Year after year we watched as elected officials and other civic organizations failed to deliver on their promises of improving our local community. We formed our civic organization to unite our local community and bring about the change we seek ourselves.
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Since our inception our streets have been Cleaner, Safer and our community now has an advocate for problem resolution. City agencies have recognized our effort and have offered their support and cooperation. NYPD, DSNY, Department of Buildings as well as many elected officials have been instrumental in assisting us with your problem resolutions.
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Below is a list of our ongoing initiatives and future projects.
As of January 1, 2022 we have vibrant, caring Local Representation.
-We established an office in the center of North Port Richmond Ave at 128 Port Richmond Ave. This 3 story location serves as a perfect lookout point as rooftop access gives us an unobstructed views of the shopping corridor.
- Our volunteers conduct day and night patrols where we document security problems and conditions which need attention.
- We work closely with NYPD and communicate concerns to our area NCO's on nearly a daily basis.
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PORT RICHMOND
- We adopted all the Port Richmond Ave DSNY waste baskets.
- We mobilized funding from our local business community and hired an individual to provide daily, weekday street cleaning from Richmond Terrace to Catherine St.
- All DSNY waste baskets are lined with fresh bags to assist in keeping trash off our floor as well as make it easier for DSNY to empty the bins.
- With cooperation with DSNY a floating sanitation vehicle is utilized to clean up other reported dumping sites on a regular basis in our community
CLEAN
STREETS
- GRAFFITI has become a real problem in our neighborhood. Our private and public property is being defaced by reckless criminals and we intend to put a stop to it!
- Effective 1/15/2021 signage will be installed at problem areas offering a $500 reward for any information which would lead to an arrest.
- Ongoing efforts are being made to paint over existing Graffiti and report new incidents to the NYPD.
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Completed at the end of 2020 we are continuing to improve PortRichmondStrong.com as a hub for our community members to:
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- Track real time Concern progress (new!)
- Be informed of ongoing events and announcements
Throughout our local Staten Island History the Port Richmond Ave shopping district was the main shopping district that residents would turn to to buy their gods and services. Today with pressure from online shopping and competition from other shopping center, our shopping district is fighting for its life.
In late 2021 we developed VisitPortRichmond.com to bring more traffic to our district by :
- Directing and informing people crossing over from NJ on the newly constructed walkway on the Bayonne Bridge about our Historic Shopping District.
- Tell our beautiful story and explain the importance of our Historic Shopping District.
- Offer exclusive discounts only available to site visitors to incentivize purchases and bring new traffic to our district.
- Platform for our local businesses advertise and reach new customers .
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PORT RICHMOND AVE
STOREFRONT VACANCY
CRISIS
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There was a time when Port Richmond Ave was alive with festive community spirit for the Holidays. We envision a future Port Richmond once again alive with strong
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Beginning in 2021
- Will be continuing our American Flags Project
- Introducing our first ever Port Richmond Food Festival
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- Honoring and remembering our many area veterans with individualized Banners
- Trick or Treat in Veterans Park
- We have partnered with the Historic Dutch Reformed Church for our very first Port Richmond Christmas tree lighting event
- A first ever, we are hanging Holiday Banners in Veterans's Park, with a Lighting event.
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Working with NYC DOT
A community member and small business owner approached us with a concern regarding lack of parking for customers.
They requested help with getting a
“NO STANDING Anytime” sign removed.
-We evaluated the situation and submitted a request with a detailed report, along with community support.
-DOT determined that the sign was not needed and will be removed from the block of Port Richmond Ave. between Blackford Avenue and Clinton Place.
-We thank Borough Commissioner Caruana for working closely with this Civic group and the Community.
In November Port Richmond's streets,
fences and poles were plastered with
14 types of signs, including political.
-We hereby give notice
- This will not be tolerated.
-We will remove signs and return to owners.
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TRANTOR PLACE
After nearly 50 years of NO SIDEWALK,
the residents of Trantor Place ---Port Richmond’s seniors, people with disabilities, and the students of IS-51 & Port Richmond High School NOW have safe passage to/from home, work, and school.
This huge task was done in under a year! Unprecedented!!
Thanks to Mr. Everett Wattley:
the resident who (rightfully) pleaded for a sidewalk & to NYS Senator Diane J. Savino.
Also *NYC DOT: SI Borough Commissioner Roseann Caruama *NYC DOB: Mr. Frank Fontana.
*NYC Sanitation: Chief John Gabriele / Dist. Supv. Joe Albanese. *NYC DEP: Mr. Robert Olivari
*NYPD 121Pct: Detectives Guglielmo & Babiak (NCO) *Paul Liotta SI Advance Investigative Reporter. *Mr. Mike Schnall *Giove Family; Brothers Pizzeria
PARKING KIOSK REINSTALLED
A Small Business Owner along Port Richmond Avenue for 37 years, went to their Local Elected Official TWICE, and spoke at TWO Community Full Board Meetings (Public Session) in 2019, requesting a Parking Kiosk be re-installed in front of their store because the next machine was 2 blocks away.
NOTHING WAS DONE!
This Business owner
approached this Civic group;
3 1/2 weeks later.....
THE PARKING KIOSK HAS RETURNED.....
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NORTH SHORE ALLIANCE
HELPS WEST BRIGHTON
Fulfilling our North Shore Alliance mission we helped residents of Delafield Avenue who contacted us when they got NO RESPONSE from Debi Rose or CB 1.
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After four weeks of continuous communication with
NYC DOB, NYC DOT, NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs, & FDNY
this operation was SHUT DOWN!
When you operate an illegal business non-conforming to zoning; stack flammable materials way above the fence line adjacent to residential homes; place Electrical Conduit throughout the property; Place a large steel container on the property; alter the Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel; install/utilize an illegal driveway; **ALL without permits.**........ **AND **when you act inappropriately towards people asking you to fix the issues, and become aggressive with the adjacent homeowners.. this is what happens!
You receive a **VACATE ORDER **from **NYC DOB..!**
A Major Victory for our Community at end of 2021.
This dangerous, unsafe, crime ridden, stain on our Community is finally SHUT DOWN!
It harbored Drugs, Criminals, Felons, Gangs, Sex Trafficking and Emotionally Unstable People
-- one resident has an extensive violent criminal record & over 35 ARRESTS.
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We tirelessly brought these issues to all city agencies.
We are hoping The New Owner, An Island South Shore Resident, will come to the table and accept our invitation to utilize this property in a way that will actually better the Community.
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Covid-19 Test Kit Home Delivery
Over 200 home deliveries made in the Port Richmond, Elm Park, West Brighton and Mariners Harbor Areas.
With help from our community partners; Mr. Everett Wattley, Ms. Denise Boyd, Ms. Maria Rios
Fighting NY State Power Grab
Hochul’s proposal would have required municipalities to allow ADUs on owner-occupied, residentially-zoned lots in an effort to create more housing. Additionally, Hochul walked back a part of her budget proposal that would’ve spurred transit-oriented development around the state.
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Port Richmond Robbery Spree. Civic Group, Residents join Police
in expanded effort
to stop it.
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$500 reward
offered for
taking guns off
the street.
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Second Annual
Veterans Banners
Opening Ceremony
Armed Forces day,
May 21.
28 Banners in 2021
almost doubled in 2022-
hanging along Port Richmond Avenue
from Richmond
Terrace to Seymour Ave
John Street Cleaning
-- while you were sleeping.
This Civic Group -- along with the NYPD and DSNYwere on location to remove derelict/ abandoned vehicles and clean
the entire street - both sides.