Periodicals Paid at Bronx, N.Y. USPS 114-590 Volume 47 Number 9 November 2018 One Dollar CI GATEWAY: A NEW VISION? By KAREN NANI However, some new developments Mr. Gjonaj told The Current. “The property give cause for optimism that the project can is an eyesore and impacts negatively on move forward. “The latest map shared by City Island. I remember fondly when it was DOT indicates that the city owns 70 per- Rosenberger’s with their fishing boats, but cent of the site, including the building,” no one is keeping up the building. It may Ms. Baldwin told The Current (see map on have to be condemned and knocked down. page 5). “They have site control, and the The private and public owners make it a city should take care of the eyesore that the complicated process, and the delineation property has become.” in the property lines between private and She believes that the Gateway now has public doesn’t always match the different a path forward, and her enthusiasm for the surveys from different years. The property project is contagious. “Step 1, we can begin needs to be used in a way that complements Photos and map courtesy of LINDA BALDWIN negotiating with the city. Then, Step 2, we The City Island Gateway project proposes a major renovation to the unsightly prop- City Island and allows for open water ac- erty next to the City Island Bridge (photo above). Plans for the project include water- can form a non-profit group to raise funds cess.” front access for small-boat launching and kayak rentals, along with public areas for to develop the parcel in conformance with Civic Association officer Barbara Do- family activities (artist’s rendering, above right). the community’s vision and the city’s wa- lensek added, “Not only would this project terfront plan.” help to make the entrance to City Island Although Ms. Bellinson has since The project known as the City Island possible? They learned that a significant more attractive and representative of the moved to Oregon, Ms. Baldwin still lives Gateway has gained new momentum now part of the property was owned by the city community, but it would also give access to on City Island with her husband, former that the bridge is almost complete and Is- of New York as easements and that only a the water for small boats and kayaks that Borough President Adolfo Carrión, and landers are bemoaning the dilapidated con- small parcel was privately held. In addition, City Island does not have at the present she continues to advocate for the Gateway. dition of the property that has become the there were legitimate questions about the time.” She and representatives of the Civic Asso- first impression many have of City Island boundaries between the private and public Ms. Baldwin plans to keep the commu- ciation and the Chamber of Commerce met after they cross the bridge. property. They took their ideas to the com- nity involved and to seek additional ideas with New York City Councilmember Mark The Gateway initiative dates back to munity and received input and enthusiastic about how to best use and restore the site Gjonaj, on Aug. 31, 2018, and he is very 2010, when the land east of the City Island support. at the northeast end of City Island Avenue. supportive of the project. He has already Bridge went into receivership. It became Ms. Baldwin, a former city planner and “I am not giving up on the Gateway project approached DOT to clean up the remaining a site for illegal dumping and a home for an attorney, and Ms. Bellinson then submit- and Islanders should not either. Hopefully, rubble left behind from the bridge construc- squatters. This was especially sad for long- ted a comprehensive proposal for the Gate- they will share their ideas and lend their tion. time residents who remembered the site way in 2012 to City Planning, stating: “The support.” “I agree something needs to be done,” as the home of Rosenberger’s Boatyard, potential for this property is immense and Continued on page 5 which launched a fleet of freshly painted in line with almost every aspect of the NYC orange rental dinghies every spring. It was Waterfront Revitalization Program. The vi- later home to the popular “Worm Bar” after sion is for doing something beautiful and being purchased by Islander John Persteins green with this property by improving pub- and his partner, John Burke. lic access, creating recreational space, and In addition to the declining condition promoting family activities.” of the property, building and pier, several However, the next series of events cre- events set the idea for the Gateway project ated obstacles to opening the Gateway. The in motion. The New York City Department private property was sold at a tax lien