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ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 Vol 31, No 6 • Pu b l i s h e d By Mo s h o l u Preservation Co r p o r a t i o n • Ma r c h 15-28, 2018 ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 FREE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: HOUSING MATTERS: ARMORY PAINS & GAINS | PG. 4 OVERCOMING SEGREGATION | PGS. 8-9 Norwood Local KNIC Founder Says Project Still Hits Brick Wall Happening | pg 2 It’s resident versus developer at Webster Avenue project

Illegal Parking Takes Back Seat | pg 7

Bronx Food Fight: SNAP’s Shortcomings pg 10

Photo by Adi Talwar DARRELL BURGESS AT his home on Webster Avenue. Behind him is the ongoing construction project that’s inconvenienced him.

By NIALL RIDGLEY by Darrell Burgess of structure that rests at larger buildings, and a Wooden two-by-fours Norwood. 3103 Webster Ave. by source of Burgess’s head- jut out and over the back- It’s been quite the liv- East 204th Street and aches. yard where children ing nightmare for Bur- just across from another Khalil’s project looks used to play, a giant pit gess, whose struggles building under construc- to add at least four floors has been dug in the base- stem from construc- tion by The Doe Fund. to the existing property ment, and fast food odors tion of a building addi- The pair of buildings are that’s home to La Nueva from a nearby restau- tion owned by Edward the result of a major 2011 Estrella restaurant. And rant creep straight into a Khalil, the developer of rezoning of Webster Av- crews have been work- pg 14 three-story home owned an impending six-story enue that accommodates (continued on page 15) 2 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Vol. 31, No. 6 Vol. 27, No. 10 NorwoodVol. 27,News 27, No. No.is 10published 10 KNIC Founder Reaffi rms Commitment to Build Project bi-weekly on Thursdays by By DAVID CRUZ Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) NorwoodNorwood NewsNews is ispublished published Kevin Parker, founder of the Kings- represents the district where the project Norwood3400 Reservoir News isOval published East bi-weeklybi-weekly on on Thursdays Thursdays by by will be, did not receive a formal invita- bi-weeklyBronx, New on ThursdaysYork 10467 by bridge National Ice Center (KNIC) proj- MosholuMosholuPhone: Preservation 718 324 Corporation 4998Corporation ect, told community stakeholders at a tion. He was instead represented by a 3400 Reservoir Oval East MosholuFax: Preservation 718 324 2917 Corporation closed-door meeting today that the mas- CAC member who he appointed. 3400Bronx, Reservoir New York Oval10467 East E-mail: [email protected] Reservoir Oval East Representatives from KNIC have had Web.:Bronx, www.norwoodnews.org New York 10467 sive project is under way despite being Bronx,Phone: New 718 324 York 4998 10467 stalled for four years. a frosty relationship with Cabrera after Fax: 718 324 2917 The meeting, held at Concourse House they accused him of using his position as Publisher Phone: 718 324 4998 E-mail: [email protected]: 718 324 4998 just blocks from the Kingsbridge Armory, a key vote for the project on the New York Mosholu Web:PreservationFax: www.norwoodnews.org 718 324 Corporation 2917 E-mail: [email protected]: 718 324 2917 the expected home of the center, was or- City Council to ask for funds for a defunct ExecutiveE-mail: [email protected] Director of MPC ganized by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera. not-for-profit tied to Cabrera weeks before Melissa Web:Cebollero www.norwoodnews.org Web: www.norwoodnews.org “I felt confident going into the meeting the Council approved the project in 2013. Publisher CEO, Mosholu Director of MPC and I feel much more confident after I left Cabrera has long denied this happened. JenniferMosholu Tausig Preservation 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Corporation Corporation the meeting that the project is going for- Rivera, on the other hand, has a PublisherEditor-in-Chief, NorwoodCEO, News Mosholu friendlier relationship with KNIC rep- PublisherEditor-in-Chief RobertoCEO, S. Mosholu Garcia ward,” Rivera told the Norwood News sev- MosholuDavid Cruz, Preservation [email protected] 3UHVHUYDWLRQ eral hours after the meeting wrapped up. resentatives. In early 2016, he hosted an MosholuDavid Cruz Preservation 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Corporation Corporation “Is the [project] happening tomorrow? open forum to discuss the status of the AccountsCorporation Receivable Corporation Editor-in-ChiefDawn&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ McEvoy Roberto S. Garcia Sadly, no.” project. Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia DavidProofreaderDawn Cruz McEvoy Much of the discussion ranged from Since 2016, KNIC has made progress David Cruz in the project, securing a state loan to be- Judy$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOH Noy the complexity of this massive, $350 mil- Photo by David Cruz Dawn McEvoy lion project. It included recent financing gin its first phase, which hasn’t started &ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJInterns KEVIN PARKER OUTSIDE CON- Niall&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJProofreader Ridgley, Mary Mellon KNIC received and the processes involved yet. The group was approved for the $138 COURSE House before entering the DawnJudy McEvoy Noy during pre-construction phase, which in- million state loan, which allowed it to RegularDawn McEvoy Contributors meeting that lasted two hours. 3URGXFWLRQ seek a construction loan. $FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHDavid Greene, Adi Talwar clude detailed architectural maps drafted Dawn$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHNeil McEvoydeMause for such a big project. “It was about put- The project has also been met with meeting. KNIC’s legal team kept cit- ContributorDawn5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV McEvoy ting all the pieces together,” said Rivera a litany of legal issues between former ProofreaderMiriam Quinones ing the subsequent lawsuits as one ProofreaderDavid Greene, Adi Talwar of the meeting. principals of the project and New York Judy Noy reason it had stayed mum on the proj- JudyInterns Noy Those invited to the meeting included City, which refused to activate the 99-year ect, according to the source. 3URGXFWLRQForShayla Display Love, Paolo Mossetti, Advertising Justin McCallum, signatories of the Community Benefits lease to KNIC until it secured financing. 3URGXFWLRQand Chelsea George Parker did not speak to the Nor- Neil deMause Agreement between KNIC and commu- As the community awaited answers, CallNeil deMause (718) 324-4998 wood News before entering the meet- nity representatives, and members of they barely saw Parker attend community 5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUVFor display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. ing. 5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV the Armory Community Advisory Board meetings. He was instead represented by DavidSupport Greene, Your Adi Talwar “He could’ve walked away a whole DavidSupport Greene, Your Adi Talwar were on hand. colleagues, including NHL legend and InternsCommunity Newspaper! bunch of times and he hasn’t,” said Interns Rivera, a staunch supporter of the KNIC president, Mark Messier. ShaylaTheCommunity Norwood Love, News Paolo isNewspaper! a Mossetti,not-for-profi Justin t publication McCallum, Rivera. “And from what he told us to- The Norwood NewsLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- KNIC project, defended the closed-door A source familiar with the genesis of andShayla relies Love, upon Paolo the supportMossetti, of Justin its advertisers McCallum, andlication Chelsea and relies George upon the support of its day, he won’t.” and readersChelsea to George produce a quality community format of the meeting, telling the Nor- the meeting said there was very little in- advertisers and readers to produce a quality Editor’s Note: See Inquiring Pho- newspaper. To support your paper, become wood News the community is represented formation disseminated on the project’s community newspaper. To support your paper, tographer on page 4 for resident opin- Fora member display andadvertising, receive acall subscription (718) 324-4998. for one by the signatories and members of KNIC’s status for quite some time, prompting Forbecome display a member advertising, and receive call (718)a subscription 324-4998. ions. year.for one year. Community Advisory Council (CAC). community stakeholders to ask for the Support Your SimplySupportSimply mail mail checkYour or or money money order order for $40 for $40 to: CommunityNorwood News, 3400Newspaper! Reservoir Oval East, Communityto: Norwood News, Newspaper! 3400 Reservoir Oval East, TheBronx,Bronx, Norwood NY NY 10467.10467. News LVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- Can a Community Board Ban You? Yes and No licationThe Norwood and relies News uponLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE the support of its - one of them to erect a divider between “content-based.” “[T]hat is, retaliation advertisersNorwoodlicationNorwood and NewsNews and relies isreaders is not uponnot responsible responsible theto produce support for typo for aof- quality its By DAVID CRUZ typographicaladvertisersgraphical errors. and errors. readersOpinions Opinions expressedto produce expressed in signed a quality in Community Board 7 has once again the waiting area and where employees for what he said,” said Freeman. “The communitysigned letters newspaper. and bylined To supportcolumns your represent paper, communityletters and bylinednewspaper. columns To represent support the your sole paper, banned a rancorous community activist sit. board can’t legally do that.” becometheopinion sole a opinionof member the author of and theand authorarereceive not necessarily and a subscription are not become a member and receive a subscription after he raised his voice at a recent Vet- The incident opened the question of There is a but. “If [the board] claims, fornecessarily thoseone year.of Mosholu those Preservation of Mosholu Corporations Preservation whether a community board, a govern- with validity, that he’s a distraction, CorporationforRU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS one year. or Montefi ore Medical Center.- erans Committee meeting. ment entity on the ground level, can ban then they might be able to [ban him],” SimplyEditorialsresent mail the represent views check of theor the moneyeditor views and/or order of publisher the for editor$40 Anthony Rivieccio was banned by only. The newspaper reserves the right a resident. The answer is yes and no. said Freeman. to:Simply only.Norwood The mail newspaper checkNews, or3400 reserves money Reservoir the order right toforOval limit $40 East, Board District Manager Ischia Bravo af- toto: orlimit Norwood refuse or refuseadvertising News, advertising it3400 deems Reservoir objectionable. it deems Oval East, ter lashing out at the board for changing The Norwood News reached out The borough president’s office, Bronx,objectionable.Advertisements NY 10467. Advertisements appearing in this paper appearing cannot Bronx, NY 10467. a planned breakfast honoring veterans. to George Freeman of the Media Law which holds governance over the 12 in thisbe used paper without cannot the written be used permission without of Nor - Resource Center, who said a resident community boards, did not respond to wood News. Letters to the editor are subject Rivieccio had been banned by the two Norwoodthe written News permission is not responsible of the Norwood for typo - can’t be banned if their grievance was requests for comments. graphicalNews.Norwoodto condensation Letters errors.News to andisOpinions the not editing. editor responsible Writersexpressed are subject should for intypo tosigned - previous district managers, inspiring LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ letterscondensationgraphical and errors. bylined and Opinions columnsediting. expressed Writersrepresent should inthe signed sole includelettersAnonymous and their bylined lettersaffi liation are columns not orpublished special represent but interest your the ifsole opinionname canof the be withheldauthor andif requested. are not necessarily any.opinion Anonymous of the author letters and are are not not published necessarily thosebut your of Mosholu name can Preservation be withheld Corporations upon those of Mosholu Preservation Corporations RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHSrequest. - Public and Community Meetings resentRU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS the views of the editor and/or publisher- Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a only.resent The the newspaper views of the reserves editor and/or the right publisher to limit only.QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH The newspaper reserves the right to limit or refuseMedical advertisingCenter. it deems objectionable. COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting at Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Advertisementsor refuse advertising appearing it deems in this objectionable. paper cannot Rd. inside the auditorium, on March 20 at 6:30 p.m. CB7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at beMosholuAdvertisements used without Preservation theappearing written Corporation inpermission this paper is a of non-cannot Nor- the board office, 229 E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Economic Development Committee meets profibe used t support without corporation the written permissionof Montefi oreof Nor- wood News. Letters to the editor are subject March 27; Community Relations & Long Term Planning Committee meets on March 27 at 7:30 p.m.; and Website Medicalwood News. Center. Letters to the editor are subject to condensation and editing. Writers should Acknowledgment and Media Committee meets on March 28. For more information, call the board office at (718) to condensation and editing. Writers should LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ 933-5650. AnonymousLQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ letters are not published but your nameAnonymous can be letters withheld are if not requested. published but your name can be withheld if requested. The 52ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL meets on March 22 at 7 p.m. at Scott Towers, 3400 Paul Ave.

Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUHMosholu Preservation Corporation is a MedicalQRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH Center. Medical Center. March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 3 4 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By DAVID GREENE This week we asked Kingsbridge residents their thoughts on the re- development of the Kingsbridge Armory which has now languished for years, and a recent behind-closed-doors meeting.

Well, I always thought that people An ice skating rink would be better for My husband and I are residents of the I think they should move the I think they should do something with should be notifi ed at any time and the public. We already have stores; area and we fi gure that if they open it homeless in there. [T]here are so this already, because it’s not doing there should always be an open door we need something new for the he will be able to get some type of job many homeless people out here and anything for the community. I think for any comments. If you’re going community. It’s been vacant for a long there. But it’s been a long time and no they need help. A lot of people out it should be used for the public and to do it under the table, then it’s not time, of course they’re trying. Yes, it’s one’s heard anything, so when is this here need help. There’s no reason for it should be turned into a skating worth it. And if you’re going to spend going to happen if they work it out. going to happen? A lot of stores are them to make this an ice skating rink. rink. But it’s too big for just a skating $500 million, help the homeless The people need something here. closing up and the rents are going up, For what? Maybe with other types of rink, so maybe it could be turned fi rst. Hell no! I don’t want an ice Oscar Barabondka so what’s going on? I don’t like the recreation for kids as well. It’s been into a plaza with a movie theater and skating rink here. They need to make idea of closed-door negotiations. Why many, many years and we don’t hear shopping center, something useful for it a building for homeless people, are they going undercover? And why anything anymore, that’s why I don’t the community. Housing the homeless something for the homeless. don’t they let the people in the area know what’s going on anymore. The in the basement isn’t a bad idea. With Darrell Edwards know what’s going on? It’s shady. building is just standing there doing what happened in Puerto Rico, they Traci Dixon James nothing. I don’t think the skating rink should talk about making it a disaster is a good idea, sounds like trouble to shelter. me. But if it helps the kids it’s a good Midalia Dominguez thing and I’m with that. Dawn Johnson

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“Where it all began”

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Carmelite Sisters Serving the Aged Since 1929 FACEBOOK.COM/STPATRICKSHOME March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 5 Eyed For DOT Add-Ons

