Category: Capital Funding

Hall of Science coming to Petrides campus

11/1/2017

On Wednesday, November 1st, BP Oddo joined with Kevin Moran, Department of Education (DOE) Executive Director of the Staten Island Field Support Center, to announce a new Hall of Science at the Michael J. Petrides campus. The 15,000 square foot space will serve K-12 students from schools across the borough.

BP Oddo allocated $500,000 in capital funding to turn the space, which had previously been used as the DOE archive center, into an immersive STEM learning environment. The facility will include eight science stations with different themes, including an arch bridge, Lite Brite pixy pegs, Bernoulli blower, hyperbolic-funnel, Ferrofluid Magnetoscope, water table, design challenge, and a race track. In addition, the upstairs area will be used as a "Makerspace," where students will learn science, math, and technology through hands-on activities.

"It will be an active science lab that is going to live and breathe. It will draw students from all across Staten Island. It's a great thing," noted BP Oddo.

"This learning environment changes the playing field for us on how kids interface hands-on environments and experiential learning -- where kids are engaged fully in an experience they'll never forget," Moran said.
The project is expected to be completed in spring of 2018.

BP announces nearly $22 million dollars in educational funding

6/21/2017

On Wednesday, June 21st, BP Oddo joined with representatives of the Department of Education, as well as Borough Student Advisory Council (BSAC) student representatives, to announce the allocation of $21,189,000 in capital funding for educational purposes in Fiscal Year 18.

The students—who represented CSI High School for International Studies, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, New Dorp High School, Susan Wagner High School and Tottenville High School—were invited back to Borough Hall to see firsthand how their voices can make a difference. At the end of April, these same representatives brought their school’s concerns to the BP in hopes that he would listen and take their ideas into consideration when allocating taxpayer money the following year. BP Oddo did just that, and their proposals represent five of the projects put forward in the allocated budget for educational funding.

The projects that were funded from the BSAC meeting were as follows:

New Dorp High School - Field Lights - $1,500,000
CSI High School for International Studies - New Track - $100,000
Tottenville High School - Track - $250,000
Susan Wagner High School - Wiring for air conditioning - $600,000
Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School - Upgrade girls locker room - $250,000

“If you look at any of the challenges we have as a community on Staten Island, across the city, or across the country, the solution and the way to improve those things is investing in young people, making them the best they can be and giving them the tools they need to succeed,” BP Oddo told the students. “Thus, when we have the opportunity to give out taxpayer money to a certain project, we have put an emphasis on educational problems. I hope you, as students, realize you do in fact have a say in what happens in your community.”

“It means so much to know that there are people listening to us. We want to leave a legacy. Knowing that future students are going to enjoy field lights because of this opportunity you gave us is such an amazing feeling,” said a New Dorp High School student.

This year’s funding represents a portion of the $51,928,000 of taxpayer money that BP Oddo has allocated for education since taking office in 2014.

See below for all of this year's educational funding allocations:

New ambulances unveiled at Staten Island University Hospital

6/20/2017

On Tuesday, June 20th, BP Oddo joined with representatives of Staten Island University Hospital to unveil five new state-of-the-art ambulances he helped fund. These ambulances function as part of the 911 system, allowing EMTs and Paramedics to respond quickly to dire situations.

The new ambulances run on regular gasoline instead of diesel, which is more environmentally friendly and helps reduce engine noise. The ambulance is equipped with brand new power-load stability, making the job easier for the emergency professionals and giving more comfort to the patients while they are being loaded to the vehicle.

"Last year, Staten Islanders reached out to emergency medical professionals for help 50,000 times,” said BP Oddo, noting that Staten Island is the only borough to hold a ceremony that honors EMS workers. “We want to give these professionals all the tools they need to help, and when we allocate tax dollars, we want it to go to the front line. These ambulances are five concrete examples of accomplishing that."

Along with BP Oddo, the ambulances were funded by former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Borough President James Molinaro and Council Member Debi Rose. The ambulances will officially join the fleet at the end of June.

Security cameras installed at Todt Hill Houses

6/7/2017

On Wednesday, June 7th, BP Oddo joined with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Council Member Debi Rose to announce the installation of new closed-circuit television cameras at the Todt Hill Houses. BP Oddo allocated $2.9 million in funding over two years for the security upgrades.

“More than ten years ago, I allocated funding to bring security cameras to the South Beach and Berry Houses, the two NYCHA developments in my old City Council district,” noted BP Oddo. “I did this because cameras make these developments safer. The fact is, whenever I speak to NYCHA residents in developments that have cameras they are happy with the cameras, and when I speak to those in developments without them they indicate a desire for them. Cameras at the Todt Hill Houses will have the same positive effect they have had on other NYCHA facilities.”

