What's Happening In Coop City?
The Dumpling Cove
Kerieth Mair, born in Hopewell, Hanover, Jamaica, educated at Rusea’s High School, Jamaica, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, NY, earning an Associate Degree. Mr. Mair also graduated from Pratt Institute School of Engineering in Brooklyn, New York, where he earned a Batchelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Mr Mair is presently Owner and CEO of The Dumpling Cove Restaurant, located at 1530 E. 222 Street, Bronx, New York, he has been in the restaurant business for two decades. The Dumpling Cove Restaurant has served the Bronx and lower Westchester communities for the past twenty years by providing the most authentic, Caribbean dishes. It was an idea, a dream and the specific intention of Mr. Mair to make the Dumpling Cove Restaurant a unique eating experience for all. The Dumpling Cove Restaurant brings the Caribbean vibes to New York, in it’s look, atmosphere, certainly the taste and quality of the dishes served. The restaurant although been Caribbean, it specializes in Jamaican nostalgic dishes like fried dumplings, all types of Jamaican favorite fried fish and steamed fish including snapper, ackee&saltfish, boiled yam, banana, curried goat and oxtail. The restaurant has a liquor license and serves some exotic mixed drinks and many beer and wines. The restaurant boast one of the best outdoor patio in Bronx, which is used and enjoyed almost all year by the the truly dedicaed customers.
Mr. Mair besides serving up great food and drinks at his restaurant, spends a lot of time supporting all community Organizations, especially Jamaican/Caribbean organizations, High School Fundraisers, Church Organizations, Children’s Christmas Toy Drives and a Annual Back to School Book Giveaway and other school Donations.
Mr. Mair is no stranger to supporting the community, before he operated a restaurant, he worked for the people of New York at New York City Transit (NYCT) for thirty years before he retired in May 2014. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer, designing New Technology Subway Train Cars, Work Train Cars, Quality Control for all major Train equipments, and New Train Car Acceptance, ensuring trains are in proper compliance to NYCT rules and regulations and Warranty for trains and equipments to operate as they were designed to work for their specified times. Mr Mair has travelled in the US, Canada and even Japan for his responsibilities with NYCT, he cherishes the memories made while traveling and friendships made with co-workers and the many contractors at NYCT over the many years.
He is a proud member of DC 37 Union which is affiliated with some of New York largest unions.
He participated in the union for decades and was active in participating in marches and demonstrations leading to better wages and living conditions for New York City workers and their families.
Mr Mair is well known and respected in the community because the Dumpling Cove Restaurant is an internationally known restaurant supported by celebrities of Jamaica, United States, England and the Caribbean Diaspora. Mr. Mair vision is to see Caribbean business, especially Jamaican businesses flourish in all of New York and all over the US Caribbean and Non-Caribbean communities.
A Special Invitation!
"Networking Nights: Cocktails and Conversations for Entrepreneurs"
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, a vibrant gathering of local entrepreneurs took place at the business networking soirée, Cocktails and Conversation, held at The Dumpling Cove, located at 1530 E 222nd St #2619, Bronx, NY 10469. Attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their ventures, exchanging business cards amidst the enjoyment of exquisite Caribbean cocktails. “Cocktails and Conversation aims to provide a space where local business owners can engage in meaningful, face-to-face networking,” stated the founder and organizer, Patricia McDow. This event is scheduled to recur on every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at The Dumpling Cove, with attendees encouraged to bring an abundance of business cards. Additionally, a virtual meeting is hosted on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81899987787?pwd=WkhuSEtKSXZjTWxhZG8vU0NidUZTZz09). We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming gathering.
Co-op City Public Safety Department
EMERGENCY DIAL – 911
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CO-OP CITY
2049 BARTOW AVENUE, BRONX NEW YORK 10475
| CCPD (Emergency) | 718 671-3050 |
| CCPD (Non-Emergency) | 718 320-3330 |
| Anonymous Tips | 718 879-6311 |
| Emergency Police and Medical assistance | 911 |
Street Co-naming for Fathers of Dominican Independence
Calle Duarte, Sanchez Y Mella
By Robert Press
The Northeast corner of the intersection of Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse has a new sign ‘Calle Duarte, Sanchez Y Mella. It means the streets of Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez, and Matias Ramon Mella the three leaders in the Dominican Republic’s fight for independence in 1844.
City Council members Pierina Sanchez and Oswald Feliz who represent the area surrounding Fordham Road and the Grand concourse were instrumental in getting the street co-naming for the three fathers of independence for the Dominican Republic. Also on hand were Congressman Adriano Espaillat (the first Dominican Congress member), Assemblyman George Alvarez, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, City Council member Amanda farias, and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer who arrived as the ceremony was ending.
Street Co-Naming - Angellyh Marieh Yambo Way
By Robert Press
It was one year prior that this sixteen year old was killed by senseless gun violence while on her way home from school at 1:45 PM. She was a couple of blocks from her high school University Prep when shots rang out killing her and injuring two other students from the school campus who were according to police caught in a gang crossfire.
In front of 3440 Bailey Avenue where Angellyh Marieh Yambo grew up was a new street sign to be unveiled with the signs Bailey Avenue and Bailey Pl. A street sign Angellyh Marieh Yambo Way to honor the young girl who wanted to be a doctor as requested by her parents and family at the place she grew up, and not the place she was murdered. That was done by City Council members Rafael Salamanca Jr. and Pierina Sanchez.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, City Council member Salamanca and Sanchez, family members, friends, and others joined in to celebrate this street co-naming for Angellyh Marieh Yambo to remember a fine young girl who grew up in the neighborhood.
