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Fernandez praises Bally's park funds and Metro-North benefits but urges caution on neighborhood impacts
Summary
On Bronx Talk, State Sen. Natalia Fernandez welcomed Bally's proposed community-benefit and park investments while urging scrutiny of development impacts; she also discussed Metro-North station-linked development, a potential City Island ferry stop, Hart Island memorial work and a new Stevenson High School food forest.
State Sen. Natalia Fernandez discussed several large development and local projects on Bronx Talk, saying potential economic benefits must be weighed against neighborhood impacts and that continued community engagement and oversight are necessary.
When the host cited media reports that Bally's casino had pledged roughly $625 million in community benefits, including $15 million annually into a dedicated fund and $160 million for Ferry Point renovations, Fernandez said those investments could provide needed jobs and parks funding but that she remains cautious about broader impacts. "There is great benefit to this...the jobs to come, thousands tens of thousands of jobs," she said, adding that she and local officials will work to ensure development does not overburden neighborhoods.
Fernandez noted the Ferry Point renovation and a planned borough-wide job-fair effort, and contrasted the new funding with her long-running effort to secure $100 million for Orchard Beach, which she said had not advanced despite repeated pushes.
On transit-oriented development, Fernandez said Metro-North stations will spur housing, retail and community benefits in affected neighborhoods and highlighted a Parkchester parking-deck proposal to address chronic local parking shortages. She praised local council members for negotiation work aimed at limiting neighborhood burdens.
The host and Fernandez also discussed a possible City Island ferry stop and small shuttles or trolleys to move visitors from parking areas; Fernandez said feasibility depends on infrastructure (including water depth) but called the idea worth exploring to support island businesses.
Fernandez described Hart Island as the city's historic public cemetery and said local parks stewardship has improved since oversight moved from the corrections department to the parks department in 2020. She said the islands' chapel and other structures are being cleared, that a memorial and walkable site are planned, and that more investment is needed for proper upkeep.
Fernandez highlighted local initiatives such as the Stevenson High School food forest and curricular programs that teach students horticulture and farming skills; she connected early engagement programs to prevention and resilience for youth.
She reiterated practical reporting steps for harbor-noise complaints and gave the harbor patrol's 24-hour hotline: (718) 765-4100, asking callers to provide direction, boat description and license information to aid enforcement.
Fernandez said she supports careful, negotiated development that preserves neighborhood quality while pursuing job and park improvements.
