Welcome2TheBronx

Brand new affordable apartments now available as low as $410 a month in the South Bronx

Ed García Conde

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July 12, 2023

*750 E 134th Street at Willow Avenue in Port Morris is just steps away from Randall’s Island.*

A new housing lottery has opened for a brand new and truly affordable housing development in the Port Morris area of the South Bronx.

Called The Willow, which is being developed by JCAL Development Group, the 112 unit building is located at 750 E 134th Street and Willow Avenue just steps away from the Randall’s Island Connector to the 512 acre park.

The development is being constructed under the Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability (ELLA) program of the New York City Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Through this program, the project aims to provide much-needed and truly affordable housing to the Port Morris neighborhood.

*Some units feature open kitchen layouts…*

In recent years, the area has witnessed an influx of luxury housing units that are far beyond the financial means of most residents in the community. By addressing this disparity, the project seeks to support the local residents and enhance the overall affordability of the neighborhood.

*While others have separate kitchens but either way, you get a lot of counter space and tons of cabinets.*

Monthly rents at The Willow begin as low as $410 for studios, $521 for one-bedrooms, $615 for two-bedrooms, and $701 for three bedrooms for qualifying households that make 30% of the Area Median Income which ranges from $17,006 to $52,530 depending on household size.

*The rooftop terrace is still under construction but will provide beautiful views of The Bronx and Manhattan skyline.*

Residents will have access to several amenities like package lockers, bike storage lockers, storage rooms on each floor, a shared laundry room, and a rooftop view with stunning views of The Bronx and Manhattan skylines. One of the best features of the apartments is that they all have their own heating and cooling units.

Oh and three bedroom units have 2 bathrooms with the main bedroom having an ensuite bathroom.

The rents, unit breakdown, and income requirements for The Willow are as follows:

30% AMI

$410 a month for studios for households making $17,006-$33,900
$521 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $21,223-$38,130
$615 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $25,509-$45,750
$768 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $29,555 – $52,530

*Check out those skyline views from the rooftop*

50% AMI

$768 a month for studios for households making $29,280-$56,500
$969 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $36,583-$63,550
$1,152 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $43,920-$76,250
$1,322 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $50,846-$87,550

70% AMI

$1,126 a month for studios for households making $41,555-$79,100
$1,416 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $51,909-$88,970
$1,689 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $62,332-$106,750
$1,942 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $72,103-$122,570

80% AMI

$1,305 a month for studios for households making $47,692-$90,400
$1,640 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $59,589-$101,680
$1,958 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $71,555-$122,000
$2,252 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $82,732-$140,080

Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the H ousing Connect website for further details.

How to Apply

For those interested in applying, you have until September 12, 2023 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to:
The Willow
c/o Wavecrest Consulting LLC
87-14 116th Street
Richmond Hill, NY 11418

Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.

5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 1 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees.

Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.

Good luck to all who apply!

Construction is expected to wrap up within the next couple of months with occupancy to begin some time this Fall.

Already overburdened by air pollution, Canadian wildfires leave Bronx residents breathless

Ed García Conde

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June 8, 2023

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Already overburdened by air pollution, Canadian wildfires leave Bronx residents breathless

*Masked court officers cross the Grand Concourse at 161st Street*

With major highways like the Cross Bronx Expressway and polluting industries like fossil fuel plants and medical waste incinerators, Bronx residents are no strangers to air pollution and the lasting physical and their sometimes often, deadly health outcomes where residents suffer from some of the highest rates of asthma in the nation as a result.

These environmental conditions have led The Bronx to have some of the highest rates of asthma with 9x the national rate and 15x the hospitalization rate in New York City.

*At The Hub, by 2PM, conditions had deteriorated with AQI reaching over 400 making NYC the city with the worst air quality in the world.*

The culprit in air pollution is PM 2.5, a microscopic particulate matter that, due to its tiny size, can easily get deeply within lungs and, according to the New York State Department of Health, “…can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath,” all of which can be deadly to individuals already suffering from limited lung capacity due to asthma.

But what has transpired across the city and region since this past Tuesday, due to the out of control Canadian wildfires raging hundreds of miles away, made simple daily tasks a hell on Earth for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents that suffer from respiratory ailments especially within our borough.

*The Yankees game yesterday was postponed due to ‘Hazardous’ air quality*

On a typical day in The Bronx, the Air Quality Index for PM 2.5, according to the Environmental Protection Agency can range from anywhere in the 30s to 60s with anything up to 50 considered “good” and anything between 51 to 100 considered moderate.

That all changed yesterday by 2PM when the skies darkened dramatically to an unsettling orange hue with very low visibility and the AQI jumping to over 400 into what is considered hazardous, even for those without such complications like asthma or heart disease, making New York City is having the worst air of any major city in the world.

