Fiscal Year 2024 NY-07 Community Projects

  1. Borden Avenue Veterans Shelter Flood Resilience Project- The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is seeking $3,664,399.00 in funding to protect the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence’s building and utility infrastructure up to the 500-year flood level. Currently, the facility is at risk of a loss of function in storms. The 36-month project increases the level of protection to the facility through the implementation of a floodwall to provide protection against a 500-year level flood event.

Intended Recipient: NYC Department of Homeless Services

Address of Intended Recipient: 33 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004.

  1. Boricua College- Boricua College, a 501 (c) 3, not for profit proposes a workforce development program that will expand educational opportunities for and improve the academic attainment of at-risk community members. Without industry-recognized credentials, low-income workers can’t qualify for the well-paying jobs they need to move out of poverty. Expanding employment and educational opportunities is an important crime-fighting strategy. Boricua College’s programs will provide job training, wraparound social service support, including educational financial aid assistance, mental health counseling, meaningful work, internship opportunities, and community engagement.

Intended Recipient: Boricua College

Address of Intended Recipient: 9 Graham Avenue Brooklyn, NY11206.

  1. Dutch Kills Shoreline Restoration- This is a project for reconstruction of the currently eroded bulkhead into intertidal habitat and salt marsh along 29th street in Long Island City, to absorb and filter stormwater runoff and create public waterway access. Located just across the street from LaGuardia Community College (CUNY’s 2nd largest community college), this shoreline has been fenced off from the community and slowly crumbling into the waterway for decades. The area surrounding the Dutch Kills tributary of Newtown Creek, is severely overburdened by environmental harms, both past and present. These ongoing issues directly impact the physical health of our neighbors, and in the context of a changing climate, there is an urgent need to address issues like stormwater runoff, shoreline resilience, and urban heat island effect as well as build the physical and social infrastructure that will help combat and mitigate these worsening issues.

Intended Recipient: New York City Department of Environmental Protection

Address of Intended Recipient: 59-17 Junction Boulevard, Elmhurst, New York, 11373

  1. The ENYCLT Affordable Homeownership Project- The ENYCLT is a 501-c3 non-profit looking to create perpetual affordable home ownership by using the Community Project Funds for acquisition. They will either 1) remove another blighted vacant/dilapidated building within the overlapping Brownfield Opportunity Area in Congressional District 7 and develop it or 2) Create affordable ownership options for existing tenants to own their building collectively whereby harassment is taking place by the landlord. This project will create permanent affordable housing at a time when we are seeing disproportionate market-rate rental, some affordable rental, and supportive housing options.

Intended Recipient: East New York Community Land Trust Inc

Address of Intended Recipient: 2966 Fulton St, Brooklyn, New York, 11208.

  1. 9 Million Reasons Food Pantry Operation Expansion- 9 Million Reasons is a non-profit organization located in Long Island City, Queens helping those most vulnerable with basic food sustenance and essential supplies in New York City. It is a model innovative community-based effort to improve nutrition and health for those in need. The "Operation Expansion" project will upgrade and expand the 35-year-old kitchen, add refrigeration to the cafeteria and build shelving for better dry goods storage. This expansion will increase capacity allowing the organization to meet the increasing demand of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet each day.

Intended Recipient: 9 Million Reasons

Address of Intended Recipient: 39-20 27th Street, Long Island City, New York, 11101.

  1. Fresh Plate- Fresh Start- The FreshPlate jobs portal is a community-driven project that bridges the gap between local restaurants in need of skilled kitchen staff and previously convicted adults, or other disadvantaged adults, who have graduated from kitchen jobs training programs. This innovative platform provides a second chance for individuals seeking a fresh start while addressing the staffing challenges faced by restaurants in Queens and Brooklyn, New York. This program will train those formerly incarcerated for jobs in the food industry and will develop a portal to connect them to local businesses seeking employees.

Intended Recipient:Queens Economic Development Corporation

Address of Intended Recipient: 36-46 37 St., Long Island City New York, 11101.

  1. Gateway to Greenpoint- The purpose of this project is to replace the existing open space with a new landscape design that complements the built environment, softens the appearance of hard surfaces, enhances aesthetic qualities, and provides a significant neighborhood amenity. The site is currently an eye sore for the community and there is a lot of trash and graffiti. This project will provide a park-like area for the community and provide a seating area for lunch and relaxation. This project will benefit workers and visitors to the North Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone, where the site is located, as well as residents of the Greenpoint neighborhood.

Intended Recipient:New York City Department of Environmental Protection

Address of Intended Recipient: 59-17 Junction Boulevard, Elmhurst, New York, 11373

  1. Atlantic Terminal Site 4B Fire Alarm System Upgrades- These systems upgrades would help local emergency personnel and property management to address any potential fire, health, and safety concerns that may arise at this location. This project involves identification, removal, and replacement of all existing fire detection system components, both operable and inoperable, as per current NYC Fire Code. The detailed scope of work is determined based on engagement of stakeholders and the specific design for the site. Ensuring that the fire alarm system is up-to-date is not only of interest to the residents of this public housing development, but would serve the general public at large.

