Mayor's Office Releases Preliminary Budget Response to CD 3

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Office of Management and Budget released earlier this month the preliminary response to each of the city’s community board budget requests.

To follow is the City’s initial answer to Community District 3, representing the neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant, and the status of its line items of request for projects funding.

Again, this is preliminary; it shows the direction that the mayor’s office is moving toward making a final decision. It provides an opportunity for the community, represented by the CB3, to respond before the second draft of the budget is released in April.

The final budget will be announced in June.

The following is an abbreviated list of CB3 budget requests. The full list contains 35 items; the below list includes ten of those items.

To obtain the full list and/or to submit feedback or a response to this preliminary budget schedule, contact Tremaine Wright, chair of CB3’s Budget Committee, 718-622-6601.

Request

Explanation

Agency Response

Construct a sanitation garage in community district 3

CD 3 has requested a sanitation garage for past 35 years. Presently, our garage is housed in its second site in CD1. This is an unnecessary hardship to them and an unfair burden on CD3.

This request cannot be funded in FY 2013. Resubmit request for consideration in FY 2014

Develop property on Fulton Street for affordable housing and retail space

CB3 is requesting to develop the vacant property along Fulton St. in the southeastern quadrant: Block 1548, lots 26-30 totaling 10,000 sq. ft; Block 1549, lots 4-7 totaling 8,00 sq. ft; and Block 1549, lots 19-34 totaling 26,000 sq. ft.

The agency will try to accommodate this issue within existing resources (there is some movement on this project)

Provide funding to convert Marcy/Kosciuszko Pool into a year-round facility

It is inefficient to operate the Marcy/Kosciuszko Pool as an outdoor facility, which is useful only during the summer months. The other 10 months of the year, it sits unused.

There are insufficient funds for this project; bring to the attention of elected officials

Reconstruct Halsey St. and Tompkins Ave. to Broadway

This request was made in 2004.  A portion of Halsey St. was reconstructed from Bedford Ave up to Tompkins Ave, but not the entire length, as was originally requested

There are insufficient funds for this project; bring to the attention of elected officials

Install an elevator at the Utica Ave. subway station

CB3 is happy that the installation of the elevator is imminent (scheduled to begin Spring 2012). Hopefully, this will not be pushed back further

This project is funded and the construction contract has been let.

Reconstruct Nostrand Ave., from Flushing to Atlantic Avenues

CB3 has been awaiting this project’s commencement since 1989. The completion of this project will greatly enhance Select Bus Service and the flow of residential traffic

This project is included in the ten-year plan

Rehabilitate the Von King Cultural Arts Center and construct additional rooms to accommodate its growing use

The Von King Cultural Center is well over 37 years old. All of its major systems, including electrical and plumbing are in need of an upgrade. Its sewer system for the past ten years has constantly backed up, creating flooding in the theatre areas and other parts too.

This request is partially funded. Contact the Dpt of Parks and Recreation for specifics

Hire additional manpower for sanitation enforcement

In the matter of dumping in lots, vacant buildings, parks, closed businesses and even the litter baskets, CB3 is requesting additional manpower to deal with those issues.

The agency will try to accommodate this issue with existing resources

Develop a comprehensive program for enforcement officers to deal with the rising unrest in police/community relations

Police/community relations continue to plummet, especially with PSA 3. CB 3 is aware that there is sensitivity training in place. However, the board is requesting that a comprehensive new plan be developed that will be more effective.

Additional NYPD resources for this project are unavailable at this time due to funding constraints.

Fund additional security surveillance cameras for high crime areas

There are many spots in the neighborhood where minimal illumination provides for crimes of opportunity, such as rapes and snatched electronics. CB3 requests that funding be provided for such known places throughout the community

Further study by the agency of this request is needed. Contact NYPD.