What Recession? The Yonkers Planning Board was told three developments would bring more than 3,500 apartments, almost 4,000 parking spaces and more than 4.5 million square feet of new construction to downtown business district.
YONKERS, NY — AMS Acquisitions LLC is telling the City of Yonkers that they are ready to go with multiple properties they own and/or control in the city of hills.
The developer’s attorney Mark Weingarten says the massive construction projects would take place on three sites that are all with in walking distance of each other.
Yonkers’ old Teutonia Hall site would see two 40-story residential towers with 906 luxury multi-family units in 770,100 square feet of residential space, along with 10,000 square feet of street-level retail and 956 parking spaces.
The Chicken Island parking lot that was recently sold by the City of Yonkers, would see six buildings varying in height from 25 feet to 400 feet.
They would have approximately 2,000 luxury apartments in 1,700,000 square feet of residential space; approximately 70,000 square feet of retail; 17,000 square feet of office space and 2,200 parking spaces.
On North Broadway there is a huge proposal for 650 luxury apartments and townhouses in 552,500 square feet of residential space; approximately 17,000 square feet of retail space; about 21,000 square feet of office space and approximately 750 parking spaces.
All of these projects are with in walking distance of the Metro-North train station.
Clearly, the proposed transit-oriented developments reflect an unprecedented level of investment in Yonkers and further validates Mayor Mike Spano’s vision for downtown areas surrounding Getty Square.
AMS is a privately held firm that was founded in 2012 and has over a billion dollars in transactions in the New York Metroploitan area.
The Yonkers City Council wanted to be lead agency for the environmental review of the proposal, but the city’s administration has decided that this should be handled by the planning board.
The Planning Board voted approval of a resolution to seek lead agency designation for the environmental review.
The resolution also asked the City Council to set aside its effort to act as lead agency and cede the task to the Planning Board.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano Swears in David Jackson And Gail Burns
YONKERS, NY — David Jackson was sworn in today as Assessor for another six-year term.
Mayor Spano first appointed Jackson as City Assessor in 2013.
“Dave’s extensive experience in assessment administration allows us to continue to build on our efforts in providing Yonkers taxpayers with a fairer and more efficient assessment process,” said Mayor Spano.
“I am confident he will continue to do a superb job for our city taxpayers.”
Prior his tenure with the City of Yonkers, Jackson served at the Westchester County Tax Commission, worked with the Norwalk, Connecticut Department of Finance, Washington D.C.’s Department of Finance and Revenue and the City of New York’s Department of Finance.
Jackson was the former President of the New York State Association of County Directors of Real Property Tax Services, a past Executive Board member of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), formerly Vice President of the Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter IAAO, Treasurer of the Metropolitan New York Chapter IAAO, President of the Fairfield County Connecticut Assessors Association and President of African American Property Valuation Professionals.
Jackson is a graduate of St. John’s University where he obtained a B.S in Urban Health Management and an A.S in Business Administration and holds multiple assessment administration designations.
“I want to thank Mayor Spano for the opportunity and confidence in me to continue to build upon the work and the technology set in place in recent years to assist Yonkers taxpayers,” said David Jackson. “I look forward to another productive term here in Yonkers.”
Yonkers taxpayers can contact the Assessor’s office by sending email inquiries toCityAssessor@yonkersny.gov or sending exemption applications or inquiries toAssessmentSupport@yonkersny.gov.
Additionally, commercial property owners can now file income and expense forms or exclusion online and all taxpayers will be able to file formal assessment appeals online after reviewing their assessment on November 1.
Mayor Spano today also swore in Gail Burns as his newest appointee to the Yonkers Board of Education. As trustee of the Yonkers Board of Education, Burns joins a nine member Board, which is the official policy making body of the School District. Burns’ term is effective immediately, expiring in 2025.
Currently, Burns serves as the Executive Director of the Yonkers Parking Authority where she manages the operations and budget of the city’s parking lots, garages and parking meters.
She also serves as the city’s liaison to the Mayor’s Disability Board.
Previously, Burns served as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services under Mayor Spano.
Prior to this position, Burns served as served as Director of Constituent Relations for the New York State Senate where she supervised constituent relations and case management, assisting Yonkers residents with issues relating to education, housing and quality of life.
