We can do this, Co-op City! Let’s get those election ballots in. Close to 2,700 are still needed to make the 2021 quorum. VOTE TODAY!
2021 Riverbay voting period ends Friday, May 21 Vol. 56 No. 20
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Close to 2,700 more ballots still needed to make quorum The voting period of the 2021 Riverbay Board of Directors election will end next Friday, May 21, 2021, the deadline for all ballots to be returned to YesElections, and as of press time yesterday, more than 2,600 ballots were still needed to make this year’s quorum of 4,998 to validate the election. YesElections, Riverbay’s independent election contractor, reported to the 2021 Election Committee yesterday that approximately 2,323 ballots had been received by the company since voting opened on Monday, May 3, 2021. With the voting period scheduled to end next Friday, the committee urges shareholders who have not yet completed and returned their ballot to do so as soon as possible to help make the quorum and not extend the election. BY ROZAAN BOONE
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Metro-North’s Bronx station plans back on track once again BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND
On Thursday, May 13, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a press conference in Co-op City to announce the resumption of the Metro-North Penn Station Access Project. The project was temporarily on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is
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CB #10 revisits discussion on 801 Co-op City Blvd.
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Virtual public hearing set for Thurs., May 20
BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (center) came to Co-op City’s Einstein Center on May 13, 2021 to announce restart of the Metro-North - Penn Access Project which would bring fully accessible Metro-North stations to four Bronx communities, including Co-op City. Joining him at the press conference were (L-R) State Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. Photo by Toriea McCauseland
The Executive Board members of Community Board #10 met on Tuesday, May 11, led by the housing and zoning committee chair, Louis Popovic, to discuss, for the second time, a variance proposal regarding 801 Co-op City Blvd. During the meeting, members of CB#10 listened once again to a presentation and proposal regarding the site. This developer previously held a meeting with CB#10 back in April 2019. However, because of the pandemic, CB #10 needed to have another committee meeting on this matter, followed by a public hearing ★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★ where Co-op City neighbors will be able to weigh in on the proposal. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss plans Cast your b al l ot TOD AY for a cha nce to and get feedback from the community about the conh e l p m a k e t h e 2 0 2 1 R i v e r b a y B o a rd o f struction of a new medical facility accompanying Bay D i re c t o r s e l e c t i o n q u o r u m a n d f o r a Park Nursing Home while gaining a deeper underc h a n c e t o w i n a v o t i n g i n c e n t i v e. standing of the projected parking layout on the shared site. Most importantly, developers seek a special permit 4,998 votes (Continued on page 11)
24/7 subway service to resume this week
required for the 2021 Board election quorum.
Vote from May 3May 21, 2021.
BY BRANDON ORTIZ
For the first time in just over a year, New York City’s subways will be running 24/7 again as yet another indication of the city’s gradual progress toward recovery. Governor Cuomo announced last week that beginning on Monday, May 17, 24-hour subway service will resume in the city. The effort to sanitize and disinfect train cars and stations will still continue, according to MTA Chairman and CEO, Pat Foye, albeit there will no longer be a pause in overnight train service to do so. “COVID-19 is on the decline in New York City and across New York State, and as we shift our focus to rebuilding our economy, helping businesses and putting people back to work, it’s time to bring the subway back to full capacity,” Governor Cuomo said during the press conference announcement. “We reduced subway service more than a year ago to disinfect our trains and combat the rising tide of COVID cases, and we’re going to restore 24-hour service as New York
Comment period on Riverbay budget fees and rate increases ends Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Send comments to Finance department
BY ROZAAN BOONE
In accordance with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) regulations, all Coop City shareholders can submit comments and protests to the proposed increases in fees and rates included in the corporation’s two-year budget for FY 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Riverbay Corporation is requesting a 10% increase in all parking rates, 25% increase in basement storage rates, and 40% increase in hall closet rental rates. (See details in Notice on next page.) (Continued on page 12)
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gets back on the right track. This expansion will help working people, businesses and families get back to normal as the city reopens and reimagines itself for a new future.” Subway ridership in the city continues to gradually increase as the MTA recorded reaching over 2.2 million rides last Thursday. Overall, ridership is still only at a fraction of its pre-pandemic numbers, which was an average of 5.5 million riders per day. “At this critical moment for New York’s recovery, Governor Cuomo and the MTA recognize the time is now right to safely restore overnight service on the (Continued on page 11)
Change-over to A/C to begin May 19 To prepare for the upcoming summer months, and after reviewing the long-term weather forecast, the Power Plant will begin its seasonal shut-down of heat on Wednesday, May 19. Work will then begin to convert to cooling. Air conditioning is expected to be turned on by Friday, May 28. During this period, shareholders are urged to check their convectors to make sure the drain pipes are free and clear of debris to avoid flooding in their apartments. Seniors and those with disabilities who require assistance may contact the Maintenance dept. at (718) 320-3300, and select option #2.