A Tribute for the Bronx’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ and a Vital Bus Stop That Could Be Cut: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fifth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of interesting community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a unique State of the Borough address delivered by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The speech, Diaz’s penultimate before he heads into retirement in 2021, put the focus on the borough’s men and women who “put in the work” to better the borough. The story focuses on one Fordham local who certainly

A Decade After Representing 85th A.D., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election

By DAVID CRUZ

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, who wielded power both in Albany and as Bronx Democratic Party boss, announced he won’t be running for re-election. He’ll be finishing out his term at the end of the year, opening the door for a vacant Assembly seat. In a long statement posted on Facebook, Crespo called his time as Assemblyman for the 85th Assembly District, representing the southeast neighborhoods of Soundview, an “honor of my life.” “I have decided not to seek re-election, but instead pursue opportunities outside of government that will allow me to continue to serve my community, be closer to my daughters

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. threw away the oft-formulaic State of the Borough speech he’s delivered over the last decade for a retrospective of sorts while honoring a who’s who of civic activists, educators, and captains of industry. His penultimate speech at Borough Hall comes a few weeks after announcing he won’t be running for New York City mayor after all. Diaz, 47, told reporters he’s “at peace” with his decision, mentioning that the Bronx certainly has a crop of elected officials ready to pick up the baton. He mentioned by name Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo,

With Two New Buildings Coming to Bedford Park, Concerns Over Safety Surface

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Representatives of CAMBA Housing Ventures reassured residents of Bedford Park that their impending construction project comprised of two buildings will take into account their concerns about traffic safety, increased amount of formerly homeless people, and over-burdened city services. The representatives updated Community Board 7 at the latest meeting of the Housing, Land Use & Economic committee meeting on Feb. 11, showing renderings of the pair of buildings. The two buildings–one at 257-271 E. 202nd St., and the other at 258-278 E. 203rd St.–will go up on a shared plot of land in a section of the neighborhood that’s extremely narrow,

By DAVID CRUZ

The architectural firm behind the New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) first-ever residential development released a rendering of the impending property that will contribute to an evolving Webster Avenue corridor. Stephen B. Jacobs Group, the architectural firm, sent the Norwood News the rendering showing a 12-story modern-looking building that’s expected to be a senior residence. While the land is owned by NYBG, the Bronx institution entered into a 99-year lease deal with Douglaston Development to build and manage the property. Douglaston Development hired the architectural firm to draft renderings and schematics. The rendering also shows 12 stories, an extra floor space

By DAVID CRUZ

The NYPD needs help tracking a suspected burglar who ransacked a locked bedroom in Bedford Park. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the thief entered the bedroom from the victim’s window on Dec. 29, 2019 at around 10:30 a.m. in the area of East 195th Street and Bainbridge Avenue. He then scored some cash from the 28-year-old’s bedroom before taking off. The police offered no official description of the suspect, though it revealed video of the suspected thief taken from inside the bedroom. Anyone with information in regard to the identity of this male is asked to call the

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We’ve loaded up 24 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a long-awaited project announced by the New York Botanical Garden, which is now entering the residential housing market. The affordable housing residences, with one set aside exclusively to seniors, will soon pop up along Webster Avenue. The area had been rezoned in ten years, clearing the path for projects such as this.

By DAVID CRUZ

Orchard Beach may be off season now, but it didn’t stop some brave Bronxites to take a dip into the freezing waters for the annual Bronx Polar Bear Swim at Orchard Beach. Co-hosted by BronxNet Television and BronxWorks, the annual Dip Against Homelessness on Feb. 9 doubled as a donation drive for the homeless during the coldest time of the year. Check out photos by Miriam Quinones in the Norwood News Facebook link below.

NYBG Enters Into Residential Development Market With Pending Pair of Buildings

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is slated to construct two residential buildings totaling more than 400 units along a property it owns Webster Avenue in Bedford Park, advancing an interest in development that harkens back to nearly a decade when community advocates joined city leaders in rezoning Webster Avenue to welcome such development projects. Ahead of a Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use and Economic Development Committee meeting tonight, NYBG approached community stakeholders regarding the two projects—a senior home and an affordable housing development. It’s tapped Douglaston Development to spearhead the projects after entering into a 99-year lease. Financial details