Bronx CB7 Addresses Rezoning Changes, Parks Projects & Traffic Concerns

  Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held one of its last meetings before the summer break on Thursday, June 17, to discuss neighborhood updates and various motions that were due to be tabled at the Board’s executive meeting held on June 23.   It was an eventful meeting that touched upon a variety of topics and saw four motions passed. Two were presented by the housing, land use and economic development committee, one by the parks’ committee and one arose during the new business section of the meeting.   The first motion which was passed by the Board pertained to


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Norwood Goes Electric with Installation of First Electric Vehicle Charging Station

New York City recently took its first step in developing a public infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) as officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT), Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) and Flo Energy unveiled a new EV pilot program and the first of 100 charging stations to be installed across the five boroughs between now and October.   A press conference announcing the milestone was held on Thursday, June 24, at the southeastern corner of Putnam Place and East Gun Hill Road in Norwood, where the new state-of-the-art, curbside EV charging port is now located. Two customers at a time can charge their


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Van Cortlandt Park Reopens “Cool Pool” for Summer Season

Children from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and the Davidson Community Center broke out their best swimwear on Thursday, June 24, for Van Cortlandt Park’s “Cool Pool” reopening.   The kids joined NYC Parks’ commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, and Bronx Parks’ commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, for the first splash of the summer season. Reflecting on the big jump into the pool, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center student, Anisah Gamble, said, “It was scary, and then fun!”   Meanwhile, Janissa Francisco, a staff member at the center, said it felt great to be back at the pool for the summer. “It’s really nice


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Fordham Flea Market Attracts Vendors from all over The Bronx

Vendors and small businesses from all over The Bronx gathered at the new Fordham Flea Market to display their wares during its grand opening on Sunday, July 27, as shoppers showed up to support local enterprise.   As it was a hot day, sellers congregated under tents and music was heard in the background, keeping the day moving along amid a convivial and relaxed atmosphere. Local handicrafts, arts and crafts, gifts, accessories, and self-care products were among the items on sale at the market.   According to the market’s organizers, the goal is primarily to support those local businesses which


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Neighborhood Notes on a Youth Run Farm Stand, Fostering a Guinea Pig, Help for Small Businesses & More

COVID-19 Updates COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings.   See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/. The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or directly


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Out & About: Toddler Obstacle Course, HITT Cross Training Circuit, ¡Jazz Puertorriqueño! & More

By SARAH HUFFMAN & SÍLE MOLONEY
                                                                                      Editor’s Pick  Come learn, play and compete in the 2021 Girls Flag Football Season. Three NYC Parks sites in the Bronx are hosting clinics, leagues, and tournaments for girls. The Weekly Instructional Series/Clinics includes instructional drills and strategies for girls ages 10-17. The Bronx instructional series of Girls Flag Football Clinics will be held July 12  to


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UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on MTA Extending Cash Transaction Elimination at Subway Booths

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) may extend the elimination of cash transactions at subway booths, a policy first brought in March 2020 to halt the spread of the coronavirus.   “I don’t think it’s a good idea because a lot of people don’t have the means to acquire a bank card or debit card or credit cards to pay for the subway. How would ending cash transactions make the subway safer? Everyone that has to go somewhere will use the subway, so what would make it safer? I don’t understand how that would


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D11 City Council Primary: Mino Lora Releases Statement following latest RCV Tabulation Results

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mino Lora, executive director and founder of the People’s Theater Project, who finished as first runner-up in the District 11 City Council primary race on June 22, released a statement on Friday, July 9, following the publication of the latest RCV tabulation results of the primary election on Tuesday, July 6, by New York City Board of Elections (BOE), as reported.   “To every person who voted, volunteered, contributed and believed in our campaign—thank you! ¡Gracias! ধন্যবাদ! We couldn’t have made it this far, in such a short period of time, without you,” Lora, who was profiled by the Norwood


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DOB Releases Multi-Year Construction Safety Analysis Report

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) announced on June 28, the release of a new building construction safety report that officials said provides deep insights on construction safety trends in New York City. Based on data compiled during 2019 and 2020, the report examines various DOB “proactive and data-driven initiatives” which officials said led to declines in construction-related incidents and injuries.   According to DOB, the report also provides a first-of-its-kind analysis of major building construction incidents that occurred over the past two years which led to fatal or near fatal outcomes, detailing the contributing factors that precipitated those incidents.  


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