As Worshippers Return for Holy Week Services, One Lector Discusses Addiction Concerns & Mental Health

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

Worshippers once again returned in person for the annual Passion of the Christ Reenactment in Bedford Park with several hundred parishioners and passersby seen watching members of Our Lady of Refuge congregation reenacting the Good Friday procession and crucifixion. The event was held outside Our Lady of Refuge church, located at 290 East 196th Street on Friday, April 7, as the street was shut down between Bainbridge Avenue and Briggs Avenue. The annual Bedford Park event is believed to have started in the 1980s and the current pastor of Our Lady of Refuge church, Father Patrick D’Arcy, said

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) has launched an affordable housing lottery for units at 2441 Crotona Avenue, a 7-story residential building in the Belmont section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Designed by Marin Architect, and developed by Stagg Group, the structure yields 51 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect, HPD’s online platform, are 25 units for residents earning 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $75,395 to $215,150. According to HPD, amenities include pet-friendly policies, 24-hour surveillance, an accessible entrance and elevator, a shared laundry room, a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the launch of the 2023 Open Streets program on Saturday, April 22, coinciding the program’s 2023 launch with DOT’s Car-Free Earth Day. As previously reported, the program, according to DOT officials, transforms streets into public spaces open to all, allowing for a range of activities that promote economic development, supporting schools, and providing new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community. However, a review of the City’s list of designated open street locations finds very few in the northwest Bronx. DOT officials said this year the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story published in our latest print edition. Following concerns by some Kingsbridge residents over plans by the International Leadership Charter High School (ILCHS) to open a new, 7-story, middle school at 306 West 232nd Street in Kingsbridge, one block away from its existing school site at 3060 Riverdale Avenue, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, and State Sen. Robert Jackson (S.D. 31) joined a group of local residents and members of the Construction and General Building Laborers union on Saturday, April 15, for a rally to oppose

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Frustrated at the limited space available for passing foot traffic at the bus stop located on Webster Avenue by East 204th Street in Norwood, local resident, Sirio Guerino, recently highlighted the accessibility issue with City representatives and local elected officials to see what could be done to address it. Due to a combination of factors, several City agencies are impacted. “There is absolutely no room for a wheelchair-bound person, walker, or baby carriage to use this location’s sidewalk due to the blockage of the recently built outdoor extension of the restaurant, extra large tree pits, NYC Link info tower,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest edition. Bedford Park resident and community volunteer, Miriam Quiñones, was one of five impressive women honored during a Women’s History Month celebration organized by Bridgefield Civic League in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx on Saturday, March 18. During the event, Quiñones, who is also a freelance photographer with Norwood News, along with each of the other four honorees, was presented with a plaque by president of Bridgefield Civic League, Debra Garland, as well as proclamations from both the City Council, presented by District

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) has launched a housing lottery for units at 1169 River Avenue in Concourse, a 19-story mixed-use building in Concourse, The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Community Access, an NYC supportive housing and social service non-profit, the structure yields 245 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect, HPD’s online portal, are 96 units for residents earning 60 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $31,852 to $132,400. According to HPD, amenities include a community center,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Local kids from Olinville, Gun Hill Houses and beyond faced off in the third, free, monthly “Mind Your Beat” dance battle at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center on Saturday, March 4. Dancers ages 9 to 14 shared the spotlight for a series of knock-out, one-on-one dance battles throughout the evening, all with the aim of “releasing their inner beast,” having some fun, and the chance to take home some coveted cash prizes. The monthly event is part of a dance battle series led by artist-in-residence and lead Hip Hop instructor, Joss [Jocelyn] Gutierrez, judges, “Nate the Great” and Dee Ross, with DJ

By ARIEL PACHECO

During the March Traffic and Transportation committee meeting of Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) presented its final plan on proposed bus and pedestrian improvements to address congestion along Gun Hill Road before the plan’s implementation in the coming months. DOT said as part of the discussions around the MTA Bronx Bus Network Redesign project, implemented in 2022, more than 50 outreach events were held, and it was clear the community wanted to see improvements to the Gun Hill Road bus service, named as one of ten key Bronx corridors for bus priority. DOT

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As Worshippers Return for Holy Week Services, One Lector Discusses Addiction Concerns & Mental Health

Belmont: HPD Launches Affordable Housing Lottery for Units at 2441 Crotona Ave, Deadline June 20

NYC DOT Launches 2023 Open Streets Program with More Locations but Few in Northwest Bronx

Electeds Join Community Members for Rally Opposing New Kingsbridge Charter School

UPDATE Norwood: Several Factors Causing Congestion for Pedestrians at Webster Ave and East 204th Street

Bedford Park Resident Honored at Bridgefield Civic League Women’s History Month Celebration

Concourse: HPD Launches Housing Lottery for Units at 1169 River Avenue

Local Kids Face Off in Fun Night as part of Monthly “Mind Your Beat” Dance Battle Series

UPDATE DOT Updates CB7 on Gun Hill Road Bus Project