Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting With City Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez on Proposed Men’s Shelter at 2028 White Plains Road
By Robert Press
The meeting held Tuesday opened up with Pelham Parkway neighborhood Association President Edith Blitzer criticizing a flyer that was made up that the PPNA knew of the Adult Men’s Shelter proposed for 2028 White Plains Road. Ms. Blitzer said when the public knew the PPNA did. The scheduled guest for the meeting was new City Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez.
The councilwoman arrived a little late saying that she was held up as the council is working on a revised Outdoor dining guide that includes sidewalk and street dining. She included the proposed new fee structure, as there was no collection of fees during the two years of the pandemic. She then asked if there were any questions, whereas the subject of a proposed 140 bed single adult men’s shelter to be located at 2028 White Plains Road was introduced. Councilwoman Velazquez stated that the building was not in her council district the 13th, but in the neighboring 15th council district.
There were claims that the councilwoman did not care about the community, and there were demands that she take a position, but she again said that this proposed shelter was not in her council district. She said what does the community want? Some said no shelter, others said a family shelter, a couple of people said the men’s shelter, and there was even a call to move it to Bronx Park East by a community leader from there.
The conclusion was that the PPNA will coordinate with other neighborhood organizations in the area of the three proposed shelters, both city council members, and the Bronx Borough President’s office to provide a united front against the single adult men’s shelters, and to come up with one strategy to be used against the Department of Homeless services.
Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez speaks as members of the Executive Board of the PPNA are around her. This reporter who took these photos, is also a member of the PPNA Executive Board.
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