The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. As the year draws to a close, we are sharing some of the stories we were unable to get to earlier this year.

 

Local elected officials, invited guests, residents, and members of the Board of Directors of the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation gathered in October to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the latter as a cooperative. Located in the southwestern edge of the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx, at 1 Fordham Hill Oval, the housing complex sits on seven acres of property and comprises nine high-rise, apartment buildings consisting of 1,130 apartments.

 

The celebration was held on Saturday, Oct. 15, a few weeks before the November general election, and special guests included Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and a host of other elected officials, including Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia (A.D. 79), and Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez (D-14) who represents the neighborhood, is the chair of the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings, and a Morris Avenue homeowner.

During her address, Hochul told the Fordham Hill owners, “It’s my commitment as we head into the next legislature to make sure that we can allow the dream that was created and blossomed here on Fordham Hill to continue for other people across the state.”

 

Meanwhile, Espaillat echoed Hochul’s statement, saying, “Ownership builds pride. Ownership builds responsibility, and ownership builds community, and we need to have more ownership in our community.” Regarding ongoing development around the Fordham Hill complex, Espaillat vowed, “I will work with you to make sure it’s smart development and that only strengthens your investment. Your investment is important to me and to this community.”

 

Emcees for the event were Myrna Calderon, president of the board of directors at the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation, and Rachel Miller-Bradshaw, board secretary. Also in attendance were the Co-op’s vice president, Michelle Centeno; treasurer, Blandon Casenave; and directors, Esteban Garcia, Tiffany Hart, and John Howard. Casenave recently penned an op-ed on the The Chance Housing Act.

According to the Co-op board, Fordham Hill was constructed as a middle-income residential rental in 1950, making architectural history in New York City and across the country. They said according to Richard Plunz, a leading figure in urban design and one of the world’s leading authorities in urban housing, this was done by pioneering the “postwar version of high-rise, high-density towers for moderate-income families.”

 

During New York City’s co-op conversion boom in the early 1980s, the board members said Fordham Hill joined this movement and converted to a co-op in 1982. Since that time, according to FHOC, the housing complex has made homeownership possible for thousands of hard-working New Yorkers.

 

In an accompanying pamphlet about the 40th anniversary celebration, the Co-op owners wrote, “Our community, sitting on high ground, has seen our city go through the best and worst of times and throughout, has continued to deliver the best value, quality and safety for all of its residents.” They continued, “Today, we still enjoy unobstructed views, open-air and private grounds that most NYC high-rise dwellers envy.”

 

During the ceremony, Gibson said of the Co-op’s milestone, “Way back in 1982, there was a group of people that had a mission, a vision, and a blueprint to make sure that we can turn Fordham Hill from affordable housing into ownership opportunities.” Gibson referred to Fordham Hill as “the fabric of the West Bronx,” and “a pathway to the middle class.” She later presented the Co-op with a proclamation in recognition of its 40th anniversary.

 

Meanwhile, the Co-op owners put the anniversary in context, writing that Fordham Hill was, once again, undergoing a renaissance. “For the first time in over 50 years, massive investment is coming to the University Heights/Fordham and Inwood neighborhoods that surround Fordham Hill,” they wrote. “Change is happening right now, and there’s been no better time to for us [to] own, live and thrive at Fordham Hill!”

 

They continued, “Whether it’s the Manhattan skyline, the tree tops of New Jersey’s Palisades, or the serenity of our acres of internal grounds; the view from our large picture windows is a luxury that contributes to our mental and physical well-being.” FHOC added that the gated housing complex is located an 8-minute walk to a Metro North train station with a 20-minute commute to Grand Central, and has an express bus stop across the street from its main entrance.

 

For his part, during the event, former District 14 city councilman and Fordham Hill owner, Rev. Dr. Fernando Cabrera, Ed.D, pastor at New Life Outreach International Church and senior faith advisor to the mayor, recalled his origins at Fordham Hill. “The board…. I remember when I first got interviewed, I was so nervous,” he said. “I was like…I hope they let me [in].” His comments drew laughter from the crowd as he continued, “And it’s been a true honor to live here in Fordham Hill….so much that I asked my son to live here!”

 

FHOC later presented the former councilman and former mayoral candidate with a public service award. Cabrera added, amid more laughter, “I live in Building 7. I won’t tell you my apartment [number] because you’ll be knocking on my door asking for the mayor to do something!”

