On The Issues

Gentrification/Overdevelopment

Gentrification and overdevelopment have been problems plaguing many parts of the City.  In East Harlem, Manhattan Valley and Mott Haven, many of the long term residents are being pushed out by landlords seeking market rate rents.  While little can be done to stop development on private property, I have worked hard to make sure that affordable housing is being developed alongside market rate, that existing affordable housing remains so, and that affordable housing is well maintained.   

Housing Creation

The East 125th Street Development Project will create a minimum of 600 permanently affordable units in East Harlem.  

•    The units will be affordable to a family of four earning between $35,450 - $106,350.  
•    300 of the units will be rental and 300 will offer Homeownership opportunities
•    300 of the units will be reserved for eligible CB11 residents
•    10 – 20 of the Homeownership opportunities will be for families earning $35,450 with down payment assistance available
•    All units will be permanently affordable

Phipps Houses – one of the nation’s largest and oldest not-for-profit developers, owners and managers of affordable housing – is the lead developer for the creation of 339 units on NYCHA-owned sites in East Harlem.   The properties, known as Metro-North, are comprised of 17 six-story walk-up buildings on 100th, 102nd, and 103rd Streets, all bounded by First and Second Avenues in Manhattan.  

•    At least 300 of 339 units in these developments will be permanently affordable to a range of households earning up to $42,540. The remaining 39 units will be affordable to a mix of incomes up to $70,900.  NYCHA will receive an annual lease payment under the terms of a long-term ground lease for the property.  These proceeds will go to help modernize and preserve public housing.
•    The 100th Street buildings will be rehabilitated, including the addition of elevators, new residential apartments and a day care center on the ground floor.
•    The 102nd Street site, upon demolition, will facilitate new apartment construction.  The new construction will preserve the existing Section 8 units and add an additional 100 units that will be affordable to families of four earning at least $56,720.  Both portions of the project will include landscaped open space for residents.  Union Settlement Association will team with Phipps Houses to provide a Head Start program and other supportive services.

Affordable Housing on the Westside – Creating affordable housing in New York City, especially the Westside is vitally important.  When we worked on the Broadway rezoning, we secured inclusionary zoning.  And although we were unable to secure an on-site preference, the changes that have been implemented to the 421-a program will increase the likelihood that developers will provide affordable housing on-site.  

108th Street Garage Sites – I have also worked with HPD, CB7, and The Westside Federation for Senior Housing (WSFSH) regarding future plans for the disposition of the 3 garage sites on 108th Street.  We are working with WSFSH to build affordable housing above the garage space, conserving the existing parking spaces while creating more desperately needed affordable housing.  

PS 109 – I have worked with the City and Artspace, a leading non-profit real estate developer for the arts, to convert an abandoned school, PS 109, into affordable live/workspace for artists and their families.  Artspace has partnered with Operation Fightback, a local affordable housing developer to bring this project to fruition.  The project will create about 70 studios/apartments for artists of all kinds as well as communal space to be used for the display of local artists’ work.  

Housing Preservation

Equally as important as affordable housing creation is affordable housing retention.  Our greatest stock as a City are our TIL buildings, HDFCs, Mitchell-Lamas, NYCHA, Section 8 and rent regulated units.  Many of our TILs and HDFCs are in danger of being lost because of breakdowns in communication due to weakened tenants associations (TAs), failure to collect rents, repay rehabilitation loans, real estate and water tax arrears, and poor management.  I have worked with many of these buildings to restore the management capability of their TAs, avoid foreclosure by connecting them with community-based organizations, extend J-51 tax abatements, get them enrolled in the Citizen’s Energy program for reduced cost home heating oil, and facilitate meetings with HPD to make sure they get the support they need to continue.   

Citizens Energy

In FY 2007 we worked directly with Citizens Energy to get as many buildings enrolled in this program as possible.  We were able to get the 1199 Plaza and Franklin Plaza, both Mitchell Lama co-ops with combined total units of more than 3000, a total of $700,000 worth of heating oil and funds to upgrade their boilers.  This provided each resident with an average $250 reduction in rent during the winter months.  