A lifelong Yonkers resident, Burns attended Yonkers Public Schools and is a parent to a Yonkers Public Schools graduate.
“As we work toward providing our students with the best education possible, I am proud to appoint Gail Burns to the Board of Education as she brings unique perspectives as a parent, an alumna and active community member.,” said Mayor Spano.
“Gail brings over 20 years of government experience to the Board and is aware of the issues and concerns of our Yonkers families which she can effectively communicate to the Board”
Gail Burns commented, “I am honored to join the other members of the Board of Education in their commitment to promote a valuable and robust educational experience to all Yonkers students. I am thankful to Mayor Spano for his faith in me as we collectively strive for the very best for our Yonkers children.”
Yonkers Police Department sources say no clue as for who stole the Torah and that was not the only thing that was stolen.
YONKERS: Just a few days before Yom Kippur, an unidentified person stole a Torah from the Lincoln Park synagogue.
The Yonkers PD currently have no clue as to who stole the Torah, which was donated to the synagogue by a World War II veteran.
However, the Torah was not the only thing that was stolen.
The YPD insiders say suspect who was wearing a Harvard t-shirt during the incident also made off with a guitar and a laptop from the Jewish Center on Central Park Avenue.
The theft came ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday, the holiest day in Judaism.
Anyone with information regarding the bearded suspect who was wearing a Harvard – or the current location of the Torah – should the Yonkers Police Detective Division at (914) 377-7724 – all calls may remain confidential.
The Yonkers Police Department also allows 100% anonymous tips can be sent by texting the key word YPD plus the tip to 847411.
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The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. #DanielDeMatteo of the Groton High School as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 1 of the 2020 season
Coach Daniel Dematteo is in his 17th season as Head Coach of the Gorton Wolves and his 3rd season as Head Coach of the Yonkers Force.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants’ continuing effort to support local youth football programs. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes’ lives.
Each week during the high school football season, the Giants selected one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner.
The selection is based on the coach’s continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and his overall community involvement.
In recognition of Coach DeMatteo’s selection as Coach of the Week, a $2,000 check will be granted to the school’s football program from The Giants Foundation and Gatorade.
He will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Giants head coach Joe Judge.
The Yonkers Force is a merged football program made up of students from Gorton, Roosevelt, YMA and Yonkers High and seeks to build a bridge between law enforcement and Yonkers’s community by teaming up with the Yonkers Police Department.
Coach DeMatteo is at the core of this program as he organizes weekly dinners and community events with players and law enforcement and ensures that every player from the four schools has daily transportation to practices and back home.
Coach DeMatteo commented “We are creating a legitimate relationship with law enforcement, it’s not about choosing sides, we are meeting in the middle, football is our common ground. It’s been an honor to watch this relationship develop from the very first interaction where no one knew what to expect, to the connection we have now. The journey of the Yonkers Force, including the intimate day-to-day interactions between the team’s players and the Yonkers Police Department, has been chronicled in a short film scheduled for release in 2020. We are changing lives.”
Aside from football, Coach DeMatteo provides members of the football team with opportunities for academic tutoring, regents examination review and SAT/ACT preparation.
Coach DeMatteo strives to create the brightest future for his athletes by coordinating meetings for his students with college recruiters and hosting guest speakers to educate students and help them prepare for what’s next.
James Rose, Yonkers Athletic Director, commented “The Yonkers Public Schools athletic program has been fortunate to have Coach DeMatteo Leading our football program for the past 17 years. He is a great leader and role model, who strives for what is best for the Yonkers athletes”
Lori Belilove and The Isadora Duncan Dance Company announce a socially distanced performance at Untermyer Park and Gardens
Lori Belilove and The Isadora Duncan Dance Company are hosting a socially distanced performance, at the walled garden of Untermyer Park.
Tickets are on sale fo $50 for Saturday September 26th event at 5 PM at 941 North Broadway
Dancers: Lori Belilove, Emily D’angelo, Faith Kimberling, Hayley Rose, Brittany Schmidt will create an encore performance at Untermyer Gardens, 941 North Broadway in Yonkers.