By MARY MELLON sions. The city Department of Transpor- For Mosholu Parkway and Paul Ave- tation (DOT) is in the early stages of nue, the DOT wants to add a pedestrian devising a plan to improve pedestrian island to shorten crossing distances, a safety at the intersection of Paul Ave- concrete sidewalk extension with land- nue and Mosholu Parkway. scaping, and a concrete bus boarding DOT representatives met with resi- island with a painted sidewalk exten- dents and members of the Community sion. They want to install pillars for Board 7 Traffic and Transportation safer left turns, paint pedestrian space Committee recently to discuss their with flexible delineators, and change assessment of the issue and propose parking restrictions to make room for changes. According to data included buses. For bicycle network upgrades, in the presentation made on March the DOT proposed upgrading the 1, over the past five years there have signed routes to shared lanes on Paul been 16 injuries and one fatality in the Avenue between West 205th Street and vicinity. Mosholu Parkway, to distinguish be- The DOT describes the intersection tween traffic and bike lanes. of Paul Avenue and Mosholu Parkway For Mosholu Parkway and Sedg- as bustling with action. DeWitt Clinton wick Avenue, the DOT wants to cre- High School and Bronx High School of ate another northbound lane between Science create heavy pedestrian traf- Paul Avenue and West , fic, with the 4 train and buses adding essentially creating a third lane. to the busy vibe during the morning Many residents the Norwood News and rush hours. There are connections spoke with agreed that the area is al- to the Major Deegan Expressway (1-87) ready safe. They did not seem aware of and Saw Mill River Parkway, as well as any safety concerns. major institutions such as Montefiore The DOT hopes to begin simple Medical Center. The DOT believes the changes this summer, but implement intersection is marred by unprotected complete changes the following sum- pedestrian spaces, substandard bus mer. stops, and the risk of head-on colli-

Image courtesy city Department of Transportation AMONG THE CHANGES in the DOT’s proposal include creating a dedicated left turn only lane onto from Mosholu Parkway. 6 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News Curbside Organic BMCA Flea Market Draws Treasure Seekers Scores of residents stopped by the Bedford Mosholu Community Association for its annual flea market aimed at Collection Expands filling the tiny coffers for the 42-year civic groups. Some pricey items were up for sale for some unbeatable costs. Photos by Miriam Quinones The city Department of Sanitation is expanding its organics collection service in the Bronx. Roughly 30,000 more residents, in- cluding those living in Norwood, will be included in the program, accord- ing to the agency. The service collects food waste, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from tenants, converting it into compost or renewable energy, and si- multaneously helping with pest con- trol. Currently, over 3 million New York- ers have access to these services, but Sanitation wants to make food scrap re- cycling available to all New Yorkers by the end of the year. Participants simply put their food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste in durable locking bins, which keep out rats, raccoons, and other animals. Such materials, also referred to as “organics,” create green- house gases when they decompose in landfills. Turning them into compost or renewable energy is good for the en- (Above) A RESIDENT browses at the fine dining table at the flea market held vironment as well. in the basement of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church on March 10. Home and building owners inter- (LEFT) RAFAELA SANTOS, an artist and BMCA member, shows off her im- ested in the program can receive free pressionistic artwork she donated for the event’s raffle. bins and collection services by visit- ing on.nyc.gov/request-organics. Non- profits and city agencies, including churches, community centers, food pantries, soup kitchens, and libraries TO REPORT A are also starting to get involved. —Mary Mellon STORY TO THE NORWOOD NEWS, CALL US AT FOLLOW US ONLINE 718-324-4998 WWW. NORWOODNEWS. ORG

Suspected Jewel Thieves Wanted in Fordham

Two men (pictured) are wanted for direction with the pricey watch. questioning in a case involving a stolen No one was hurt. $8,000 watch from a Fordham jewelry Police describe the first suspect as store. Hispanic, around 30 to 40 years old, Police say the theft happened on Feb. standing at 5’ 10” and weighing 180 19 at around 3:45 p.m. They say one of p ou nd s, l a st se en we a r i n g a l l white clot h- the suspects was inside 13 W. Fordham ing. The second suspect is described as Rd. looking at a watch. Once the suspect a Hispanic in his 20s or 30s, standing at was allowed to look at the watch, the 5’ 11” and weighing 170 pounds. He was employee let the suspect’s accomplice last seen wearing all black clothes. inside. Anyone with information is asked to The suspect holding the watch call Crime Stoppers and (800) 577-TIPS. quickly ran out the store along with his All calls are kept confidential. accomplice holding the door open, police —David Cruz say. Both men took off in an unknown March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 7 Illegal Parking Takes a Back Seat Following Crackdown

By DAVID CRUZ vehicles not come back. parking even more. community, let alone for commercial Van Cortlandt Village residents are Goulden Avenue is close to Van “Parking is one of the most con- enterprises who just want to save a getting their spots back! Cortlandt Village’s heavy residential tentious issues that I hear about from couple bucks on their parking ex- After months of illegal parking on population, making those spots a pre- my constituents,” said Assemblyman penses.” Goulden Avenue by commercial ve- mium. When a major, months-long Jeffrey Dinowitz, the area’s legisla- Councilman Andrew Cohen, who hicles for a litany of reasons, a major Con Edison project on Sedgwick Ave- tor who urged the Five-Two to issue a represents the area where the infrac- crackdown by the 52nd Precinct at the nue saw a number of spots reserved ex- crackdown. “There is hardly enough tions happened, called the problem behest of electeds saw plenty of those clusively for work trucks, it squeezed parking for the people who live in our “consistent and alarming.” On top of the squeeze, residents no- ticed plenty of abandoned cars left be- hind on Goulden Avenue. Among them was an RV that took up at least two and L McC a half spots. Combine that with the A LO IN S other taxicabs, truck cabs and other D K motorhomes, and residents were left Applications R E with very few options. A Y

Despite an aggressive ticketing C

C blitz by the 52nd Precinct, cars were

L are now being O still left behind. Commercial vehicles M O O M H simply shrugged at the number of sum- U C N S monses. accepted! ITY ER CHART So the Five-Two went with plan B: towing. After towing three vehicles and doling out 95 tickets since Janu- ary, residents have noticed more avail- The Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School able spots along the stretch. The pre- cinct has since been patrolling the area to ensure those spots are avail- Opening in September 2018 able for residents. “The NYPD’s repeated efforts have given our streets back to the commu- Applications are being accepted for Kindergarten and 1st Grade nity,” said Cohen in a statement. The Office of Senator Jeff Klein also assisted. To request an application • A safe and supportive school based on a trauma informed approach for children who have suffered or for more information, trauma and neglect please email us at • A rigorous and data-informed academic program [email protected] • An extended day program and staffing model that promotes personalized instruction or call us at • Comprehensive wrap-around services that Photo courtesy Nat Salomon 718-402-0081 x 227 promote each child’s emotional, developmental THESE TYPES OF vehicles can no longer and behavioral growth be parked on Goulden Avenue, according to officials.