In FY 2008 we worked with UHAB to host a community meeting to get more TILs and HDFCs enrolled in the program.  We were successful and many more homes received checks to lower rent costs.  1199 and Franklin Plaza continued to participate in the program and again received an average of $250 in rent reduction during the winter months.  The winters of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 were very cold and oil was wildly expensive so this program made a real difference for these residents.  UHAB has continued to work with Citizens Energy to expand the program in FY 2009.  

J-51 Tax Credits

This is a wonderful program that allows residents living in HDFCs to reduce their tax rate reflecting their income, however the credits are good for only 15 years.  I co-sponsored Intro 883-2008 requiring HPD to compile and publish a list of all buildings receiving a tax abatement or exemption noting their commencement and expiration dates, and their amounts.  This will allow HDFCs to better plan for the end of the program.

Source of Payment Discrimination

The Federal Section 8 program allows many low income New Yorkers to afford to continue to live here.  Unfortunately some landlords refuse to accept tenants using this program.  I supported legislation that has made it illegal for landlors to refuse to rent to tenants because they will be paying with Section 8 vouchers.  

Legislative actions Melissa introduced and passed to preserve existing affordable housing:

•    Tenant Protection Act: Co-sponsored by myself and Council Member Garodnick, this legislation gives renters in NYC overdue protections against unscrupulous landlords and helps to preserve affordable housing.  Under this legislation, civil penalties for judicial findings of harassment range from $1,000 to $5,000.
•    Res. No. 1815—Rent Control:  I introduced this Resolution with Speaker Quinn stating that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2009.  This Resolution urges the State to continue the Rent Control Program in NYC.  
•    Intro 617-2007 – Notice of Explosives - After a devastating partial collapse of building in Park West Village, I introduced legislation to improve the safeguards for use of explosives at construction sites.  The legislation tightens current regulations, increases inter-agency communication, and institutes a broad community notification plan when blasting begins.   

NYCHA

Another one of my priorities is to address problems residents are facing in our public housing developments. Over the last three years, I have found that the vast majority of constituent requests are related to public housing concerns. Our district is home to ten percent of New York City’s public housing stock -- one of the highest concentrations in the city. The challenges that confront New York City’s public housing system are a priority for this office and I work alongside resident leaders and New York City Housing Authority to ensure that we improve existing conditions.  

About 6 months ago, we instituted quarterly meetings between our NYCHA Resident Associations and the Management to discuss residents’ concerns.  We have had two such quarterly meetings and the next one is scheduled in the Fall of 2009.  We have found that these meetings really have helped in addressing residents’ concerns.  The meetings have been well attended and we look forward to facilitating the next one.

Federal Stimulus Funds for Public Housing in District 8

•    Betances Fire Stopping $3,000,000
•    Millbrook & Extension Elevators $9,770,000
•    Lehman Roof $1,200,000
•    In addition, general funds provided to the City will provide building upgrades throughout the City

Housing Safety

After a number of devastating building collapses in my district, the safety of buildings in District 8 and citywide became an issue of great concern to me.  I have worked to pass legislation that prevents further building collapses, by specifically looking at vacant buildings and other risky structures, which were the root causes of the collapses in my district.  I believe these pieces of legislation will go a long way to ensure that buildings have the proper upkeep and will not be a danger to the surroundings.

Inspections on Buildings at Risk of Collapse – Long term vacant buildings pose dangers to the public and neighboring buildings.  Under this legislation, building owners are required to file cyclical engineering reports with the Buildings Department.  I am pleased to report that on August 12, 2008 Mayor Bloomberg signed into law my Intro 687-2008, requiring buildings that are or are at risk of being structurally compromised to undergo periodic inspections.  Permits will not be issued until an inspection is completed and failure to file a report will result in a minimum penalty of $2,000.  

