Real Estate

A Look Inside the Changing Bronx General Post Office, Green Taxis, & 4 Apartment Buildings Get Major Makeover|Bronx AM Links

The top story this morning continues to be how community boards across New York City are striking down de Blasio’s zoning changes. Meanwhile, a look into the world of green taxis, Comptroller Scott Stringer thinks it’s fine time to shut down Rikers, 4 buildings get a new lease on life, and a peek inside the Bronx General Post Office and plans for the landmark.

New York Times Poll Suggests 36% of Bronx Residents Struggling To Get By

The New York Times has released an article on a recent poll they conducted which indicates that roughly half of New York City residents are barely able to make ends meet. In The Bronx, that number is at 36%. The Bronx also leads New York City with the percentage of residents (25% of respondents) who do not feel confident that local government elected officials are not addressing the multitude of problems facing our borough.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Councilmember Torres & NYCHA Infill, and South Bronx Pride

On Bronx AM Links we have stories on standing proud of being from the South Bronx, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and how she almost pulled away from the confirmation process, and Councilmember Ritchie Torres on controversial plans for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) plans for infill at public housing to create market rate and “affordable” housing on its properties.

Bronx Boro Board and Prez Votes No on Changes to Zoning Text

Last week we reported that 9 of 12 Bronx Community Boards had voted down any changes to the zoning text for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Affordability and Quality—a cornerstone for Mayor de Blasio’s housing plan to preserve and create 200,000 units of “affordable” housing.

Now, this morning, The Bronx Borough Board and the BP has voted no on MIH and ZAQ which seems to align that with the wishes of the residents of The Bronx as well as with many similar increasing sentiments around New York City.

Now just because Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr voted no, don’t let your guard down just yet.

Piano District Billboard Ad GONE; Replaced With Ad for Ice Cream

It was up for barely a month yet it made headlines around the world and now it’s gone—the Piano District billboard has been replaced with an innocuous ice cream ad.

The billboard display heralding the coming of luxury waterfront living and a rebranding of a neighborhood while promising to bring in “world class dining, fashion, and art” for many was a sign that gentrification was coming in and fast.

A Gould Memorial Library Seeks New Life; de Blasio’s Failing Housing Plan|Bronx PM Links

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s housing plan to preserve and create 200,000 units of affordable housing is crumbling, Casita Maria searches for a new executive director as Sarah Calderon departs the organization after 7 wonderful years, and the Gould Memorial Library at Bronx Community College may be repurposed are some of the stories you’ll find here at Bronx PM Links.

Overcrowded Apartments in The Bronx on The Rise; Is This What’s Overburdening Our Mass Transit?

Last week The Real Deal talked about how it appeared that certain developments may be responsible for a 9% increase in subway ridership in The Bronx between 2009 and 2014 and while that may be the case for a few of the stations, none of the others are proximate to actual new developments to account for increases as high as 34% at 176th Street on the 4 line.

While looking at the infographic above, there have been no major developments constructed in the East Bronx in Eastchester near the Gun Hill Road Station on the 5 Dyre Avenue line which saw a 28% increase in ridership and the same goes for Parkchester which saw a 19% jump. Kingsbridge and Bedford Park Boulevard along the 4 train, which saw a jump of 11% and 10% respectively also didn’t have any major new construction housing to account for such large increases.

Could lack of housing and truly affordable housing be the reason?

Bronx Community Boards Overwhelmingly REJECT City’s Proposed Changes to Zoning Text On Eve Of Boro Prez Public Hearing

8 out of 12 Bronx community boards have voted NO (1 voted yes) so far on the city’s planned changes to the zoning text to include for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning on Quality and Affordability. This all comes on the eve of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr Bronx Board public hearing to be held tomorrow, Thursday, Nov 12th at 6pm.

Shell Companies Defrauding Homeowners From Their Deeds; Protect Your Property!

What do you do if the person you thought was helping you keep your home was in fact taking it right from under your feet?

Sometimes Bronx homeowners and families find themselves in desperate situations whether due to a bleak economic downturn or health issues both which can lead to unemployment or underemployment.

This leaves this segment of the population vulnerable to predators from all sides who will claim to help save your home but in reality are conspiring to take it away from you.

The New York Times has published a special report on the never ending scam of shell companies which promise the world to desperate homeowners and without the homeowner realizing, their homes are taken away from them.