The Isadora Duncan Dance Company will appear in the the amphitheater where Samuel and Minnie Untermyer watched The Isadorables perform in 1923.
The tradition continued when Isadora Duncan Dancers, under the direction of Irma Duncan, returned to the city of hills in 1932.
Now they will appear Saturday September 26 at 5 PM, performing a program of of original dances in this exquisite setting on the Hudson River.
The classically inspired gardens were regularly open to the public, and also used as a venue for performances.
Fortunately, those original performances were recorded in photos and on film, allowing Lori Belilove to study them in preparation for her company’s appearance.
In addition, Lori Belilove feels a personal connection with the site, having trained with two of the original Duncan dancers that actually performed there.
While not a literal recreation of the historical Duncan performances this will be the first time in nearly 100 years, these new interpretations will be performed in the exact locations of the originals. .
Untermyer Park and Gardens is a historic 43-acre Yonkers city public park.
In 1865, John T. Waring, the owner of the largest hat factory in the U.S. built a a turreted mansion on on the site called “Greystone”, a name which remains on the nearby Metro-North train station.
In 1876, Waring had some financial reversals and moved to Boston, putting the 99-room mansion up for rent.
Politician Samuel J. Tilden a former governor of New York state and a failed Presidential candidate, rented the mansion from Waring in 1879, and bought it and the estate soon after.
Tilden had an interest in horticulture and built 13 greenhouses to grow ornamental plants as well as fruits and vegetables.
Tilden died at Greystone on August 4, 1886, and Samuel J. Untermyer bought the 133-acre property at auction in 1899.
Untermyer was noted as being the first lawyer in the U.S. to receive a fee of one million dollars for a single case.
A good investor Untermyer became extremely wealthy. He also transitioned from practicing corporate law to taking cases which involved promoting the public welfare.
The current park is a remnant of Untermyer’s 150-acre estate “Greystone”.
When Untermyer died in 1940, he had hoped to donate the whole estate to the United States, or the State of New York, or at least to the City of Yonkers.
Eventually the Yonkers agreed to accept part of the estate.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Untermyer Gardens have recently undergone a significant campaign of restorations, which is continuing.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of an absentee ballot portal that allows residents to directly request an absentee ballot for the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.
ALBANY: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the implementation of a new ballot portal would allow any voter concerned about exposing themselves to potential COVID-19 carriers to receive an absentee ballot.
Gov. Cuomo also issued an executive order to support and increase New Yorkers’ right to vote.
The order required county boards of elections to take “concrete steps” to inform voters on modified election information such as dates, polling places, ballot registration, confused by the coronavirus pandemic.
County board of elections must send mail outlining all the deadlines for voters by Tuesday, Sept. 8, send staffing plans and needs to the state board of elections by Sept. 20, adopting a uniform clarified envelope for absentee ballots, and to count votes faster.
Local boards are also required to reconcile affidavit and absentee ballots by 48 hours after elections.
Andrew Cuomo signed three bills in late August to allow better voting access in the November election.
The first of the three bills gives voters the right to request an absentee ballot due to risk of illness to themselves or others, including COVID-19.
The second bill authorizes voters to request absentee ballots immediately, adding almost seven weeks to the amount of time a voter has to vote by absentee ballot.
This legislation eliminates a provision that prevented voters from requesting absentee ballots until 30 days before Election Day.
The last of the three bills ensure that all absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day on Nov. 3 or received by the Board of Elections without a postmark on the day after the election will be counted.
Ballots with a postmark demonstrating that they were mailed on or before Election Day will be counted if received by Nov. 10.
“Voting access is one of the core foundations of our democracy,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said in a statement.
The legislation also amends election law to allow the Board of Elections to count all absentee ballots that have a time stamp showing they were delivered to the board the day after the election but lack a dated postmark.
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Spc. Ashley Rodriguez From Yonkers worked in the New York City Medical Examiner’s office during the pandemic
NEW YORK – A Yonkers resident and New York Army National Guard Signal Soldier reflected on her unlikely service in the state’s pandemic response as she found herself working with the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner during the city’s darkest days of COVID-19.