An Improved Building Inspections Process – In addition to regulations on building, we need more inspectors to follow up on violations.  Our affordable housing stock must not be neglected and allowed to fall apart.  I co-sponsored Intro 295-2006 to establish a training program through HPD to instruct individuals in the necessary procedures for identifying housing maintenance code violations and to certify qualified individuals as volunteer citizen housing inspectors.  This will allow for more buildings to be inspected and kept in good shape.   

Affordable Housing Taskforce – I co-sponsored Intro 297-2006 to create a temporary task force to study existing as well as potential means and methods of funding affordable housing for low to extremely low income residential communities.  This is a top priority in the district and I will continue to work on this issue.   

Safety Registration Number Bill: After a building collapsed on 115th Street and Lexington Avenue two years ago, building safety has been of great concern to me.  In December 2008, Council Members Comrie, Fidler and I introduced Intro 878 requiring any individual, corporation or other business entity to register with the Department of Building for a safety registration number. Should they receive any violation, the Department will have the discretion to revoke their safety registration number preventing them from working on any job, not just the one for which they were cited.

T-Cep Program – In 2006, a group of young people and I visited a number of buildings throughout District 8, inspecting apartments, and documenting violations and unsafe conditions.  We delivered the list to HPD and followed up regularly to ensure that the Department was responding to these reports.
 
Anti-Discrimination

I have worked hard to eradicate the injustices that face the members of our community.  Though it is difficult to right 300 years of injustice, I have tried to do so.

•    I voted in support of CM Vann, to rename a portion of Gates avenue after Brooklyn community leader and activist, Abubadika Sonny Carson.  Carson was a pillar of the Black Nationalist community.  Though the Speaker sought to block this, I fully supported CM Vann’s constituents the right to do the renaming.  

•    I co-sponsored Reso 1874-2009 condemning the New York Post’s racist depiction of President Barack Obama in a political cartoon.  Like most of America I was appalled by this disgusting cartoon.  I also joined Rev. Al Sharpton, CM Barron and others in a rally outside the Post building calling for a boycott of the Post until they apologized for the cartoon.

•    In February 2007, I joined CM Comrie in calling for a symbolic moratorium on the use of the “N” word in New York City.  It was our hope that during the Black History Month, when we take additional time to honor Black Americans’ contributions to our society, that we could do so in an environment free from words that have caused no end of pain, suffering, and hate.  

•    In 2008, I stood with the Black Latino and Asian Caucus to call upon the Federal Communications Commission to investigate Arbitron Inc.’s Portable People Meter system and its potential effect on the diversity of radio.  Arbitron’s new ratings system has drawn intense criticism from some ethnic and urban stations nationwide, which have seen sharp rating declines since its implementation, driving down advertising prices on those stations.  The PPM system would benefit from further study before it is launched on a citywide scale.

Police Harassment

Police misconduct and brutality are serious concerns, as evidenced by the shootings of Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell and Patrick Dorismond and the torture of Abner Louima.  Sadly, incidents of police misconduct plague the residents of my community and decrease their quality of life.  I have worked on a number of resolutions to urge the creation of a fairer and more accountable system for dealing with cases of police misconduct as well as to prevent and reduce these tragic incidents.
 
Special Prosecutor for Police Misconduct and Brutality – In 2006 I co-sponsored  Resolution 65-2006, calling on the State to create an office of special prosecutor for matters involving police misconduct and brutality.  Recommendations by the City Council and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission have also called for the creation of such an office.  Existing prosecutors’ offices typically have an on-going working relationship with the Police Department, which may lead to a less than vigorous prosecution and certainly the perception that a conflict of interest exists.  The creation of an independent prosecutor’s office will instill confidence in the public that police misconduct cases are treated fairly and even-handedly and that the relationship of the local prosecutor with the police will have no bearing on the disposition of the case.  

