BRONX TIMES REPORTER, O 38 CT. 15-21, 2021 BTR
EPA tours Immaculate
Conception Church
Members of the U.S. EPA joined leaders from BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based energy technology
startup and green jobs innovator, for a tour of Immaculate Conception Church in the
Bronx. Photos Adrian Childress
On Monday, Sept. 20, during Climate
Week, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Administrator
Michael S. Regan joined leaders from
BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based energy
technology startup and green jobs innovator,
for a tour of Immaculate Conception
Church in the Bronx. There,
BlocPower has installed green technology
upgrades including energy-effi -
cient heating and cooling systems and
a WiFi supernode on the roof that provides
low-cost broadband to the surrounding
community.
Regan highlighted President
Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and
the bipartisan infrastructure deal,
which will address the root causes of
climate change through investments
in infrastructure and clean technology,
creating millions of good-paying
green jobs and providing benefi ts to
communities for decades to come.
-Bronx Times
U.S. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in the Bronx on Sept. 20, 2021.
PUBLIC NOTICE
COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI-RROF)
ANDREWS AVENUE SOUTH SENIOR RESIDENCE
1746 ANDREWS AVENUE SOUTH, BRONX, NEW YORK 10453
OCTOBER 13, 2021
Name of Responsible Entity and Recipient: New York State Homes and Community
Renewal (HCR), 38-40 State Street, Hampton Plaza, Albany, NY 12207, in cooperation with
the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), of the same address. Contact:
Matt Accardi (212) 480-6265.
Pursuant to 24 CFR Section 58.43, this combined Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact
and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (FONSI/NOIRROF) satisfies two separate
procedural requirements for project activities proposed to be undertaken by HCR.
Project Description: The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), an office of HCR’s
HTFC, is responsible for the direct administration of the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery
(CDBG-DR) program in New York State. GOSR proposes to provide CDBG-DR funding for
the Andrews Avenue South Senior Residence (the “Proposed Project”), which would be
located at 1746 Andrews Avenue South, Bronx, New York 10453 (Block 2878, Lots 183). The
Proposed Project would convert a vacant parking lot to a nine-story, approximately 92,608
gross square foot, residential building, which would contain space for approximately 407
senior residents. The building would have two elevators, a sunken, landscaped rear courtyard,
and access to a green roof terrace on the 8th floor. Building amenities will include a community
room, tenant storage, bicycle storage, on-site laundry, and a naturally lit alcove containing
elevator lobbies, 24/7 security-desk, supportive service offices and program spaces. A solar
PV array on the roof will offset the electric demands of the building.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed Project has been prepared in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and HUD
environmental review regulations at 24 CFR Part 58. The EA is incorporated by reference into
this FONSI. Subject to public comments, no further review of the Proposed Project is
anticipated. HCR has determined that the EA for the project identified herein complies with
the requirements of HUD environmental review regulations at 24 CFR Part 58. HCR has
determined that the Proposed Project will have no significant impact on the human
environment and therefore does not require the preparation of an environmental impact
statement under NEPA.
Public Review: Public viewing of the EA is available online at
http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/environmental-docs and is also available in person Monday –
Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the following address: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 60
Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10004. Contact: Matt Accardi (212) 480-6265.
Further information may be requested by writing to the above address, emailing
NYSCDBG_DR_ER@nyshcr.org or by calling (212) 480-6265.sent to individuals and groups known to be interested in these
This combined notice is being
activities, local news media,
appropriate local, state and federal agencies, the regional office of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency having jurisdiction, and to the HUD Field Office, and is being published in
a newspaper of general circulation in the affected community.
Public Comments on the FONSI and/or NOIRROF: Any individual, group or agency may
submit written comments on the Proposed Project. The public is hereby advised to specify in
their comments which “notice” their comments address. Comments should be submitted via
email, in the proper format, on or before November 1, 2021 at
NYSCDBG_DR_ER@nyshcr.org. Written comments may also be submitted at the following
address, or by mail, in the proper format, to be received on or before November 1, 2021:
Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 60 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, New York
10004. All comments must be received on or before 5 PM on November 1, 2021 or they will
not be considered. If modifications result from public comment, these will be made prior to
proceeding with the expenditure of funds.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS AND CERTIFICATION
On or about October November 2, 2021, the HCR certifying officer will submit a request and
certification to HUD for the release of CDBG-DR funds as authorized by related laws and
policies for the purpose of implementing this part of the New York CDBG-DR program.
HCR certifies to HUD that Matt Accardi, in his capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept
the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in
relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been
satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and
related laws and authorities and allows GOSR to use CDBG-DR program funds.
Objection to Release of Funds: HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and
GOSR’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or
its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later). Potential objectors may contact HUD or
the GOSR Certifying Officer to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
The only permissible grounds for objections claiming a responsible entity’s non-compliance
with 24 CFR Part 58 are: (a) Certification was not executed by HCR’s Certifying Officer; (b)
the responsible entity has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by
HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the responsible entity has committed funds or incurred
costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before release of funds and approval of environmental
certification; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted
a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24
CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to Tennille Smith Parker, Director, Disaster Recovery
and Special Issues Division, Office of Block Grant Assistance, U.S. Department of Housing &
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410, Phone: (202) 402-4649 and
emailed to diaster_recovery@hud.gov.
Matt Accardi
Certifying Officer
October 13, 2021.
/environmental-docs
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