Each of the family members and elected officials spoke decrying this senseless killing. Councilman Salamanca hosted the event and explained the process of street co-namings. Mayor Adams said in his speech that he wants to get guns off the streets, because they are killing people and there is no place for them in our society. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said it is a day to celebrate a life that was cut short, a bright young student cut down in her prime, and that this cycle of violence must be broken. Bronx District Attorney Clark said that she will get justice for the family.
Couch Theater
"Gladiator II"
BYLINE: By Demi Taveras
Photo Credit: Courtesy of MovieStillsDB
Photo Caption: Mark Eydelshteyn, left, and Mikey Madison star in “Anora.”
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“Gladiator II” (R) — The sequel to director Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” has finally arrived 24 years after the original film was released, but how will it hold up alongside its predecessor? Starring Paul Mescal (“Normal People”), Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”) and Denzel Washington (“The Equalizer 3”), the sequel picks up 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, and Rome is thick with corruption due to its psychotic twin emperors Geta and Caracalla. But Lucius (Mescal), the long-lost imperial heir, lurks in the shadows under the name “Hanno” and coincidentally becomes a gladiator when his North African kingdom gets conquered by the Roman army. Most reviews were positive, but critics did sound off on its likeness to the first film, whose magic cannot be imitated or repeated. Out now to rent. (Amazon Prime Video)
“A Real Pain” (R) — This short comedy-drama film seems to be a hidden gem for the upcoming 2025 award season, with it already receiving four nominations for the Golden Globes. Directed, written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg (“Manodrome”), the film follows American-Jewish cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) who embark on a trip to Poland to reconnect with their heritage. Throughout the trip, the two cousins’ personalities contrast completely as David assumes the honorable family-man role, while Benji is more free-spirited and laid-back with his life. But showing their complex love for each other against the backdrop of emotional moments in Jewish history makes for a very heartwarming watch indeed. Available to rent on Dec. 31. (Apple TV+)
“Anora” (R) — From Sean Baker, director of “The Florida Project,” this comedy-drama recently won the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May, and it’s also one to watch during the award season race. Mikey Madison (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) has received much praise for her performance as the titular character, a 23-year-old stripper living in Bright Beach, New York. During a night at work, Anora gets introduced to Vanya, the young son of a Russian oligarch, and he hires her to spend a week with him. The pair fly to Las Vegas with his entourage, where the two fall into a passionate love affair that seems everlasting. They marry, and just when Anora thinks she’s about to start her “happily ever after,” Vanya’s parents make moves to get the marriage annulled. Out now to rent. (YouTube)
“Carry-On” (PG-13) — This action-thriller out now starring Taron Egerton (“Blackbird”) and Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) is sure to keep you on your toes! Egerton plays Ethan, a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport who requests to work a shift on the baggage-scanning lane on Christmas Eve. In the middle of his shift, Ethan finds an earbud that he’s told to put on; through the earbud, a mercenary called the Traveler (Bateman) demands that Ethan let a dangerous carry-on suitcase through the scanning lane. Threatening Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend as blackmail, the Traveler gives him direct orders to follow, or else people will begin to die. But did he pick the right TSA agent? (Netflix)
SEC. FUDGE, SCHUMER, BOWMAN & HOCHUL ANNOUNCE FED CLOSING OF CO-OP CITY’S HUD LOAN REFINANCE; STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BACKING SUPPORTS RE-FI TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INJECTION OF OVER $100 MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE REPAIRS & CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN WORLD’S LARGEST HOUSING COOPERATIVE
The Bronx’s Co-op City To Receive $124 Million To Make Repairs & Upgrades For 45,000 Who Call It Home
Refinance Will Help Keep Co-op City In Tip-Top Shape For Residents In Increasingly Expensive Housing Market
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that Riverbay Corporation, the management company for Co-op City, HUD, Wells Fargo, the Mortgage Insurance Fund of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, and NYC Housing Development Corporation closed on the refinancing of Co-op City’s HUD loan, which will maintain long-term housing quality and affordability for the over 45,000 residents. Refinancing provides the housing company with $124 million in proceeds that will be used for capital improvements, including upgrades to the HVAC, façade maintenance, and electrical systems.
“We applaud the successful completion of the refinance for the Bronx’s Co-op City Complex,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The Biden-Harris Administration and HUD are committed to stabilizing the housing market nationwide using every tool at our disposal, including utilizing Federal Housing Administration multifamily mortgage insurance as a key financing source. From supporting larger loans in major metropolitan areas to smaller loans in rural communities and suburbs, HUD is proud to be a partner in creating and preserving affordable housing across the country.”
“The Bronx’s Co-op City provides an affordable home to more than 45,000 New Yorkers in an increasingly expensive housing market,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “That’s why I worked to secure a timely refinance agreement for Co-op City, which will help maintain the quality, viability and long-term affordability of this one-of-a-kind community. The deal will also improve the lives of the residents by allowing repairs and other improvements to be made, all while providing affordable housing for generations to come. We haven’t stopped pushing and working with HUD to lock in the refinance and we are proud to announce its closure.”
“Co-op City is truly a one-of-a-kind community, home to the largest affordable housing cooperative in America and more than 45,000 constituents that I am honored to serve, ” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (NY-16).“It is imperative that the Co-op City community has the funds needed to maintain their affordable housing and commercial space, which supports all who live there. I am proud to have worked alongside the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under Secretary Fudge’s leadership, Majority Leader Schumer, and Governor Hochul to advance a timely refinance agreement for Riverbay Corp, which will unlock significant capital funds for urgent repairs. Co-op City is a prime example of what cooperative housing can look like across this nation and I look forward to seeing how this loan refinance will continue to support making this community even more sustainable, livable and affordable.”
