Deputy Mayors Holloway and Steel, and Speaker Quinn Take Steps to Include Retail Stores in Successful Business Acceleration Program

Launch of NYC Retail Survey to Guide Expansion of New Business Acceleration Team

Program Cut 75 Days Off Permitting Process for Restaurants, Helping More Than 600 Restaurants Open and Create Jobs Faster

As part of the New York City’s work to make it easier to open a business here, Deputy Mayor for Operations Caswell F. Holloway, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today launched the NYC Retail Survey, the first step in the expansion of the successful New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT). The program, announced by Mayor Bloomberg in his 2010 State of the City address and launched in partnership with the Speaker, streamlined the permitting process to help more than 600 restaurants open their doors an average of 75 days faster, creating jobs and revenue. The NYC Retail Survey will use the feedback from retail and storefront service business owners to inform how to best improve experiences with City government and encourage economic development.

 “We want the New Business Acceleration Team to carry its success from the restaurant industry to the retail sector and others, and this survey will ensure that we target the most critical issues that business owners face when they interact with the City,” Deputy Mayor Holloway said. “And thanks to our strong partnership with Speaker Quinn and the City Council, we’ll work together to address those issues as quickly as possible to keep New York City growing.”

“Creating a pro-growth, business-friendly environment has been at the center of Mayor Bloomberg’s economic development strategy, and by expanding the highly successful NBAT model to retail we will help even more businesses get open faster,” Deputy Mayor Steel said. “We want to make it as efficient as possible for businesses to comply with necessary regulations so they can serve more customers and hire more New Yorkers.”

Continue reading the press release.

Borough President Diaz, BOEDC & FreshDirect
Reach Agreement on New Facility

Today, in advance of a vote at the Industrial Development Agency on FreshDirect’s proposed relocation to the Harlem River Yards in the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and FreshDirect have reached an agreement on best practices to address a number of the concerns that have been raised since FreshDirect’s proposed relocation was made public.

The “memorandum of understanding” includes agreements between the three parties on local hiring, vendor referrals, expanding FreshDirect’s services to new Bronx neighborhoods, accepting EBT benefits, and decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels through the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.

“I am very excited that FreshDirect will make the Bronx its new home, and that we have come to an agreement with the company that will ensure their commitment to the Bronx for decades to come. FreshDirect’s decision to stay in New York City, right here in the Bronx, is a win-win for everyone. FreshDirect is a real home-grown success that will now continue to grow, creating almost a thousand new jobs in our borough, which is not only a victory for the Bronx but also the entire City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“We welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx and know that our collaboration will result in a rich environment for them, our residents and the other Bronx businesses that are anxious to provide their growing customer base with additional products made in our Borough,” said Marlene Cintron, president, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

“We're thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of the Bronx community. We have historically created a large amount of new jobs and look forward to creating many more hand-in-hand with our new neighbors. Also, we take seriously our shared responsibility to the environment,” said Jason Ackerman, CEO of FreshDirect.

In addition to the MOU, Borough President Diaz’s office has also created a new Facebook group, “Bronxites for FreshDirect,” designed to illustrate to the company just how many Bronx residents are willing to not only use their service, but have the technical capabilities to do so.

“A critique of FreshDirect has been the company’s unwillingness to deliver to most areas of the Bronx. Through this Facebook page, we are prepared to show FreshDirect that Bronx residents are ready to use their service, if it is offered to them,” said Borough President Diaz.

That page can be found at facebook.com/BronxitesForFreshDirect.

Click here to read the MOU.

Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg and Borough President Diaz Announce FreshDirect to Open New Headquarters in the Bronx Creating Nearly 1,000 New Jobs

Company to invest $112 million to build a state-of-the-art facility at the Harlem River Yards that will employ nearly 3,000 workers and serve as its center of regional operations

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., today announced that FreshDirect, a leading fresh food internet grocer, will invest $112.6 million to build its new headquarters and operations center at Harlem River Yards, retaining nearly 2,000 existing jobs and creating almost 1,000 new jobs. The construction of the new facility will also result in the creation of approximately 684 construction jobs in the City.

“FreshDirect is a home-grown success that will now continue to grow and create jobs in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “Creating almost a thousand new jobs is a real victory for the Bronx and a clear sign that leading New York companies see this state as the place to start, stay and strengthen their businesses.”

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “Making sure that companies like FreshDirect can grow and invest in New York City is a key part of our strategy to rebuild and diversify our economy. A thousand new jobs at the Harlem River Yards is great news for the Bronx and a welcome boost to our City’s economy.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, “I welcome FreshDirect to the Bronx with open arms. This iconic company will not only stay in New York where it belongs thanks to this deal, they will bring 1,000 new jobs with them to our borough. More and more companies are discovering that the Bronx is a great place to do business, and FreshDirect’s move to our borough is a major positive step forward for our economy.”

Continue reading the press release.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Police Shooting in the East Bronx

“We have a problem, not just in the Bronx but across the City. In the past week we have seen a well-publicized video documenting apparent police brutality, the attempted murder of a police officer in Brooklyn, and, this afternoon, a young, unarmed man saw his life end by a police officer’s bullet.