*A woman crosses the Grand Concourse coughing due to hazardous air quality despite wearing a mask*

I can’t breathe

Across social media, many Bronx residents complained of breathing issues and having to use asthma inhalers more than they’re already used to as well as reporting having headaches, something which such a high PM 2.5 is known to cause according to city and state health departments.

In Norwood, Alexis E. (last name withheld at their request), said that as of today, they haven’t been outside in two days and despite having all of their windows in their apartment closed, their asthma was, “acting up”, and they were feeling weak.

“I have an ongoing headache no matter how much Excedrin I take, it just keeps coming back”, Alexis said.

A street vendor at The Hub struggled to cover his mouth and nose after the city’s AQI hit over 400 and entered ‘hazardous’ territory

She added, “I finally ordered an air purifier that should be here tomorrow but I might have to got to the ER before if this keeps up. I can’t wait for my air purifier to get here. It’s getting hard for me to breathe…I feel crazy lightheaded.”

Meanwhile, another person on our Instagram post commented that they, “…just went up the block and got a headache.”

On a more personal account, on Tuesday I went about my normal routine which includes commuting by bike across The Bronx and into Midtown Manhattan. By the time I arrived in Midtown on Tuesday around 4PM, my eyes were burning.

Yesterday, while documenting the event in The Bronx, I had to err on the side of caution and limit my time outdoors despite wearing my N95 mask after feeling a little fatigued.

Climate change reality

Climate change, often spoken as some dystopian future, became a reality for hundreds of millions of Americans across the region as they grappled with the impacts of the Canadian wildfires.

*No strangers to masking, New Yorkers quickly donned their masks as smoke from the Canadian wildfires hundreds of miles away enveloped the city and region.*

Drier weather and rising temperatures since the turn of the 21st century has created the conditions for these wildfires to spread and while the western half of the United States have been experiencing such events, this is the first time New York and the Northeast have gotten a look at what the future may hold.

If this is indeed what we have to look forward to, then we have an obligation to protect our most vulnerable populations as best as we can.

We have already seen what having the worst asthma rates did to The Bronx at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to the borough becoming the epicenter with the highest rates of mortality from the disease not just in the city or state but the entire country.

*A delivery man rides down the Concourse.*

The time to act is now to make sure our most vulnerable are protected before such wildfire events become more commonplace.

Current forecasts is calling for improving air quality by tomorrow and overall clearing by Sunday or Monday.

*For many Bronx residents, staying home and indoors despite the hazardous air quality conditions was not a luxury they could afford which was no different than during the height of the pandemic.*

In the meantime, pay attention to sites like airnow.gov to monitor air quality in your area and follow the necessary recommended guidance to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe by limiting outdoor activities and keeping your windows closed for the time being.

New restaurant brings a taste of Japan to the South Bronx

Ed García Conde

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May 15, 2023

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New restaurant brings a taste of Japan to the South Bronx

UPDATE: Hours of operation have been updated to 6 days a week from Wednesday through Monday from 4pm to 11pm and will eventually open 7 days a week down the road.

MELROSE—The South Bronx restaurant scene just got a little more diverse with a new Japanese restaurant opening today.

*Minato is located at 407 E 161st Street in Melrose*

Called Minato (which means harbor in Japanese), the eatery is the brainchild of Luigi Ghidetti and Mark Lu, the duo behind Porto Salvo, the popular South Bronx Italian restaurant and bar, and features a menu with many of the standard sushi and sashimi along with a well-stocked sake bar, the latter of which is perhaps the first of its kind in The Bronx.

The menu at Minato is what you’d expect at similar eateries but the first thing you notice once your food arrives is that the portions and size of the rolls are a bit larger than most places which is a refreshing change.

And while some of the fare is pretty standard for a Japanese and sushi restaurant, the flavors and presentation are definitely above what you’ll encounter at most places around the city, especially in The Bronx.

According to owner Mark Lu, this was intentional and one of the things Minato’s chef insisted when creating the menu.

“You can get sushi and Japanese food anywhere in the city and it’s all going to be pretty much the same so we have to ask ourselves what can we do to make it different and why would someone want to come here and more importantly, back again?” said Lu.

As an avid fan and lover of sushi and all foods related, Minato certainly was an entirely different experience when we went last week for the menu tasting.

One of the most creative items was an avocado spring roll which managed to retain its vibrant green and yellow coloring despite being fried in its thin wrapper and is a must try for those who love avocados.

Other favorites of the evening was the spicy tuna roll, a vegetable roll which somehow managed to not taste like a basic veggie roll, and Minato Mussels.

But the showstopper of the evening was the house specialty, the Minato Roll which is a crab salad roll topped with Chilean sea bass and is served warm with a combination of sauces that explodes with flavor with each bite.

Besides sake, you can order several different teas of which one is the blooming flower green tea infused with other teas like Jasmine and serves as a perfect palate cleanser unless you choose to opt for the mochi which is delicious and serves the same function.

