AOC secures more than $7.5 million in funds for community projects in the Bronx
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced more than $12 million in funds for community projects in the Bronx and Queens.
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Improvements and upgrades are coming to several neighborhoods in the Bronx.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced more than $12 million in funds for community projects in the Bronx and Queens. More than $7.5 million will go toward enhancements in the 14th Congressional District in the Bronx.
One of the recipients, The Hutchinson River Restoration Project, the nonprofit organization will receive a $50,000 grant. The organization is dedicated to restoring the river to a healthy habitat and providing long-term protection.
'"It's important, it's no longer a matter of the rivers a mess, let's clean it up, maybe it'll be a nice recreation spot, it's desperate at this point," said Adjie Henderson, co-chair of the Hutchinson River Restoration Project.
With the money, Henderson says they will be able to expand debris cleanup along the entire river, increase pollution education and awareness and determine how areas can be restored for public land use.
"It's a beautiful resource for people in the Bronx and in Westchester, and we want to bring it back to that state," said Barbara Zahm, co-chair of the Hutchinson River Restoration Project.
The Riverbay Fund will receive $1.5 million to renovate a youth enrichment hub for education, recreation, wellness and arts for children and young adults in the Northeast Bronx. New York State Regional Food Hub in Hunts Point will get $1 million, and three NYCHA developments in Soundview.
The Bronx River Houses and Monroe Houses will receive funding to improve the playground, while the basketball court at the Sotomayor Houses will get a revamp.
In Pelham Bay, the New York Public Library branch will get $500,000 to upgrade ADA accessibility in the restroom. The Westchester Square Plaza is slated to receive $1 million through NYC DOT to improve the safety at the intersection of Westchester and East Tremont Avenue, among other upgrades.
"We were able to walk around and try to incorporate these projects according to all the communities that were organizing around them, and so this really is a direct translation of the people across the Bronx speaking up," Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said.
