CB7 Chair Unexpectedly Resigns, Will Remain Member

By DAVID CRUZ

Adaline Walker-Santiago, the chair of Community Board 7 who brought a cheerleading style to her leadership, unexpectedly resigned on April 17. In her announcement to members and the general public at the latest community board, Walker-Santiago pledged to remain a member of the north Bronx board. Her resignation as chair is effective April 30. Walker-Santiago told the Norwood News shortly after her announcement that her decision to step down stemmed largely from freeing up her time. She said she plans to travel abroad, spend more time with family, and continue serving as a life coach. For the last five years, Walker-Santiago

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on KNIC's Progress

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked Kingsbridge residents their thoughts on the re-development of the Kingsbridge Armory which has now languished for years, and a recent behind-closed-doors meeting. Well, I always thought that people should be notified at any time and there should always be an open door for any comments. If you’re going to do it under the table, then it’s not worth it. And if you’re going to spend $500 million dollars, help the homeless first. Hell no! I don’t want an ice skating rink here. They need to make it a building for homeless people, something for the homeless.

KNIC Founder Reaffirms Commitment to Build Project (Thumbnail)

By DAVID CRUZ

Kevin Parker, founder of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center project, told community stakeholders at a closed-door meeting today that the massive project is under way despite being stalled for four years. The meeting, held at Concourse House just blocks from the Kingsbridge Armory, the expected home of the center, was organized by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera. “I felt confident going into the meeting and I feel much more confident after I left the meeting that the project is going forward,” Rivera told the Norwood News several hours after the meeting wrapped up. “Is the [project] happening tomorrow? Sadly, no.” Much of the

At State of the Borough BP Highlights Fixes and the Needs (Web Picture)

By MARY MELLON

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his ninth State of the Bronx address before an audience of supporters, well-wishers, and fellow elected officials. For nearly 45 minutes, Diaz stood composed as he delivered a speech that largely underscored the borough’s positives while lambasting the city’s shortcomings. But read between the lines, Diaz’s speech also showed his sights set on higher office. “Look at how different things are in this borough today than just a decade ago,” Diaz said. “We have set the bar for the entire nation on transformative urban renewal and development. We are the new standard

Securing Kingsbridge Ice Center Funding a Waiting Game

By DAVID CRUZ

The founder of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) is expected to appear at a closed-door meeting with community stakeholders March 2 to discuss the long delayed project. Kevin Parker, founder of KNIC, has been a mere no-show at community meetings since the city announced his project would be housed in the cavernous Kingsbridge Armory, which has been vacant since the 1990s. Mark Messier, the NHL legend and face of the project, serves as president of the KNIC and has made the rounds since the project was approved nearly five years ago. His appearance was confirmed by Senator Gustavo Rivera’s office,

The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

The 23rd edition of the Norwood News, covering the Norwood section of the Bronx, is out. We begin with page one and the worst landlords in Norwood. Public Advocate Letitia James released the annual list of 100 worst landlords in New York City and Narsinh Desai came in at number 70, making him the worst landlord in Norwood. This edition also features the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, for which a state loan has been approved, a crime file about a wanted serial robber who has attacked at least eight women in Norwood and surrounding neighborhoods, and a movement by Community

By AARON MAYORGA

On Nov. 16, the Board of Directors for Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s economic development arm, voted to approve the agency’s $138 million capital loan to the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC). Under the terms of the loan, KNIC agrees to pay a commitment fee totaling one percent of the loan’s principle (or, $1.38 million) at the loan’s closing. KNIC also has agreed to hire a construction monitor to be “selected at ESD’s sole discretion.” KNIC must also contribute at least $20 million to the project’s development, which boasts a $353 million price tag. The capital loan will carry

Getting Into Nitty Gritty of Kingsbridge Ice Project Loan

By AARON MAYORGA

State officials are in the midst of finalizing a $138 million capital loan to the developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) after a five-member board approved the measure during their latest meeting. During its Oct. 18 meeting, the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB), which supervises the activities of New York’s numerous public benefit corporations, unanimously approved the general project plan outlined by the state’s Empire State Development (ESD) agency. In addition to the $138 million loan commitment, the ESD plan also includes $26.4 million in historic tax credits and an additional $20.7 million in “other preferred equity.” All

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Let me first get my conflict of interest out of the way. As a former U.S. Navy man, I was honored to take part in “reserve duty” in the Kingsbridge Armory in the late 1970s and even more excited, taking part in spending my money at the Armory watching many closed circuit boxing fights in the 1980s back before pay-per-view was in vogue. I also protested for the city to bring “schools to the Armory” after it closed in 1997, after it was re-purposed into a women’s homeless shelter that was so bad it had closed. And 20 years later,