Armory Report: Long in Length, Short on Answers

The Kingsbridge Armory, on West Kingsbridge Road. (File photo by Adi Talwar)

Editor's Note: This story was first published in the latest issue of the Norwood News, on the streets and online now.

By ALEX KRATZ

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.

On June 21, Diaz’s office quietly released the 267-page report, which included no clear plan for financing the redevelopment. It detailed all of the meetings of the task force, which included union reps, health care industry leaders, developers, community activists and elected officials. It also included three models for possible redevelopment created by a group of New York University graduate students and faculty.

Cabrera Drafting 'Sector Stat' Legislation Following BxNN Reporting on NYPD Information Lockdown

OK, now it's been officially a year, plus some, that the NYPD has ignored our request for very basic statistical information about crime in Bronx neighborhoods. And it's been a couple of weeks since we posted this clock and we still haven't heard from police headquarters.

Councilman Fernando Cabrera

But there is some good news. Greg Faulkner, chief of staff for Councilman Fernando Cabrera  tells us that, as a result of the Norwood News and Bronx News Network raising this issue, his office has drafted legislation to require the NYPD to share sector stats with the community boards and with the general public on a quarterly basis. We are very pleased that Councilman Cabrera shares our view that this is a critical public safety issue and we look forward to reading the bill, which will likely go through several drafts before it hits the Council floor.

Faulkner said he would keep us posted on the progress of the legislation, the first draft of which is being reviewed by the Council's Legal Department, and we will, in turn, keep our readers up to date.                                                                                                                                                
On to the clock! For some background, see Norwood News' editorial here.

Hopes for Harlem River Park in the NW Bronx Tied Up in Red Tape

A view of the Harlem River waterfront where Regatta Park is supposed to be created. (Adi Talwar)

Editor's note and update: This story appears in the latest edition of the Norwood News, which hits streets today. The update is that Parks Department spokesperson Jesslyn Moser told me today that the agency is, in fact, going to go ahead with a scoping for Regatta Park. Previously, Moser had said a decision had not been made on whether to hold a scoping. The decision to hold a scoping is news because Councilman Fernando Cabrera had requested a scoping in December, but Parks has not responded. Perhaps our inquiry spurred them into action. Also, just to be clear, the creation of Regatta Park is called for in the city's new comprehensive waterfront plan, but there is no money allocated for the project in the three-year "action" plan.

By Alex Kratz

Regatta Park does not exist. It is an idea. A collective vision — shared by Harlem River enthusiasts, Bronx water access advocates, a community board and a local politician — to see a public, usable green space on the Harlem River waterfront in the northwest Bronx.

Ozzie Brown can see what Regatta Park is now from his Fordham Hill apartment, which looks down at the Harlem River waterfront, just north of the historic University Heights Bridge. “It’s a dump,” he says of the area, which is also known as Fordham Landing.

The creation of Regatta Park is called for in the city’s recently released comprehensive waterfront plan and is a vital cog in advocates’ dream of creating a continuous greenway that would travel along the Harlem and Hudson rivers from Westchester County to the south Bronx.

But the city money once allocated for Regatta Park has all but evaporated, forcing residents like Brown and other park advocates to keep hope and the vision of waterfront access alive.

Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 22

Breaking news alert: It's cold! Don't put away your long johns, Bronxites, it's still very much winter here in the northern borough. Cheer up, though, tomorrow it could get up to a balmy 38 degrees.

Story of the Day:
Sidney Flores, the self-appointed guardian and watchdog of his Mt. Eden neighborhood, could be the closest thing the Bronx has to a super hero. The 52-year-old handyman who won the lottery a few years ago, spends his free time showing up at the scenes of crimes and fires and other disasters and does his best to help out. If he sees a fight or a possible drug deal or a broken street lamp, he makes a call to the proper authorities. He was instrumental in getting the Morris Mesa playground next to his apartment fixed up and cleared of drugs and prostitution. And here's the kicker: he doesn't have any political ambitions or want any adulation for his work. “I believe that when you give of yourself,” he told the Times, “it comes back to you somehow, some way.” Is this guy for real?

Quick Hits:
Police are investigating whether NYPD officers used excessive force in arresting a 19-year-old Bronxite who was held in custody for 24 hours and then released with a citation for riding his bike on the sidewalk.

NY1's Dean "the Dream" Meminger profiles the new Black History Month exhibit at the Bronx Museum. It features the work of legendary 95-year-old artist Elizabeth Catlett as well as other artists. In April, Catlett is scheduled to visit the exhibit and speak with some of the other contributing artists.  

Surprise! People aren't happy with the closing of two 6 train line stations -- Elder Ave. and St. Lawrence Ave. -- for the next eight months. 

