Fordham Landing Developer Discusses $2 Billion Mega-Development in University Heights

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following article is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Since we went to press, we had the opportunity to speak further with Brad Zackson, director of development at Dynamic Star LLC, the developer behind the Fordham Landing project. Steps for the planned, billion-dollar “Fordham Landing” mixed use, real estate development in the University Heights neighborhood advanced further last week amid news that developer, Dynamic Star LLC, had filed construction applications with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for a 17-story, mixed-use building at 320 West Fordham Road, a site

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD announced that the annual balloon inflation ahead of the Thanksgiving Day parade celebrations in Manhattan will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. At the organizer’s request, all attendees over aged 12 must be vaccinated and provide proof to the screeners in order to attend the balloon inflation. Children under 12 years may attend with a fully vaccinated adult.

By SARAH HUFFMAN

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) held its annual Harvest Fest at the center, located in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood, on Oct. 28. The event featured raffles, vaccine and voting information, and various activities and stands. Margaret Della, chief executive director of KHCC, said the Harvest Fest used to be held indoors, but last year they moved it outside as a COVID-19 safety precaution. “This was, like, the first event that we had where we were bringing people back together again, and it was so fun,” she said. Activities on the day included temporary tattoos, a Wii station, a photo

By SARAH HUFFMAN

The inaugural Norwood Community Appreciation Block Party was held on Oct. 17 on Tryon Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. Alina K. Dowe and Sedella M. Harvin, two Norwood residents, joined forces with the nonprofit, Using Positive Initiatives Effectively (UPIE), and The Dowe Twins, a brand created to bring awareness to, and empower kids who learn differently from others, to host the event. UPIE is Dowe’s nonprofit which she started in October 2020 with the mission of identifying and developing initiatives to make positive change in the community. Meanwhile, as previously reported, Princeton and Brazil

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Nearly two years after COVID-19 shut down New York City and changed life as we know it, a new series of public service announcements created by Lehman College students for the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) is exploring how New Yorkers adapted, endured, and came together during the pandemic’s early days. The series, “Shift NYC,” was shot and recorded by 10 Lehman students, working with a team of 11 faculty and staff from Lehman’s Multimedia Center and School of Arts and Humanities, over the summer. It debuted this month, with five episodes set to air in weekly installments on Lehman’s Instagram account through early

By DAVID GREENE

Bronx elected officials teamed up in various groups to co-host a number of Halloween celebrations for youngsters across the borough last weekend, ahead of Election Day. In Pelham Bay Park in the Northeast Bronx, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez (NY-14) and State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D 34) co-hosted a Halloween celebration for families in the area, which included face painting, mask decorating, candy, and socially distanced, family-friendly games. Others contributing to the festivities included City Councilman Kevin Riley (C.D. 12) and, as reported, projected winner of the District 13 City Council race, Democratic candidate, Marjorie Velázquez, as well as community

By DAVID GREENE

Children of all ages, dressed in various costumes, turned out for the annual Pumpkin Party at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, in Norwood on Saturday, Oct. 30. Carnival games, a smaller and less scary “haunted house,” a photo booth for taking festive photos, and arts and crafts were all on offer this year at the event which was organized by Parks’ department officials. Castle Hill mom, Joanna Boala, brought along her two daughters Jasleen, 6, and Abbie, 2, to the spooky event, having learned of it from the Parks’ department website. Boala

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A 1970s vibe was in order on the tennis courts of the Williamsbridge Oval in Norwood on Friday evening, Sept. 24. District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, District 16 City Councilmember Vanessa Gibson, and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation partnered to host a highly successful “Skate Night,” which drew a crowd of about 120 excited skaters, young and old, beginners and seasoned, some staying on until after the sun went down. Sponsored by NYC Health+Hospitals, BronxNet, Fidelis Care, Emblem Health and Essen Healthcare, the event was marked by an upbeat, backdrop of funk music, courtesy of an on-site

By DAVID GREENE

Having been forced to shutter initially when the statewide shutdown took effect in March 2020, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the once popular Van Nest Lanes bowling alley has since closed its doors for good, It had served the community for over 50 years. Workers began dismantling the Van Nest Lanes, located at 1756 Bronxdale Avenue in the Morris Park section of the borough, once it became clear the business wouldn’t survive following the shutdown of 2020. On Saturday, Sept. 25, workers were observed carting out tables and lockers, and more recently, were seen tearing up concrete in