’s Legal Conflict and More Monday Bronx Links

Breaking Bronx takes a look at the local stories making news, including State Senator Jeff Klein’s apparent conflict of interest when it comes to his private law work, PS 48’s music makers, the Public Advocate comes out in favor of Living Wage bill and more.