Mayor De Blasio Repaves More Than 4,000 Lane Miles; BK Lawmakers Applaud Effort
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) had exceeded its Fiscal Year resurfacing target of 1,300 lane-miles, surpassing it by 24 lane-miles on Monday.
Overall, DOT has repaved a total of 4,000 lane-miles in the last four years as part of the de Blasio Administration’s $1.6 billion investment into road paving over a ten year period. In Brooklyn the resurfaced roads include:
- Fulton Street (Bedford Ave to Marcus Garvey Blvd)
- Myrtle Avenue (Kent Ave to Marcy Ave)
- 7 Avenue (86 St to Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 78 St to 72 St, 72 St to 62 St and Poly Place to 86 St)
- Ocean Avenue (Ave P to Ave S, Voorhies Ave to Emmons Ave and Foster Ave to Ave K)
- Stillwell Avenue (Surf Ave to Boardwalk and Bay 50 St to Shore Pkwy)
“When I took office, many of our streets were in bad shape, with potholes making many of them an obstacle course. With a $1.6 billion investment, we made changing that reality a budget priority, and DOT’s crews have really stepped up to the task,” said de Blasio.
“There’s nothing flashy about repaving a road, but it is a key benchmark for judging the efficacy of government. From Bay Ridge and Bed-Stuy to Clinton Hill and Coney Island, smoother roads are making communities safer across Brooklyn,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
“Transportation in New York City depends on roads that are safe – and reliable – for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. With the completion of this ambitious resurfacing project, Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner Trottenberg, and the Department of Transportation have dramatically improved conditions on many important corridors, allowing people to travel efficiently within their city,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay).
“It is no secret that many of our city’s roads were in poor shape, making it difficult for our drivers, cyclists and sometimes dangerous for pedestrians to navigate the city streets. As a result of new, freshly paved roads, DOT was able to put down fresh street markings and new highly-visible crosswalks, which helps meet the goals of Vision Zero. I look forward to Mayor de Blasio and DOT’s continued progress and success in building up our city’s roads and infrastructure,” said Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights).
Menchaca Honors Sunset Park Resident With Street Co-Naming Ceremony
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) will honor the life and accomplishments of long-time resident Charles A. Sferrazza today.
Menchaca will hold a street co-naming ceremony in honor Sferrazza on the 42nd anniversary of his death. The long-time Sunset Park resident was an active, long-time member of the 72nd Precinct Community Council, and a member of Community Board 7.
Sferrazza was also a respected community leader and youth advocate who founded the Community Advisory Board for Youth, chaired the Drug Rehabilitation Committee for Planning Board 7, organized block associations and helped remove drugs from the neighborhood. Sferrazza died in July of 1975.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, July 12 at the corner of 44th Street and 8th Avenue in Sunset Park.
Golden Applauds New Initiative To Retrofit NYPD Vehicles With Bulletproof Windows, Side Door Panels
Senator Martin Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) is applauding the Senate Republicans announcement to provide $4 million to retrofit New York Police Department (NYPD) vehicles and patrol cars with bulletproof windows and side panels.
The funds are part of the State and Municipal Assistance (SAM) capital program and will go towards bulletproofing of side panels, windshields and windows of 3,800 patrol vehicles and all 72 mobile command units.
The announcement comes on the heels of the recent shooting of Police Officer Miosotis Familia. Familia was fatally shot, last Wednesday, while sitting in her patrol vehicle in the head by Alexander Bonds after he opened fire with a revolver in the Bronx.
“As a former New York City Police Officer, I know firsthand the dangers that our men ad women in uniform face each and every day. I am confident that this investment will save lives, and wisely provide greater protections for all NYPD Officers,” said Golden.
Hikind Decries Lack Of Funding For Vandalized Jewish Cemetery
Assembly Member Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) is decrying the lack of funding for a Jewish cemetery that was vandalized and destroyed earlier this year.
Earlier this year, Jewish cemeteries across the country and in Brooklyn were the victims of vandalism, as dozens of headstones were toppled and destroyed including Washington Cemetery in South Brooklyn. In response, many communities took notice and started fund raising campaigns, notably Linda Sarsour and the Muslim community started the “Muslims Unite To Repair Jewish Cemetery” fundraising campaign.
The campaign raised $162,468, of which a total of $50,000 was reportedly distributed to three Jewish sites that had been vandalized: Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis, MO ($40,000), the Waad Hakolel Cemetery in Rochester, NY ($5,000) and the Chicago Loop Synagogue ($5,000). However, Golden Hill Cemetery in Lakewood, CO has yet to receive any funds.
Golden Hill was promised $100,000 and to date has not been able to secure these funds. Caretaker Neil Price has attempted to get in contact with the group but has yet to hear back.
“I understood that Sarsour’s fundraiser was just a publicity stunt, but I also hoped that the money she raised would at least help these cemeteries. This new report raises questions about where the money went. Perhaps if this story gets out, Sarsour will direct the funds to the people it was promised to,” said Hikind.
