On Monday, Dec. 30, the Bookkeeping window will remain open until 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 31, Riverbay Administrative Offices will close at 2 p.m. Riverbay’s administrative offices will be closed on New Year’s day, Jan. 1, 2020. FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES, PLEASE CALL: MAINTENANCE: 718-320-3300, PRESS OPTION 3 • PUBLIC SAFETY: 718-671-3050
Vol. 54 No. 52
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Year In Review, Part 1
BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND
Editor’s note: The following is an account of significant events occurring in or affecting Co-op City, as reported by the Co-op City Times, during the first six months of 2019, the community’s 50th anniversary year. Next week’s edition will feature the story of the second half of the year. JANUARY
Elevator modernization The community-wide elevator modernization project began Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in buildings throughout Co-op City. The first wave of elevator upgrades began in buildings 2A, 4C, 5A, 11B, 11C, 15A, 15B, 28B, 32A and 34. Residents in some buildings had up to six months in which at least one elevator will be out of service. In all, 160 lifts in the high-rise buildings will be rehabilitated entirely and modernized with state-of-the-art-technology to upgrade safety features, enhance appearance and ensure efficient operation of the machinery. Ten elevators will be taken out of service at a time, and the entire project is expected to last between four and five years. New signs installed in community centers Staff from Riverbay Parking, Leasing and Storage Department installed new signs in the Bartow, Dreiser and Einstein Community Centers. The signage indicates the names of various Riverbay offices along with the room number to make locating easier for visitors. Fire in Building 1B The blaze left members of the family of five injured. The Jan. 5 fire was one of the worst in Co-op City in 2019, injuring a mother, father and three children, all of whom also suffered smoke inhalation. The fire ravaged the fifth-floor apartment, leaving extensive damage and the building hallways filled with smoke. Special election for New York Public Advocate The election was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Co-op City Democratic Club’s Public Advocate Forums shortly followed. New York City Councilman Rafael Espinal Jr.; former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Activist Tony Herbert; Columbia University Professor David Eisenbach; Assemblywoman Latrice Walker; New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams; Assemblyman Michael Blake; Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell; Attorney Ifeoma Ike; Democratic Investigative Journalist Nomiki Konst and Activist Raphael Schweizer attended the event. They answered questions, gave opening and closing statements, and stated their reasons as to why they should be the city’s next public advocate. Lobby renovations begin in 16B A plywood assembled wall built around the building signaled the start of its lobby renovations, as contractors removed glass windows along with metal framing from around the entryway of the building. In addition to meeting new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant codes, the new lobbies will get an upgraded intercom system. (Continued on page 3)
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Looking ahead to the New Year President’s Message
Linda Berk President, Riverbay Board of Directors
Operations of a development as large as Co-op City is challenging and unparalleled. Not only is our physical plant large and spread out, but we must meet the needs of roughly 45,000 residents in over 15,000 units with 1,000 employees. Along with improving the infrastructure, we also recognize that customer service is an area most in need of attention and is a priority as we work to reach the right balance of departments, staffing, efficiency and maintaining a reasonable budget; something management has worked on with the support and direction of the board. Last year together management and the board, we have continued to bring Co-op City into the 21st century. Here are some of our accomplishments this past year: • earn $4.4 million from ConEdison from the Power Plant – stand-by credit, ability to shed load, and export power to Con Ed • began a $40 million elevator modernization project that will guarantee reliable service for many decades (Continued on page 2)
December Bookkeeping Window Extended Hours
The Riverbay Finance Department’s Bookkeeping office in the Administrative Building in Bartow Center will remain open until 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, to accept carrying charge payments. —Riverbay Finance Department
CCPD Annual Toy Drive
Riverbay’s New Year holiday closings On Monday, Dec. 30, the Finance Department’s Bookkeeping window will remain open until 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 31, Riverbay Administrative Offices will close at 2 p.m. Riverbay’s administrative offices will be closed on New Year’s day, Jan. 1, 2020. Because of the upcoming holiday-shortened work week, all community organizations must submit their club articles before 9 a.m. this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. Material received after this time will not be considered for publication in the Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 issue of the Co-op City Times. Directors’ viewpoints are due promptly at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. Please note that regular business hours of the Co-op City Times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday. Material for publication may be emailed to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com; faxed to (718) 320-2595 or slipped under the office door at 2049 Bartow Avenue, rm. 21. We wish our readers a healthy and prosperous New Year.
CCPD held a toy drive with support from P.S.160, P.S.180, the Building 8 Association and Co-op City PDA. Pictured, from left, PO Cordrado, Sgt. Ahmed and PO Lee. “We had a little more than 200 extra toys than we collected for last year’s drive,” Sgt. Ahmed said. “On behalf of the CCPD we’re grateful for all the donations we’ve received this year.” The collected toys will be donated to PATH, a homeless shelter located at 151st St. in the Bronx. Photo and reporting by Brandon Ortiz