Construction

VCJC Votes to Sell Center & Return as Partial Tenants

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After news broke earlier this year that the Board of Trustees of Van Cortlandt Jewish Center (VCJC) were in discussions with a developer to sell the building, despite some pushback from the local community, on Sunday, May 19, VCJC members called for a special membership meeting to be held to discuss the situation.

Fordham University Holds Climate Summit, Receives $50M Grant

By ARIEL PACHECO
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), gathered at Fordham University for a climate summit on April 8 to celebrate the awarding to the university of $50 million in grants for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Region 2 environmental justice initiatives. According to Fordham, it is the largest grant the university has ever received in its 183-year history.

Dominican Heritage Celebrated at Bronx Borough Hall

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Following both French and Spanish rule from as early as the 16th century, the island nation of the Dominican Republic (DR) declared itself an independent nation from neighboring Haiti [on Feb. 27] in 1844, according to the U.S. Office of the Historian. In 1861, the DR reverted to Spanish rule, until once again winning its independence in 1865.

Jerome Avenue Post Office Finally Reopens

By SÍLE MOLONEY & ARIEL PACHECO 
The post office branch located at 3464 Jerome Avenue in Norwood reopened on May 2, after being closed for around one year. Google also lists the post office as reopened. As reported, a mobile unit parked outside the post office had been serving customers following confirmation from USPS last year that there was a raccoon infestation in the building.

Seeking Answers to Latest Bainbridge Commercial Fire, Community is Largely Stonewalled

By SÍLE MOLONEY, DAVID GREENE & ARIEL PACHECO 
Ever since arson was confirmed by the NYPD as being the cause of the 4-alarm, nonfatal commercial fire that ripped through seven small businesses on Bainbridge Avenue by East 204th / East 205th Street in Norwood in October 2023, the affected small business owners, their employees, patrons, and local residents have all been anxiously waiting to hear what is to become of the now demolished and formerly condemned site. Amid rumors that the site has been sold, their patience is waning.