Didn't get to this last week or yesterday, but here's a story on Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera's simple yet hugely helpful new piece of legislation that would require landlords to post a tenant's bill of rights in the lobbies of apartment buildings and attach it to new leases and renewals. Big news for tenants. More on this soon. 

Weather resistant birders descend on Van Cortlandt Park every Saturday morning.

On Fox's network news station in Washington, DC, "Ask Allison" answers a viewer's question about why our lovely borough is called "The Bronx"? This is a good question. Allison says it's for two reasons: because the borough's main inhabitant and land owner was Jonas Bronck, so people would say, "we're going to the Bronck's farm." It's also, because people called the river running through the borough, "the Bronx River." I believe Allison is correct, although I've always been told that it's important to note that the borough is named after the river, not Jonas Bronck. Although, if the river is named after Jonas Bronck, isn't that pretty much the same as naming the borough after the person? Where's Lloyd Ultan when you need him? Here's the video:

Ask Allison - The Bronx: MyFoxDC.com

BxNN Annual Appeal: Donate Today!

We'd like to remind everyone that we are in the middle of our annual fundraising appeal. If you value the news and information that you get on this blog, please donate to our campaign today!

If you'd like to go straight into PayPal, click here. If you have any questions about how your donation will be used, feel free to email me, BxNN's Development Associate, at isalazar@mpcbronx.org.

Even small donations will add up to make a big difference for our programs.

And check out videos from some of our fans, Rosemary Ordonez-Jenkins of Phipps Community Development Corporation and Councilman Fernando Cabrera. We'll have more videos on Monday, so stay tuned. In case you missed this week's video, here's Andrew Boryga, a graduate of our Bronx youth journalism program. After completing our program, Andrew went on to intern and write for The New York Times. Currently, Andrew is a sophomore at Cornell University.

Andrew Boryga for BxNN from Bronx News Network on Vimeo.

Free Flu Shot Vouchers for District 14 Residents

For those of you who want to avoid the flu this winter season (and don't we all?), Councilman Fernando Cabrera's office is providing vouchers for free flu shots to 100 residents in his district on a first come, first serve basis. To be eligible, you must be over 18 years of age, uninsured, and live in the 14th City Council District--i.e. Fordham, Kingsbridge, and Morris Heights. Here's a map of the district courtesy of Gotham Gazette.

Here's some information from the press release: "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can result in death. People who are at high risk to develop flu conditions include; young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions such as asthma. The best way to avoid catching the flu is to get vaccinated each year."

For more information, contact Community Liaison Anthony Springer at Cabrera's office: (347) 590-2878

Bronx CM Cabrera on His Gang Prevention Resolution; Plus Two Cabrera Stories

[Video: Councilman Fernando Cabrera discusses his new gang violence prevention resolution.]

Two quick, random and unrelated stories from my day with first-year (he doesn't like the term "rookie") Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who introduced a resolution Wednesday calling on Congress to pass a bill that would fund gang violence prevention programs.

In the elevator heading up to Cabrera's office on the 17th floor of 250 Broadway, across the street from City Hall I asked Cabrera if he, as the new kid on the block, got stuck with the worst office.

Actually, Cabrera said, it wasn't all that bad.

That's when Charles Barron, the Brooklyn councilman who challenged the leadership of Christine Quinn earlier this year and has been suffering from the fallout ever since, looked over with a raised eyebrow and the slightest smile.

"No," he said. "I have the worst office. That's what happens when you fight with the speaker."

In Wake of Bronx Bias Attacks, Councilman Cabrera to Introduce Anti-Gang Resolution

Councilman Fernando Cabrera

Fernando Cabrera, the rookie Councilman from the 14th District in the Bronx, said the recent bias attacks in his district exposed the city's lack of a comprehensive gang violence prevention strategy and he wants Congress to act on a bill that could help remedy the situation.

That's why on Wednesday, Cabrera will introduce a resolution in the Council calling on Congress to act on H.R. 3526, which seeks to "develop a comprehensive gang violence prevention strategy." Cabrera says it will also provide funding for nonprofit groups that already work to prevent gang violence or would like to if they had the money.

“We were all horrified in October of this year when it was reported that several young men were kidnapped and brutally tortured by Latin King “Goonies” because of their perceived sexual orientation,” Cabrera said in a statement released earlier today. “But as many of you know, this incident is neither the beginning nor the end of the gang problem present in our city,” he continued.

“As we have experienced an uptick in violent crime in our city, it is imperative that we attack gang-related issues with a comprehensive, communal effort,” Cabrera said. “This is why I’m calling on Congress to pass legislation that develops a gang prevention strategy.”

Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 30

Mayor Bloomberg wasted no time in yanking Bronx teacher Melissa Petro from her classroom at PS 70 after he learned of her very public musings about her past as a sex worker.

Councilman Fernando Cabrera, whose district includes PS 70, chimed in about Petro--and her tenure--in a panel discussion on Fox News yesterday. Watch the video here.