TO REPORT A Visit us at STORY TO THE NORWOOD NEWS, CMCCS.org CALL US AT 718-324-4998 8 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News Housing Matters

The Legal Challenge to Desegregate the City By DAVID CRUZ nation practices. He’s in the middle of for housing. districts have 50 percent or more Afri- Just what would become of a plan to a lawsuit against claim- “Separate is not equal. The fact that can-Americans than any other racial rezone a large chunk of ing community preference promotes the policy gives a black resident of a segment. Twelve more community dis- remains to be seen. The New York City decades-long segregation. New York black area a better chance and a white tricts have Hispanic families compris- Council’s Land Use Committee voted to City presently ranks as the second most resident of a white area a better chance ing 50 percent or more of the population. approve the rezoning on March 6. The segregated city, next to Milwaukee, Wis- does not make it equal,” said Gurian. Another 17 community districts have rezoning paves the way for developers consin as highlighted in an analysis of Community preference poses prob- white families making up 50 percent or to build as much as 4,000 units of afford- 2010 census data by the University of lems for residents attempting to live in more of its population. able housing by changing zoning rules Michigan. so-called “neighborhoods of opportu- In court papers, Gurian blames between 184th and 167th streets, allow- Gurian represents three African- nity,” comprising better schools, lower much of this ongoing discrimination on ing for buildings as high as 19 stories. American women who applied for hous- crime, and more amenities at a resi- political pressure by residents who’ve It’s now cleared to go to the full New ing in 2015 but were ultimately denied. dent’s disposal, argued Gurian. With framed the segregation argument as York City Council, which could approve The neighborhoods they had applied to odds already stacked against them preserving neighborhood character and or reject the rezoning come March 21. for new affordable housing fell in pre- given the sheer volume of applicants at a keeping the status quo. “[T]his outsider If it goes through, city policy dictates dominantly white areas of Manhattan. time when the affordable housing stock restriction policy is one manifestation that the existing residents along Jerome The city’s community preference is crunched, new residents vying for a of that overarching policy and that’s Avenue can reap the rewards of new af- policy is to blame, according to Gurian. spot have it even worse. illegal—being influenced by those who fordable housing, should they match the The provision, enacted during the Koch “[O]ur complaint invariably means want to maintain a particular racial fla- federally-outlined area median income administration of the 1970s and early that the benefits of being an insider— vor,” Gurian said. guidelines required to apply. 1980s, serves as an anti-displacement that is being in the community district Thomas Angotti, an urban planner Technically, their chances of get- measure when new affordable housing area—go to the dominant racial group, and retired professor from Hunter Col- ting approved for an affordable unit are is built. Should developers accept tax and that makes for an uneven playing lege, said one reason for this afford- greater than outside residents, thanks to subsidies to build affordable housing field in terms of the chances to com- able housing lockout is “vote chasing,” the city’s community preference policy, from the New York City Department pete,” said Gurian. where politicians, under pressure from which prioritizes existing residents for of Housing Preservation and Develop- While community preference is the the current community to keep any af- affordable housing over new residents. ment (HPD), they’re required to con- official term, Gurian prefers to label it fordable housing project from entering Jerome Avenue cuts through a large duct a lottery via the agency’s Housing “outsider-restriction,” given the limits a neighborhood, bow to their needs in swath of mostly poor neighborhoods Connect lottery system. Since 2002, the on residential mobility. exchange for staying in office. that include Fordham South, University city has mandated that half the units be “Where people are now has been The Bronx saw a number of downzo- Heights, Morris Heights, Mt. Eden, and earmarked for the existing community shaped very heavily by decades and de- nings around that same period, with the Highbridge. The neighborhoods are pre- while the other half is reserved for New cades of intentional discrimination,” neighborhoods of Country Club, Spen- dominantly Hispanic. Yorkers living outside the neighbor- said Gurian. “It’s not as though some- cer Estates and City Island, all largely Carmen Vega-Rivera, a seasoned ac- hood. They include city employees, the time in 1957 all the African-American white, pseudo-suburban sections of the tivist who’s influenced some measure physically disabled, and sometimes the families in New York City got together Bronx, downzoned following City Coun- of tenant protections for Jerome Av- homeless. and said, ‘You know, let’s all just move cil approval. That was thanks to the De- enue residents ahead of the impending Critics like Gurian argue the lottery to Jamaica and central Brooklyn and partment of City Planning’s (DCP) Low rezoning, has praised the policy. After is not so much an arbitrary construct Harlem.’ There were restrictions where Density Growth Management Area zon- all, with long-term residents enduring but a caste-style system that keeps the people can move to.” ing text amendment mandating subur- years of subpar quality of life, priority cycle of segregation spinning. This Without residential mobility, fami- ban-like settings to remain so. for a new unit towards current residents means that a family living outside the lies remain stuck. Studies suggest that In a sworn deposition in August is the least the city could do. That can be neighborhood but attempting to move segregated cities, particularly those 2017, Vicky Been, then HPD commis- seen as a good thing, but it does relegate in through an affordable housing apart- with a high number of minorities, pres- sioner and now faculty director of the them to one neighborhood. ment has less of a chance than a current ent barriers towards socioeconomic mo- NYU Furman Center, said the city sup- To Craig Gurian, an attorney spe- family living in the neighborhood. This bility. Segregated neighborhoods also ports community preference as an anti- cializing in housing discrimination, setup of exclusion is worsened when fac- produce poor health outcomes, fewer displacement measure and denies it re- prioritizing one group over another toring in race. job opportunities, mistrust of the police, inforces segregation. She also said the only promotes segregation in a city that, In a city where at least 60 percent and low graduation rates as outlined in policy helps attract affordable housing while overwhelmingly diverse, stands of neighborhoods are ethnically sepa- continued studies by the NYU Furman so long as there’s a benefit to the exist- as one of the most ethnically divided. rated, community preference arguably Center, which tracks the societal impact ing community. While not intentional, community pref- slows the process of integration violat- of housing trends. “[N]eighborhoods throughout the erence becomes a double-edged sword ing the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Gurian If one were to assess how deeply seg- City and their elected representatives that spawns the debate on whether com- claims the city has blatantly ignored regated New York City currently is, they often resist approving land use actions munity integration or neighborhood federal provision, a bi-product of Presi- can look at the breakdown of the 59 com- required to allow greater density or site preservation matters the most. dent Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” munity districts spread across the City. affordable housing because of concern Gurian doubles as executive direc- platform that barred municipalities In an analysis by the Norwood News about the other types of burdens that tor of the Anti-Discrimination Center, from discriminating against anyone at- using the city’s Community District’s development may impose,” said Been in a nonprofit that responds to discrimi- tempting to rent, buy, or secure finance Profiles website, 11 of the 59 community the deposition. March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 9