Evaluating Police Services in Public Housing Developments – I also co-sponsored Resolution 865-2007 to initiate a study evaluating the quality of the police services provided by the Housing Bureau to public housing residents.  Increases in police initiatives, while aimed at curbing crime and protecting residents, may add to conflicts between residents and law enforcement, including complaints of police misconduct.  Many NYCHA tenants are concerned about harassment and intimidation by police officers.  In numerous neighborhood forums on community policing in the wake of the Sean Bell tragedy, the lack of respect shown by the NYPD to NYCHA residents was frequently raised by NYCHA tenants.  While safety and policing is necessary, the residents must be active participants in the process of creating a safety plan.   

Responding to the Jayson Tirado Tragedy – On August 14th, 2008 Council Member Rosie Mendez and I introduced Res 1574 calling on the New York State Legislature to enact legislation amending the New York State Penal Law to include penalties for police officers prematurely leaving the scene of a crime or shooting without reporting the incident as soon as practicable.  We were prompted to introduce this resolution after a tragic incident in East Harlem where a man named Jayson Tirado was shot by Sean Sawyer, an off-duty police officer, during a traffic dispute.  Officer Sawyer left the scene of the incident, went home and did not report it until he heard news reports 19 hours later.  Subsequently, the Grand Jury found that there was no basis for an indictment against Officer Sawyer.  At the very least, an officer who engages in such a violent act should be required to immediately report it.  This resolution has been sent to the Public Safety committee and we hope to have a hearing scheduled soon.   

Public Safety

Security Cameras at NYCHA Developments – Unfortunately there have been many shootings on NYCHA property that caused great harm and fear for the residents.  I co-sponsored Resolution 96-2006 calling on the Federal government to provide a specific allocation of funding for video security systems at New York City Housing Authority developments.  Congress has previously allocated money to pay for video cameras at bodegas and NYCHA has a great need for crime deterring camera equipment as well.  Without Federal funding, over the last 3 ½ years I have allocated $1.6 million of City funds to install cameras at 10 of my developments

Youth & Schools

The School Safety Act – On November 20th I joined the NYCLU at a press conference to announce a complaint they filed with the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau on behalf of a Queens 11th grader who was abused by a school safety agent and left bleeding and distraught in a high school restroom.  This is yet another example of the tension and lack of transparency and accountability that has existed in schools since school safety was transferred from the Department of Education to the NYPD in 1998.  Incidents like these prompted Council Member Jackson and I to co-sponsor legislation to enable the Civilian Complaint Review Board to investigate complaints of misconduct by police personnel assigned to public schools, and to require that the DOE and NYPD submit quarterly reports to the City Council on school safety matters.  This is a first step toward creating transparency and decriminalizing students.  

Ending the “School to Prison Pipleline” – I co-sponsored a resolution urging an end to practices which foster the “School to Prison Pipeline,” a national trend in which students are being pushed out of the public school system and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.  

Youth Programs and Services – I am very concerned with the youth in my community.  I have tried to make as many opportunities available to them so their futures are open and bright.  Over the last 3 ½ years I have allocated more than $6 million in funding specifically for youth programming.  It is vital that our youth have arts, sports and educational programs to help develop them.  I have supported dozens of after-school and extracurricular activities, both inside and outside of schools.  I like to encourage the growth of locally-based programs, so I have made efforts to provide much of our funding to local community organizations.   

Capital Funding for District 8 Schools – Each fiscal year, I provided capital funding to improve our schools and to help offset citywide budget cuts to education and inequities in funding.  I have supported technology upgrades at schools throughout the district, to make sure our children have access to up-to-date computers and equipment.  I have also secured funding for upgraded science labs to help expand students’ horizons and prepare them for college.  Additionally, I have allocated capital funding for rooftop gardens at schools in District 8.

Military Recruitment in High Schools – I have opposed military recruitment in high schools.  It is important to let young people make informed choices about the military rather than unfairly target Black and Latino urban youth.   
 