Spc. Ashley Rodriguez is normally a Cable Systems Installer, assigned to Bravo Company, 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion. Her role supporting the City of New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) would be anything but a traditional military skill.
The New York National Guard assistance with the recovery of the deceased in New York City is considered one of the most difficult missions for the Guard during COVID-19, said Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant Adjutant General for New York and former dual status commander for response forces assisting the city.
As a result of a sharp increase in deaths that overwhelmed the OCME, more than 300 Soldiers and Airmen from the New York National Guard were assigned to support the recovery and processing of remains across the city from April to June.
To highlight the dramatic need for assistance, New York City Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot told the New York Times April 14, that 3,000 more people died in the city between March 11 and April 13 than would normally have been expected during the same timeframe in an ordinary year.
Rodriguez was not even initially aware of the mortuary support mission and said she wasn’t sure what to expect going into it.
Aspiring to a civilian career in forensics, however, Rodriguez saw the mission as an opportunity to get exposure to the field and see if it was something that she could handle. So she quickly volunteered for duties on April 1.
By April 15, the New York City Department of Health announced that there had been 6,840 confirmed deaths out of 111,424 reported coronavirus cases.
In the first two weeks of her New York National Guard mission, the daily toll from COVID-19 rose from 378 deaths on April 1 to 651 deaths on April 15 before dropping back to 429 on May 1. City officials would report some 23,680 deaths before New York could reopen after flattening its curve in the summer.
“I’m a signal Soldier, not a mortuary assistant,” Rodriguez said. “In the beginning, it was a scary experience.”
For Rodriquez, she learned that she could handle the work.
They supported in-home recovery of decedents, transfer of decedents from hospitals, operation of a long-term storage facility in Brooklyn, and many other mortuary related tasks.
Deaths in New York City in that mission timeframe started at a peak of almost 500 each day, according to the city Department of Health, and only began to decrease in late April.
The Guardsmen and women were joined by an active Army mortuary affairs element, the 54th Quartermaster Company, who assisted the Medical Examiner’s office with processing hundreds of remains.
Rodriguez and her team worked 12-hour shifts, recovering the deceased from a variety of causes, including drug overdoses, suicides and natural causes both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19.
She saw victims from all walks of life, from all across New York City, Rodriguez said, providing dignity and respect to the recovery of every decedent.
The grim nature of this mission, and the sheer volume of work needed, raised concerns among Guard leadership for the resiliency of the task force Soldiers, explained Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowarski, the New York Army National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor.
“Many of us have been to combat,” Piwowarski said, “but this particular mission is very different, with handling human remains, every day, with long days, for weeks on end. I expected that some service members would not want to be involved in this rather grim duty. What we found was quite the opposite.”
“The first few days it was really hard for me, but I felt I had to be resilient,” Rodriguez said. “The experience definitely showed me I could handle a lot more than I thought I could.”
She also described an additional sense of accomplishment and pride that came from the appreciation of the families of those who had died and were recovered by National Guard members.
At first there was fear or confusion about why the military was there, Rodriguez said. Once family members understood we were there to take care of their loved one, they became very appreciative and knew we were going to give their loved one dignity and respect, she said.
Two months into her duties, Rodriguez experienced a low point when a realization that recovering deceased infants would also be a part of the mission and credits her team with helping her cope and get through that difficult time.
“We essentially came together and agreed we needed to be here for each other and we came up with a coping mechanism,” Rodriguez said. “If it wasn’t for them, I probably would’ve requested to be taken off the mission.”
Rodriguez completed her duty July 21, one of the longest stretches by a Guard member. During that time, her five-year-old daughter and her grandmother, a city hospital employee, each contracted COVID-19.
While they recovered, they continued to give their support to Rodriguez while she carried on with her OCME mission.
When her part in the mission came to an end, another phase began, a unique effort put in place by the New York National Guard leadership and staff to help address the transition and mental toll on members coming off their grim duties.
“We did a demobilization that lasted five days and focused on mental health,” Rodriguez said. “They wanted to ensure that everybody knew that it was okay to not be okay and make sure that anyone who needs it, gets treatment.”