The measure is also supported by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who conceived the Housing New York plan that looks to build or preserve 300,000 more units of affordable housing through rezon- ing proposals. At a news conference in January this year that announced the city’s ongoing commitment to securing affordable housing, de Blasio supported the idea of keeping families where they are. “[P]eople want to live in their own neighborhoods and close to their loved ones, their friends, their houses of wor- ship, their kids’ schools,” said de Blasio, adding that “if you ask the people who want to live in their own neighborhood, they obviously need some right to do that.” In a follow-up interview, Gurian questioned the logic of de Blasio’s com- ments, pointing to the sheer number of applicants bidding for affordable hous- ing. “Why are there 60,000 people ap- plying to a lottery? They couldn’t all be from the same district,” said Gurian, referencing the large number of appli- cants that typically apply to an HPD- financed affordable residence. Getting a clear sense of the segrega- tion issue through the lottery system borhoods. missed a payment, and you have to go In January this year, the Trump ad- has been a challenge for Gurian, who’s Community preference as it relates through a very rigorous screening be- ministration extended the deadline well filed a motion asking a judge to unseal to affordable housing means more to fore you will even get selected and that past the year 2020. a city-sanctioned report outlining the Carmen Vega-Rivera, than the promul- could be a year, two years, or more. So Editor’s Note: The print version to ethnic breakdown of who’s applying to gation of upzoning in largely minority the whole process of distributing the part one of this series did not explicitly the housing lottery. A decision is now neighborhoods that are ethnically seg- housing units needs to be reformed, not state that the New York City Council vote pending. regated. just community preference.” on the Jerome Avenue rezoning was still The case also blames the city for Nothwithstanding her aggressive ac- Gurian could also have gained a pending. further enabling segregation by down- tivism for equity along Jerome Avenue, greater sense of the segregation is- This series is made possible by a fel- zoning largely white areas where hom- Vega-Rivera admits she has attempted sue had the federal government kept lowship from Marguerite Casey Founda- eownership abounds. The 2005 down- to return to her childhood home of the to a time frame that ordered officials tion, which supports low-income families zoning in parts of central and southern Lower East Side through Housing Con- across U.S. cities to outline how they’re in strengthening their voice and mobiliz- Staten Island, a largely white area of nect. It hasn’t worked out. She has been adhering to the Fair Housing Act and ing their communities to achieve a more New York City, for instance, banned the on and off the waiting lists and has been integrating neighborhoods. The rule just and equitable society for all. construction of multiple-dwelling hous- constantly denied. became effective during the Obama ad- ing, lowering the chance of affordable “I don’t call it a lottery, I call it ‘gate- ministration. housing that would have allowed low- keeping,’” said Vega-Rivera, who lives income residents to move in. in the Concourse section of the Bronx. Today, largely white areas have not “They have all these barriers, and all ,ETTERS4O4HE%DITOR seen any major rezoning that include an these obstacles whether you’re re-entry, affordable housing component. This is whether you’ve served [jail] time.” in stark contrast to minority neighbor- Even if a judge were to rule in fa- hoods, where at least six predominantly vor of Gurian, the lottery system will NOT SO AFFORDABLE Hispanic and black communities are still need work towards equity. Angotti Mayor Bill de Blasio long ago proved to be a fraud on the issue of income under current rezoning consideration, notes that bureaucratic policies beyond inequality, giving all city workers real money pay cut contracts. Now he’s potentially seeing a higher concentra- community preference have kept New showing his disdain for the poor by proposing “affordable” housing that’s tion of low-income affordable housing Yorkers out of certain neighborhoods. not affordable to them. within that area. Much of those policies start when apply- His proposal was detailed in Norwood News editor David Cruz‘ rather Gurian has sued for a setup similar ing through the HPD lottery. verbose article in the March 1-14 issue. To sum it up briefly, 19-story build- to this in Westchester County, where “You have to have a bank account. ings of allegedly affordable housing will be built in an area that has a large Well, many people don’t have bank ac- a chunk of municipalities passed zon- number of poverty stricken people of color. They will be geared toward fami- ing laws that effectively kept minori- counts because of bank redlining. They lies of three making $51,540 a year. ties from low- and middle-income back- don’t have access to banks. If you ever But a third of the area’s families of three makes less than $20,0 0 0 a year. So grounds out. This came despite the got stopped and frisked, you got a re- county accepting $50 million in funds cord and because stop and frisk is per- they can forget that housing. Plus, the new buildings will “improve” the neigh- from the U.S. Department of Housing vasive, has been pervasive in minority borhood to the point that landlords will raise the rents of the tenants living in and Urban Development to encourage communities, that disqualifies a lot of the old buildings. This will force out those who cannot afford the rent hikes. racial desegregation and economic mo- people from even entering the lottery,” No wonder de Blasio plans to build more homeless shelters. His policies will bility. The case ended in settlement, said Angotti. “And you need to have a create more homelessness. with the county promising to build 750 credit record. That means you need to Richard Warren affordable units in high-income neigh- have a credit card, you never could have Norwood 10 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News The Bronx Food Fight Part 2 of 5 For SNAP Benefi ciaries, a Refuge When Falling Short The Norwood News, in partnership with WFUV radio and BronxNet television, continue its fi ve- part series on food insecurity issues impacting the Bronx and its residents. The federal government has now By KACIE CANDELA of proposed changes to the program that include the reduction of SNAP in favor “I come here when the food in my of a so-called “Harvest Box”—a de- house runs out and I don’t have enough livery of shelf-stable goods. Brandon money to buy more,” said Altagracia Lipps of the USDA told the Associated Peña, a regular at Part of the Solution Press SNAP recipients would still re- (POTS), a food pantry and community ceive roughly 60 percent of their ben- dining room serving Fordham, Bed- efits to spend at grocery stores, par- ford Park, and its surrounding Bronx ticularly on the produce they won’t be communities. getting in the Harvest Box. POTS is a one-stop-shop for the food “Some problems with the Harvest insecure and those who need a stable Box that come to mind are the long- mailing address, access to showers or term health ramifications, short-term haircuts, and free legal services, said dietary needs, and the issue of au- Jack Marth, the director of programs tonomy and dignity,” Dr. Combs said. at POTS. “We try to help anyone who “The proposal to date does not include comes to the door for the first time. In fresh or even frozen fruits and vegeta- the last calendar year, we had close to bles—things most nutritionists would 7000 unique households use our pantry say are essential to a healthy diet.” services,” Marth said. “The second issue is that there are a Many of POTS’s clients are also on lot of kids in our country that have tree the federal supplemental nutrition as- and peanut allergies, and lots of pro- sistance program (SNAP). POTS is Image still courtesy BronxNet cessing plants in our country are also found within Congressional District KACIE CANDELA OF WFUV Radio speaks with Jack Marth, director of programs processing foods that contain treenuts 13, where 29.6 percent of households re- for POTS. or peanuts,” Dr. Combs said. “Having ceive SNAP benefits to help cover the a Harvest Box arrive in your house cost of groceries. But many have found or about $7 per meal. At the beginning allotment.” when the government may not be able SNAP to be insufficient, and unable to of the month, that money is loaded onto For a family of four that has one to guarantee there wasn’t cross-con- last through the next month when ben- a debit-style electronic benefit transfer full-time wage earner working 40 tamination is a really serious issue for efits are replenished, forcing many to (EBT) card. The recipient can only use hours a week at minimum wage, their families where someone in the house- rely on food pantries to fill the gap. it to purchase food items such as bread, monthly SNAP allotment is reduced by hold has allergies.” “SNAP isn’t adequate to meet peo- produce, milk and meat. They cannot about half because of their additional Lipps told the Associated Press ple’s household needs. That’s where buy hot food, household supplies, med- income. that SNAP recipients can buy fresh our pantry comes in. It’s a supplement, icine, alcohol, or tobacco products. According to Dr. Combs, those who produce that’s not in a Harvest Box at not a solution. Increased SNAP bene- SNAP benefits can be used at partici- would argue against increasing SNAP their local grocery store. But accord- fits would better allow people to choose pating supermarkets, bodegas, and benefits view it as “a supplement to ing to a 2008 report from the New York how they spend in the grocery stores, farmers markets. what people are already spending, and City Department of City Planning, which is a much more efficient way to Other clients at POTS don’t receive should incentivize spending money on most of the Bronx has a high need for distribute food,” said Marth. SNAP at all due to immigration status. nutritional foods.” supermarkets, making access to fresh, POTS’s food pantry is set up like a “If there’s no one in the household who But others would argue the limita- nutritious food a challenge. Nine out of grocery store, with aisles for dry and has documentation, or if they are docu- tions on SNAP mean money that fills 12 community districts in the borough canned goods and a wall of refrigera- mented and they’re recent immigrants, the program gap do not go towards fell short of the city’s average super- tors for meats, dairy and perishables. there are all sorts of rules that restrict toiletries, cleaning products, or essen- markets to population ratio. POTS follows a point system based on even documented immigrants from ac- tials like electricity or heat. To address the needs of SNAP re- the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cessing benefits,” Marth said. “I think there’s a misimpression cipients in food deserts, the USDA is (USDA) MyPlate nutrition guidelines, But many qualifying SNAP recipi- for folks who don’t use SNAP that they piloting a program that allows ben- meaning clients can’t spend all their ents receive less than the maximum think it’s only for the most poor in our eficiaries to use their EBT card to or- points on one food category, such as amount, said Dr. Mary Beth Combs, society, people on welfare, retired peo- der groceries directly to their home grains. associate professor of economics at ple with low Social Security or disabled from online retailers such as Amazon, Clients lean on POTS after they’ve . “What you get de- folks,” Marth said. “Many people who FreshDirect, and Wal-Mart. FreshDi- stretched their monthly SNAP allow- pends on your net income per month,” use our pantry work, but their wages rect, which moved its distribution hub ance as far as it will go, Marth noted. Combs said. “The government expects are low. I oftentimes say that almost to Hunts Point, is now delivering to “We see patterns, especially in our din- every family receiving SNAP to spend everything we do is a rent supplement SNAP recipients in two zip codes in the ing room,” he said. 30 percent of its own resources on food. program because housing costs are so South Bronx as part of the program. A family of four receiving the maxi- So they calculate whatever 30 percent extreme. A lot of our households are “SNAP is a huge resource, but it in mum amount of SNAP benefits gets of your net income is every month and paying 60 to 100 percent of their cash no way meets the needs of the commu- $640 a month to purchase groceries, subtract it from the maximum monthly income on rent.” nity,” said Marth. which breaks down to about $20 a day, Bronx DA to Investigate NYPD Shooting Death of Unarmed Senior March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 11

