THE BRONX — The renovation of the New York Botanical Garden's Conservatory Dome will receive a boost from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s latest capital budget — along with a dog run, school renovations and security upgrades for NYCHA houses.
The budget for fiscal year 2016 includes a total of $34,450,000 for 108 projects across The Bronx, including $11.2 million for housing and $10.6 million for education, according to the borough president's office.
It also includes $1 million to support the New York Botanical Garden's Conservatory Dome, which was built in 1902 and is in need of a full restoration, according to the garden's Vice President for Government and Community Relations Aaron Bouska.
The project should cost a total of about $10 or $12 million and take between nine months and a year to complete, Bouska said.
"We still have some designs to do, and we think probably this project will start in the next 18 to 24 months," he said.
The conservatory is where the garden holds its exhibitions, including its Holiday Train Show in the winter and its Orchid Show in the spring.
Education efforts in Diaz's budget include $500,000 to upgrade the library at the Morris High School campus and $1 million to renovate the play yard at P.S. 55, which is also home to one of the borough's Success Academy Charter Schools.
Money for housing will also go toward creating a total of 2,331 housing units across 16 different projects, according to Diaz's office.
“This critical funding helps keep our educational institutions vibrant, our schools strong, our parks clean and our neighborhoods safe," Diaz said in a statement.
Two projects that received $1.5 million each were La Central, a massive affordable housing complex coming to The Hub, and Grant Park, which received the funds to convert a section of Grant Avenue into grass and pathways.
Community Board 4 Parks Chair John Howard-Algarin said he was glad that some improvements were on their way to Grant Park, which is located in his community board's district.
"Any additional money that would complete the de-mapping of Grant Avenue and restore to full capacity and usage the parks facilities at that location would be a boon to the community and very well received," he said.
Other projects in the budget include $150,000 towards a dog run on Pelham Parkway, $104,000 for portable generators at Wave Hill and $750,000 to expand the youth space at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club — located in the Southeast Bronx, despite its name — plans to use the money to upgrade its facilities for the 6- to 9-year-old members of the group, according to the club's Government Giving Director Tony Santiago.
"That’s important because they’re our fastest growing demographic, 6- to 9-year-olds," he said, "and it helps us serve them better."
In addition, NYCHA development Forest Houses will receive $400,000 for security enhancements, and the James Monroe Houses will receive $500,000 to expand its community center.
“Through these critical funding allocations my office is able to provide technology upgrades to public schools, safety improvements for NYCHA residents, park renovations and thousands of units of new housing,” Diaz said in a statement. “I am proud to have been able to provide this funding to so many worthy institutions in this year's capital budget."
