Residents of Fordham Manor will have a chance to voice their views on the eventual use of a building which formerly housed the Fordham branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL), located at 2556 Bainbridge Avenue. As reported last week by Norwood News, the virtual hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m.

 

The building has been selected by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to house a Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC), a new computer-based testing and application center, to facilitate more opportunities for a wider number of local candidates to apply for City jobs. Mostly vacant, since it shut down in 2005, DCAS plans to use the second floor to help prepare local candidates for civil service exams.

 

In February, Barbara Dannenberg, DCAS’s deputy commissioner for human capital told Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) about the expectations if the project is approved. “It’s a place where folks come in and chat with our knowledgeable staff and learn what jobs the city has to offer,” she said. “I think we have every job in the City of New York except for astronaut.”

 

At the most recent, monthly meeting of CB7’s committee on Housing, Land Use & Economic Development on May 11, Chairman Alex Karman advised members of the upcoming public hearing, which is part of the process known as a the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). As part of this process, input from the public is requested before the City makes any zoning changes to a property.

 

“The proposal right now is to do the public hearing on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30, and then any comments will be considered at the full Board meeting later this month,” Karman said. The Bronx CB7 monthly board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25.

 

Once CB7 makes a decision on the project, which is purely advisory in nature, the borough president then has a 30-day period to review the proposal and give his recommendation, which is also advisory, to New York City Department of City Planning (DCP). After a few more reviews, the City Council will make the final decision on the project, having the power to overturn any veto by the mayor, if necessary.

 

Tuesday’s public hearing will be held remotely, via ZOOM. To join, go to https://zoom.us/j/94211673812 and enter the Meeting ID 942 1167 3812 or dial in by phone on (646) 558 8656.

 

For more information, please contact ibravo@cb.nyc.gov or lramirez@cb.nyc.gov