auc- of Planning held a workshop called “Vision tion to an individual who was interested in 2020: The New York City Comprehensive turning it over at a profit. Then the Depart- Waterfront Plan.” Members of the Civic ment of Transportation (DOT) took control Association, including Jane Blanks, Bar- of the city-owned portion to store equip- bara Dolensek, Inge Otto and Tom Smith, ment and vehicles being used during con- attended and then solicited ideas from the struction of the new City Island Bridge. community for the restoration of different In June 2016, the Civic Association, parts of City Island’s waterfront. along with Ms. Baldwin and Bellinson, ap- Two Islanders, Susan Bellinson and pealed to DOT to have the Gateway prop- Linda Baldwin, put forth their idea for the erty cleaned up in time for the opening of Gateway in 2010: “It would be nice to cre- the new bridge. “It would be incredible to ate a more beautiful gateway to City Island have this property refurbished at the time of as part of the vision that New York City the opening of the new City Island Bridge, has for the waterfront, incorporating recre- but without a commitment from DOT, we ational and cultural uses, as well as envi- are unable to move forward in obtaining ronmental issues, a place where Islanders donations to fund the purchase of the pri- and others can enjoy all that our unique vate parcel, which is surrounded by the location has to offer.” (See November 2010 city property and is crucial to the success issue of The Current). They suggested that of the plan,” Ms. Bellinson wrote to DOT Photo by BARBARA DOLENSEK the Gateway include a public dock and Commissioner Polly Trottenberg (see June Two explosive devices found in New York City on Oct. 24 and 25, 2018, were quickly small boat launch, concessions for kayak 2016 issue of The Current). Unfortunately, conveyed to the bomb squad facility at Rodman’s Neck in Pelham Bay Park so that and bike rentals, and space for artists and this did not happen in 2017, and the prop- officers could defuse them and try to identify the maker. These pipe bombs targeting family activities. erty continues to be plagued by graffiti and the CNN offices in the Time Warner Building and a restaurant owned by Robert de What led them to think this was even rubble from the bridge construction. Niro were similar to those found elsewhere targeting Bill and Hillary Clinton, former President Obama and other prominent Democrats. Page Two The Island Current November 2018 in a marina on City Island Avenue at 6 p.m. BRIEFLY... An unknown perpetrator removed tools 45 BLOTTER from a boat without permission. BRONX MASONS BLOOD DRIVE will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 9/27 – Police arrested a male Islander, 3:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 113 Bay Street. Almost anyone be- 21, and charged him with grand larceny on tween the ages of 17 and 75, weighing a minimum of 110 pounds and in good general health, can Complaints reported from City Is- land to the 45th Precinct during Septem- City Island Avenue at 4:39 p.m. An off-Is- be a blood donor. Photo or signature ID and Social Security Number are required at the time of ber and October 2018. Unfounded com- land male reported his wallet missing from donation. Refreshments, including pizza, will be provided. Please come and give the gift of life. plaints are not included in the list. in front of a commercial establishment on 1 – PETIT LARCENY City Island Avenue. Police made the arrest WINTER CLOTHING AND COAT DRIVE will be held by the Bronx Ma- 1 – HARASSMENT after the perpetrator allegedly tried to make sons on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 241 City Island Avenue, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 1 – LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN transactions with the stolen credit cards. If possible, please put men’s, women’s and children’s donations into separate bags for easy ACCIDENT 10/12 – On Reynolds Street at 12 a.m., distribution. All donations will be going to POTS (Part of the Solution) on Webster Avenue. 1 – BURGLARY an Island resident reported damage to a 1 – GRAND LARCENY AUTO parked vehicle. An unknown driver had HARVEST DINNER DANCE, featuring a buffet dinner and music provided 1 – GRAND LARCENY struck the resident’s vehicle and then fled by Freddie Lando (the Golden Voice of the Bronx) will be held at the City Island Com- Police provided details on the follow- the scene. munity Center, 190 Fordham Street, on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets, $40 per person, ing incidents and arrests for the period 10/12 – At 8 p.m.
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