“I’ve had enough, on all sides. I cannot and will not tolerate incidents of police misconduct. It is especially disturbing that a young man, who did not have a gun and was in his own home, could see his life end in such a sudden manner at the hands of those charged with his protection. This is especially disturbing given that we are approaching the anniversary of the unfortunate death of Amadou Diallo. A great deal of work has been done since that time to improve police-community relations, and tragic incidents like this have the potential to undo years of good work. A full investigation into this incident must occur, and immediately.

“Our police officers must be better trained to deal with the communities they work in, to better respect the lives of those they are charged with protecting and serving. We can no longer tolerate our young men and women falling victim to excessive force at the hands of our police, or worse yet, lose their lives unjustly.

“At the same time, Police Officer Kevin Brennan lays in a hospital after a gun-toting thug attempted to take his life. The violence on our streets must come to an end. We must respect the hard work of our police department, those men and women who put their lives on the line to protect law-abiding citizens each and every day, and continue to fight to curb illegal gun violence in our streets. I myself have been harassed by the police. I am also the brother of an NYPD sergeant. I understand both sides of this issue, and I know that something must be done to put an end to this violence,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz, Bronx Courts & County Clerk’s Office Launch Call-In Jury System

Phone-In Service Saves Jurors Time & Taxpayers Money

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., together with Administrative Judge for Civil Matters of the 12th Judicial District Hon. Douglas E. McKeon, Administrative Judge for the Criminal Division of the 12th Judicial District Hon. Efrain Alvarado and Bronx County Clerk Luis M. Diaz officially announced the launch of the new jury duty call-in system.

Under the new system, which has been in effect since late November 2011, Bronx residents summoned for jury duty must call a toll-free telephone number at the top of their summons a day before they are scheduled to appear at court. The 24-hour recorded message will inform jurors if they need to appear for jury duty.

The call-in system has been implemented to bring in close to the amount of required jurors, rather than having a surplus of individuals at court that may not be utilized.

“We are excited to bring this new service to the Bronx. This call-in system is long overdue, convenient and cost efficient. In these tough economic times, many of us cannot afford to be out from work for an extended amount of time. This new system will help to make sure that happens, while also ensuring that court system is properly served,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Continue reading the press release.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Vidalia Park Basketball Court Shooting

“I am very disappointed by last night’s quadruple shooting at the Vidalia Park Basketball court in West Farms. It is unacceptable that, despite the efforts of my office the police department and our district attorney to take as many illegal guns off our streets as possible, these senseless acts of gun violence continue to plague our borough.

“I am deeply saddened that our kids cannot play a friendly game of basketball without looking over their shoulder because of gun violence. I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable, cowardly act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.

“I urge all Bronxites with knowledge of illegal guns in their community to call 866-GUN-STOP to anonymously report those guns to the police, a program that my office continues to promote through our ‘Peace in our Streets’ campaign,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

More information on the 866-GUN-STOP program can be found here.

Borough President Diaz Writes to Chancellor Walcott

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. wrote a letter to Department of Education Chancellor Dennis Walcott concerning the DOE’s facilities access policy and its effects on houses of worship that are currently renting public school space.

Click here to download the letter.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: New York State Assembly Bill on Increased State Minimum Wage

“I strongly support Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assembly Member Keith Wright and the entire New York State Assembly in their proposal to raise the State’s minimum wage to $8.50 an hour. If passed, this bill will represent a positive step towards changing the life of working families in our City.

“Both the Assembly bill and the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act,’ our bill that would mandate employers pay a living wage when their projects receive heavy taxpayer subsidies, work together toward the common goal of  improving the quality of life of New York City residents. A little extra money in the pocket of these struggling families will help keep them afloat by putting food on the table, keeping the heat on through the winter, and paying the rent. Our State Legislature has not voted to raise the minimum wage since 2004. As a result, New York's minimum wage is stagnant at just $7.25 an hour, around $15,000 a year for those who work full-time.  

“In a high-cost state like ours, trying to support a family on such a low salary is nearly impossible. That is why I believe it is time to for New York to raise the minimum wage,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

MTA Bus Time® is Set to Expand to the Bronx

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that MTA Bus Time® will expand to the Bronx, and then a third borough still to be announced, both before the end of the year.  MTA Bus Time is a popular digital system that currently allows Staten Island customers to track the real-time location of their buses via the Internet, smart phone or text message. The final two boroughs will be brought online in 2013.

The 1,025 buses serving the Bronx will now receive GPS units and other hardware needed for MTA Bus Time, adding to the 900 buses on Staten Island that have the technology.  MTA Bus Time uses technology components from two New York City-based tech startups, research support provided by a team of graduate students, and an innovative open standards technology platform that gives the MTA flexibility in management and expansion of the service.

“I am happy to hear that the MTA is expanding this service to the Bronx. Now bus riders in our borough will not have to rely on guesswork and a look into the distance to see when their bus is going to arrive. This service is very convenient and will provide commuters in our borough with up to the minute information. That information will surely come in handy all year round, especially during the cold winter months,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Read the full press release.

Read all of Borough President Diaz's press releases and statements.