The developer of a major Bronx shopping center is teaming up nd borough officials are teaming up to look for jobless tradesmen.
It shouldn’t too difficult in a borough with the highest unemployment rate in the state.
State labor department figures show the borough continued to rank last in New York state, with an unemployment rate of 12.5 in October – before the effects of Hurricane Sandy were felt.
The borough officials and developer Equity One announced the job search in early December to recruit potential construction-related employees for forthcoming commercial development, Broadway Plaza in Kingsbridge.
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Bronx Community Board 8 said their offices, along with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the city Economic Development Corporation, will join with Equity One to recruit potential hirees for the commercial development, at Broadway and W. 230th Street ,just next to the Major Deegan Expressway.
Equity One said it is seeking resumes from currently unemplolyed “talented qualified building tradesmen” who live in the north Bronx, including Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village and Kingsbridge Heights.
Interested parties will be able to drop off their resumes at the offices of each of these officials and the BOEDC.
In addition, the BOEDC will be hosting a job fair to solicit applicants, with the date yet to be set.
Diaz, who recently pulled back from running for citywide office as public advocate, might have had a difficult time as the leading official in a borough with such high overall unemployment.
He called the new retail hub for the northwest Bronx “a major step forward for the Kingsbridge commercial corridor…while creating much needed jobs along the way.”
Once completed by 2014 and fully occupied with tenants, the developer estimates Broadway Plaza will create 300 new jobs, including full-time and part-time hires.
Those interested in being considered for employment by trade contractors for the construction of Broadway Plaza should deliver their resume, no later than January 15, 2013, to one of the following locations:
•Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Attn: Marlene Cintron, Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse Suite 123, Bronx, NY 10451, (718) 590-6252;
• Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463, (718) 796-5345;
• City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell at 3636 Waldo Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463, (718) 549-7300;
• Bronx Community Board #8, 5676 Riverdale Avenue Suite 100, Bronx, NY 10471, (718) 884-3959.
