Week in Rewind: Hochul announces $500M project, Progressives lose Bowman, Bollywood in the Bronx celebrates diversity, and more

Hochul announces $500M project to rebuild Bronx River Parkway bridges

Gov. Kathy Hochul this week announced a $517.5 million initiative to rebuild bridges along the Bronx River Parkway.

In the announcement from her office she said changes to the expressway are especially necessary as climate change continues to impact the area, and emphasized the need for upgrades in the some of the surrounding roadways. The project is slated to be completed in the spring of 2028.

“Modernizing our infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century means creating a transportation network that strengthens the connections between communities and provides opportunity for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists,” Hochul said in a statement.

Just last year, in September 2023, a week of rain flooded the Bronx River Parkway and caused suspensions on three Metro-North lines, as well as the 6 train. The parkway was temporarily closed in both directions as crews tried to mitigate damage, and Hochul declared a State of Emergency in not just New York City, but also the Hudson Valley and Long Island.

The $517.5 million project will replace two bridges just south of the Bronx Zoo: the bridge that carries the Bronx River Parkway over East Tremont Avenue, as well as the bridge over East 180th Street and Morris Park Avenue. Both bridges were constructed in 1951, according to Hochul’s office, and “are nearing the end of their service lives.”

Heavy rain and severe flooding closed off the Bronx River Parkway at Nereid Avenue on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.Photo courtesy NYPD

Successful mobilization effort for Jewish voters in Westchester County made major impact in Latimer/Bowman congressional primary

In the wake of George Latimer’s hard-fought win over incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman, the impact of Jewish voters in his victory is becoming clear.

As state Board of Elections results rolled in the night of June 25, Westchester County Executive George Latimer was named the winner before 10 p.m. Latimer won 44,371 votes (58.11%) and the incumbent Jamaal Bowman tallied 31,555 votes (41.32%).

The Israel-Hamas war became one of the most important lightning-rod issues that divided the Democratic candidates — and local efforts to turn out Jewish voters in Westchester County were highly successful.

“We believe history was made,” said Maury Litwack, founder and CEO of the nonpartisan organization Teach Coalition, which has branches in New York and five other states. Teach Coalition is a project under the Orthodox Union, one of the country’s largest orthodox organizations.

Teach Coalition led a successful voter engagement effort in Westchester County that almost certainly tipped the scales for George Latimer, who defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary election on June 25, 2024.Photo courtesy Teach Coalition

Progressives lose Bowman, win AOC in ultra-hyped Bronx primary cycle

Part of the north Bronx played host to the country’s most-watched — and most expensive — Democratic primary congressional race that gave Westchester County Executive George Latimer a hard-fought victory over progressive two-term incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the 16th Congressional District.

While progressives lost Bowman Tuesday night, they put Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez back in her post in the 14th Congressional District.

Unofficial state Board of Elections results showed that Latimer received 58.1% of the vote, while Bowman received 41.3% of the 76,360 total votes cast. As the Democratic nominee, Latimer will almost certainly win election to the two-year term in November.

Polling ahead of the election showed a strong lead for Latimer, leaving Bowman to “fight for his political life” as he competed for a third term in Congress.

Latimer, who has served as Westchester County Executive since 2018, has never lost an election in his three-decade political career, according to his county bio. He held a Tuesday night event in White Plains with a crowd of several hundred that turned into a victory party within an hour of the polls closing.

Bronx Pride march stresses acceptance and visibility

The streets were hot in the South Bronx on Saturday, June 22, but it wasn’t just because of the sun. Led by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and her LGBTQIA+ Taskforce, along with Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, a couple hundred people showed up and showed out for this year’s Bronx Pride march.

Kicking off around noon, groups including Destination Tomorrow, The Ali Forney Center and NYC Dyke March, fabulously and proudly marched to a playlist of Beyonce songs while snapping their rainbow-colored hand fans to the beat. After roughly one mile of walking, the procession culminated at Westchester and Bergen avenues, where a stage was set, including dozens of vendors, non-stop party music and a complete run-of-show until 6 p.m.

“We’re walking, we’re walking, we’re vogueing, we’re vogueing,” said Kenny Agosto, who was directing the march with his megaphone and works with the Gibson’s LGBTQ Taskforce.

<span class="image-credit">Gary Axelbank, host of The Bronx Music Podcast and BronxNet's Bronx Buzz and BronxTalk, was a Grand Marshall at this year's Bronx Pride march and was celebrating 44 years of marriage with his wife Suzanne. — Gary Axelbank, host of The Bronx Music Podcast and BronxNet’s Bronx Buzz and BronxTalk, was a Grand Marshall at this year’s Bronx Pride march and was celebrating 44 years of marriage with his wife Suzanne.Photo ET Rodriguez

Bollywood in the Bronx celebrates 12 years of cultural diversity

Desi music, traditional South Asian dancing, tassa drummers and Indian food were all part of the festivities as invited community members celebrated the 12^th annual Bollywood in the Bronx.

“We’ve continued every single year to give everyone a taste of Indian and Caribbean culture while celebrating the diversity of our neighborhoods,” said Bhararti Sukul Kemraj, creator of Bollywood in the Bronx and founder of The Bharati Foundation, which was celebrating a decade of connecting resources back into the community.

In addition to the celebrations on Monday, June 24, several individuals were also recognized.

“Our honorees that you see today are all individuals who have participated in and around our events and activities,” said Kemraj.

Dr. Gloria Lindsay Hobbs was the first honoree — and possibly the funniest.

“I am so appreciative at the recognition of whatever it is I have done,” the nearly centenarian told the laughing crowd as she was given the Excellent Leadership Award.