“My administration is committed to maintaining access to safe, quality affordable housing that enables New Yorkers to live with the dignity they deserve,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This transformative injection of capital funding will allow us to modernize Co-op City, the largest housing cooperative in the world, and ensure long-term affordability for its 45,000 residents.”
“One of HUD’s top priorities is the preservation of affordable housing, and this refinancing ensures Co-op City remains affordable for thousands of families,” said Alicka Ampry-Samuel, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “It is also crucial that this development remain safe and residents continue to live in updated, quality units, made possible by HUD FHA’s influx of funds. Co-op City families will benefit from these improvements and will be able to enjoy their community for many years to come.”
“This loan will assist us to maintain our buildings and infrastructure while reducing the need for our residents to pay huge fee increases,” said Co-op City Board President Bernard Cylich. “On behalf of the Board of Directors and residents, I want to thank all of the government agencies and elected officials who have supported us and worked together to get this loan closed.
“Wells Fargo is pleased to have again structured the long term financing for Co-op City,” said Alan Wiener, Head of Multi Family Capital for Wells Fargo. “Our commitment to providing long term financing for affordable and moderate income housing is unparalleled in the industry. We would like to congratulate our elected partners Senator Schumer, Representative Bowman and Governor Hochul, as well as our agency partners at HUD, New York State, and New York City who worked with us to make this possible.”
“I am enormously proud of this partnership that will protect affordable homeownership at Co-op City for another 35 years,” said Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “In addition to keeping maintenance fees stable for residents, the $621.5 million loan will finance much-needed capital repair projects to ensure that all 15,372 homes remain safe and secure for the long term. Generations of New Yorkers have benefitted from the ability to live affordably in this bustling and diverse community while building
“The refinancing of Co-op City represents a critical investment in our existing affordable housing stock at a time of urgent need,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Thanks to the collaboration of our partners and elected officials, this preservation effort will ensure lasting affordability and extensive capital repairs that will provide housing stability and improved quality of life to the thousands of New Yorkers that reside in this dynamic community.”
The 2012 Wells Fargo mortgage loan to Riverbay Corporation, which owns Co-op City, was the largest ever insured under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sec. 223(f) program, which protects lenders against loss on mortgage defaults at multifamily properties.
The restructured $621.5 million mortgage loan from Wells Fargo extends the term of affordability for an additional ten years and provides $124 million for the cooperative to undertake necessary capital repairs. With 15,372 homes, Co-op City is the largest cooperative housing development in the world. The Mortgage Insurance Fund of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, which is part of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and the New York City’s Housing Development Corporation, will provide credit support with $55 million and $15 million coverage of the loan, respectively. The loan includes $15 million for immediate capital repairs, including approximately $10 million for balcony and façade repair, $2.5 million for the replacement of residential water pumps and $2.5 million for the replacement of garage elevators. The loan also includes $109 million to replenish a reserve account for future repairs, all without raising maintenance charges for residents.
Co-op City is home to over 45,000 residents on 320 acres – the single largest co-op development in the country. The site has multiple schools, three commercial malls, and its own power plant. It has provided tens of thousands of families the opportunity to grow up in a stable middle-class community. This refinancing arrangement will help ensure tens of thousands more have that same opportunity and provide proceeds to make capital investments that will benefit residents for years to come.
The New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is the nation’s largest municipal Housing Finance Agency and is charged with helping to finance the creation or preservation of affordable housing for New Yorkers. HDC also serves as a key financing partner in the rehabilitation of our city’s public housing stock under the NYCHA Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) initiative. Since 2003, HDC has financed more than 201,000 housing units using over $28 billion in bonds and other debt obligations and provided in excess of $3 billion in subsidy from corporate reserves and other available funds held by the corporation. HDC ranks among the nation’s top issuers of mortgage revenue bonds for affordable multi-family housing on Thomson Reuter’s annual list of multi-family bond issuers. In each of the last five consecutive years, HDC’s annual bond issuance has averaged $2 billion. For additional information, visit: http://www.nychdc.com
An interview with Annemarie Sammartino
- What is your book about?
Freedomland tells the story of Co-op City from its tumultuous planning process in the 1960s through the largest rent strike in American History in the 1970s and the community’s reinvention after white flight in the 1980s. The book ends in the early 1990s, just as Co-op City celebrated its 25th anniversary and achieved some hard-won financial stability (in carrying charge rates, at least).
As residents well know, Co-op has been reviled for everything from its brutalist style to its role in the destabilization of the Grand Concourse neighborhoods, to the intransigence and irascibility of its residents, and the idea that its construction defects made it an unaffordable boondoggle. As I argue, each of these charges is somewhat overblown (okay, the construction defects were pretty bad). But the book isn’t just about Co-op City alone, it’s also a story about New York as a whole from the 60s to the present; of race, ethnicity, class and urban crisis, and neoliberalism–but also of community, resistance, and utopia.
- How did you come to write about Co-op City?
Well, the short version is that I grew up here and my mom and sister still live here. But there’s a longer version to that tale. Growing up, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of Co-op–I mostly just wished it was more exciting. I never thought in a million years that I would ever write about it. After College, I became a historian, specializing in German history, which meant I lived in Berlin for a number of years while I was working on my dissertation and first book. While I lived there, German friends would often ask where I grew up in New York. And I found myself often comparing Co-op City with this huge East German housing development, Marzahn, on the outskirts of Berlin. After making the comparison a thousand times, I started wondering why a development in the Northeast Bronx looked like one in Northeast Berlin. This led me to research global post-WWII modernist urban planning, and also to want to know more about Co-op City specifically. What I found was that Co-op City was mostly absent from histories of New York, but there was a fascinating story to tell. And so…I decided to tell it!