common challenges, such as nicotine that often requires repeated treat- withdrawal and cigarette cravings. ments. Your doctor can prescribe R = Remove cigarettes and other medication to help with withdrawal tobacco products from your home, symptoms. To assist you, there are car, and work. also many helpful treatments and re- Throw away all of your cigarettes, sources for quitting available over the lighters, ashtrays, and matches. Wash counter at your local pharmacy. Some your clothes and freshen up anything of those remedies include nicotine that smells like smoke. Shampoo your patches, lozenges, and gum. Start Your Stop Smoking Plan car, clean your drapes and carpet, Use START to stop smoking today! and steam your furniture. Cindy Mendoza is a tobacco spe- By CINDY MENDOZA prepare without losing your moti- T = Talk to your doctor about cialist for Montefiore Health System’s According to the Center for Dis- vation to quit. If you mainly smoke getting help to quit. Office of Community and Population ease Control and Prevention (CDC), at work, quit on the weekend, so Tobacco dependence is a condition Health. tobacco use through smoking is the you have a few days to adjust to the most preventable cause of premature change. death in the United States. Tobacco T = Tell family, friends, and co- use can lead to nicotine dependence. workers that you plan to quit. There is no safe way to use tobacco. Let your friends and family in on ADVERTISE TODAY in the Smokers have a higher risk of devel- your plan to quit smoking and tell oping many serious health problems them you need their support and en- such as respiratory disease, lung can- couragement to stop. Look for a quit Nearly 40,000 readers means 40,000 customers. cer, heart disease, and stroke. Using buddy who wants to stop smoking SELL YOUR BRAND. MAKE MONEY. tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, pipes or as well. You can help each other get Advertise in the Norwood News. Call 718-324-4998. hookah are all equally harmful and through the rough times. stopping is the best way to start get- A = Anticipate and plan for the ting healthy. challenges you’ll face while quit- Start your stop smoking plan with ting. START: Most people who begin smoking S = Set a quit date. again do so within the first three NORWOOD NEWS 2ESERVOIR/VAL%s"RONX .9 Choose a date within the next two months. You can help yourself make  weeks, so you have enough time to it through by preparing ahead for

Monte Heads to Albany Special Visit at PS 94

Photo courtesy Montefi ore Health System MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER was well represented at the annual SOMOS el Futuro (“We are the Future”) Conference in Albany on March Photo by Niall Ridgley 12. Stopping for a quick photo in front of the hospital’s logo are (l-r) Mon- SUPERBOWL CHAMP FOR the New England Patriots Malcolm Mitchell tefi ore’s senior director for community and government relations Melissa hangs out with students from PS 94 Kings College School in a special visit Cebollero, government relations manager Mariela Salazar, New York State the NFL running back paid on Feb. 27. Mitchell spent the day reading to kids Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Montefi ore’s assistant vice president for at the Norwood school as part of a tour plugging his children’s book, “The community and population health Nicole Hollingsworth, and community Magician’s Hat relations manager Jason Caraballo. 12 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News Classifi eds Professional Directory

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NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES

