New Bronx Research Shows Poor Air Quality Leads to Longer Hospital Stays for Children with Asthma

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Children with asthma spend more time in the hospital when there is a greater amount of “particulate matter” (PM 2.5) i.e. tiny pieces of solids or liquids, and Ozone (O₃), a colorless gas, in the air, according to a new study by researchers at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) in Norwood. The study was published in the Journal of Asthma just days after New York City was blanketed in wildfire smoke from the recent Canadian wildfires, as reported. In what was described as a first-of-its-kind study in children led by pediatric hospitalist Elissa B. Gross D.O., M.P.H, the investigators

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez announced on Wednesday, June 21, that she received the endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (NYC PBA) in her bid for re-election in the upcoming Democratic primary on June 27. The councilwoman won her seat in 2021. Her team said the endorsement highlights what they described as “Velázquez’s unwavering commitment to public safety and her dedication to supporting law enforcement officers who serve and protect the residents of New York City.” Representatives for the union, which represents over 24,000 active and retired police officers, said they recognize Velázquez as

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An affordable housing lottery is open for units in a newly constructed, 8-story building, Gun Hill Road Apartments, located at 739 East Gun Hill Road in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx. Designed by Marin Architects and developed by RYTY Home Builders, according to YIMBY, the structure yields 134 residential units and 69 parking spaces. Available on NYC Housing Connect, the online portal for New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) are 41 affordable housing units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible annual incomes from $73,886 to $227,630.

By SARA MARTINEZ

As Bronx residents and elected officials gathered at Bronx Borough Hall on Thursday, June 1, for the annual Pride ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride Month, one northwest Bronx student was among those being honored this year. The annual tradition of honoring selected members of the Bronx LGBTQIA+ community was also an occasion to witness the raising of the Pride flag, which will fly alongside the American flag and the veterans’ Prisoner of War (POW) / Missing in Action (MIA) flag throughout Pride Month (June). On the day, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson reiterated New York’s commitment to

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Regular riders of the Bx12 bus who complain that most days the buses are crowded, and that there are not enough of them can look to the latest findings from both the Metropolitan Transportation Administration (MTA) and NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) for confirmation. Officials from both agencies updated residents and Bronx Community Board 7’s Traffic & Transportation committee at the last committee meeting before the summer break on Thursday, June 1. Reading from a slide show presentation, one official said, “The Bx12 is the busiest bus route in The Bronx, and second busiest in NYC after the M15.”

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

Building applications have been filed with NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for a new, 4-story, residential building at 3052 Hull Avenue in the Norwood section of The Bronx as reported by YIMBY. Located between East Mosholu Parkway North and East 204th Street, the lot is located close to the Norwood-205th Street subway station, serviced by the D train. Alfred Popaj is listed as the owner behind the applications, according to YIMBY. The proposed 50-foot-tall development will yield 5,119 square feet designated for residential space, and the building will comprise eight residential units, most likely rentals, based on the

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE

A construction worker fell 30 feet from the 4th floor of a construction site in the Wakefield section of The Bronx and has been hospitalized, according to NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Department officials added that safety violations were identified at the site run by BE Bronx Builders LLC, which is owned by the Stagg Group. The latter, along with Mark Stagg and BE Bronx Builders LLC, was hit with a lawsuit last week by three construction workers burned in a separate Bronx construction accident on May 15 in Williamsbridge. DOB officials said the latest accident in Wakefield occurred

By LIANA SMALE

Next time you walk through one of New York City’s 1,700 public parks, take a closer look at the names on the signs advertising park events, or at the shirts worn by people picking up trash. Do they say “NYC Parks” or the name of a private group? While NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) performs many general park maintenance tasks, oftentimes private groups ensure that parks are clean, safe, and fun spaces. According to New Yorkers for Parks, the City already spends less on its parks than other major U.S. cities, and this June, according to New

By SÍLE MOLONEY & SARA MARTINEZ

Three migrant construction workers in their twenties, one from Ecuador and one with a young family, who were seriously burned following a work place accident / flash fire in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx have filed a negligence lawsuit against BE Bronx Builders, LLC, Stagg Group, and Mark Stagg. The accident occurred at 739 East Gun Hill Road, a new building under construction, on Monday, May 15, as reported. The suit alleges that the named entities are liable for failing to protect their employees from danger while using flammable waterproofing materials, and causing severe burn injuries to them,

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New Bronx Research Shows Poor Air Quality Leads to Longer Hospital Stays for Children with Asthma

UPDATE Elections 2023: Council Member Marjorie Velázquez Endorsed by NYC PBA in Re-Election BID in District 13

UPDATE Williamsbridge: Affordable Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 739 East Gun Hill Road

Manhattan College Student Honored at Pride Ceremony

UPDATE MTA, DOT Outline Bx12 Planned Service Improvements on Fordham Road & on Other Routes

Norwood: Building Applications Filed with DOB for New Building at 3052 Hull Avenue

UPDATE Wakefield: Worker Falls 30 Ft, DOB Issues Violations to Entity Already Sued by Burned Bronx Workers

Op-Ed: Manhattan May Not Notice Parks’ Budget Cut, Other Boroughs Will

UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: Construction Workers Burned in Bronx Work-Place Accident Sue Stagg Group & Others