Block Party Planning Session II

A second planning session for Friends of the Woods' August 30th block party is taking place 11:30 am this Saturday at University Heights Presbyterian Church (2617 University Ave.).

The session seeks to give local residents an opportunity to discuss what they would like to see at the party and to voice their concerns over the possible destruction of University Woods.

University Woods has become the site of an on-going debate between the local community board, who want the land developed, and a number of local residents who have been working to clean up the park and preserve it as a usable public space.

University Woods, near BCC, is often derided as New York City's worst park; though it has seen marked improvements from organized community clean-ups by Friends of the Woods.

For information about this Saturday, call (718) 295-1220 or 718-228-9309, e-mail thewoods@inbox.com, or visit www.uniwoods.com

Construction on Jerome may be home to new charter school

Construction of a new 4-story, 56,000 square foot office space is underway at the corner of Jerome Avenue and 177th St. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2009. The building's owner, Frank DeLeonardis, hopes to lease the building to one tenant; particularly looking to house a charter school.

The building's contractor, Kudos Construction Corporation, has been working on the site for the past couple of months; which previously was home to a gas station. Dutch Bodnar, Director of Construction for the project, also oversaw the construction of Bronx Charter School of Excellence in the Bronx and Democracy Prep Charter School in Harlem.

Haze surrounding occupancy of the new Jerome Avenue space leads to questions as to whether an "office space" construction will be suitable for the placement of a new school. A "Plan B" situation of finding a different tenant if a school does not take the space is yet to be made public, Bodnar said.

DeLeonardis is currently unavailable, and could not be reached for comment.

Bronx Charter School of Excellence is located on 1960 Benedict Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462
Democracy Prep Charter School is located on 222 W. 134th Street, New York, NY 10030

"Bronx is Burning" Comment Left Unupdated

Juan Gonzalez takes a look at how little love the Bronx is getting, despite being the home of the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15. He reminds of us of Howard Cosell's famous words at the 1977 World Series: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is burning." The least Major League Baseball could do, borough leaders say, is hold one significant All-Star week event in the resurgent borough. But they're getting the cold shoulder. Bill Aguado of the Bronx Council on the Arts says a group of Bronx nonprofit leaders wrote to MLB a year ago asking them to help the world see the new Bronx. All they got was a nasty reply ordering them to cease and desist using the term "All-Star," because it's trademarked.

Controversy surrounds Davidson Jr.'s death

Three days after 18-year-old Highbridge resident and basketball star Andre "Pop" Davidson Jr. collapsed and died, his death remains wrapped in controversy.

Davidson, a starter this past season at John F. Kennedy High School, collapsed Saturday afternoon at St. Mary's Rec Center in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, while competing in a one-day basketball tournament. The gym where he was playing does not have an air-conditioner, and many of Davidson's family members told the Highbridge Horizon today that they believe his death was heat-related.

Megan Cuccia, a spokesperson for the city medical examiner's office, said the cause of Davidson's death was under investigation, and that further tests needed to be performed. Cuccia said she could not release any of the examiner's preliminary findings.

Addressing reporters yesterday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg downplayed suggestions that the lack of air conditioning at St. Mary's was to blame for Davidson's death.

"I haven't seen the Medical Examiner's report about exactly what happened," Bloomberg said.

"Generally, 19-year-olds [sic] don't drop dead of heart attacks, or whatever happened in this case. And it's not clear that air conditioning would have made any difference."

Calls to St. Mary's Rec Center late Tuesday afternoon were referred to the city parks department, which had not returned requests for comment as of this posting.

Davidson is not the first member of his family to die under controversial circumstances. On August 15 1997, his father, Andre Davidson Sr. , died at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, NY, after suffering an asthma attack. A nurse took 40 minutes to respond to other inmates' calls for help, and, upon finally arriving, did not have resuscitation equipment.
The elder Davidson's mother, Beverly, ultimately won a lawsuit against the state of New York and was awarded $900,000.

The younger Davidson's 16-year-old brother, Brandon Givens, is also asthmatic, but Givens said Davidson was not. Davidson's family described him as extremely healthy, and said he did not have any medical conditions that would have made him especially sensitive to heat.

Asked if he was taking any medications that could have played a role in his death, his mother, Nicole Givens, answered in the negative. "He wouldn't even take his vitamins," Givens said.

Davidson's great-grandmother, Rhoda Lucas -- who raised Davidson since 1993-- said she last saw him alive around 12:30 pm on Saturday, when he left her home on Woodycrest Avenue for St. Mary's Rec Center. A few short hours later, she received a phone call from one of his teammates, who informed her that Davidson had collapsed and urged her to rush to the gym. By the time she arrived at St. Mary's, an ambulance was taking her great-grandson to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

David Barbosa, a friend of Davidson's, was in the gym when Davidson collapsed. Barbosa said that on his final basketball play, Davidson stole the ball from the opposing team, went up for a lay-up, and was fouled, before falling backwards. Barbosa said Davidson then began bleeding from the mouth and nose. Friends and family also said that, after collapsing, Davidson began shaking; they said Davidson had never experienced a seizure before.