GEDs and Paid at (718) 882-4000 ext. 209 or or less and individuals from more than 100 col- Pre-K Applications Internships email [email protected]); with a gross income below leges and universities will Pre-K applications are Mosholu Montefiore and SUNY Bronx Educa- $30,000. Services are avail- be present. No registra- available for families with Community Center offers tional Opportunity Cen- able, by appointment only, tion is needed for parents, children born in 2014. Fam- the following for young ter, 1666 Bathgate Ave. as follows: Wednesdays though large groups must ilies who submit a Pre-K adults ages 18 to 24: free (appt: (718) 530-7019). Ap- from 1 to 6 p.m. and Satur- register at this link: http:// application by the March classes and tutoring ses- plicants must bring a W2 days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. bit.ly/2HEpwGi. 30 deadline will get an of- sions to prepare for the and/or 1099 form or any For more information or to fer letter in May 2018. To exam to get their GED (ori- other proof showing in- schedule an appointment, Scholarship Program apply, go online at nyc.gov/ entation/registration ses- come, government-issued call (718) 933-2539. The National Puerto Ri- prek, call 311 to be directed sions are held every Thurs- ID, social security card can Day Parade is accept- to the New York City De- day at 3512 DeKalb Ave.); or ITIN number for self, Free Colonoscopy ing applications for its 2018 partment of Education, or and 14-week paid intern- spouse and dependents, a Screenings National Scholarship Pro- visit the Family Welcome ship to those who are not 1095 health form or health Free colonoscopy gram. The program will Center at 1 Fordham Plaza, employed or enrolled in insurance statements and screenings are available at award a $2,000 scholarship 7th floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. school, to receive training bank account information St. Barnabas Hospital, 4487 that will go towards col- Mondays through Thurs- and workshops. For more for those looking to have Third Ave., to those ages 50 lege education. Applicants days or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on information or to make an their tax refund direct de- and older. No insurance is must be of Puerto Rican de- Fridays. appointment, call Jessica posited. Appointments are required. A colonoscopy scent, have a 3.0 or higher Acevedo or Perlita Mendez required. determines whether any grade point average, a high Heating Assistance at (718) 652-0282. cancer symptoms are pres- school senior or freshman Sign up to receive free Tax Help ent in the body. For more through junior at a two- heating assistance through Free Tax Filing Free tax preparation information or to sched- or four-year college/uni- the New York State Home Assistance services are available at ule a free colonoscopy, call versity, and have a proven Energy Assistance Pro- Free tax filing is avail- University Neighborhood (718) 960-9040. track record of volunteer gram (HEAP). Eligible able for families whose Housing Program, 2715 work or community ser- households can receive total income is $54,000 or Bainbridge Ave., with help College Fair vice. Previous scholarship assistance of up to $725. A less or individuals who from students from Man- A free college fair is set winners are eligible to ap- family of four with a yearly make $30,000 or less at the hattan College’s O’Malley for March 23 from 10 a.m. ply. The deadline is March income of $53,482 can still following locations: Mo- School of Business. The to 2 p.m. at the United Fed- 30. For more detailed in- qualify for help. For more sholu Montefiore Commu- service is only available eration of Teachers (UFT) formation or to apply, go to information about eligi- nity Center, 3450 DeKalbTRIP for qualified families Bronx borough office, 2500 www.nprdpinc.org. bility, and to sign up, call Ave. (appt: Dewayne Lee with an income of $54,000 Halsey St. Representatives (212) 331-3126. 14 • March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News