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our residents. Security upgrades are crucial to improving safety, and we’re making them across our portfolio with the support of our City and State partners, who have secured vital funding for these projects,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye.

The upgrades at the Todt Hill houses are part of a larger plan to install cameras, exterior lighting, and layer-access control, which uses key-fob technology to provide building entry access to residents at 22 public housing developments across the city.

BP Oddo Funds Security Cameras at Mount Loretto

8/3/2016

On Wednesday, August 3rd, Borough President James Oddo joined with Vincent Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island, to unveil a new security system at Mount Loretto. BP Oddo secured $24,000 to fund the project, which installed 54 security cameras around the campus.

Mount Loretto is home to many city and state programs, including two public schools, a senior center, a universal Pre-Kindergarten program, services for developmentally disabled, a food pantry, and two gymnasiums. Over a thousand people utilize the 120-acre campus daily.

“Mount Loretto is alive and thriving,” noted BP Oddo. “They host many great events, and all who visit the campus should be confident in knowing there’s a new level of safety here.”

"This is a family campus and a hub of family entertainment,” Ignizio said. “This adds a layer of security for everyone on the campus."

The state-of-the-art camera system was installed in June.

BP Oddo Announces Full Funding for MacArthur Park Renovations

7/13/2016

On Wednesday, July 13th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Steven Matteo and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce that the funding for renovations to MacArthur Park at the Berry Houses has been finalized. The $9.3 million dollar project will fix existing drainage issues on the field, add a new synthetic turf to expand the field’s usage and renovate the basketball courts.

During his time as a Council Member, BP Oddo allocated funds to rehabilitate the fields. However, after 9/11, the funding was moved to other projects. After many years, BP Oddo was able to work with Council Member Matteo to cobble together funds from the City and FEMA to make the project a reality.

“‘The Berry’s’ are an institution in this borough and generations of Islanders have played there,” noted BP Oddo. “These upgrades have been long overdue, and we are excited to share this news. When this project is complete, scores of our fellow residents will create new memories, learn more life lessons, exercise and enjoy themselves at a new and improved Berry’s.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

BP Oddo and Council Member Borelli Announce Fairview Park Funding

6/29/2016

On Wednesday, June 29th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Joe Borelli to announce that Fairview Park is now fully funded. This $18 million project was funded by BP Oddo, who allocated $3.5 million, and Council Member Joe Borelli, who allocated $1.325 million.

Fairview Park has been in the planning stages for over a decade. The park, which is located in Charleston, will have a soccer field, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts and a softball field. The park will be adjacent to the planned Charleston Library.

"It’s a happy day. It’s real. It’s going to happen. It’s needed," said BP Oddo.

The Parks Department says construction is expected to begin in 2018 and will take about 2 years to complete. This is the first in what will be an epic series of announcements this summer of new parks and recreation projects on Staten Island!

BP Oddo announces funding for new videotaping system for District Attorney’s office

9/25/2014

On Thursday, September 25th, Borough President James Oddo announced that he has allocated $380,000 in capital funding to the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office. The money will fund an overhaul of the videotaping system which produces footage for Grand Jury proceedings, trials and for use in their control room, line-up room, and witness room, as well as their media and conference center into a video recording system. The new system will replace the old system, last updated in 2005, which has fallen behind current industry standards.

“One of the first people I met with after becoming Borough President was District Attorney Dan Donovan,” said Borough President Oddo. “I wanted him to know that we at Borough Hall were committed to doing everything we could to assist him in his critical role as chief law enforcement officer on Staten Island, including help with capital dollars. Technology has come a long way in a few short years and it’s imperative that the District Attorney’s Office utilize an up-to-date system.”

The project will digitize the recording process, making high quality imaging available during necessary proceedings. Cameras and audio equipment will be replaced in the line-up room, the witness room and the media and conference center. In addition, the control room will get a total overhaul of equipment, which will improve the image quality and sound, converting the analog-based video-taping system into a server-based HD video-recording system.

In addition, an archive system will make it much more time efficient for prosecutors to locate footage needed for their cases. The new system will allow the DA’s office to export victim/witness/defendant videos directly onto ADA’s computers and create a more secure method of storing interviews.

“This much-needed upgrade will bring the outdated technology in my office into the next century. Interviewing victims, witnesses and defendants is the foundation on which strong cases are built,” said Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. “I want to thank Borough President Oddo for this capital funding, which will allow my office to better serve the people of Staten Island.”

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