Engel Joins Opposition of Wakefield Homeless Shelters

This morning, Bronx Congressman Eliot Engel came out in strong opposition of proposals that would bring two new homeless shelters to the north Bronx neighborhood of Wakefield.

He provided comments at a public hearing downtown concerning the city's plan to award Project Renewal a $87 million contract to turn a vacant car dealership at 4380 Bronx Blvd. into a 100-bed transitional homeless shelter, saying the Wakefield area would be harmed by the excess influx of homeless shelters.

"The character of the neighborhood, a generally low-rise, low-density homeownership neighborhood, would be disproportionately affected and in a negative way," he said in a statement.

Besides the Bronx Boulevard proposal, there is already a plan to create 63-unit homeless shelter on White Plains Road and the mayor's office says it wants to turn the vacant Muller Army Reserve Center into 200-unit homeless shelter.

Engel also said he supported a plan -- pushed by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance -- to transfer the national guard units from the Kingsbridge Armory annex buildings into the vacant Muller Center. The annex buildings would then be free to become new schools, as politicians, parents and activists have long advocated for. If not, he said a community center would be more appropriate at the army center.

"The Department of Homeless Services should reconsider these proposals and spare the Wakefield community this disruption of its character and values," Engel said.

Bronx News Roundup, July 16

Gregory Tsougranis, Bronx associate broker with Century 21 Metro Star believes the Bronx real estate market picking up (see second item in the "Closer" column. During his recent Bronx Trolley apartment hunt tour, he said he attracted more than 40 prospective buyers. Specifically, he said they were looking for one and two bedroom apartments starting at $145,000. The next tour is expected to be held on August 28.

Daily News columnist Juan Gonzalez writes about how the Bronx's Columbus High School faced the possibility of being closed down after Schools Chancellor Joel Klein labeled it as "failing." It's now staying after lawsuits were filed against the city. Columbus Special Education teacher Gail Drillings says, "I'm thrilled that our school is saved. And we're finally getting the extra resources we've needed."

Plus, if you haven't already, check out our two earlier stories on the body found at Harris Field and the murder of a man in Williamsbridge Oval Park.

Ed. note: An item in this post was removed due to an error. The item, regarding the Wildlife Conservation Society, was not Bronx-related. 

Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 18th

Sen. Pedro Espada’s new housing bill, which proposes to freeze the rents of qualifying New Yorkers who live in stabilized apartments, was met with a chilly reception from tenant advocates who say it’s really a pro-landlord bill in disguise. We were at the scene, and will have more on this later.

There’s a scheduling conflict at Yankee Stadium: the big boxing event that was reported yesterday is planned for June 5^th, the same day Yankee finance lawyer Jonathan Ballan booked the stadium for his son’s bar mitzvah.

The New York Times City Room blog has a story on Pete Nikolopoulos, the beloved owner of Pete's Cafe on East Fordham Road, who passed away on Feb. 2^nd.  BoogieDowner reported the story on Sunday.

A Bronx man was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Burlington court for running a Vermont drug ring. Meanwhile, another Bronx man is being released from a New Jersey prison, where he was serving a sentence for kidnapping, because he did not get a speedy trial.

The New York Observer took a look at the buildings sales market in the outer boroughs and reports that there were $400 million of building sales activity in the Bronx in 2009.

Folks at the Bronx Zoo have created some more cute critter videos urging against proposed budget cuts to the state’s zoos, gardens and aquariums.

The Daily News has more on the report that ranks the Bronx as the least healthy place the live in New York State.

Bronx News Roundup for July 31

Richard Izquierdo, grandson of Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, and Margarita Villegas, another employee of the nonprofit organization they run, face new charges claiming they misused funds from SBCC Management Corp. to pay for Arroyo's interns and a political club. This comes after earlier charges that they used funds to fly Arroyo to Puerto Rico and go on shopping sprees.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. presented a proclamation to members of the Bronx Community Pride Center for celebrating Bronx Pride Day and working to support the LGBT community in the Bronx. Diaz's office says he aims to make sure there is equal access to services and LGBT organizations receive equal funding for projects--standing in stark contrast to his father (who does not generally support gay rights). Watch a video of his comments here.

Two men from the Bronx were pursued all the way from Bergen County to the Bronx after a bank robbery last night.

New residents are praising their recently moved-in Bronx homes as real estate brokers say apartment sales have increased in this borough despite downturns in the housing market.