Intended Recipient: New York City Housing Authority

Address of Intended Recipient: 90 Church Street, New York, New York, 10007.

  1. Farragut Houses Playground Upgrade- This project involves renovation of one or more playgrounds, including replacement or upgrade of play equipment, installation of new pavement, and grounds work. Renovations to the playground(s) at the development would provide an opportunity for both residents of NYCHA Farragut Houses as well as community members in the neighborhood to access upgraded playgrounds. Such upgrades would allow youth and their families to access various playground recreation with the updated outdoor equipment, to promote healthy lifestyle activities, and to facilitate community gathering in common public areas.

Intended Recipient: New York City Housing Authority

Address of Intended Recipient: 90 Church Street, New York, New York, 10007.

  1. SNA Workforce Center- St. Nicks Alliance’s Workforce Development Center will relocate to an upgraded facility at the Throop Corners 100% affordable housing project currently under construction in Brooklyn’s Broadway Triangle neighborhood. The new 6,426 square foot workforce center will include 4 classrooms, 30 cubicles, four offices, two meeting rooms, a computer lab and a conference room, and will significantly expand St. Nicks’ training capacity over the next two years across programs, including adult education, skills training, job preparedness, internships, and direct job placement.

Intended Recipient: St. Nick’s Alliance Corp.

Address of Intended Recipient: Kingsland Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11211.

  1. Sunnyside Streetscape Project- Sunnyside Shines BID proposes to revitalize the streetscape of Sunnyside, utilizing capital money to purchase new street furniture (benches, newsbox stands, bike racks, new tree pits, new garbage cans, and doing sidewalk repair and awning updates throughout the district.  This program would install 10 new benches, repaint and repair existing benches, install 6 big newsbox racks that would result in the clutter of 20 smaller publications being removed and a more uniform look being installed.  We would install 15 new tree pits, and work on sidewalk renovation extension/repair on 46th Street. 

Intended Recipient: Sunnyside District Management Association, Inc

Address of Intended Recipient: 45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside New York, 11104.

  1. Sunnyside Community Services– Community Center Renovation- Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) is seeking funding for renovations at their main site to improve accessibility and efficiency that will result in a better participant experience. Specifically, they want to ensure restrooms are ADA compliant, improve the sound and acoustics in multipurpose classrooms primarily used for adult literacy and workforce development programs, perform HVAC upgrades, and make modifications in a space used for a day program for those with dementia. Many of these renovations will result in more energy efficient fixtures and equipment, to reduce energy use and water consumption, for a positive environmental impact.

Intended Recipient: Sunnyside Community Services, Inc.

Address of Intended Recipient: 43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside New York, 11104.

  1. Switching Lifestylez Youth Initiative in Residence at JACK- Youth mentorship organization Switching Lifestylez will conduct weekly mentorship sessions and healing workshops with 20 high risk youths from the Forte Greene and Farragut NYCHA developments. These sessions will take place at the performance meets civic space JACK in Clinton Hill and will be led by formerly justice involved adults from Switching Lifestylez and KAVI (Kings Against Violence Initiative) who can offer positive mentorship from their own life experience. The mentors will provide guidance, support, and healing interventions to justice involved youths and their families, offering resources and alternatives to participation in criminal activity.

Intended Recipient: Switching Lifestylez.

Address of Intended Recipient: 20 Putnam Ave. Brooklyn, NY11238.

  1. Western Queens Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development- Urban Upbound, in collaboration with its partners including the Queens Public Library, Queens Defenders, and the Queens Economic Development Corporation, as well as local parole offices, seeks to provide underprivileged communities in Western Queens with viable and attractive alternatives to involvement in the justice system by supporting and developing small businesses, worker cooperatives, self-employed community members, and budding entrepreneurs. Urban Upbound will accomplish this using a curricula-based approach, one-on-one counseling, and group workshops on topics including: navigating loan/capital opportunities; relations with insurance companies; managing inventory and supply chain disruptions; information on laws, regulations, and avoiding fines; managing risk; assistance understanding environmentally friendly business practices; and conducting business-oriented financial literacy and counseling.

Intended Recipient: East River Development Alliance, Inc. (DBA Urban Upbound)

Address of Intended Recipient: 21-11 40th Avenue., Long Island City NY, 11101.

  1. Construction of new Greenpoint YMCA- The Construction of New Greenpoint YMCA project is a $1.5 million proposal for capital support to keep the Y on pace with the construction of a state-of-the-art YMCA in the River Ring development in Williamsburg that will serve approximately 20,000 NY-07 community members each year. The project will enable the YMCA to make a positive impact by expanding signature programs that focus on the following: 1) Empowering Youth: the Y is a leading provider of after school care, summer camp, teen leadership programs, family activities, youth sports, and other programs that build mind, body, and spirit; 2) Improving Health: the Y uplifts health and wellness by providing members with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, personal training, and engaging group exercise classes, as well as partnering with outside providers to host free health screenings and wellness workshops; and 3) Strengthening Community.

Intended Recipient: Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater New York

Address of Intended Recipient: 5 West 63rd Street, 6th floor, New York, New York, 10023.

Click Here to See the Community Project Financial Disclosures.