NEWS FROM BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD #10
Contact Bronx Community Board #10 at 718-892-1161
Bronx Community Board #10 recently completed the budgetary cycle of meetings for the FY 2015 Budget. Among the activities centering on this process, was a Public Hearing, where the Board heard from responsible groups in the Board’s service area, as to what they wanted to see in the form of City funded capital and expense projects.
The Board area contains a considerable amount of water front space that is not being used effectively. For the past year, the Mayor’s Office and the Department of City Planning have been examining the future use of the City’s waterfronts, with the goal of enhancing its recreational and commercial potential. With this goal in mind, the Board has developed capital and expense priorities that call for waterfront improvements. Among its recommendations, are the dredging of the Hammond Cove Marina and Locust Point Marina. The Hammond Cove Marina is municipally owned, while the Locust Point Marina is private. Both serve the pleasure boating population of the Bronx and lower Westchester which empty into the East River. The properties could accommodate more boats and the marinas recreational potential could be greatly enhanced if the waterway outside of the marinas were to be dredged. Other waterfront-related improvements call for the renovation of the landmarked, art deco elliptical buildings at Orchard Beach, to become a year round public performing and arts space. The Board also asked for the development of a passive park along the waterfront of the Hutchinson River in Co-op City. Other waterfront related projects that resulted in Board requests were the restoration of full ambulance service to Orchard Beach and the modeling of the Northeast Bronx for ferry serviced to Manhattan.
In a separate document, the Board has proposed the dredging of Westchester Creek, at Westchester Square. Westchester Creek has historically served as this community’s portal to the larger New York Harbor. In the 19th Century ships bearing goods from as far away as China tied up at the Ferris family’s docks at Westchester Square. Today, the Creek is home to several industrial and commercial uses, but its value as a community resource is limited because it too, is silted and is in need of dredging. To this end, the Board has submitted a request to the City’s Economic Development Corporation for assistance in dredging this waterway. The Board views Westchester Creek as having the potential to be an excellent site for the harmonious operations of business and passive recreation.
With the development of the Target Mall on Brush Avenue, the proposed mega mall on the site of the former Whitestone Cinema and the greatly expanded Bay Plaza, featuring a free standing Macy’s store, all offering free parking, the Board felt that it was important to maintain and enhance the area’s older shopping districts such as Pelham Bay and Throggs Neck. To this end, the Board has suggested that the depressed road cut of I95
running from E. Tremont Avenue to Amendola Plaza be decked over and used as public parking. This would provide safe parking for customers patronizing the stores in these areas.
The above items are only a small sample of the capital and expense items that the Board submitted to the Mayor and the Office of Management and Budget for consideration. Other requests included street and park enhancements, the return of the drug module to the 45th Precinct, new sewers and funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program. A full listing can be obtained from the Board’s office.
Recently, the Board learned that one of its major budgetary requests, the assignment of additional officers to the 45th Precinct has been met. For many years, the Board has strongly advocated for the assignment of additional officers to the 45th Precinct and we received them within the past month. The Board wishes to thank the collective efforts of our elected officials for their advocacy, as well. The fact that these officers were assigned to the 45th Precinct, is an indication of the united front that the Board and our electeds regularly present to the City’s central government, in securing services for the area. Our Board continues its advocacy for the return of the drug module to the 45th Precinct. This important unit contains officers and supervisors, who are specifically trained and equipped, to prevent the sale of narcotics. The 45th Precinct had such a unit and it now shares that grouping with the 43rd Precinct. We still continue our advocacy, and hope that the new Mayoral administration will see fit to restore it to the 45th Precinct.
Graffiti is the scourge of our City, it is not art and it detracts from the appearance of both public and private property. Bronx Community Board #10, our elected officials, along with volunteers from the NYPD 45th Precinct, local schools and community members took to the streets recently, and painted out dozens of locations. This is the first in what we hope to be a series of events aimed at eradicating this problem from our midst.
One of the biggest issues facing the Community is the maintenance of City trees. Trees are not only beautiful, but they are essential to the maintenance of our collective health. They act as air filters, cleaning the air. Over 70% of the Board’s surface area is covered by green canopy. In its budget message, the Board called for an increase number of tree pruners and additional equipment, such as tree stump removers. The Board’s Chair, John Marano recently testified at a New York State Senate Hearing Chaired by Senator Tony Avella (Queens) on the matter of New York City’s tree policies. In his statement, Mr. Marano mentioned the importance of funding for tree pruners and climbers, stump removal services and tree maintenance. He also mentioned the importance of consulting with the communities on where new trees are to be planted by organization’s such as PlaNYC.
The Board has received word from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. that District Council 9 of the Painters Union will be hosting open application days for the positions of Dry Wall Taper apprentices and Structural Steel Bridge painters. The Union will be distributing 500 applications on a first come first served basis. Applicants must 18 years of age and have a high school/GED diploma. For the Dry Wall Taper positions (Local 1974), the applications will be distributed on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Union’s Training Center, located at 45-15 36th Street in Long Island City, Queens. For those interested in the Structural Steel Bridge painter positions (Local 806) report to the above location on Friday, January 10, 2014, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Additional information can be obtained by contacting 718-937-7440.
Many of us are truly fortunate in having four legged friends; please remember to clean up after your dog. It is very important for the health of your dog and your neighbors.
Besides, there is a $250.00 fine for failing to clean up after your pet and violating the pooper-scooper law.
Bronx Community Board #10 is available to assist you with your concerns, please feel free to contact us at 718-892-1161 or BX10@cb.nyc.gov. Please feel free to visit our office at 3165 E. Tremont Avenue. We are open five days a week between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
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