MTA Bus Time® is Set to Expand to the Bronx

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that MTA Bus Time® will expand to the Bronx, and then a third borough still to be announced, both before the end of the year.  MTA Bus Time is a popular digital system that currently allows Staten Island customers to track the real-time location of their buses via the Internet, smart phone or text message. The final two boroughs will be brought online in 2013.

The 1,025 buses serving the Bronx will now receive GPS units and other hardware needed for MTA Bus Time, adding to the 900 buses on Staten Island that have the technology.  MTA Bus Time uses technology components from two New York City-based tech startups, research support provided by a team of graduate students, and an innovative open standards technology platform that gives the MTA flexibility in management and expansion of the service.

“I am happy to hear that the MTA is expanding this service to the Bronx. Now bus riders in our borough will not have to rely on guesswork and a look into the distance to see when their bus is going to arrive. This service is very convenient and will provide commuters in our borough with up to the minute information. That information will surely come in handy all year round, especially during the cold winter months,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

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Testimony of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
to the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks and Maritime Uses
in Favor of Designation of the Grand Concourse Historic District

January 24, 2012

Last year, I applauded the designation of a Grand Concourse Historic District by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and now I urge its approval by the New York City Council.

Designation as a New York City Historic District will complement the Grand Concourse’s already established listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In the future, I hope to see this historic district extended to match the more extensive national register boundaries.

This Grand Concourse Historic District is significantly intact, and contains many notable examples of art deco and other classic apartment houses. As I mentioned in my testimony to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the threats to buildings on the Grand Concourse are in the details. Poorly done renovations and building management with short vision are carving away at the inherent value of this illustrious built environment. As an historic district, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission can guard against ill conceived and undesirable solutions that threaten proper maintenance of these buildings.

The area of the new district has been richly added to with the new Yankee Stadium and Gateway Center. The City itself has invested greatly in the area with infrastructure improvements, including improvements to both the concourse roadway and park system. The lower Grand Concourse has also been re-zoned to create a vibrant, mixed-use, mixed-income community with new housing, waterfront open space, and an array of retail services.

Its status as an historic district is the finishing touch to the revival of the entire area, and I urge its support. Thank you for your consideration.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Celebrates
National Mentoring Month with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

Borough President Declares January “Mentoring Month” in the Bronx;
BBBS of NYC Launches 2012 Mentor Recruiting Effort

On Tuesday, January 17, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, the nation’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization, to celebrate National Mentoring Month by declaring January “Mentoring Month” in the Bronx. Little Brother Brian (left) was on hand to receive a proclamation from Borough President Diaz.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, launched its 2012 city-wide mentor recruiting effort this week as part of National Mentoring Month, to inspire adults throughout New York City, particularly, men, for whom there is a greater need, to volunteer as mentors to children in need of positive role models.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (BBBS of NYC), the nation’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization, in celebrating National Mentoring Month by declaring January “Mentoring Month” in the Bronx.

Big Brother Tyrus Townsend and Little Brother Brian – both Bronx residents – were on hand at Bronx Borough Hall to receive the proclamation from the Borough President.

"Every child needs a role model and a caring adult like these mentors who are good hearted and teach our youth good things to help them make better choices in life. I encourage fellow Bronxites to join in and become a big brother or a big sister to help make a difference in the life of our children,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, launched its 2012 city-wide mentor recruiting effort this week as part of National Mentoring Month, which is celebrated each January.

Continue reading the press release.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Deal Struck on ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act

“I am extremely happy that we have reached an agreement on the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act, and that this important bill will finally see a vote in the City Council. The deal we have reached today creates the strongest ‘living wage’ legislation in the nation, one that will demand that direct recipients of significant taxpayer subsidies do better by their employees. This will guarantee that happens, and marks an important step forward on the economic development policy in the City of New York. This bill sends an important message to the business community.  Indeed, New York City is open for business, but at a better rate of return for the taxpayer. 