*The beautiful, and delicious, blooming flower tea*

The space itself is nice and cozy with bar seating and a few indoor tables as well as outdoor seating in the front. The backyard is currently under construction for additional outdoor seating and will be styled to give patrons a taste of a Japanese Buddhist garden as part of the experience.

As someone who loves sushi and Japanese food and would often eat it several times a week, it’s nice to have one in my own backyard that I can easily walk to and support locally.

We’re pretty sure it’s going to be another local favorite along with all the other popular eateries in Melrose.

Minato’s grand opening is today, May 15th and will open 6 days a week from Wednesday through Monday from 4PM – 11PM and is located at 407 E 161st Street at Melrose Avenue. They plan on opening 7 days a week in the near future.

Live in luxury above America’s first Hip Hop museum starting at $465 a month right on the Bronx waterfront

Ed García Conde

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May 1, 2023

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Live in luxury above America’s first Hip Hop museum starting at $465 a month right on the Bronx waterfront

One of the most highly-anticipated affordable housing developments in New York City is now accepting applications for 432 brand-new apartments.

*Bronx Point sits right at the 145th Street Bridge*

Located at 575 Exterior Street right along the Harlem River Waterfront, this is the first phase of Bronx Point that is nearing completion and includes 540 permanently affordable apartments of which 432 are available in the current housing lottery.

Monthly rents at Bronx Point start as low as $465 for studios, $591 for one-bedroom units, $700 for two-bedroom units, and $800 for three-bedroom apartments for incomes ranging from $18,815 to $49,650 depending on household size.

*The Universal Hip Hop Museum, America’s first museum for the music genre, will also be located at Bronx Point*

Besides being located above the future home of America’s first hip hop museum, the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) and located right along the Harlem River Waterfront at Mill Pond Park, Bronx Point offers many amenities like a 24-hour attended lobby, an outdoor terrace, a gym, bike room, outdoor spaces, a community center, shared laundry room, and even a children’s playroom and educational facilities. Oh and the entire building is a designated smoke-free environment.

Speaking of Mill Pond Park, it would be remiss of us not to mention that this development is being constructed on stolen parkland that was once dedicated for Mill Pond Park’s expansion. At the very least, however, the developer, L+M Development, is constructing the publicly accessible waterfront extension of the park at the development site.

The waterfront promenade will eventually be part of the proposed 7-mile Bronx Harlem River Greenway which will connect from Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale down to Randall’s Island in Port Morris once it’s completed.

*Rendering of a bedroom at Bronx Point/Via Housing Connect*

Josue Sanchez, Senior Director, L+M Development Partners said, “The opening of the affordable housing lottery for Bronx Point brings us one step closer to welcoming families to this long-awaited, transformative development.”

Sanchez added, “Bronx Point is a first-class community-based housing development that brings some incredible amenities to the neighborhood – a new park and esplanade along the Harlem River waterfront, the future home of the world’s premier hip hop museum, dynamic retail spaces, and an educational early childhood center. We encourage everyone to apply and are looking forward to welcoming residents to Bronx Point later this year.”

*Rendering of the extension of the waterfront Mill Pond Park/Via Housing Connect*

Bronx Point is also located across from the Bronx Terminal Market and walking distance to the 2, 4, and 5 subways at 149th Street and Grand Concourse and directly adjacent to the 145th Street bridge into Harlem.

The rents, unit breakdown, and income requirements for Bronx Point are as follows:

30% AMI

$465 a month for studios for households making $18,515-$32,040
$591 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $23,178-$36,030
$700 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $27,772-$43,230
$800 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $32,092 – $49,650

*Areal view of Bronx Point/Via Housing Connect*

50% AMI

$866 a month for studios for households making $32,263-$53,400
$1,092 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $40,355-$60,050
$1,301 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $48,378-$72,050
$1494 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $55,886-$82,750

80% AMI

$1,466 a month for studios for households making $52,835-$85,440
$1,842 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $66,069-$96,080
$2,201 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $79,235-$115,280
$2,534 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $91,543-$132,400

Bronx Point, as seen from the 145th Street Bridge, overlooking the Harlem River

120% AMI

$2,166 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $77,178-$144,120
$2,892 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $102,926-$172,920
$3,332 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $118,903-$198,600

Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the Housing Connect website for further details.

How to Apply

For those interested in applying, you have until June 30, 2023 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to:
Bronx Point Phase I
C/O Metropolitan;
PO BOX 609001
Brooklyn, NY 11206

Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.

5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 4 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees.

Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.

Good luck to all who apply!

Brand new affordable apartments now available in Morrisania starting at $410 a month

Ed García Conde

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April 27, 2023

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A new affordable housing development in The Bronx neighborhood of Morrisania is now accepting applications via New York City’s Housing Connect lottery program.