- What do you think is unique about Co-op City?
At the risk of cliche, I would say it’s Co-op City’s size. Co-op City was the largest housing development built by the United Housing Foundation, a cooperative housing developer that was backed by labor organizations and was responsible for projects across New York. It had the largest mortgage ever granted through the Mitchell Lama program. It was also home to the largest rent strike in American history in 1975-76. And while many have reviled Co-op City’s size–saying it was impossible to create a community in such a large development, or that the size meant that Co-op City had problems that were too large to fix–in reality, I found that Co-op City’s size was just as often a benefit. It’s a complicated story (and one I tell in the book), but one of the major reasons that the rent strike succeeded in achieving resident control was that Co-op City was literally too big to fail. Furthermore, the fact that Co-op City had representatives in Albany who were indebted to their Co-op City voters meant that sometimes Co-op City was able to get attention and assistance that other affordable housing communities often could not.
Another thing that is unique about Co-op City is that it is an exclusively middle class community in a city that has become increasingly unaffordable. One thing this means is that Co-op is a great deal–as many residents (inc. my own parents) said to me, “it’s the best deal in New York!” But another thing that I argue is that because residents were all from roughly the same class background, the racial transition of the 1970s and 1980s, when Co-op City became a majority non-white community was more peaceful than this transition was in a lot of other parts of the city. Co-op City was never the paradise that a lot of people hoped it would be, but I think the ability to create and sustain a middle class community in New York is a pretty impressive accomplishment.
- What do you hope residents get out of the book?
I am hoping that Freedomland will be read by a lot of different people. I hope it will be read by activists, by historians, by urban planners, etc. But maybe mostly, I am hoping it will be read by residents and former residents who realize how important they and their progenitors have been in making Co-op City, and indeed New York as a whole, the place that it has become. I am writing in part for people who, like me, may have under-estimated the place and its residents to realize just what an important place it really has been.
- What was your favorite part of researching the book?
I think my favorite part of working on the book was getting to see familiar places in an unfamiliar light. For example, one random fact: I found out that construction defects meant that there was a room in Truman that could only be used as a greenhouse, and I totally got a kick out of that. I also read through countless back issues of the Co-op City Times and City News and it was always interesting to see names and faces that were familiar. In some cases, my friends’ parents had been important figures in local politics and I had no idea! But maybe the best part was talking to current and former residents and hearing their stories. I loved learning random things from people, like how they played games in the basement tunnels of their buildings or how many different social clubs there were in Co-op City’s early years. I also found out that a bunch of early rappers had performed in Co-op, which made me feel like I’d really missed out by being born a little too late.
- How do I get a copy of the book?
Copies have been ordered for the Baychester Public Library. And it is available from amazon and Barnes and Noble, etc. But you can also go to the Cornell University Press website and order it there–if you do that and use the code 09BCARD when you do so, you can get 30% off of the list price.
leo.
Annemarie Sammartino grew up in the Alder Place townhouses and is now Professor and Chair of the History Department at Oberlin College.
Holiday Treats!!
Located at: 1664 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469 Phone 718-766-0032
Flashback
BYLINE: By Mick Harper
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1. Which artist had a hit with “Touch Me in the Morning”?
2. Who released “Just the Two of Us”?
3. “We Don’t Need Another Hero” was on the soundtrack for which film?
4. Which group released “The Love Cats”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “I’ve always been the kind of man who doesn’t believe in strings, Long term obligations are just unnecessary things.”
Answers
1. Diana Ross, in 1973. The song was her second solo single and appeared on her album of the same name.
2. Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers in 1980. The song climbed to No. 2 on the charts but was blocked from the No. 1 spot by “Bette Davis Eyes.” However, it netted a Grammy for Best R&B Song.
3. “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” in 1985, starring Mel Gibson. The song was nominated for multiple awards, including Best Original Song.
4. The Cure, in 1983.
5. “Every Which Way But Loose,” by Eddie Rabbitt, in 1978. The song was in the soundtrack of the film of the same name (starring Clint Eastwood and his orangutan Clyde). It stayed at the top of the charts as a single for several weeks.
We are saddened to share that Taina Tyson Grant Transitioned on November 1st, 2024. The Viewing will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 4-7 pm at First Baptist Church, 407 New Rochelle, NY 10708. Her favorite colors are orange and yellow. You are welcome to wear either of those colors to the service
COOP CITY!
What Bronx high school has the most (8) Nobel Prize. Winners?
Answer
Bronx High School of Science
Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS ® Honors Tony D’Anzica of Dynamax Realty Inc. in Manhattan as its 2024 “REALTOR ® of the Year”
Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS ® Honors
Tony D’Anzica of Dynamax Realty Inc. in Manhattan
as its 2024 “REALTOR ® of the Year”
OneKey® MLS Named 2024 HGAR “Affiliate Member of the Year”
White Plains, NY (November 2024) At its 108th Annual Meeting, held recently at the Westchester Marriot
Hotel in Tarrytown, the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS ® (HGAR) awarded Tony D’Anzica,
founder and president of Dynamax Realty Inc. in Manhattan with the Association’s “REALTOR® of the
Year award.” HGAR also presented the “Affiliate of the Year” Award to OneKey® MLS, with offices in
Westchester County and Long Island.
D'Anzica has been rooted in the real estate business for almost 20 years and has facilitated residential,
commercial and property management transactions. With a background as an attorney, he spent many years
representing landlords, tenants, developers and property managers before becoming a broker himself. He was
HGAR’s 2023 president and continues to serve on the HGAR Board of Directors.