Davidson was the nephew of actress Robin Givens, who starred in films such as "Boomerang," (1992) and "Blankman" (1994). Her other acting credits include apperances on several television shows, including "Head of the Class," "The Cosby Show," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and "House of Payne."

Funeral services for Davidson are scheduled for 10am this Friday, July 8, at Mount Hermon Baptist Church on 1170 Nelson Avenue.

Upcoming Concerts in Bronx Parks

Wednesday, July 9 marks the first of three concerts to be held in Crotona Park as part of the City Parks Foundation’s Free Concert Series. This week’s performer is Johnny Pacheco Y Su Tumboa, a living legend of Latin music who has worked with a wide range of artists from Celia Cruz and Tito Puente to David Byrne and Stevie Wonder. This concert will be followed by performances on July 16 and July 23. All concerts begin at 7pm and take place on a mobile stage near 173rd and Crotona Park East (close to Indian Lake and the NYC Parks Dept. House).

City Parks Foundation host concerts throughout New York City, including three performances at St. Mary’s Park (July 8, 15, and 22)

Online Now: the July Edition of the Monitor

July's Mount Hope Monitor is now online. Stories include:

Community Center Coming This Summer

Open Hydrants Draw Fire

Among Immigrants, a Reluctance to Call 911

Dogfighting Ring Smashed

We're skipping August, so the next paper will come out Sept. 1.

Basketball star's brother shares memories

Brandon Givens, younger brother of the late basketball star Andre Davidson Jr. , shared his memories with the Highbridge Horizon Monday afternoon.

Andre "Pop" Davidson Jr. , 18, collapsed while playing a basketball tournament game Saturday afternoon at St. Mary's Rec Center, in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Lincoln Hospital.

The cause of death remains unclear. The passing of Davidson -- a renowned playground basketball player in Highbridge who averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds per game as a starter for John F. Kennedy High School this past season -- has brought grief to his neighborhood, friends, and family.

"Me and him was the best of friends," Givens said, as he sat on the steps outside the home where he and Davidson lived with their great-grandmother, Rhoda Lewis. "We loved each other.

We were close together -closer than anybody."

Givens said his brother earned the nickname "Pop" early in life. "They gave him that name when he was little," Givens explained. "He was so skinny, they used to call him 'popsicle.' "

Givens said that Davidson liked to instruct his younger sibling both off the court and on it, often coaching Givens on shooting and other elements of basketball. He described Davidson as a fearless competitor who admired NBA stars Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady because of their "explosive" quickness on offense and their jump-shooting abilities. In addition to Nelson Park in Highbridge, Givens said, "Pop" took on all challengers in Orchard Beach, Washington Heights, and courts throughout the city. And he wasn't afraid to have some fun doing it.

"He loved to talk trash," Givens said. "He'd be like, 'Guard up, little boy.'"

In addition to the time they spent together at the basketball court, Givens said he and Davidson liked to hang out together at friends' houses and in midtown Manhattan. He added Davidson frequently told him that if he moved away from Highbridge, he wanted Givens to accompany him.

Givens, who just completed junior high-school at IS 229 in Morris Heights, will attend Kennedy High School next fall. Like his brother, he plans to excel on the school's basketball squad. And, also like his brother, he plans to wear #23.

"When I play varsity, they're gonna give me his jersey," Givens said. "And every time I play, I'll think about him."

Highbridge resident, basketball star dies

Andre Davidson Jr. a former basketball star at John F. Kennedy High School who was beloved by his Highbridge community, died Saturday doing what he loved.

Davidson, known to loved ones as "Pop", collapsed during a basketball tournament game at St. Mary's Rec Center, in the Mott Haven sectio of the South Bronx. He was only 18 years old, and had graduated from Kennedy High only days earlier. The Daily News reported this morning on Davidson's death; the News quotes Davidson's great-grandmother, Rhoda Lucas, as saying the cause of death is unknown at this time.

Davidson's family is in the process of planning funeral services, expected to take place later this week.

Residents of Highbridge -- especially those on Woodycrest Avenue between W. 166th and W. 167th Streets, where Davidson lived with Lucas --are grieving today. Manuel and Jaison Rodriguez, 16 and 17 years old respectively, sat on a staircase adjacent to Davidson's home as they shared memories of a friend they had known since childhood; the three met on a basketball court roughly ten years ago, when all of them were small children.

"We had a good childhood together," Jaison Rodriguez said. "We played a lot of crazy games. We played tag and stuff."

Manuel and Jaison said their friend's favorite NBA player growing up was Allen Iverson, and that Davidson often wore Iverson's replica jersey. After awhile, Manuel said, he was too small to keep pace with his friend on the court. But Davidson's reputation grew along with his height.

