February 21, 2014
By Stephanie West
“Over the past four years, The Bronx has taken major steps forward in all categories, from job creation to crime reduction and everywhere in between,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “During the next four years we will continue to implement our aggressive agenda, and bring responsible development to every corner of the borough. That is the ‘New Bronx.’”
Since 2009, The Bronx has seen $5.768 billion in total development, the creation of more than 13,000 in new units of housing and more than 14,000 new jobs created. Borough President Diaz highlighted specific projects, including the new retail mall at Bay Plaza and the relocation of FreshDirect to the Harlem Rail Yards.
During the presentation February 20th, Borough President Diaz highlighted the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory into the Kingsbridge National Ice Center which will become one of the finest ice sports complex in the United States.
Borough President Diaz also demanded that the United States Postal Service involve the people of The Bronx in the sale of the Bronx General Post Office, and to stop conducting this important business without community input. “We cannot allow Washington bureaucrats to simply sell one of our most cherished assets to the highest bidder. This is a public asset, and its liquidation cannot be carried out behind closed doors,” said Borough President Diaz.
During his speech, Borough President Diaz also discussed the continued decrease in crime. In 2013 the borough’s murder rate dropped 27 percent, shooting incidents fell 25 percent and shooting victims were down 30 percent.