Compiled by JUDY NOY EDITOR’S PICK

MMCC Spring Fest Mosholu Montefi ore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., holds its 2nd annual Spring Fest, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events include File Photo open house, games, program demos, discounts, COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will honor distinguished women at its second annual snacks and activities, and featuring an art show. Women’s Empowerment Summit (see Events for details). For more information, call (718) 882-4000. to 1:15 p.m.; and Spring Egg Hunt, free (for and Fridays 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and ages to 11 years), March 31 from 11 a.m. Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, to 2 p.m. Events include egg hunt, carnival call (718) 993-3512. presents Papo Vázquez Quartet, March 17, games, helmet distribution, arts & crafts, Onstage Rubí Rock & Roll Neoyorquino, March 24 relay races, and visit from Easter bunny. The Bronx County Historical Society (conversation with Rubí, March 23 at 1:30 Bring a can of food for donation to local presents What Lies Beneath - Cemeteries The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge p.m.); and International Contemporary pantry. For more information, call (718) 543- of the Bronx, through April 8, at the Rd., presents Chamber Music Concert, Ensemble + UpBeat NC, March 31; all at 8672. Museum of Bronx History, 3266 Bainbridge March 17 at 2:30 p.m., featuring the Celia 8 p.m.; and Adam Jackson, March 18 and Ave. (208th Street). For more information, call Cruz High School Orchestra. For more Ensemble Suite Iberia, March 25; both free Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) presents art (718) 881-8900. information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or at 3 p.m. Tickets (non refundable) are $15/ workshops at Bronx Community Board 6, visit www.nypl.org. rows B&C; $30/advance online sales only; 1932 Arthur Ave. (East ), 4th Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand $50/at the door; 25% off regular admission fl oor, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (for ages 6 to 12) and Concourse (at 165th Street), presents Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk., Blvd. W. for members. For more information, call (718) 2 to 4 p.m. (for teens and adults), as follows: Gordon Matta-Clark: Anarchitect, and presents free concert featuring members 585-1202. Drawing, March 17; and Sculpture, March Susannah Ray: A Further Shore, both of the Lehman Chamber Players performing 24; ($8/youth; $10/adults; $15/parent/child). through April 8. For more information, call classical music, March 17 at 2 p.m. in the Hostos Community College, 450 Grand For more information, call (718) 589-5819. (718) 681-6000. Music Building’s Recital Hall, 3rd fl oor. For Concourse, presents Legendary Cuban more information, call (718) 960-8247. Voices, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mosholu Montefi ore Senior Center, 3450 Library Events Repertory Theatre. Tickets are $25; $5/ DeKalb Ave. offers Model Seder, March 28. Lehman College’s Center for the Performing students. For more information, call (718) For more information, call (718) 798-6601. The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. presents 518- 4455. Rd., presents for children: Hands-on National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, The COVE presents its Youth Producers Projects: (ages 5 to 12; preregistration March 18 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $45; Events and Fashion Designers Showcase, March required): Flower Book Making, March 15; $10/12 and under and seniors. For more 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Metropolitan Bunny Basket Making, March 22, and Sun information, call (718) 960-8830. Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre, 250 College of New York 463 E. 149th St., Collage Making, March 29, all at 4 p.m.; Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Women’s 1st fl oor. Events include fi lm and fashion and Bag Making, March 18 and Bookmark Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre, 250 Empowerment Summit, March 24 projects, show and dinner. For more Making, March 25, both at 3:30 p.m. Teens/ Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Women’s from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring powerful information and to RSVP, visit www. young adults can enjoy: Donate to the Empowerment Summit, March 24 women sharing their secrets of fi nancial dare2dreambx.org. Dogs: National Puppy Day is in March. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring powerful independence and success. Breakfast and Create toys to send to puppies at North women sharing their secrets of fi nancial lunch provided. For more information, call Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd Shore Animal League. Library has supplies independence and success. Breakfast and (718) 933-5650 or (917) 640-1003. St. in Riverdale, offers Family Art Projects: or bring an old T-shirt or towels to donate, lunch provided. For more information, call Suminagashi and Orizomegami Papers, to March 19 at 5 p.m.; and fi lm: “Spider-Man,” (718) 933-5650 or (917) 640-1003. Williamsbridge Oval presents free: Tiny learn Japanese art of paper marbling and March 30 at 3:30 p.m. Adults can attend: Prints: Baby and Toddler Program, Mondays dying, March 17 and 18; and Palisades in Microsoft Word 2010 for Beginners, March Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton Ave., 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and Fridays 12:15 Plaster, to make your own sculptural rock 22; and Computer Basics, March 27; both formation or tint or color it to make a gem, at 2 p.m. For more information, call (718) March 24 and 25; both in the WH House 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grounds admission is free until noon Tuesdays and Saturdays all The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., offers year. For more information and a schedule of for children: Crafty Fridays at 3 p.m.: (ages events including tours and walks, call (718) 5 to 12), crafts, March 16 and 23; Toddler 549-3200. Storytime at 10:30 a.m.: (18 to 36 months), interactive stories, action songs, fi ngerplays Bronx County Historical Society presents and crafts, March 22 and 29; and STEM: free lecture, Dress and Undress: Women’s Kids Science at 3 p.m.: (ages 5 to 12), Clothing During the American Revolution, March 20 and 27. Teens/young adults can featuring clothing worn by upper, middle and enjoy: Craft-eens! at 3:30 p.m.: Crafts on lower classes during the 18th century, March Wednesdays, (all materials are provided), 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of Bronx March 21 and 28; and fi lm: “Wonder,” March History, 3266 Bainbridge Ave. (208th Street). 24 at 1:30 p.m. Adults can attend: Knitting For more information, call (718) 881-8900. Circle: Thursdays at 3 p.m. For more Exhibits information, call (718) 882-8239. The Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames Place New York Botanical Garden presents Orchid (near Kingsbridge Road), offers for children: Show, through April 22, in the Enid A. Haupt puppetry: (ages 5 to 12), “The Three Ancient Conservatory. Music and performers are Myths and My Annoying Sister,” March 15 featured on March 17 from 6:30 to 9:30 at 3:30 p.m.; and fi lm: “Walle, Walle,” about p.m. ($28/members 21 years+; $38/non a lonely robot, March 24 at 2 p.m. For more File Photo members). For more information, call (718) information, call (718) 549-5200. MMCC IS GEARING up for SpringFest, celebrating all the offerings on hand 817-8616. NOTE: Items for consideration may at the Norwood community center (see Editor’s Pick for more informa- Bronx Documentary Center, 614 Courtlandt be mailed to our offi ce or sent to tion). Ave., presents exhibit “Father Figure: [email protected], and Exploring Alternative Notions of Black should be received by March 19 for the next Fatherhood,” through March 31, Thursdays publication date of March 29. March 15-28, 2018 • Norwood News • 15 Norwood Local Hits Brick Wall (continued from page 1) ects a couple hundred dollars spokeswoman clarified no un- reached six stories despite or- ing directly above Burgess’s in exchange for accessing their derpinning happened and that ders that were filed to cease con- property since. property. Burgess claims that the notation was a mistake on struction when the building was For months, Burgess has Khalil’s understanding of the an old building permit applica- only at five stories. DOB viola- grappled with Khalil, the city legal process crystallized the tion. tions and civil fines have come Department of Buildings (DOB), moment lawyers got involved. and gone, and multiple stop and even the city Department “Now all of a sudden, lawyers in- Deadlock work orders have been sum- of Health (DOH), engaging in a volved, he understands what li- Burgess drafted up a settle- marily dropped after quick and, tiff rife with he-said-he-said mo- censing means,” said Burgess. ment that would allow Khalil to Burgess believes, suspect in- ments, daily inconveniences, Burgess has since filed DOB perform work on his property. spections by Manhattan based and the study of construction complaints related to the en- Burgess spent about $12,000 Building Enforcement Safety law. croachment, with one grievance in lawyer’s fees for it. Khalil Team (BEST) squads, who re- With negotiations to resolve related to a restaurant duct that showed initial interest in the port to the DOB. the issue at an impasse, the dis- ventilated food odors into his deal, but weeks later rejected it. “I would like to go to court. pute may be headed to court, home. Burgess claims this shift was The problem with that is that with Burgess saddled with spurred by Khalil’s displeasure gets very expensive… my lawyer mounting legal debt. Underpinning Fears at a clause requiring Khalil to says when you go to court that’s “I hope you can afford [your The initial meeting proved remove scaffolding by a cer- going to cost you, you know, an- lawyer’s] fees,” Khalil wrote to to be a smoke screen from Bur- tain date or face a fine. Khalil other $10,000,” said Burgess. Burgess in a recent text message gess’s vantage. At the meeting, disputed Burgess’s version of “But in one sense I want to go to following the breakdown of a Burgess was promised construc- events telling the Norwood News court because I want them to ex- proposed agreement that would tion plans and that no underpin- he actually declined over Bur- plain to a judge how they got to have allowed Khalil to legally ning—a process that reinforces gess’s request, comparing it to the sixth floor.” allow construction workers to a home’s foundation to prevent Burgess demanding ‘ransom For now, Burgess remains enter the space of his property it from collapsing--would take money.’ Currently, parties stand convinced his home was under- to perform work. place. Underpinning, often uti- deadlocked as a stop work order pinned, going so far as to dig Burgess filed his first com- lized when construction of a is in place until Khalil makes an through his tile and into the dirt plaints almost immediately af- nearby structure could cause effort to protect Burgess’s roof in an effort to discover the un- ter construction, as work had neighboring foundations to from the rising construction. derpinning. He couldn’t afford already begun to shake his shake, can potentially devalue a But the stop work orders the $10,000 an engineer might building at all hours. It wors- home. haven’t really stopped work charge. ened from there, as more and When Burgess began to sus- at all. Construction has since more construction-related is- pect underpinning took place, sues surfaced. he took the advice of a surveyor he hired and checked his prop- Licensing erty after noticing a large pit Typically, any developer who was being excavated along the expects some construction work side of his house. to spill over to a resident’s prop- He went to the Bronx borough erty must get a legally binding DOB of f ice and was able to obtai n license that’s approved by the building plans for the construc- Need help homeowner, in this case Bur- tion, which suggested that Khal- gess, and signed off by the DOB. il’s company had underpinned with a business But Burgess, who’s expanded the property. Speaking with the lease in NYC? his skillset into real property Norwood News, Khalil said all law, says that never happened. the plans should be publically And he’s entitled to it. available and asserted that no You may be “They have to protect your underpinning took place. eligible for free property. I use my backyard,” Burgess returned to the DOB Burgess said. “My daughter in late October and was able to legal services. uses my backyard. She plays, personally meet with Bronx she dances. I use my backyard, Borough DOB Commissioner I work on bikes; I have a bas- Werner deFoe. ketball court back there. If you “[H]e says, ‘No, they would wanna use it, we gotta find some never do this, why would they [do middle ground.” this]?’ So he is looking through According to Burgess, in his big ol’ fancy computer and an initial good faith meeting he says, ‘Oh. I think they un- last year, Khalil said he was derpinned your property,’” said unaware of the licensing pro- Burgess. cess, later hinting that he often When the Norwood News re- slipped neighboring property counted Burgess’s version of Bill de Blasio Call 311 and ask for owners from his previous proj- events to the DOB, an agency Mayor “Commercial Lease Assistance” or visit Gregg Bishop Commissioner nyc.gov/commlease The Academy of Mount .St. Ursula Four Years To Last a Lifetime

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