Industrial jobs are disappearing throughout America, but they’re vanishing faster in New York. In this op-ed, questions about what City Hall could have done—and still could do—differently.
The view from Nicky’s Pizza shows the lingering devastation of last year’s fire on Bainbridge Avenue (Photo: Adi Talwar)Editor’s note: this 2010 “year in review” article appeared in last week’s Norwood News.By Alex KratzFor many Norwood-area residents and merchants, 2010 was a frustrating year as the community struggled to rebound from two devastating fires that left a gaping hole in the heart of a thriving shopping district. The site of the first fire, which took place last Halloween morning, is now a weed-infested lot surrounded by warped, graffiti-riddled plywood boards. It’s an eyesore made even more maddening to residents and other business owners by the fact that the owner, Evelyn Jacobsen, has done nothing with the property. On top of that, Jacobsen has refused to talk with the press or the local community board about her plans.Some of the destroyed businesses have re-opened nearby or farther away, while others have called it quits altogether. A few of the remaining businesses, like Hillside Meat and Deli, are doing well, but many are struggling with the loss of foot traffic.
Nothing looks sadder on a post-New Year’s sidewalk than all of those discarded Christmas trees piling up. If you want your tree to fare a better fate than the curb, you can recycle it through the Park Department’s annual MulchFest, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at designated parks across the five boroughs.There are sixteen spots in the Bronx where you can drop off your tree. Parks Department workers will send it through a wood chipper and turn it into mulch that’s used to nourish plants and other trees throughout the city. Locations are listed here. Certain sites will have wood chippers on hand, so you can take a free bag of mulch home with you to use on your block or in your garden.This and other Bronx events are posted below, in our community calendar.Editor’s note: What did we miss?
There’s still time to tell us your Bronxite of 2010.
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