Public Health/Environment

Addressing Asthma Rates – Standing up for the health of children and families has been an important part of my career.  East Harlem and Mott Haven have the highest asthma rates in the City, and a 2003 study found that one out of every four children in central Harlem has asthma -- “one of the highest rates ever documented for an American neighborhood.” These are statistics that I seek to change.  I have fought to get the MTA to reduce bus emissions and to get DOT to reroute traffic so as to decrease the amount of pollutants in the air that our children breathe.   I will continue that work through the City Council and implement education campaigns to address the increase in asthma rates in District 8.  

Anti-Idling Legislation – Idling cars generate 4 times as much air pollution than cars in motion.  Idling cars are a significant problem that harms our environment and increases the rate of asthma among children and adults.  I am happy to report that two bills I co-sponsored, Intro 40-2006 and Intro 631-2007, have been enacted by the City Council and the Mayor.  These bills work to reduce the amount of time that vehicles are permitted to remain idle, and to expand and strengthen enforcement of anti-idling laws.

Clean Heating Oil – I introduced Intro 594-2007, legislation mandating the use of cleaner heating oil.  This will reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air which causes and worsens asthma.

The Asthma Free Housing Act – I am a lead co-sponsor of Intro 750-2008, which would require landlords of multiple dwellings to inspect for and immediately remediate allergenic hazards which aggravate asthma, emphysema and lung cancer.

Public Space

Community Gardens – I support the creation and maintenance of green spaces throughout the district, for their environmental, health and recreational benefits.  Through the Green Thumb program, we have created and supported a number of public gardens, and have provided $35,000 in capital upgrades for those spaces.  I have also worked with NY Restoration Project on developing and improving non-city owned community gardens in District 8.  I am also an ardent supporter of community gardens that are sponsored by community based organizations that utilize these spaces to provide programming for young people.  I have fought to protect community gardens that were threatened with closure.  Ultimately, I hope to ensure that all residents in my district have access to local parks and green spaces, and can get to one of these spaces within a 10 minute walk.

Randall’s Island is a wonderful space that has gone underutilized for far too long.  A chief reason for this underutilization, however, is that efforts were not previously taken to provide access to the island for young people in District 8.  I have worked to make sure there is greater public access as well as quality ball fields for our youth.  I partnered with Borough President Scott Stringer to purchase a bus, to be operated by the Department of Parks, which will create more accessibility for our local schools and community programs.

Seniors

Opposing Administration’s Overhaul of Senior Centers – I worked actively with the City Council to denounce a Bloomberg administration overhaul of the Department for the Aging through a controversial RFP. These changes would have forced many senior centers to close their doors, pushed small programs offering services to the elderly to shut down, and shut in hundreds of the city’s elderly at a time when the cost of food is skyrocketing, and many of our communities are faced with a serious shortage of supermarkets. The Council stood strong and demanded that the Mayor’s office scrap this RFP, and come back to the table for a collaborative discussion on the modernization of senior centers that is more in tune with what the seniors want and need.  My office also worked to collect signatures for a petition opposing the administration’s changes.  After hearings and increased pressure from the Council, the Mayor’s office decided to rescind the RFP and the administration is currently working to create a new one.

Small Business

The East 125th Street Development Project provides an exciting opportunity to foster more commercial activity in a two square block area in East Harlem.  In working with the City on this project, I ensured that small businesses from the neighborhood would fully benefit from the development.  I am proud to say that the project will set aside 50,000 square feet of retail space for small, locally-owned businesses, who will also pay below market rent to ensure that they can afford to do business in this area.  Furthermore, businesses located in Community Board 11 will have a special leasing preference for commercial units in the newly developed area.  

