BP DIAZ PROVIDES NEARLY $23 MIL FOR BRONX ORGS

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced that his office has provided almost $23 million in capital funding to worthy Bronx organizations as part of his FY2014 capital budget allocations.

In total, Borough President Diaz has provided $22,924,000  in capital funding to organizations across the Bronx, focusing on areas of education, housing, economic development, parks and other areas.

“The ‘New Bronx’ is rapidly changing and our economy is growing. What better way to continue positively enhancing our Borough than by awarding our worthy organizations the funds to improve the lives of residents from all corners of the Bronx. These funds will help towards our common goal of making the ‘New Bronx’ the epicenter of economic progress and prosperity, beautifying our borough and building new infrastructure in the process,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

The largest portion of this year’s budget allocation—roughly 31 percent of the budget for a total of $7.1 million—went towards funding Bronx parks. This includes funds for the Phase I Lower Plaza construction at Roberto Clemente State Park, reconstruction of the basketball and handball courts at Millbrook Playground, funds towards an exercise station at the playground at Pelham Parkway, the installation of a new fence at Joyce Kilmer Park and money towards Phase II reconstruction at Playground 52.

Borough President Diaz also threw a significant portion of his funding—23 percent—to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This includes nearly $5.3 million towards seven public housing developments in the Bronx. Projects include the renovation of the senior center at the Monroe Houses and security enhancements at the Eastchester Houses, McKinley Houses, Ft. Independence Houses, Marble Hill Houses, Middletown Plaza and Bailey Houses.

“The safety and security of our residents is of great importance to me. Enhancing security at our public housing developments is a tool that can deter crime and improve the quality of life of NYCHA tenants,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz also funded a total of 26 projects related to the borough’s education institutions, providing funding for smart boards and computer equipment at P.S./I.S. 224, for technology upgrades at the Bronx Academy of Health Careers,  laptop computers for The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx and smart boards for P.S./M.S. 279, among other public school projects.

Borough President Diaz also funded several important higher education projects, including the construction of the new Allied Health & Science Building at Hostos Community College, HVAC replacements at Bronx Community College as well as iCloud services at Lehman College.

“Education at all levels remains an important focus of my administration, and my office will continue to provide the necessary funding that Bronx students at all levels need to succeed,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz also funded libraries, health providers and other important institutions in this year’s capital budget, such as the restoration of the Reptile House at the Bronx Zoo, a transformative, mixed-income housing development at 810 River Avenue, construction at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and computer upgrades in libraries across the Bronx.

“Each of these projects, in its own way, will contribute to the continued revitalization of our borough, and I am thrilled to have played a role in so many exceptional new developments,” said Borough President Diaz.

For a complete list of projects funded by Borough President Diaz, visit: http://on.nyc.gov/112kCsY.