"He was crazy good," Rodriguez said. "Like one of the best players in Highbridge. He was guaranteed to go to the NBA, I know that for a fact. He was that good." Asked to assess Davidson's strengths as a player, Rodriguez replied, "He just liked dunking on everybody."

Rodriguez added that Davidson was also known for his sense of humor, his fashion sense -- which earned him another nickname, "Mr. Smooth" --and his compassion.

"I could say he always had my back," Rodriguez said. "He was a real giving person too. If I ever needed something, I could go right to his house, he'd give it to me."

A memorial in front of Davidson's home indicates the impact his death has already had on his neighborhood. Four sheets of posterboard are filled with handwritten messages like "Love you so much. I will always miss your big, bright smile," and "R.I.P. Pop. You will always live on through Highbridge."

One of the sheets displays a photo of Davidson wearing his red graduation cap and gown.

Many of the messages express shock at their friend's passing.

"Just the other day, we was laughing at you punk," reads one. "Now we can't believe you not here anymore."

Visit the "Floating Lady" this Holiday Weekend

The “Floating Pool Lady,” a seven-lane pool on a barge, opened on June 27 in Barretto Point Park in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx. The pool barge will be docked on a pier in the East River by this park through September 1, 2008 (Labor Day). The pool is open Monday through Sunday from 11am to 7pm. The presence of the Floating Pool Lady is a great attraction to draw residents to this beautiful park that opened in October of 2006. While the Floating Pool is operating, the MTA will run buses every 30 minutes to the park from the Prospect Avenue 2 and 5 train station and the Hunts Point Avenue 6 train stop. The freshwater pool features a pool house, locker rooms, bathrooms, and a gangplank connecting land lubbers to the pool. The entire facility is ADA compliant.

From the pool deck, visitors have beautiful views of North Brother Island (site of the sinking of the General Slocum in 1904, NYC’s worst maritime disaster, and former location of Riverside Hospital home to Typhoid Mary) and New York City’s waterfront.

Bronx News Roundup

Two storied local high schools – Evander Childs and Walton -- closed their doors for good this week, though both of them are now home to several smaller themed high schools.

The Yankees and the city are on the hot seat this morning as Assemblyman Richard Brodsky holds a hearing on the stadium deal, with special attention to its tax exempt financing and other sweeteners. Juan Gonzalez has the story.

Newsday takes a look at the controversial tax exempt bonds fueling the Yankee Stadium project.

The Daily News’ Bob Kapstatter says the Bloomberg administration is adopting a “bunker mentality” when it comes to the Yankee project, making the Parks Department and its press officers refer all Yankee inquiries from the press to City Hall.

The Times reports extensively today on an affidavit filed in federal court that suggest that the contractor that dug the giant hole in Van Cortlandt Park for the filtration plant has been closely involved with the mob.

Bronx Tourism Gets National Spotlight

Check out this story about Bronx tourism opportunities from the USA Today Travel section. Mostly focuses on the Botanical Garden, the borough's expansive parks and other green spaces. It also touches on the Bronx's burgeoning restaurant scene and, of course, the Yankees.

The story quotes a couple of random people, including a French tourist at the Garden and a guy named Robert Francelli, who was ordering lunch at Mike's Deli on Arthur Avenue.

The author didn't talk to the Bronx Tourism Council, but did speak with George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the city's marketing and tourism organization.

And speaking of the Yankees, the story doesn't mention the upcoming All-Star game on July 15 that will be played in the Bronx at the soon-to-be-replaced Yankee Stadium. It might be because most of the events, besides the game, are happening in Manhattan. It seems like the borough could do more to capitalize on this event, but we haven't heard anything.

Fast Buses Make Debut, Cause Some Confusion

New York City’s first bus rapid transit line was announced yesterday at a press conference headlined by Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s CEO Elliot G. Sander and a handful of other MTA, New York City Transit, Department of Transportation and elected officials at Fordham Plaza in the northwest Bronx.

The new Select Bus Service line will complement the popular Bx12 Limited route and will cut across the middle of the Bronx, from Inwood in Manhattan to the Bay Plaza Mall or Orchard Beach in east Bronx. Transit officials say there is a five-minute cut in travel time due to bus innovations.

The service actually started on Sunday, but made its official and staged debut Monday morning.

There are three big changes that riders must adjust to along with the two-toned buses with the polka dot seats. Riders must pay before they board –- with their MTA card or with cash for the standard $2 fare -- but can board by either front or rear doors. Also, dedicated bus lanes and traffic signal priority and coordination will be in place to help speed up the new bus line.

Riders yesterday were confused at having to pay before boarding, but transit aides helped guide the process. It's unclear how long the aides will continue to help riders adjust to the new system. And yes, every official there took the Select Bus Service through the Bronx after the press conference.

The Times took a ride on the bus yesterday and also found confusion among riders.

-Reporting and Photo by Stephen Baron