CM Farías opening remarks on 1160 Pugsley Avenue and food desert needs

Thank you so much, Chair Lewis.

Good morning, everyone, and to the members of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.

Thank you both to the subcommittee, the staff, and the applicant team for the opportunity to speak today regarding the application put in for the 1160 Pugsley Avenue rezoning.

My office has followed this project closely throughout the public review process to ensure it delivers meaningful, practical benefits for the East Bronx.

In our communities, conversations about development cannot focus solely on the builds.

They must also be about whether a project thoughtfully responds to the people, the families, and the neighborhoods that are already there.

The East Bronx urgently needs more housing, but we must ensure that it is housing that is affordable, livable, and deeply connected to the everyday needs of our residents.

From our comprehensive review, this application addresses those core neighborhood priorities.

The proposal would change the current designation to an R7A-C-24 district to bring a

104 income-restricted rental units to the site.

Crucially, this includes a healthy mix of unit sizes, including 32 two-bedrooms and eight three-bedroom multi-bedroom apartments, which are vital for supporting local families, especially those that are growing.

Alongside the residential footprint,

This project delivers something our neighborhood has been starved for for years, a massive 10,900 square foot fresh grocery store right on the ground floor.

It is a blueprint for a healthier, stronger neighborhood.

We are talking about bringing housing security, local retail convenience, and healthy food access together under one roof.

After taking an extensive look at this application, especially as the representative of an East Bronx district where food deserts remain a serious issue, I'm encouraged by the inclusion of a proposed fresh grocery store.

I also want to note that both the Bronx Community Board 9 and Borough President Vanessa Gibson recommended approval of this application.

I'm glad we're able to find alignment around the expectation that developments in our neighborhoods must include firm commitments to local hiring, strong MWBE participation, building security, and accessible resident amenities to help address the affordability crisis facing New Yorkers today.

These, as well as the planned outdoor rooftop recreation center, would be great contributing factors to the long-term viability of the grocery provider.

I look forward to reviewing the final application documents and seeing these commitments clearly reflected.

Our priority is making sure new developments in our neighborhoods are thoughtful, accountable, and prioritizing the needs of the people who live here.

The housing crisis.

is urgent, therefore we must be critical when asking our questions and demanding higher standards to the buffer to buffer the negative impacts housing and food insecurity is having on our neighbors and our communities.

I look forward to continuing to hear from the applicant team today and to ensuring these critical commitments are firmly reflected as this application advances to the council's review.

Thank you, Chair Lewis, for the time.

Thank you, Council Member.

I will now call the applicant panel for this proposal, which consists of Lisa Orantia.

Okay.