In addition, he served as the former President of the Manhattan Association of REALTORS® and played an
integral role in the merger of this group with HGAR. Currently, D’Anzica co-chairs HGAR’s Global Business
Council and has been instrumental in developing the Association’s Global program and forging relationships
with several different countries around the world.
OneKey® MLS is the ninth-largest multiple listing service in the U.S., with more than 300,000 active, pending,
and sold listings and over 45,000 REALTOR® members across the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and
Long Island. Additional award winners included:
Albert P. Schatz Legislative Advocacy Award: Eli Rodriguez, Regional Government Affairs Director
and Director of HGAR’s Bronx Chapter. This award is presented to an individual who has
continuously advocated for his or her fellow REALTORS® and homeowners on local, regional and
national levels of government. Rodriguez served as the CEO of the former Bronx Manhattan North
Association of REALTORS® and played a key role in in its merger with HGAR.
Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Award: The entire Hudson Gateway REALTOR® Foundation.
The award is named for a brave young woman who was a victim of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, where
she had been volunteering to help families in need. HGRF is responsible for fundraising and volunteer
activities for charities and non-profits throughout New York City and the lower Hudson Valley.
Extra Mile Award: Shanese Williams of Real Broker NY LLC, based in Manhattan. This award is
presented to someone who has gone above and beyond in helping other agents. Williams is a graduate
of HGAR’s Leadership Accelerator Program and has been heavily involved in almost all Association
activities and events. She also serves on the executive board of the National Association of Real
Estate Brokers (NAREB) Westchester.
Excellence in Commercial Real Estate: Clayton Livingston of McGrath Realty Inc. in Pawling. This
award recognizes an individual who has been a driving force in the regional commercial real estate
market. Livingston chairs HGAR’s Commercial & Investment Division (CID) and has been involved with
the CID for many years, moderating and serving on various panels.
Up & Coming Award: Emran Bhuiyan of Exit Realty Premium in the Bronx. This awards give kudos
to those who show growing involvement with HGAR. Bhuiyan moved to New York from Bangladesh
just 10 years ago, learned English and is now Sales Director at his brokerage and a member of the
HGAR Board of Directors.
President’s Award: Lynda Fernandez, HGAR CEO, White Plains and Goshen. HGAR President
Carmen Bauman presented this award to the person who has made the greatest impact on her during
her presidency. Fernandez was appointed CEO at HGAR last year, after serving as CEO of the
Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS® for two years. She has more than 20 years of
experience in association management, government affairs, communications and international
business development.
The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS ® (HGAR) is a not-for-profit trade association including more
than 13,000 real estate professionals doing business in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties,
as well as the Bronx and Manhattan. It is the second largest REALTOR ® Association in New York, and one of
the largest in the country.
The MetroCard Bus will be in the Dreiser and Einstein Centers according to the following schedule:
Einstein Loop 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Dreiser Loop 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, July 31
Monday, September 30th
Wednesday, October 30th
Tuesday, December 30th
The MetroCard bus will be at the Bartow Center (Co-op City Blvd near the eye care store) on the first and third Thursday of the month, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Council Member Riley Spearheads Community Meeting with Key City Departments
On the brisk evening of Friday, October 25, 2024, Council Member Riley convened his monthly community gathering at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, marking a collaborative effort with the NYC Sanitation Department, ACE, CEO, and NYC H2O. The assembly aimed to address pressing urban issues and foster a dialogue between city officials and the community.
Antonio Whiter, the Assistant Director of Community Affairs at the Department of Sanitation, took the lead as the first speaker. He unveiled a new policy set to impact local businesses significantly: the introduction of fines for sanitation offenses. Businesses found in violation of city regulations for the first time will face a $50 penalty, escalating to $300 for a second offense, and $500 for subsequent violations. This move aims to encourage compliance and maintain cleanliness across the city.
The discussion also delved into the newly implemented trash can procedures, sparking a lively Q&A session. Many attendees expressed concerns and sought clarification on the nuances of this initiative. Despite the time constraints, which limited the ability to address all inquiries, Mr. Whiter recommended visiting www.bins.nyc for further information, promising a comprehensive resource for the community’s questions.
Following Mr. Whiter, Cynthia Brackett, the Director for Employment Opportunity, shared insights into her department’s commendable work with formerly incarcerated individuals. Through training programs focused on community beautification, trash collection, graffiti removal, and snow clearance, these efforts not only aid in urban improvement but also facilitate reintegration and skill development for participants. Additionally, the department offers extensive job search assistance and vocational training, underscoring a commitment to fostering employment opportunities and supporting vulnerable populations.
Councilmember Riley acknowledged the economic strains facing many residents and revealed that the City Council is exploring potential grant opportunities to alleviate these burdens. The meeting underscored the city’s dedication to addressing community concerns, enhancing urban living conditions, and supporting reentry efforts for formerly incarcerated individuals, reflecting a multifaceted approach to city governance and community engagement.
Continuing the Community Engagement: ACE and NYC H2O’s Contributions
Leo Gil, representing the Ace Association for Community Employment, highlighted their pivotal role in aiding shelter-involved individuals. Their efforts extend beyond mere employment, focusing on workforce development and environmental cleanliness, particularly along Gunhill Road and White Plains Road. This initiative not only aids in beautification but also in providing valuable skills and employment opportunities to those in need.
Matt Malina from NYC H2O took the stage to discuss their collaboration with local schools. His department’s work emphasizes environmental education and community clean-up efforts, aiming to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness among the younger generation regarding their surroundings.