Rendering of Victory Commons/via Housing Connect

Located at 1007 Union Avenue, Victory Commons is a 79 unit development constructed on the site of the old Victory Baptist Church which will once again occupy space at the site once the building is completed.

The six-story building features basic amenities like a recreating room, shared-laundry room, storage, and bike storage lockers. These amenities were once common to luxury developments but over the past few years they have become increasingly common in even the most affordable of new developments.

Victory Commons is being constructed under the Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability (ELLA) program and as a result, rents and income requirements for most of the units are truly affordable and more reflective of the immediate surrounding area.

Monthly rents start as low as $410 for studios, $521 for one bedrooms, $615 for two bedrooms, and $701 for three bedroom units for households making 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) which ranges from $17,452 to $49,650 depending on unit size and number of people in the household.

Typical living room at Victory Commons/Via Housing Connect

The rents, unit breakdown, and income requirements for Victory Commons are as follows:

30% AMI

$410 a month for studios for households making $17,452-$32,040
$521 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $21,703-$36,030
$615 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $25,920-$43,230
$701 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $29,898 – $49,650

50% AMI

$729 a month for studios for households making $28,389-$53,400
$919 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $35,349-$60,050
$1,094 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $42,343-$72,050
$1,253 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $48,823-$82,750

Typical kitchen at Victory Commons/Via Housing Connect

70% AMI

$1,126 a month for studios for households making $42,000-$74,760
$1,416 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $52,389-$84,070
$1,689 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $62,743-$100,870
$1,942 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $72,446-$115,850

80% AMI

$1,305 a month for studios for households making $48,138-$85,440
$1,640 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $60,069-$96,080
$1,958 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $71,966-$115,280
$2,252 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $83,075-$132,400

Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the Housing Connect website for further details.

How to Apply

For those interested in applying, you have until June 12, 2023 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to:
Victory Commons
c/o Wavecrest Consulting LLC
87-14 116th Street
Richmond Hill, NY 11418

Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.

5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 3 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees.

Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.

Good luck to all who apply!

To Speaker Heastie from The Bronx: Pass Sammy’s Law in the budget

Politics

Ed García Conde

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April 17, 2023

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To Speaker Heastie from The Bronx: Pass Sammy’s Law in the budget

April 12, 2023

An Open Letter to Speaker Heastie: Pass Sammy’s Law in the Budget

We have lost children, siblings, spouses, parents or other loved ones to traffic violence. We had expected to see them reach life’s milestones and graduate from school, discover love, get married, have children of their own, or be at our sides as we grew old. We have suffered life-altering injuries. All of us will never be the same. We are all Bronx residents and/or people whose crash happened here. We are tied to this borough, and we are looking to your leadership to give New York City control over our speed limits by supporting the inclusion of Sammy’s Law in this state budget.

In 2022, 16 children were killed by traffic crashes in New York City. It was a nightmare year, and the worst we have seen since Vision Zero was launched in 2014. Traffic crashes remain the number one injury-related killer of children in New York state. Between 2019 and 2020, nearly twice as many children under 18 were killed by motor vehicle traffic as were killed by firearms.

Sammy’s Law will save lives all over the city, but we particularly need this in the Bronx.

The Bronx is the only borough where traffic violence has gotten progressively worse since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In 2022, 57 people lost their lives from crashes, up from 28 in 2019. Cyclist injuries are up 28% in 2023 so far. And in the last five years in Assembly District 83, eight pedestrians and five motorists have been killed, and 3,995 people have been injured.

We know that speeding is a major factor in four out of five crashes that kill people in cars, and even slight reductions in a driver’s speed drastically reduce fatal pedestrian crashes – for every one mph reduction in driving speed, fatal pedestrian crashes fall by 17%. Recently, Seattle lowered their speed limit to 20 mph on residential streets and all crashes fell by as much as 20%.

Not only is this policy a moral imperative, it is also very popular. An Emerson College poll found that 68% of New York City voters support lowering the speed limit to 20 mph on residential streets near their homes, and 72% want the City to have authority to set its own speed limits.

You can save lives and prevent more families from experiencing the pain that we have suffered. Please use the power you have to pass Sammy’s Law in the state budget. With support from the governor, state senate, majority of the city council, and from Mayor Adams, all eyes are now on the Assembly to get this over the finish line.

Sincerely,

Nickya Whittington
Mother of Shavone Bethea
Shavone was killed on Webster Avenue & E. 184 St.

Belkys Rivera
Mother of Josbel Rivera
Josbel was killed on Mosholu Parkway

Clarita Baion
Serious Crash Survivor
Lives in the Bronx

David Shephard
Fiancée to Sonia Powell
Sonia was killed on Baychester Ave

Tom Proctor and Sandra Voss Brother and Sister-in-Law of
Charlie Proctor
Lives in the Bronx

Sofia Russo
Mother of Ariel Russo
Ariel was killed on Amsterdam Avenue
Lives in the Bronx

Craig Sachs
Serious Crash Survivor
Crash occurred on Johnson Avenue

Irma Rosenblatt
Daughter of Ida Rosenblatt
Ida was killed on Netherland Ave. & W. 232 St.