Rodriguez enlisted in 2016 and said she plans to be in the National Guard for 20 years. Her experiences so far, especially during Operation COVID-19, have given her a new perspective on her service.
“I understood that as a Guardsman you come in wherever there’s something that’s needed and you fill a role,” said Rodriguez. “The Guard does a lot more than you’d expect.”
Specialist Ashley Rodriguez’s story will be part of an address by General Daniel R. Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the City of Yonkers’ partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Target to create the City’s first mini-pitch (soccer field).
YONKERS: A new parks project coming to the city of hills is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places To Play program, which seeks to transform underutilized areas, like vacant lots and empty schoolyards, into state-of-the-art pitches to play the game.
Through its national partnership, Target and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will create 100 mini-pitches by the end of 2020. Yonkers’ new mini-pitch will be located at Stefanik Park (Nepperhan Ave.) and will transform an empty pavement area into a mini-pitch to be used for recreational play.
“Working with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Target is an excellent example of the positive changes that can come from public-private partnerships,” said Mayor Mike Spano.
“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with these organizations in transforming an underutilized area into a recreational space for our community to enjoy.”
“Through our partnership with Target, we’ve been able to create safe places across the country so that more community members can play the beautiful game,” said U.S. Soccer Foundation President & CEO Ed Foster-Simeon.
“Even in these difficult times and under uncertain circumstances, that work has not stopped. We continue to create these spaces with Target and we’re excited that one is coming to the Yonkers community in partnership with the City of Yonkers.”
The mini-pitch installation at Stefanik Park is underway and is expected to be completed mid-September with an official unveiling to be announced.
Scope of Work:
· Surface Area: 84’ x 50’ (4,200 sq. ft.)
· 2” asphalt cap applied to full current soccer space (approximately 6,300 square feet)
· Musco Lighting to install its lighted “Mini-Pitch System”
· Laykold Masters acrylic sports coating applied to new asphalt surface, with above-referenced logos and soccer game lines
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities.
Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive.
Thanks to the voters, Attorney and Community Activist Verris Shako will be moving forward to the November 3, 2020 General Election as a Democratic Nominee for Yonkers City Court Judge now that all votes have been certified by the Westchester County Board of Elections.
YONKERS: Verris Shako spent countless hours at the outset of the pandemic, prior to the election, volunteering with numerous local organizations and leaders providing relief to Yonkers’ residents and essential workers impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Verris Shako has remained active after the election and assists in delivering groceries to seniors and families in need in Yonkers.
Verris Shako is also involved in the community as a Yonkers Girls Scouts Troop Co-Leader and Yonkers Public Schools PTA member.
Experienced Attorney Verris Shako has practiced in Yonkers City Court for close to 15 years.
Verris Shako also has over 10 years of family court experience in Yonkers City Court and family courts throughout Westchester County.
Verris Shako has consistently worked to protect the rights of Yonkers residents and will ensure residents are treated fairly, respectfully and have their matters resolved in a timely manner.
Yonkers City Court Judges serve 10-year terms and hear matters involving criminal, civil, traffic, housing, small claims and domestic violence matters.
Visit Shako2020.com for additional information on Democratic Nominee, Verris Shako.
Westhab is now the owner of 5 Hudson Street (the Windham) in downtown Yonkers
YONKERS, NY: Westhab has purchased a site where they have been providing affordable housing and services since 1984.
For decades, Westhab had a handful of properties in its portfolio, including Westhab Limited Partnership Number One, also known as the Windham.
Westhab had leased the abandoned hotel in 1983 and converted it into 63 Single Room Occupancy units for both homeless and permanent residents.
This allowed Westhab to help address the mushrooming homeless population in Westchester County in the 1980s while also continuing to pursue its primary mission of creating more affordable housing.
In the mid-2000s, the aging Windham got a full makeover, including structural work and converting to a capacity of 45 tenants, with 15 new studio apartments for disabled veterans.
Some thought Westhab would not be able to afford to buy the Windham when the current lease expired in 2031.
This caused Westhab began negotiations with the Windham’s ownership that led to the $2.2M deal.
Help came from the Westchester County New Homes Land Acquisition funding program.
There was also financing from the Leviticus Fund to help Westhab seal the deal.