 

During his own address to those assembled, Adams recalled his time as a Brooklyn police officer. “I saved up enough money to buy a one-bedroom, co-op apartment and it just became the foundation of a small group that was in Prospect Heights [Brooklyn],” he said. “We did our own block association. We organized, we used to hold events and slowly the block turned around. So, I think about what The Bronx looked like 40 years ago, long before some of the renovation and renewal that came through.”

Meanwhile, outgoing Assemblyman José Rivera (A.D. 78), another homeowner at the Fordham Hill complex, was presented with a community service award for his decades in public service and community advocacy, while Edward Thomas Williams, Jr., the person who incorporated the Fordham Hill corporation was presented with a visionary award.

 

The assemblyman has held a seat either at the assembly or at the City Council since he was first elected to office in 1983, as reported, and has lived in the Fordham Hill complex since the early 2000s. Indeed, Fordham Hill is home to a number of other Democrats, including former State Sen. Efrain Gonzalez Jr., who pled guilty to fraud and was later sentenced to prison in 2010. Others include Cabrera and Miller-Bradshaw, who is president of local political organization, Northwest Bronx Democrats for Change, and the newly elected female State Committeeperson for A.D. 78, a position she takes up in the new year.

 

Rivera lost his Democratic primary in A.D. 78, held on June 28. With his 40-year, political career seemingly ending, the assemblyman appeared to be perhaps a little peeved at the Democrats, not having received an endorsement from some of his closest [geographically] Bronx elected colleagues in his latest primary. Espaillat and city council members, Sanchez and Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15) endorsed the ultimate Democratic primary winner in the A.D. 78 primary race, George Alvarez.

As Rivera spoke, invited guests, Alison Esposito, a Conservative candidate for lieutenant governor who is a former deputy inspector at the NYPD, and Joseph Pinion, a former Fox and Newsmax commentator and Conservative Party candidate for the U.S. Senate in the State of New York, were watching from the sidelines. Hochul, Espaillat, Tapia, and Sanchez had already left the event, though Sanchez did return a short time later.

 

Rivera appeared to take a swing at some of the Democratic elected officials who left the event earlier than others when he said, “It doesn’t surprise me that I come here as a Democrat, but I heard those running for office in the Democratic Party ran [out] for other events. I don’t blame them.”

 

Later, it was unclear if he was actually endorsing a Conservative candidate when he told the crowd, “When I see Allison Esposito, right here, speak before all of us, and I noticed the way she was received with applause, because she happened to be one of New York’s Finest.” Referring then to Fordham Hill voters, Rivera continued, “And people here don’t play games. If you stand up for the rights and protections of our investment and our neighborhood, we’re going to listen to you.”

 

Dion Powell, a Conservative Party candidate for State Senate District 32 who, prior to the event, called himself Rivera’s “lieutenant,” and who Rivera later called “my general,” was immediately asked if Rivera’s comment was an endorsement of Esposito. Powell, sitting in the audience, gave a cryptic reply, saying “It’s all about revenge.”

 

Rivera ended what might have been his farewell speech but which sounded more like the beginning of a sequel, saying, “I thank you for having been a part of my life for oh so many years. I have to find the strength.” Then, gesturing to his young granddaughter who was in attendance, he added, “This one will continue to give me strength.” Rivera concluded, “So, we’ll keep trucking. I keep pushing. I keep taking punches. I’m punching in politics. So, thank you very much. Enjoy the day, and I’ll see you soon.”

 

The following day, Rivera told Norwood News via text message, “I didn’t endorse anyone. All I did (was) acknowledge how she (Allison Esposito) was received by those present.” Powell, meanwhile, apparently did take Rivera’s comments as a fully fledged endorsement, however, later Tweeting, “The Admiral Assemblyman @AssembyRivera tells the Fordham Hill shareholders to give @EspositoforNY and @JosephPinion a chance on Nov. 8th.”

Rivera led the Bronx Democratic Party from 2002 to 2008. After charges of nepotism arose when the assemblyman’s son, Joel, was elected as a city councilman in District 15 and his daughter, Naomi, was elected as a member of the State assembly in District 80, a split in the party in 2008 brought Assemblyman Carl Heastie (A.D. 83), to power as the Bronx Democratic Party chair. He later stepped down from the role when he became the assembly speaker, a position he still holds. The position of chair of the Bronx Democratic Party is currently held by State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36).

 

The day after the celebration, on Sunday, Oct. 16, a Fordham Hill resident was asked about Rivera’s comments at the event. The woman, who declined to be identified, said, “As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t change my mind what party I’m with. I’m Democrat all the way around, so that’s it. No, I’m not changing. He didn’t change my vote.”