Evelyn Cancel
Mother of Dante Curry
Dante was killed on Wales Ave. at 147th St.

John Santiago
Serious Crash Survivor
Lives in the Bronx

Marla Fisher, MD
Serious Crash Survivor
Crash occurred on Castle Hill Ave. & Westchester Ave

Christian Pellerano
Serious Crash Survivor
Crash at Grand Concourse and Burnside, Lives in the Bronx

.

Bronx population plummets with one of the highest declines in the country

Ed García Conde

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April 3, 2023

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Bronx population plummets with one of the highest declines in the country

Since 1980, The Bronx has seen consistent growth; however, it is now facing a steep population decrease. Recent census data reveals that among counties with over 20,000 inhabitants, The Bronx has the 5th largest numeric population decline and the 7th highest percentage drop since last year as per new census estimates.

The United States Census Bureau reports that The Bronx’s population reached a record 1,472,656 on April 1, 2020, but decreased to 1,421,089 by July 1, 2021, and further to 1,379,946 by July 1, 2022 according to the latest estimates.

With the 2020 census, The Bronx, if it were a city of its own, would have been the 7th largest city by population, in the nation.

If the estimates are indeed accurate, the reduction of nearly 100,000 residents since 2020 represents the most significant decline since the 1980s when The Bronx’s population dropped by 20.6% between 1970 and 1980, losing over 300,000 residents during the peak of the great decline in the borough as residents fled to the suburbs fleeing planned shrinkage and urban decay set forth by racist government policies.

Following the 1990 census, The Bronx experienced remarkable growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in both New York State and the nation. Residents returned to the area, filling the numerous new housing units constructed throughout the borough.

By April 2020, The Bronx’s population not only recovered to its 1970 level of 1,471,701 residents but also surpassed it, reaching a high of 1,472,656.

But it seemed that the growth was short-lived, at least, for the time being.

According to the New York Post:

“Population loss in the city is driven by three factors: federal immigration policies and COVID-19 restrictions that reduced foreign immigration, historically the source of population growth in the city; the shortage of affordable housing; and high taxes that drive high earners to relocate to states where they can keep at least 50% of their earnings, which is not the case in New York City since the federal government capped the deduction of state and local taxes from federal income tax liabilities,” said Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the NYC Partnership.

All of these factors are applicable to The Bronx as it is one of the most rent-burdened boroughs in the city and has a high immigrant population.

If we don’t shift towards constructing more truly affordable housing, don’t expect the population to return back to its 2020 peak anytime soon.

With thousands of luxury units being constructed or already completed in the South Bronx and many of them vacant, it’s clear that that’s not the kind of housing that is in demand in the borough.

If you want people to return to the borough, first address the housing crisis that is needed by the majority and not luxury that is clearly not needed at this scale in our borough.

The US Census Bureau conducts these yearly estimates utilizing a combination of birth, deaths, and migration data to calculate these estimates.

The Bronx is finally getting a waterfront greenway connecting Riverdale to the South Bronx

Ed García Conde

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March 24, 2023

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The Bronx is finally getting a waterfront greenway connecting Riverdale to the South Bronx

The Bronx has faced many negative environmental hurdles in its history, from asthma-inducing highways to waste transfer stations, and even medical waste incinerators, and while most of these almost always disproportionately plagued the South Bronx, there is one that has impacted residents in the West Bronx, whether up in Riverdale or down in Port Morris in the South Bronx: Access to the waterfront.

Residents have been cut off from direct access to the Harlem River for over a century, first by railroads and then by the construction of the Major Deegan Expressway, but finally, a 30-year-old vision for a greenway along the river is taking a big step forward to become a reality.

*Rendering of the Port Morris waterfront as envisioned by the Haven Project in 2015*

On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city will finally expand the Harlem River Greenway, which currently exists in Manhattan, to The Bronx.

“Since its inception, the Harlem River Working Group has been led by community members working improve access to the Bronx and Manhattan side of the Harlem River and develop the Harlem and Putnam River Greenways,” said Chauncy Young, coordinator, Harlem River Working Group.

Young added, “The city’s first greenway plan that included the Harlem River Greenway was developed under Mayor David Dinkins and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in 1993. Today, we can finally make those dreams a reality, and I commend Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres for their unwavering support to secure $7 million for the New York City greenway expansion, and Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriquez for prioritizing this environmental justice project once and for all.”

The envisioned 7-mile greenway would connect Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale to the Randall’s Island Connector in the South Bronx’s Port Morris neighborhood in a continuous ribbon of green pedestrian and cycling paths offering millions of residents direct access to the Harlem River.

