The 12 Bronx community board memberships recently forwarded their requests for capital and expense budget proposals that they feel would benefit their communities
The preliminary register, which is released every January, is followed by a published executive budget every April and a final advisory after the budget and funding for certain proposals and requests are adopted.
The capital and expense budget estimates the proposed agency spending for the upcoming fiscal year, based on the financial plan which comprises each department’s estimates, which usually takes place in November.
Between the Bronx community boards, over 200 proposals and requests were submitted.
As an overview, here are some of the top Fiscal Year 2017 capital and expense budget proposals for each of the borough’s boards:
The number one request for south Bronx board CB1 is to fund construction of a new STEM-Business, K-12 School at 425 Grand Concourse, the former site of P.S. 31, which was built in 1899 and demolished last year.
CB2, another south Bronx board, submitted the installation of LED street lighting at various intersections throughout the district as a top priority, including intersections at Bruckner Boulevard, Southern Boulevard and Westchester Avenue. The borough commissioner’s office is currently reviewing the request.
The number one request for south Bronx board CB3, was the reconstruction of Southern Boulevard from Jennings Street to East 174th Street, which is needed because of the deteriorated condition of the street, according to the board.
The project will also include a trunk water main and sewer line replacements.
CB3 is also recommending that the NYC Department of Design and Construction consider expanding the existing scope of this project’s work to include NYC Departnent of Transportation funding for curb to curb street re-surfacing as well as new curb and sidewalk improvements and new street lamp-post installations along the Southern Boulevard corridor.
The project is being funded by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, per the 2010 Borough Consultation hearings.
CB4, a west Bronx board, submitted the construction of the East 153rd Street Bridge as their number one request.
Residents within the confines of CB4 have requested the re-construction of this cable stayed bridge for over 20 years. DOT has requested funding for this project.
The number one priority for CB5, which includes Fordham, Morris Heights and Mt. Hope, was the construction of a new 46th Precinct facility.
The current facility is old, dilapidated and archaic, according to residents. However, at this time, NYPD’s funding constraints, project capacity and priorities rule out including this project.
Another CB5 request is the installion of an elevator and/or and escalator at the IRT #4 Burnside Avenue elevated station, which poses a challenge for disabled individuals, people with carriages, strollers and seniors who need to access the station platform.
Currently, the community has submitted over 1,000 petition signatures, but according to the Transit Authority this request has not been recommended for funding.
CB6, which includes Belmont and West Farms, submitted the construction of additional schools, the providing of capital funding for district wide park improvement projects and funds for the renovation of firehouses as its top needs.
Additional new schools to relieve student crowding was targeted, while additional parks funding would improve and repair parks that sorely need rehabilitation.
Funding for firehouses would benefit engine companies #46 and #88 that were built over a century ago and are in dire need of major upgrades.
Ivine Galarza, district manager from CB 6, also brought up Mapes Filed and Quarry Road Park as major priorities.
“These parks are both in dire need for serious renovations and that has been the case for years,” Galarza said. “Mapes Field needs new bleachers, fencing, signage and new turf, especially considering the many little league teams that play there.”
Galarza also added that Quarry Road Park has had a longtime issue with water filtration. “The little league teams, the community board, the residents – we all want this.”
The number one request for CB7, located in the west Bronx, was the allocation of funds for a full-service community center to include senior, youth and child care services the former Bronx Library Center, located at 2556 Bainbridge Avenue.
The board’s second priority is the allocation of funding for additional schools to address overcrowding of students in School District 10.
In total, CB7 had 38 capital budget requests and priorities, the most of any board in the Bronx.
CB8, located in the northwest Bronx, asked for immediate repairs and upgrades of several public schools, including M.S. 244, The Marie Curie High School for Medicine and P.S. 81, as their number one request, but the Department is not recommending the projects at this time.
The number one request for CB9, which includes Castle Hill and Soundview, was to allocate funding for a study to construct and fund a recreational facility in El Parque de los Ninos, located at Morrison and Watson avenues.
The facility would be similar to the YMCA on Castle Hill Avenue and the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club on Randall Avenue.
Its number two request is to reconstruct various streets within CB9.
CB10, an east Bronx board, submitted their number one request as dredging of Hammond Cove Marina, due to the difficulties that boats are experiencing both entering and leaving the channel due to silting.
The responsible agency, Department of Parks and Recreation, is studying the issue.
“Hopefully they can get started on this project, because it’s been an issue for quite a few years now,” said CB10 chairman Martin Prince.
The top three requests for CB11, which includes Morris Park and Pelham Parkway, were funding for the reconstruction of the north side of Pelham Parkway, the rehabilitation of the Peace Memorial Plaza and the rehabilitation of Pelham Parkway parkland.
The Pelham Parkway graay area rehabilitation would focus on replanting foliage and improving paths, pedestrian walks, sidewalks and curbs.
CB12, located in the northt Bronx, submitted its top request to facilitate the conversion of 1250 E. 229th Street into a YMCA-operated youth center.
Its number two priority was to allocate funding for the construction of an extenuation to P.S. 19 to alleviate student overcrowding.
