BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ANNOUNCES CLOSE TO $13 MILLION

IN FUNDING FOR BRONX ORGANIZATIONS

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that his office has allocated $12.85 million in funding for projects across the Bronx as part of his FY2012 budget requests.

This funding will help move projects forward in every corner of the Bronx, contributing to new technology in schools, new housing opportunities and a greener Bronx.

“The capital funding provided by my office is critical in moving important projects forward, and that is especially true in tough economic times. These funds will help bring technology to our schools, build new housing and make the borough a greener place,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

For the third consecutive year education represents the largest percentage of Borough President Diaz’s capital allocations, 30 percent, placing the total funding amount at just over $3.86 million. Thirty eight education projects were funded by the borough president this year, including a new green roof at the forthcoming Highbridge Middle School, auditorium upgrades at M.S. 145 in Melrose and a library renovation at the Soundview Academy for Culture & Scholarship.

Also funded was a unique initiative by Mercy College to create a “Parent Resource Center” at the college, focused on family and leadership development in our public schools.  This initiative will also create two parent centers at P.S. 46 and P.S. 85, both in the northwest Bronx, to provide outreach within the community.

“Our public schools are not only important to the lives of the students within them, but to the surrounding communities they serve as well. As this budget shows, my office has and will continue to make capital improvements to our schools one of our highest budget priorities,” said Borough President Diaz.

Borough President Diaz also provided just over $3.81 million in funding to various housing projects across the borough, including $839,000 towards the development of mixed-income housing at Webster Commons in Norwood, as well as $500,000 to rehabilitate two distressed buildings in West Farms through Exact Capital.

In addition to education and housing, Borough President Diaz provided funding to a variety of other Bronx institutions, including healthcare providers, cultural affairs organizations, parks and libraries. Projects funded include gym renovations at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in Crotona Park East, an expansion of Van Nest Park, upgrades to the Grand Concourse Branch Library and new ultrasound equipment at Lincoln Hospital.