Politics

Armory Report: Long in Length, Short on Answers

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. has made it clear redeveloping the vacant 575,000-square-foot Kingsbridge Armory into a quality job-producing, vibrant community space, is a top priority of his administration. But a much-anticipated report created by an Armory task force he assembled was released with little fanfare earlier this month and appears to generate more questions than answers.

Cabrera Bill Would Make Nabe Crime Stats Public

Addressing a public safety issue raised by the Norwood News, Councilman Fernando Cabrera has drafted legislation to require the New York City Police Department to share neighborhood crime statistics with community boards and the general public on a quarterly basis.

Senator Looks to Shed Pounds, Promote Healthy Living

Dressed in Rocky-esque training attire — hooded sweatshirt, jogging pants and sneakers — State Senator Gustavo Rivera walked into the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center and challenged himself to a weigh-in. Rivera was joined by Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. (sans workout attire) and numerous organizations, to launch the Bronx CAN Health Initiative.

Living Wage Bill Gets a Hearing; Vacca Remains Unconvinced

The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, sponsored by Bronx Council Members Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma, would require developers of projects receiving taxpayer subsidies of more than $100,000 to pay workers $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without. The bill, which sprang from the living wage fight that derailed a plan to develop the Kingsbridge Armory into a shopping mall, has the support of every Bronx Council member, with the exception of James Vacca, who had said he was waiting for a hearing on the issue before taking a side. “He’s wary of any legislation that might prevent jobs, and I’m not sure he’s convinced,” said Vacca spokesman Bret Nolan Collazzi, in a phone interview after the hearing.

Local Politicians Reach Out Through Town Hall Meetings

In Kingsbridge Heights, they asked about the plan for developing the Kingsbridge Armory and alienating parkland. In Mt. Hope, they asked about the mounting murder count. And in Van Cortlandt Village, they asked about the Indian Hills nuclear power plant, just a few dozen miles up the interstate. This spring, in a departure from recent history, local elected officials are holding town hall meetings throughout the northwest Bronx and asking residents to voice their concerns, questions and conundrums.

Armory Report Coming in June

At a town hall forum in Kingsbridge Heights on Sunday, State Senator Gustavo Rivera said the Bronx borough president’s Kingsbridge Armory task force was in the final stages of completing its recommendations for redeveloping the massive building that has been vacant for nearly two decades. They will release the report in June, he said.

Ferrer Named to MTA Board

Former Bronx borough president and two-time mayoral candidate Freddy Ferrer was appointed on Monday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board, the governing body that oversees the state agency (and, most notably, approves all of those fare hikes and service changes).

Gillibrand Visits Monte

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand made a stop in the Bronx recently to attend a “healthy eating” fair at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in Norwood.