Millions of residents across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island have enjoyed significant access to their waterfronts which seamlessly and safely connects neighborhoods and communities through these greenways, however, Bronx residents currently have very limited access to the Harlem River.

Access to the waterfront along the Harlem River currently exists at Roberto Clemente State Park and Bridge Park, both of which are connected, and Mill Pond Park several miles to the south.

*Proposed segments of the Harlem River Greenway via NYC.gov*

While there is no set date for the completion of the proposed greenway, a series of online public workshops will begin next month in order to collect community feedback and the three public workshops will be for each of the three sections of which the implementation of the greenway is being broken down into.

The planned segments as well as date of public workshop for each and registration links are as follows:

Van Cortlandt Park to University Heights Bridge, Tuesday, April 18th, 6-8PM
Register for April 18th workshop
University Heights Bridge to Macombs Dam Bridge, Wednesday, April 19th, 6-8PM
Register for the April 19th workshop
Macombs Dam Bridge to Randall’s Island Connector, Wednesday, April 26th 6-8PM
Register for the April 26th workshop

These workshops are an opportunity for residents to ensure that it is their vision and plan that is implemented in creating the greenway so please make sure to attend. There will be additional opportunities in the Fall of this year to make your voices heard but these first steps are critical in helping shape these discussions.

The view of the Harlem River at Roberto Clemente State Park
Looking north from the High Bridge towards Bridge Park
Rail and the Major Deegan Expressway have choked off access to the Harlem River for over a century.
A view along the Harlem River at Mill Pond Park which was constructed over a decade ago.
Rendering of the Port Morris waterfront as envisioned by the Haven Project in 2015
Rendering of the Port Morris waterfront as envisioned by the Haven Project in 2015
Proposed segments of the Harlem River Greenway / Via NYC.gov

According to the Mayor’s office, an implementation plan will be published in 2024 that will be guided by these workshops.

The plan to finally move forward with the Bronx’s Harlem River Waterfront Greenway is a result of the city receiving a $7.25 million federal grant to expand the city’s current network of greenways to historically underserved communities.

Bronx resident Karen Argenti, who grew up along the Harlem River at NYCHA’s Sedgewick Houses and then on Undercliff Avenue just north of the High Bridge, and who is a board member of the Bronx Council on Environmental Quality (BCEQ), told Welcome2TheBronx that the organization, “…has been working on cleaning the water of the Harlem River since the turn of the century,” and added that, “We are just fighting for whatever everyone else gets in the City.”

Argenti also sees this as a transformative “green” opportunity for The Bronx and said, “Our vision is that the greenway is an opportunity to create a productive green infrastructure model that captures greenhouse gases (GHG), lowers our carbon footprint, and increases habitat, to begin. In addition, alternative transportation methods of travel to and from work and recreational areas as a secondary benefit in lowering the carbon footprint, and with it the heat island effect.”

“This is a win for the Bronx, the City and the State. Moreover, it will clean the Harlem River,” added Argenti.

Apply now for brand-new affordable apartments near Yankee Stadium starting at $843 a month

Ed García Conde

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March 21, 2023

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Applications are now being accepted via New York City’s Housing Connect Affordable Housing program for a new development in the Highbridge neighborhood of The Bronx.

Located at 1169 River Avenue, the brand-new 19 story building has 245 units across just over 200,000 square feet and is being constructed under the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program of New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the Supportive Housing Loan Program of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

The building is just steps away from the 167th Street station on the 4 subway line and is just a few blocks away from Yankee Stadium and Reverend T. Wendell Foster Park and Pool.

*Rendering of 1169 River Avenue / Via Housing Connect*

Of the 195 units, 60% are being set aside for the most vulnerable New Yorkers which includes the formerly homeless and people with disabilities and the remaining 40% of the units, which this lottery is for, is for households making 60, 70, or 80% of the Area Median Income.

Amenities at 1169 River Avenue include bike storage lockers, standard shared laundry room, air-conditioning, a playground, a community center, private outdoor areas, a party room, a business center, a recreation room, an outdoor terrace, concierge, a gym, common area Wi-Fi, smart controls for heating and cooling within individual apartments, and best of all, it is a pet friendly building which even accepts large dogs.

The rents, unit breakdown, and income requirements for 1169 River Avenue are as follows:

60%

$843 a month for studios for households making $31,852-$64,080
$1,065 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $39,875-$72,060
$1,570 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $58,492-$99,380

70%

$1,003 a month for studios for households making $37,338-$74,760
$1,760 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $65,863-$115,850

80%

$1,163 a month for studios for households making $42,823-$85,440
$1,465 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $53,589-$96,080
$1,170 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $65,109-$115,280
$2,037 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $75,360-$132,400

*1169 River Avenue (right) is one of three developments going up on one block as a result of the 2018 Jerome Avenue Rezoning.*

Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the Housing Connect website for further details.