Council Member Riley wrapped up the meeting by reviewing his latest legislative efforts and previewing upcoming events. A significant reminder was the expansion of Curbside Composting starting October 6. This initiative mandates the separation of leaves, yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper from regular trash, marking a significant step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. For those less comfortable with digital platforms, Council Member Riley reassured that assistance and answers to additional questions are readily available through calling 311, ensuring that all community members can participate in these crucial environmental efforts.
12/1/24
"Harmony and Heritage: A Classical Evening with The Lehman Chamber Players"
On a delightful Sunday, Lehman College’s Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance hosted a captivating recital featuring The Lehman Chamber Players. This talented trio included Emilie-Anne Gendron on violin, Hamilton Berry on cello, and Diana Mittler-Battipaglia on piano. Their performance was a journey through classical music history, featuring Beethoven’s Sonata in G Minor opus 5 no 2 for Cello from 1796, Turina’s Circulo opus 91 for Violin, Cello, and Piano from 1936, and Dvorak’s Trio in G minor opus 26 from 1876 for Violin, Cello, and Piano. Dr. Diana Mittler-Battipaglia, a professor of music, Choral Director, and Chair of the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance at Lehman College, showcased her expertise alongside her colleagues. Cellist Hamilton Berry, known for his association with the Grammy-nominated PUBLIQuartet, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Toomai String Quintet, and the Con Brio Ensemble, brought his renowned skills to the stage. Violinist Emilie-Anne Gendron, a celebrated member of Orpheus, the Momenta Quartet, and a participant in the Marlboro Music Festival and Musicians from Marlboro since 2011, added her exquisite touch to the performance. The recital offered an intimate and joyous experience of classical music at Lehman College, leaving the audience captivated.
Elected Officials Turkey Giveaway in Coop-City
By Robert Press
The residents of Coop-City came out as early as 8:30 A.M. to wait for their turn to receive a turkey from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Councilman Kevin Riley. The line went around the corner and around another corner at Einstein Loop, but there were plenty of turkeys for all those on line, and then some as over four-hundred turkeys were on hand to be given out.
Shortly after 1 P.M. the turkey giveaway began, but it was a good time to talk to the elected officials as many residents did, by speaking to one of the four elected officials. It was hard to tell if Councilman Riley, Assemblyman Benedetto, State Senator Bailey, or Borough President Gibson had the best time as they and their helpers handed out all the turkeys in record time.
Mayor Adams Speaks at NYPD Gospelfest at Coop-City
By Robert Press
Saturday October 5th was the NYPD Gospelfest at Coop-City with a filled auditorium of celebrators. Mayor Eric Adams was scheduled to attend and say a few words, but his arrival was late due to traffic coming up to the Bronx from midtown where he marched in the 40th Annual Korean American Parade.
When he arrived Pator Gooding introduced Mayor Eric Adams to an almost standing ovation. The mayor opened his sermon by saying “I hope my life is an open book.” He then spoke of his childhood where he was diagnosed with dyslexia and how he was able to overcome it by becoming a police officer and then on to becoming mayor of the greatest city.
Mayor Adams added that when he came into office there were many areas that needed help, he then said that he came to a Matthew moment. He said that he turned the table over at City Hall, speaking of some of his accomplishments like lower gun violence, higher test scores, and more new businesses.
Mayor Adams said that he is an outer borough mayor who has come to the Bronx more than any other mayor. He went to Rikers Island to be Baptized, and this is who he is, a bald headed man. “When people say step down, He will step up,” he said. Mayor Adams ended by saying he loves the city, and all of those in the audience.
On his way out Mayor Adams stopped to pose for a few photos with some attendees, and I was able to ask him “with all that is going on and more opposition to his City of YES for Housing in the City Council, was he ready to withdraw the proposal?” Mayor Adams answered by saying “any council member who is opposed to the City of YES is against housing.”
A Decade of Retail Revolution: The Mall at Bay Plaza Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
In a landmark celebration, The Mall at Bay Plaza in Bronx, NY, commemorated its tenth anniversary on August 14th, marking a decade since it brought the enclosed mall experience back to New York City for the first time in over 40 years. The Bronx community joined in a five-day festivity filled with events, promotions, live entertainment, and more, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the area.
The festivities kicked off on August 14th, featuring standout performances by the Bronx Arts Ensemble and a parade of models showcasing the latest fashion trends, including exclusive pieces by Bronx’s own Risk Taker NYC. The atmosphere was electric with music, dance, and an array of discounts and promotions from numerous stores, alongside limited edition 10th-anniversary merchandise from iconic brands like Adidas, Chip City, Lids, and Lush.
A special tribute to the first 1,000 visitors, who received custom-designed totes and t-shirts emblazoned with “We Are the Bronx,” highlighted the local pride. These items were proudly produced within the Bronx by Bronx Native, further emphasizing the community’s strong identity.
The anniversary event featured an array of activities including:
– Complimentary “We Are The Bronx” t-shirts and tote bags for early birds
– Exclusive discounts from over 50 participating stores and eateries
– Family-friendly entertainment such as face painting, calligraphy, and balloon art
– Sweet treats like cupcakes and cotton candy for all attendees
– A live performance by the Bronx Ensemble and a DJ set by Omar, complete with dancing and prizes for children
– Fashion showcases by local designers and mall retailers, curated by Bronx Fashion Week
– An exhibition of artwork by local Bronx artists
Since its grand opening on August 14th, 2014, The Mall at Bay Plaza has been a beacon of retail innovation. With anchor tenants like Macy’s and JCPenney, and over 100 retail outlets including first-time Bronx locations for brands such as Apple, UNIQLO, and Victoria’s Secret, the mall has significantly reduced the need for Bronx residents to travel far for shopping, offering convenience and a wealth of options right in their borough.