A group of Bronx high school students are weighing in on the debate over the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory.

BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank was on the radio program The Perez Notes yesterday to talk about his show and Bronx politics.

A Parkchester man turned himself in to authorities yesterday for allegedly beating a traffic cop who gave him a ticket.

The Daily News has footage of two sets of baby tiger cubs born at the Bronx Zoo. 

Vandals spray painted and etched swastikas into the green at Van Cortland Golf Course yesterday.

Cesar Mercado, the Nicaraguan diplomat who was found dead in his Mount Hope apartment last week, had ingested a bottle of Drano cleaner before he died, according to police.

A new breakdown of Census figures ranks Jose E. Serrano's South Bronx Congressional District as the poorest in the country, with 38 percent of residents living below the poverty line.

The much talked about change in street signs this week--where the DOT is replacing capital letters with lowercase ones--is part of a federal mandate intended to "improve readability." It'll cost the state a whopping $27 million to make all the required replacements.

The murder rate is up across New York City, with a particularly high rise in the number of killings in the North Bronx--the rate went up 46 percent this year.

Actress Rosie Perez, in a video released by gay rights group Fight Back NY, told Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. that she is "extremely disappointed" in him for his opposing stance on gay marriage. "You are not speaking for the majority of New York Latinos," she said.

Bronx-born actor Tony Curtis died yesterday at the age of 85.

The Department of Homeless Services has shut out hundreds of families from using the agency's "Homebase" program in an attempt to see how effective it is.

Help for Homeowners in Council District 14

Last week’s Homeowner Resource Fair attracted more than 40 households to community space at 2270 Walton Avenue near East 183^rd Street.  Co-sponsored by University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) and City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, the fair targeted neighborhoods that have not received much attention during the recent foreclosure crisis.

While apartment buildings dominate the landscape of City Council District 14, there are more than 2,000 one-to-four family homes spread throughout its neighborhoods.  These neighborhoods had some of the highest rates of subprime lending in the City during the last decade, and there have been about 170 foreclosure filings within the district since July of 2008 (about one in every 12.5 private homes).  

Despite the torrential downpour that plowed through the Bronx at around 5:30 that evening (and leveled trees in parts of Brooklyn and Queens), turnout and feedback were impressive for a homeowner event in the west Bronx. 

Attendees were able to speak directly with staff from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding water billing issues, while foreclosure prevention counselors from the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center and the Parodneck Foundation also met individually with homeowners.  Free weatherization kits and information were handed out by the Weatherization Assistance Program of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.

Customer Representatives from DEP had their computers with them and were able to access and review the accounts of 26 homeowners that evening.  Attendees received assistance with usage clarification, payment plans, and metering and leakage problems.

Councilman Cabrera was on hand for the duration of the event and heard from homeowners on a number of issues. “Homeowners in the district face unique challenges such as high water bills and foreclosure issues; just to name a few,” stated the Councilman.  “When I get the chance to partner with organizations like University Neighborhood Housing Program that help remedy some of these issues, I welcome the opportunity.”

Homeowners that were unable to attend the fair but have issues regarding foreclosure, water billing, or are interested in weatherization are urged to call the UNHP outreach line at 718-933-2539 for assistance and referrals.

Fernando Cabrera to Endorse Gustavo Rivera

There will be press conference at 10 a.m. in front of the Kingsbridge Armory to announce Councilman Fernando Cabrera's endorsement of Gustavo Rivera as he seeks to unseat Pedro Espada Jr. in the 33rd Senate District.

Rivera's received a slew of endorsements over the past several weeks, including unions and city and state elected officials (yesterday, former Boro Prez and mayoral candidate Freddy Ferrer joined the Rivera camp).

Cabrera, who's 14th Council District lies entirely within the 33rd Senate District, could bring a good deal of manpower to Rivera's bid if he taps into his politically savvy congregation at New Life International Outreach Church, the church Cabrera founded in the northwest Bronx two decades ago and helped him unseat Maria Baez last fall.

We'll have more on this later. Stay tuned.

Mess of the Moment Update: Con Ed Cleans Up

We'll call it the "power of the Mess." In response to our "Mess of the Moment" blog post two weeks ago, Councilman Fernando Cabrera's office called Con Edison to ask the energy provider to take care of the eyesore, which is in his 14th Council District. On July 6, a week after the post appeared here on the blog, Con Edison responded by sending a crew to clean up the pile of barricades and cement blocks, which blocked parking spots in front of an apartment building and neighboring houses.

Before (above); After (below)

Editor's Note: The "Mess of the Moment" is a periodic feature on the blog. If there is a mess that you want highlighted or paid attention to, send photos of a location (or at least a locationa and description) to bronxnewsnetwork@gmail.com or just tell us about it in the comments section of this post.