The development is one of several new buildings constructed within the massive Jerome Avenue Rezoning District that was approved back in 2018 and encompasses over 70 blocks in an effort to create at least over 3,000 units of affordable housing.

To date, at least 1,400 new affordable units have been constructed in the five years since the rezoning was approved and made into law.

How to Apply

For those interested in applying, you have until June 12, 2023 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to:
Victory Commons
c/o Wavecrest Consulting LLC
87-14 116th Street
Richmond Hill, NY 11418

Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.

5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 3 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees.

Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.

Good luck to all who apply!

The rich and deep history of the Irish in The Bronx

Ed García Conde

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March 17, 2023

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The rich and deep history of the Irish in The Bronx

This article was originally published in 2021 by Welcome2TheBronx

Much like other ethnic groups that have called The Bronx home, the Irish have left an indelible mark on our borough.

While many often jump to stereotypes and often peg the Irish to St Patrick’s Day, they’re more than just a holiday, especially in The Bronx where they have left a living, breathing history of their journey in America.

Sure, legend has it that ‘green beer‘ was invented right here in The Bronx on St Patrick’s Day 1914 by Dr Thomas Hayes Curtis, a physician hailing from Ireland living in our borough who unveiled the green drink at a social club on 3rd Avenue and 163rd Street but there’s so much more to Irish history in The Bronx than that.

For example, did you know that things we take for granted in our borough were constructed by Irish laborers who arrived here in the 19th century?

*The High Bridge, connecting Upper Manhattan with The Bronx, was constructed by Irish laborers and is New York City’s oldest standing bridge.*

During the 1800s, many left Ireland in search for a better life for them and their families as they escaped the harsh conditions back home. A great number arrived in New York City and in parts of lower Westchester which would eventually become The Bronx.

These Irish laborers constructed the New York and Harlem Railroad as well as the Hudson River Railroad both of which, pre the COVID-19 pandemic, carried hundreds of thousands of daily commuters to and from their jobs.

Irish pride in Woodlawn is 365 days a year.

The landmarked High Bridge, New York City’s oldest standing bridge was also constructed by Irish laborers leaving yet another mark behind that we take for granted.

Long before Woodlawn Heights became the epicenter of Irish life in New York City, with its Irish grocery stores, butcher shops, pharmacies, and restaurants, they called the South Bronx home in neighborhoods like Melrose and Mott Haven.

*The Emerald Isle Immigration Center on Katonah Avenue*

In “The Remarkable Life of Kitty McInerney: How a Poor Irish Immigrant Raised 17 Children in Great Depression New York”, Christopher Prince writes of Irish life in the South Bronx and says:

“Beyond church grounds boys played in the streets — games like stick ball, hand ball, kick the can, pitching pennies, Johnny on the pony, and marbles. Girls played jacks, hopscotch and jump rope. Kids raised pigeons or flew kites on rooftops and raced gleefully through alleys and courtyards. Adults congregated and watched over neighborhoods from stoops and fire escapes. In summer, kids opened fire hydrants or flocked to sprinklers and wading ponds of nearby parks for relief from the sweltering heat. They rented bikes for 25 cents, jumped on a mobile merry-go-round for a few pennies, and sat on blanketed fire escapes after sundown to unwind in the cool night air. Villagers traversed Bronx Irish neighborhoods on trolleys for a nickel and children hitched on the back for a free ride. The downtrodden sang in courtyards and alleys for coins and bottle caps.

“Saturdays were scored by sounds of the Metropolitan Opera streaming from radios and reverberating through windows and alleyways of Bronx Irish neighborhoods. Holidays lured block parties and parades to crowd Bronx thoroughfares. The carnival set up once or twice a year by Jackson Avenue station, casting a nightly glow over the South Bronx. Small shops lined sidewalks and thrived on abundant foot traffic. The South Bronx portion of Westchester Avenue from Wales to 152nd featured Dolan’s Irish Food Store, Olympia Florist, Cushman’s Bakery, an ice cream parlor, a drugstore, a Jewish baker, a candy store and two newsstands.”

Change the names of the stores, prices, and a few other things and you’d still describe the South Bronx of today.

Perhaps the most famous Irish-American Bronxite is the late Mary Higgins Clark, who was born Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins, and was a prolific author with 51 books who was known as the ‘Queen of Suspense’.

*Katonah Avenue, the heart of Woodlawn.*

She is but one of many children of Ireland that has made not just the Irish but The Bronx proud.

Today, Woodlawn still remains the Irish capital of not just The Bronx but New York City despite being more mixed than it was even a decade ago.

All things change but history never does.

May you always have walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire.

