F.I.P.N.A.

Margaret — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:28:48 +0000

Residents remind city it represents them, too – The Riverdale Press

Margaret — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:28:36 +0000

Residents remind city it represents them, too – The Riverdale Press.

Here’s a great Riverdale Press piece about the latest developments in FIPNA’s case against the Board of Standards and Appeals, the Department of Buildings and GRA V LLC, the owner of 3329-33 Giles Place.

Our gratitude goes to Dan Padernacht, who is our attorney pro bono in this case, and to Charles Moerdler, member of Community Board 8, is taking our side in this important matter!

Another One Bites the Dust

kristin — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:19:27 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

… and the neighobrhood loses another single family home.

FIPNA Co-Sponsors “It’s My Park” Day at Fort Four Park, Saturday May 19

kristin — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:53:48 +0000

IT’S MY PARKS DAY MAY 19 – FORT FOUR PARK, KINGSBRIDGE HEIGHTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT!

Paint benches, fencing, park houses, clear litter, rake leaves, mulch, plant flowers and clean up the park playground and greenspace. Volunteers will be provided with brooms, shovels, rakes, paint and brushes.

Participate in a fun, free event. Bring your family, bring your neighbors and bring your friends!

Join thousands of New Yorkers citywide to help beautify & celebrate our neighborhood green spaces.

Date: Saturday, May 19

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Place: Fort Four Park Playground, Sedgwick and Reservoir Avenues

Volunteer Supporters:

Ft. Independence Park Neighborhood Association (FIPNA), Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association (KHNIA), Our Lady of Angels Parrish, the High School of American Studies at Lehman College (HSAS) Key Club and NYC Parks Department

For more information call Bronx Community Board #8 718-884-3959, or email: BX08@cb.nyc.gov

To learn about all of the projects happening citywide, visit www.itsmypark.org or call 311
KINGSBRIDGE HEIGHTS!

Volunteer!

It’s My Park Day at Fort Four Park in Kingsbridge Heights

May 19, 2012

The Bronx neighborhood of Kingsbridge, so named for the first bridge connecting Manhattan with the mainland in 1693, was strategically important during the Revolution in the New York Campaign and subsequently in the British defense of the city. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington ordered the construction of outer defenses throughout the Kingsbridge area. Fort Four was built in 1777 to protect the American army and to safeguard the line of the Harlem River. The largest of all fortifications in the neighborhood, Fort Four commanded a view for miles in all directions. In the fall of 1779, the fort was destroyed by the British forces. The site is marked by a flagstaff and a bronze tablet erected by the Daughters of the Revolution in 1914.

Planter project transforms the 238th Street step street

kristin — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:59:57 +0000

About 15 neighbors came out on Saturday to help built a 6′X 6′ planter on the 238th Street step street, thanks to a $1000 Love Your Block grant from the Citizen’s Committee for New York. It was hard work (from what I hear!) but the result is truly astounding, and prove what magic can happen when we take control of our own environment.

THanks to all of our wonderful neighbors!

Historic Districts Council Walking Tour a Big Success

Margaret — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:07:18 +0000

Last Sunday, Historic Districts Council sponsored a walking tour of the new “Fort Independence Historic District” as part of its Six to Celebrate program, which celebrates NYC neighborhoods most in need of preservation.About 30 preservation enthusiasts from around the city (and the neigbhorhood) joined the two-hour tour, which was led by architecture historian Anthony Robins, who also wrote the Cultural Resource Survey that will put Fort Independence on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The tour traced the many layers of history on our hill, from large the revolutionary-era Fort Independence; to Olmsted’s street designs which flouted the grid and followed the hill’s natural topography, laying the foundation for the peaceful residential enclave that evolved on the Giles and Van Cortlandt estates and has endured for over 100 years; to the great Sholem Alecheim, the 1927 experimental housing coop and artist community.

Tour goers were able to take a peak inside a 1922 “Garden Home” (Hopper and Koen) built on the Van Cortlandt Estate; a 1930′s tudor (Benjamin Dreiser) on Giles; a spectacular apartment in Sholom Alecheim; and a large, 1930′s era private home on Cannon Place.

Many thanks to Dart Westphal and Ellen Pollen; Jane Bedell and Sarah Garrison; the incredible Esther Sokolsy Nelson; and Frank and Evelyn Lipp for opening their homes.

The complete “Fort Independence Cultural Resource Survey” is available through the link below:

Fort Independence Cultural Resource Survey, January 2012

3412 Giles Place under contract!

Margaret — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:20:35 +0000

Another sign of spring — houses being purchased. Real estate broker Miriam Santos reports that 3412 Giles Place is under contract. Giles Place residents hope that the house below is next — but perhaps it would help if it weren’t being marketed, and priced, as if it were a four-family home when its only a legal two-family.

3404 Giles Place

Price: 689000.00
Property Type: Houses
Bedrooms: 8
Baths: 4
Additional Information:
Legal 2 family house for sale with 2 Three-bedrooms with one bathroom, 1 two-bedroom, and 1 studio. The 3 brs apartments are approximately 1300 square feet and the house has 7 car parking.

Call 718-601-1000

New Trees Arrive!

Margaret — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:39:00 +0000

As I was beginning my day, I saw a trailer truck loaded with lovely trees come down the street!

And Ryan Graham sent this news:

The 238th St. trees have been planted!

They look like Fastigiata Oak trees- as far as I could tell from the NYC street tree species list. Five of them, at least 13 ft. tall. Wow- very dramatic.

Thanks, Raymond, and all of you for your efforts in requesting these.

Ryan

Two trees are also being planted in front of 3311 Giles Place. Where else do you see new trees today? Lets all keep a protective eye out for our new treasures — water them when its hot, if you can.

Historic Districts Council walking tour of Van Cortlandt Village, Sunday May 6

kristin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:27:40 +0000

Six To Celebrate Walking/Bike Tours

Posted by hdc on Monday, April 2, 2012 · Leave a Comment

2012 Neighborhood Walking and Bicycle Tours

Meeting locations and directions for tours will be provided upon registration. Tours generally last two and half hours. Space is limited.
Van Cortlandt Village

Van Cortlandt Village

Sunday, May 6, 2pm

Van Cortlandt Village, Bronx

WALKING TOUR led by Anthony W. Robins, architectural historian

Once the site of Revolutionary War-era Fort Independence, Van Cortlandt Village developed into a residential enclave in the 20th century. Built on a winding street plan designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, responding to the hills and views of the area, the neighborhood consists of small Neo-Colonial and Tudor revival homes and apartment buildings, including the Shalom Alecheim Houses, an early cooperative housing project. The tour will be led by architectural historian Anthony Robins, author of the Van Cortlandt Village Cultural Resources Survey. A representative of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association will also attend to talk about their ongoing preservation and awareness efforts.

RSVP today: $5 for Friend of HDC; $10 for Non-Friends
Six To Celebrate Walking Tour-Van Cortlandt Village-Bronx

For more information go to:

http://hdc.org/featured/62c-tours

TONIGHT: Land Use Committee discusses Broadway Plaza, Manhattan College Commons

Margaret — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:56:00 +0000

The Community Board 8 Land Use Committee will be meeting tonight to discuss plans for the development of Broadway and 230th St, and to hear further news on Manhattan College’s plans to build a student commons on what is now a parking lot at the end of West 240th Street. (The project is intended to include both a cafe and a bookstore open to the community.)

Agenda attached. Land Use Agenda Apr 3rd