Status of City Youth Programs
Requested at City Council Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson convened the February 15 City Council Regular Legislative Meeting, beginning with Legislation stemming from a grant application on July 20, 2021 through NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) regarding Brook Street, between Harmon and Lincoln Avenues, Phase IV of the City’s Complete Streets Program.
In December 2021 the City was notified that it was awarded a $500,000 grant from New York Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities, bringing the City’s share of the one-million-dollar amount to $500,000.
Outgoing Parks and Recreation Commissioner William V. Zimmermann appeared before the Council on behalf of Catherine White, Executive Director, New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, requesting an increase of the 2022 New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade budget to $50,000. This was approved.
Finally, Councilwoman Yadira Ramos-Herbert requested status of the City Youth Programs, encompassing areas of improvement and Community/Youth Center space that was being constructed. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Vincent Parise, effective March 1st, replied that the Building Department permit was issued, “shortly before the holidays and are on a major construction backlog, waiting on materials.
“The biggest challenge will probably be the delay in technology and furnishing costs for the Technology Center portion, but no major changes,” Parise continued. “It is going to be managed by the Youth Bureau under Department of Parks and Recreation, especially the Main Street corridor where the youth can have a place that they can actually walk to.”
City Manager Charles B. Strome III added that space on Garden Street is being fitted out and discussed plans not just for summer jobs but a year-long program. Council Member Yadira Ramos-Herbert mentioned an Inroads Program with the Police Department and Board of Education. Mayor Noam Bramson pointed out that an analysis of Youth Violence Prevention was conducted in January.