125th Street Rezoning – As part of the negotiations for the 125th Street Rezoning, my colleagues and I ensured that small businesses would be protected and would be able to thrive under the new zoning regulations.  The rezoning plan:  

•    Established the $1 million Harlem Business Assistance Fund, which helps offset broker fees incurred by small, neighborhood-based businesses as a result of relocating to 125th Street and its surrounding area.  
•    Created a $750,000 no interest, forgivable loan program for businesses that were adversely affected by the rezoning.  
•    Initiated a market assistance program to spread awareness among small businesses of services provided by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

La Marqueta – I am a strong advocate of the redevelopment of La Marqueta in East Harlem.  Reviving this historic open-air food market will make East Harlem a destination point for shoppers and tourists.  I have worked with East Harlem Business Capital Corporation (EHBCC) and EDC to redevelop this site and open it up for small, local businesses.  I have also pushed for the creation of low-rent stalls for smaller vendors.  I recently stood behind an effort to open a 4,000 square foot commercial kitchen in La Marqueta for entrepreneurs looking to break into the food business.  

Visit 9 in ’09 – Earlier this year, I collaborated with the City on the Visit 9 in ’09 program.  This program aimed to highlight diverse and vibrant neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs that could be exciting destinations for tourists and New Yorkers alike.  Seeing this as a chance to draw revenue for local small businesses, I advocated for El Barrio/Spanish Harlem’s inclusion as one of the nine sites to visit.  As a result of this program, the neighborhood received media attention and was also featured in advertisements created by the Mayor’s Office.  I will continue to actively seek opportunities to promote my district’s neighborhoods to support our small businesses.

The Banners East Harlem program seeks to commemorate important black and Latino figures in the arts and music by placing banners throughout the neighborhood.  These banners also promote and attract attention to small businesses in the community.

Procurement and Small Businesses - I was a co-sponsor of Resolution 1977, which was adopted by the Council on July 29, 2009.  I believe that the City should make its best effort possible to engage in procurement with small, neighborhood-based businesses, in order to infuse funds into local economies throughout the city.  This resolution calls on the State to enact a law that would allow the City to give a special preference to small businesses to foster their selection in competitively bid contracts with the city government.

Community Based Organizing/Community Development

I support and encourage our local residents to work together to provide services to the community and to create change in our neighborhoods.  I actively seek out opportunities to work with local organizers, advocates and direct service agencies to provide funding and support, as a way to foster the growth of leadership in the community.  

Culture & The Arts

The East Harlem Firehouse is a historic building in District 8.  In 2007, I supported the designation of the firehouse as a landmark, and ultimately the Mayor’s office did declare it as such.  I also support Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s efforts to develop this building into a community media arts center, which I believe will be a great addition to the neighborhood.  I secured $500,000 in capital funding in fiscal year 2009 to support the renovations of this impressive space and I look forward to continuing to support this exciting development in the district.

El Museo del Barrio – I am an avid supporter of El Museo del Barrio, one of the leading arts institutions in District 8, and an important center of Latino art, music and culture.  I have secured well over $1 million in capital funding to support renovations to the Heckscher Building, where the museum is located.

The Museum of the City of New York is yet another vital arts and cultural institution in District 8.  I have been a proud supporter of their Neighborhood Explorers program, which engages East Harlem youth in projects that revitalize and benefit the neighborhood.  Over the last three years I’ve secured more than $1 million in capital funds as well as expense funding to support an exhibit commemorating the 75th anniversary of NYCHA.

The Julia de Burgos Cultural Center is a community space for cultural arts programming located in a City-owned building.  I have been an ardent supporter of the Cultural Center, and the many wonderful art programs and exhibits that have been housed there.  I have also allocated capital funds to upgrade the Center’s theater.

PS 109 – I am currently working with the City as well as Art Space, a leading national real estate development company, on an innovative effort to create much-needed affordable housing for New York’s artist community at the site of PS 109, located in East Harlem.  Additionally PS 109 will have community gallery space where local artists will have an opportunity to display their work.

Funds for Youth Programming – During my first term, I have secured more than $6 million in funding for youth programming.  In allocating my discretionary funds, I always seek to support programs that utilize art, music, dance and other creative means to engage our youth.

Libraries

I have supported important renovations and improvements to our libraries in District 8 through capital funding.  I also advocated for the protection and preservation of the 125th Street library, by pushing for its designation as a landmark.