“I would like to thank Speaker Quinn for working closely with my office on this compromise. I would also like to thank City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma, all of our City Council co-sponsors, RWDSU and Stuart Appelbaum, and the entire Living Wage NYC coalition—which brought together clergy and community leaders from across the City—for their strong advocacy on this legislation.”

“This bill will ensure that taxpayer subsidies are used to improve the quality of life of New Yorkers. Today’s announcement is a victory for the people of this City, and I look forward to this legislation becoming law,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Mayor Bloomberg's 2012 State of the City Address

"I applaud Mayor Bloomberg for articulating an expansive and progressive vision for New York City in today's speech. Mayor Bloomberg focused on education, job growth, public safety, and other issues that have been high priorities for my administration.

"The mayor presented several interesting ideas and initiatives that will improve the lives of all New Yorkers; including the highly anticipated release of a new request for proposals (RFP) for the Kingsbridge Armory, improving services to NYCHA's residents and preserving public housing, and the redevelopment of the Hunts Point Produce Market. I thank Mayor Bloomberg and the city council for adding another $25 million to what will now be the city's $87 million commitment to re-building the Hunts Points Produce Market and making sure those jobs stay right here in the Bronx.

"I also believe the state must do its part in passing the Dream Act. Investing in the dreams of our immigrant youth is not only the moral thing to do, it is a social, academic and economic imperative. I believe that all of our students, who are the leaders of tomorrow, should be eligible for the financial aid they need to succeed.

"Mayor Bloomberg also highlighted the need of a statewide minimum wage raise. This is a step forward in the right direction, and if enacted correctly, can be complimentary to The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, once it becomes law.

"As Mayor Bloomberg noted, our administrations have worked together on an impressive list of projects and we have much more planned for the Bronx in 2012," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: New RFP for the Kingsbridge Armory

“I am thrilled that Mayor Bloomberg and this administration have announced that a new request for proposals (RFP) for the Kingsbridge Armory will be released. The usage of the Kingsbridge Armory has been a major priority of my administration, and this new RFP will allow the City to seek developers from a wide spectrum of potential uses, allowing us to bring a project that will enhance and compliment the surrounding neighborhood to this historic structure.

“I know that this new RFP will see significant interest, given the number of different entities that came before the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force to express their desire to be a part of a future development of this site. I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg, his administration and the New York City Economic Development Corporation for working with my office to develop a strong new RFP for the Kingsbridge Armory, and I will continue to partner with the City to make this development a success,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz Launches ‘Green Jobs/ Green New York’
Bronx Outreach Program

Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene Opens Her Home to share Experience after Energy Upgrade

On Tuesday, January 10, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene (right), Kate Shackford, Executive vice president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) (left), Michael Brotchner Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx (far left) , and NYSERDA to launch the Green Jobs/Green New York Bronx Outreach Program (GJ/GNY-Bronx).

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), (NYSERDA), and environmental organization Sustainable South Bronx to launch the “Green Jobs/Green New York” Bronx Outreach Program (GJ/GNY-Bronx). 

The goal of the GJGNY-BX Program is to reduce energy usage in Bronx buildings and lower energy costs for Bronx home and building owners. The objective of the program is to promote energy audits with home owners while linking them with contractors to facilitate the process of receiving free audits and energy upgrades or retrofits.

 “We are very excited that this boroughwide program will lower the carbon footprint of our community by lowering energy usage. Participating home and building owners will also notice a big difference in their energy bill,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Several homes and buildings in the Bronx have already gotten free energy assessments and are moving toward retrofits, including the home of Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene.

“I had roof and wall insulation work done and I am already noticing a big difference in my home. I am confident that this retrofit will significantly increase the overall energy efficiency of my home while decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions, making the whole house feel a lot warmer during these cold winter months,” said Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene.

Continue reading the press release.

Read all of Borough President Diaz's press releases and statements.