Developed by Prestige Properties & Development Co. Inc., the mall has not only transformed the shopping landscape but also contributed to the local economy by creating over 5,000 jobs, reinforcing the community’s growth and prosperity.
**Fun Fact:** Macy’s historical presence in the Bronx dates back to 1960 with a store at Freedland, now known as Coop City, showcasing a long-standing relationship with the borough.
Mayor Adams Hosts Community Conversation in Morris Park
By Robert Press
Commissioner Fred Kreizman of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit opened the meeting by introducing himself and thanking the High School for Visual Arts Principal Dr. Iris Weitherspoon for the use of the school. He then mentioned that staff from the mayor’s office were at each table for the past hour to facilitate discussion, to come to a consensus on what question to ask the mayor from each table.
The elected officials Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, Assemblyman John Zaccaro, and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, along with Deputy Mayors, Commissioners or Agency heads who were present were announced, before Mayor Eric Adams was introduced. The elected officials led by Borough President Gibson spoke and then Mayor Adams took control of the meeting.
Mayor Adams thanked everyone who came out, and then reminded everyone that he was a police officer for twenty-two years, that he inherited a city that had a forty percent rise in crime, COVID was everywhere, students were not being educated, and continued with many other items that were leading to a decline in New York City. He then said in just two years Unemployment, crime, homicides, and shootings are down, while tourism and subway ridership are up. seventeen thousand illegal guns and forty thousand mopeds have been taken off the streets. As for the migrant situation Mayor Adams said that he can’t stop the buses from coming, and taking care of the migrants has cost the city five billion dollars. He added that we can’t even give them jobs to clean graffiti or the streets because that is against federal laws. He added that you don’t see encampments like you see in other cities.
Mayor Adams then called on Dr. Mitchell Katz to tell the audience about the Just Home project at Jacobi Hospital. In Dr. Katz’s words he mentioned housing projects at other city hospitals like a nurse residency in Queens and a new building in Brooklyn with Comunilife for supportive housing. (In fact checking Dr. Katz’s statement Woodhull Hospital is building a ninety-three unit building on hospital property at 171 Throop Avenue as Phase Two, that will have fifty-six units of supportive housing for patients of NYC Health and Hospital who are experiencing homelessness, and they will receive services from Comunilife and health care from Woodhull Hospital. The remaining apartments comprise twenty-one affordable homes for extremely low-income seniors, fifteen affordable homes for low-income New Yorkers and one super’s unit according to a HHC press release for Woodhull Hospital dated April 27, 2023. Phase One was built in 2019 with eighty-nine units of affordable and supportive housing on the WoodHull campus at 179 Throop Avenue. After the meeting I was able to ask Dr. Katz if there would be any further buildings on the Jacobi Campus, to which he refused to answer.)
Dr. Katz went on to say that for Just Home at Jacobi the City Council had given HHC one million dollars to develop a project specifically at the Jacobi campus in order to care for people coming out of Rikers Island especially people who are older and had medical problems. The land that we have is the land we have. It’s not as if I could look where else this could go. I looked here because it was already on Jacobi, and we felt that this was a great synergy because these people are going to need medical care. Here they are on a campus where we can deliver medical care. This is a project very similar to the project that is in Harlem. This is not the first time New York City has had a supportive housing project for people with justice involvement who have come out of Rikers. It had been called an experiment when it was brought to the people around the Jacobi campus that had never been done before.
Mayor Adams and Dr. Katz went back and forth on items such as how many units were at the Jacobi project. Dr. Katz said he didn’t know, but Commissioner Kreizman said 58 supportive units, 25 affordable units to 60 percent AMI, to which Dr. Katz said the affordable units are a nice model to mention. Then it went, Mayor Adams: So it’s not 100 percent of those who are reentering. Dr. Katz: That is correct. Mayor Adams: Part of it is for affordable housing. Dr. Katz: Correct. Mayor Adams: Okay. Think about this for a moment. The hardest placement we have in the city is for single adult males. No one raised their hands and say, hey, Eric, bring them here. No one. We’re required to house them. When you have a program like this where 25 of the units are affordable, 50-some of them are returning medically with medical issues, that’s a balance.
The questions then started with one resident saying during a meeting at Jacobi Dr. Katz had his head down on his phone almost the entire meeting, she went on to say that the local elected officials are against the Just Home project and that her backyard is Jacobi Hospital. She added that it is not people coming out of Rikers, but pre-trial detainees, and another resident outside the Jacobi fence on Seminole Avenue continued that the community does not want people currently detained in Rikers Island placed in Jacobi Hospital free to go anywhere in the community not knowing what crimes they are accused of with only a security guard to watch as they come and go. Councilwoman Marmorato then showed a petition she said had three thousand signatures on it from residents against placing Rikers Island inmates at Jacobi Hospital. She added that there are four homeless shelters in the vicinity of Jacobi Hospital which would be the fifth in the middle of the metro north rezoning that is to bring 7,500 new units of affordable housing. Mayor Adams asked for clarification on the homeless shelters, and a representative from the Human Resources Administration said he knows of two single men’s shelters with a capacity of two hundred men each. Councilwoman Marmorato said the other two were a two hundred bed facility just built on Stillwell Avenue right next to the new Morris Park station, and another on Jarret Place in the rezoning area.