Lottery open for new and truly affordable apartments in The Bronx as low as $683 for 3 bedrooms

Ed García Conde

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March 9, 2023

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Lottery open for new and truly affordable apartments in The Bronx as low as $683 for 3 bedrooms

WEST FARMS—A new lottery has been launched for a brand new affordable housing residential building with rents that are truly affordable for local Bronx residents.

Located at 1923 West Farms Road, the 16-story building is part of the massive Compass Residences that spans the Crotona Park East and West Farms neighborhoods of The Bronx with 1,374 apartments across eight buildings steps from the Bronx River and one block from the 2 and 5 subway line at West Farms Square/East Tremont Avenue.

*1923 West Farms Road/Via Housing Connect*

Compass Six Residences, as the building is known, offers deep affordability and is truly affordable to many local residents with monthly rents for brand new apartments as low as $397 for a studio, $503 for one-bedroom units, $598 for two-bedrooms, and $683 for three bedroom apartments for qualifying residents that meet the income requirements making 30% of the Area Median Income thanks in part to being constructed under the Extremely Low & Low-Income Affordability Program (ELLA).

Amenities at the building include a gym, bike storage lockers, the standard shared laundry room, outdoor areas, a community center, and energy efficient appliances.

Perhaps the best amenity is, however, access to the Bronx River via Starlight Park which has a new expansion area on the eastern banks of the river scheduled to open soon.

As you may recall, dolphins were spotted in the river within Starlight in January.

The rents, unit breakdown, and income requirements for The Bronx Grove are as follows:

30%

$397 a month for studios for households making $16,183-$32,040
$503 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $20,160-$36,030
$598 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $24,275-$43,230
$683 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $28,080 – $49,650

50%

$777 a month for studios for households making $29,212-$53,400
$980 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $36,515-$60,050
$1,168 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $4,3818-$72,050
$1,343 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $50,709-$82,750

70%

$1,080 a month for studios for households making $39,600-$74,760
$1,356 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $49,406-$84,070
$1,622 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $59,383-$100,870
$1,865 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $68,606-$115,850

80%

$1,314 a month for studios for households making $47,623-$85,440
$1,651 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $59,520-$96,080
$1,974 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $71,452-$115,280
$2,273 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $82,595-$132,400

Typical kitchen at 1923 West Farms Road / Via Housing Connect

Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the Housing Connect website for further details.

How to Apply

For those interested in applying, you have until June 12, 2023 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to:
Victory Commons
c/o Wavecrest Consulting LLC
87-14 116th Street
Richmond Hill, NY 11418

Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.

5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 3 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees.

Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.

Good luck to all who apply!

New luxury building in South Bronx asking $3,068 a month for a studio

Ed García Conde

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March 6, 2023

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New luxury building in South Bronx asking $3,068 a month for a studio

MOTT HAVEN—Where else but the South Bronx can you live practically on top of a major highway and be expected to pay up to $5,500 a month for a two-bedroom apartment?

*Estela, a two-building development with over 500 residential units in Mott Haven has begun leasing. 445 Gerard Avenue is on the left and 414 Gerard Avenue is on the right.*

Welcome to Mott Haven, the epicenter of the gentrification of the South Bronx.

Known as Estela, the two-building $310 million development is nearing completion, and marketing and leasing have begun for one of the buildings, which is located at 445 Gerard Avenue and takes up an entire city block directly adjacent to Interstate 87 aka the Major Deegan Expressway.

Rents at 445 Gerard Avenue begin at $3,008 for a studio in the building and go up as high as $5,554 for a two-bedroom, two bathroom apartment, 980 square foot unit.

According to the marketing website for Estela and active listings on StreetEasy, the units are slated to be available on April 15th of this year, and with the apartments at the second building, located at 414 Gerard Avenue, becoming available a month later on May 15 of this year.

*Roof top terraces and gardens at Estela’s 445 Gerard Avenue/Via Estela marketing website*

Amenities at the development include 24 hour, 7 days a week concierge, a yoga and Pilates room, a fitness center, a private co-working space for residents, a club room that includes a full catering kitchen, game room, kids playroom, a media lounge and theater, and yes, a pet spa.

But as for the local amenities luxury renters in other parts of the city like Harlem, Williamsburg, and Long Island City come to expect, the immediate area is severely lacking and with rents similar to these, why would someone want to pay that much when they can stay in more “established” areas of the city?

*445 Gerard Avenue is just a few feet from the Major Deegan Expressway*

Between both buildings at Estela, over 500 high-end luxury units will flood an oversaturated luxury rental market in the South Bronx where developments such as Bankside’s first phase, which has been struggling to get full occupancy for over a year since they launched leasing back in late 2021.

Meanwhile, when truly affordable housing lotteries are launched in the area, some developments get tens of thousands of applications for a couple of hundred units.

With the desperate need for affordable housing, one would think developers would switch gears and construct the housing that’s actually needed and in demand and not construct so much luxury in one of the poorest districts of the city where no one is truly “flocking” to as predicted.