As the Adams administration launches the “The People’s Money” initiative, as reported, whereby mayoral officials are seeking citywide input from all New Yorkers on how to spend funding of $5 million in funding made available by the Mayor’s office, we asked readers how these funds could best be spent on programs, events and services for the community.

 

“Oh, well, I believe there should be more youth programs in the area, and also self-defense programs for the youth and for women, so they’re able to defend themselves, a community center, and you could have retired NYPD officers or FDNY retired firemen, or even a corrections officer come in and teach the youth how to defend themselves. Also, they can use the Kingsbridge Armory as one of the locations that they can use as a foundation for the smart, kind-hearted youth of tomorrow. I know it’s a great idea.”

Sasha Augustine,

Kingsbridge

“I feel like, in a way, the community has already gone through a transformation when it comes to the area and the environment. The environment right now is changing, and we just need programs and stuff like that to help raise the youth. Those same facilities can help someone coming up, like basketball, like the People’s Park; that was beautiful. That was a great renovation right there by M.S. 80 on Van Cortlandt [Avenue East] on the last stop of the D train.

 

You’d have a facility where you could have tournaments, just enhancing our facilities in the community, and it could be properly integrated with the new architecture and stuff. Right now, it doesn’t feel like much, but when it starts to feel more like a home with programs to help them grow creatively, they could offer photography, technology, or Tik-Tock classes, things that people see a future in, things that will help people become innovative and spread information.”

Jhalil Wright,

Bedford Park 

“This community does need a place that people can just go to for comfort and the ability to be themselves. There should be more community centers that can provide help to anyone with depression, help assist finding jobs, and just to support. We do need more daycare centers. If parents can’t find a daycare center, they could have a community center that can care for kids and that would actually help single parents who takes care of the kids by themselves; a place to leave their kids until they get off work. I think that would help give all of us more support as a family. I feel like the neighborhood should feel more like a family.”

Tarik Solomon,

Burnside

“West Farms needs more events, more family-friendly stuff, because what they have here is not working. That’s all I can say. A community center, that would be fun. We don’t have one. They just have the park and the Bronx Zoo and it’s pretty boring. They should provide cleaning services because the neighborhood is disgusting.”

Osvaldo Rodriguez,

West Farms

“I think we can use a YMCA. We need housing programs and a welfare assistance program, providing outreach to the community. We need people to help people with food, programs for kids and older people, a place to seek job opportunities and training.”

Nana Asoku,

Norwood

 

Editor’s Notes: NYC Parks provides several free programs for seniors and others on sports, photography, art and more at its various recreational centers. Check our regular Out & About features for details. (Scroll to the end.)   

There are some constraints around the future use of the Kingsbridge Armory. Learn more at an upcoming visioning workshop on Nov. 5 at noon at P.S. 340 Annex, 2751 Jerome Avenue. Bronx.  

As reported, discussions are ongoing with District 15 city council member, Oswald Feliz, on potentially converting the Old Fordham Library, located at 2556 Bainbridge Avenue, into a community center.