Mayor Adams then went to other tables to hear other problems such as a rat problem in a residence that he asked his Rat Czar to handle after the meeting, problems of car break ins and items such as wheels and mirrors being stolen, which the new captain of the 49th precinct addressed. The old infrastructure of the area and flooding that now occurs when it rains. After the City Planning commissioner spoke about the new buildings the commissioner from the Department of Environmental Protection said that he and the councilwoman who is on the City Council Environmental Committee had just done a walkthrough of the area where the flooding has occurred. He said more catch basins are needed. To a question of illegal vendors and smoke shops on White Plains Road Captain Theanthong commanding officer of the 49th Precinct said that officers were moved to different shifts to handle other crime issues that were mentioned before, and he has asked for traffic agents to ticket double parked cars to open the street up. As for the smoke shops he said one was just closed and he is looking into the selling of cannabis on the street and how to handle it from the legal department.
Other questions were about the misnomer as Mayor Adams called it that migrants are getting what regular city residents can’t get, another question was if the AMI for affordable housing which is too high for residents of the Bronx to afford, where Mayor Adams said he wants affordable housing for his city workers who can not find housing in the city. The last two questions were of a new extension to a local school that the community wants to go to the eighth grade saying there are not enough middle school seats in the area. That will have to be brought up with the superintendent who was not at the meeting, and the last question was on the gang member database the city council wants to disband, which the mayor said to write to the chair of the Public Safety committee and council members who are on that committee. The mayor stayed briefly to talk to some area residents continuing on the Just Home project until the mayor was whisked away by staff.
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES UNVEILS NEW CHILD PROTECTION SITE IN CO-OP CITY
New ACS Site at 2100 Bartow Avenue in the Bronx Will Replace ACS’s Morris Park Location
Co-Op City Location Offers a More Modern & Technologically Advanced Workspace That Will Better Meet the Needs of Local Families & ACS Staff
The NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) this week hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new child protection site located at 2100 Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. The new site replaces the previous 974 Morris Park location. The new Bartow Avenue office in Co-Op City offers a more modern and technologically advanced workspace that will better meet the needs of families within Community Districts 9 and 10, and the office’s 120 ACS staff members. The new site includes a food pantry to supply families with emergency groceries and clothing for immediate needs, family restrooms with changing tables, lactation rooms for families, a welcoming waiting area for children, and more. The site is also conveniently located nearby many bus lines (Bx12, Bx5, BxM7, Q50), several major highways and there will be a shuttle from the subway.
“ACS’ new location in Co-Op City will be a renewed hub for both staff and families. The site will have a food pantry, lactation spaces, and an inviting area for families as they arrive to connect with staff. The site demonstrates ACS’ commitment to proactive services and support for families as a first step in every engagement,” said Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services.
“The new ACS site in Co-Op City is a win-win-win for families, staff and the local Bronx community,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “We are pleased to open our doors at 2100 Bartow Avenue, as this new more modern space will better serve children and families in the Bronx. There are welcoming waiting areas for children and families, a pantry to supply our families with emergency food, a space where ACS can provide families with clothing to meet immediate needs, a space for a nurse, conference rooms for family team meetings, and more. The site is easy to get to via public transportation or car, making it convenient for both families and staff to access.”
“Today marks a significant milestone for our community with the opening of this new ACS child protection site in Co-op City,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “This modern, accessible facility will provide essential support and resources to families, ensuring they receive the help they need in a welcoming and safe environment. I am proud to celebrate this advancement, which will greatly benefit the families and children in the Northeast Bronx.”
ACS is charged with protecting and promoting the safety of New York City’s children through the child welfare system. ACS’s Division of Child Protection responds to allegations of abuse and neglect and connects families to services and supports that keep children safe. ACS also contracts with nonprofit community-based organizations to provide family support/prevention services, as well as foster care services for children who not able to safely remain at home. The ACS Division of Child Protection includes 19 sites across the five boroughs, including four in the Bronx. The ACS Bronx South borough office team is seated in two separate ACS offices: 2501 Grand Concourse and a small annex office space at 1775 Grand Concourse. The ACS Bronx North borough office team has historically been located at: 1200 Waters Place and 974 Morris Park. The new site at 2100 Bartow Avenue will replace 974 Morris Park.
In a typical year, the Bronx Child Protection offices respond to over 16,000 reports, assessing child safety and connecting families in need to services and supports. This can include providing families with concrete goods such as cribs and food; referring families to substance abuse treatment or other prevention services. It may include helping a survivor of domestic violence change locks. And, in those instances when children are in imminent risk of harm, child protective staff act with urgency to ensure children are safe, most often with a family member who can care safely for them. ACS’s Bronx North offices currently about 6,600 families annually, or about half of the families, with reports of child abuse and neglect in the Bronx.
Families in Bronx North who are involved in the child welfare system may use the Bartow Avenue site to meet with caseworkers, attend child safety conferences and receive key information about the range of services the agency provides. The new site features the following spaces and benefits for families:
- Conference Areas: This site is designed to have 7 spaces for family team conferences.
- Welcoming Visiting Areas: 2100 Bartow Avenue has been designed to have visiting areas, where parents and children can have visits in an appropriate, welcoming space.
- Modern & Child Friendly Waiting Area: This new site has a comfortably sized reception area that can accommodate approximately 25 people, as well as a welcoming waiting area for children. (photo attached)
- Child Friendly Nursery: A child-friendly, trauma-informed environment where young children who must be removed from their families receive immediate medical attention, if and when appropriate to do so.
- Pantry for Emergency Needs and Boutique (clothing, food, diapers, sleep sacks, etc.) (photo attached)
- Separate Family Restrooms with Changing Tables & Lactation Rooms
Today.. Brunch at The Dumpling Cove.. $34.99 ... Classy Family Setting...
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- Bronx Co–Op City Dreiser Community Center
- Northeast Bronx YMCA (Edenwald)
- South Bronx Educational Campus
- West Bronx Gymnasium
- Lehman College – Apex Center
- Bathgate Contract Postal Station