 

On Monday, Oct. 17, Miller-Bradshaw told Norwood News, “It should be known that Fordham Hill is a group of property owners, shareholders that are independent thinkers. We have an agenda of what we’re looking for, and that is increasing quality of life and public safety in the surrounding community that is going to increase our property value. So, we’re interested in legislators that are going to do just that, regardless of what party they belong to.”

 

Bradshaw continued, “Even me, being the Democratic State committeewoman, we’re independent thinkers and we vote based on local legislators that are going to carry out our agenda.” She added, “I didn’t know anything about Pinion or Esposito, but they were invited and they know we’re [FHOC] the social, economic anomaly in the area, and we have mid-to-high earning professionals in here that are independent thinkers, so we’re not totally just Democratic.”

 

In a follow-up phone conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 18, Rivera expanded on his comments at the celebration, saying, “I was decent and nice to a lady that was a former cop who spoke and was very well received, and I did mention her name. I did not say I am supporting anyone for this election. I said that the people in this complex, Black, White and Latino, received her very well because this complex is terrified about what’s happening outside.”

 

Asked about his political future, Rivera responded, “I wanted to be in office until I was 86. I would be 86 in December. That I lost… Ayyy! It’s politics! I’ve got no regrets. As you’ve witnessed, the people here have a lot of respect for me.” He added, “I lost the title but like Joe Louis, Joe Louis said, ‘All I did was lose the title but I’m going to keep punching’.”

 

Adams arrived at the event after Rivera’s remarks. Requests for comment on the assemblyman’s remarks at the event were made to the offices of Sanchez and Heastie. We did not receive an immediate response.

 

Meanwhile, members of the Celia Cruz High School Chorus entertained those gathered for the celebration with a performance of several songs. Also participating in the ceremony were the Washington Grey Cadets while the invocation was led by Fr. Joseph Murray of nearby St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church.

 

Prestige Management is the appointed management company for the FHOC housing complex. Addressing those gathered on the day, Horace Henry, executive vice president of Prestige, told the Fordham Hill Co-Op owners, “Seven years ago, when we came on board, our vision was to first increase the value of your investment. I can stand here today and proudly say we have increased the value of the units here over 240 percent.”

 

The Co-op is a private entity and as such, its financial records are not made public. One Co-op owner, who declined to be identified, later told Norwood News that the referenced increase in the value of the Co-op properties was, in his opinion, attributable to favorable market conditions over time rather than to any specific actions taken by the management company to increase the value of the property. The owner cited the deterioration of the sidewalks at the complex as one example of why he believes the management company is not doing a good job.

 

The owner in question added that he is not the sole Co-op owner to hold this viewpoint and has also criticized the management company over an alleged lack of transparency. Norwood News previously raised this point with the management company, as well as with Honest Ballot. We did not receive an immediate response.

 

A protest was held outside Fordham Hill Owners Corporation housing complex on June 4 this year by a minority of residents who said they were opposing a proposed maintenance fee increase, among other issues. An online petition on change.org about the proposed fee increase had garnered 132 signatures.

 

One resident we spoke to who did not oppose the increase said she believed the FHOC board and the management company were doing a good job. We attempted to speak to others but were unsuccessful. Norwood News asked for a comment from the Board on different issues raised by the protestors at the time in relation to the FHOC board elections. We did not receive an immediate response.

As reported, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) and outgoing State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) passed a new law in June 2021 which benefits senior Co-op home owners by allowing them for the first time to access home equity loans through their co-op ownership, though it’s not certain that the benefits apply to both senior private Co-op owners as well as senior public Co-op owners. Norwood News has reached out to Dinowitz’s office for clarification and on Dec. 21, a spokesperson for the assemblyman said, “I confirmed with our legislative team that the bill does not differentiate between public or private coops.”

Meanwhile, a fire broke out at the housing complex on Thursday, Dec. 8. The FDNY said there were no reported injuries, and the cause is under investigation. Bronxites can visit http://fdnysmart.org for fire safety tips.

 

Bradshaw told Norwood News the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation started their rebranding in 2017, led by its communications committee, which she chairs. She said the process is now complete and the website is now live at www.fordhamhill.com. She said potential buyers who are interested in the housing co-op can visit their website for more information. FHOC’s message to those gathered for the 40th anniversary celebration was, “Fordham Hill is positioned to thrive for the decades to come with the STRENGTH of our community.”