Read us online: issuu.com/cctimes • FollowTuesday, us on socialNovember media: IG/X/Threads @coopcitytimes • @coopcitytimes.bsky.social 11th, 2025 Vol. 60 No. 48
December 13, 2025
$1.25
Riverbay Installs New Management Report for Period Energy-Saving Lighting Sensors Ending November 30, 2025 By DANIELLE CRUZ In accordance with New York City’s Local Law 88 and as part of an ongoing effort to modernize Co-op City, Riverbay Corporation recently installed energy-efficient lighting sensors throughout the community. Local Law 88 requires large buildings to upgrade lighting systems and install modern lighting controls that meet the standards of the New York City Energy Conservation Code. The goal of Local Law 88 is to reduce energy consumption citywide through improved efficiency and updated technology, including automatic lighting controls in common and support areas. In order to comply with these requirements, the lighting fixtures in the laundry rooms and storage rooms are now equipped with occupancy sensors. These sensors will automatically activate the lights when someone enters the room and shut the lights off if no activity is detected. The new sensors will help reduce unnecessary electricity use and support energy conservation efforts. Vacancy sensors have also been installed in a few Riverbay offices and support spaces. These sensors require manual activation when entering, but once the area becomes unoccupied, the lighting will automatically turn off. This ensures that lighting is used only when needed and helps the corporation limit electricity consumption in administrative areas. These upgrades are designed to support several long-term goals that benefit the entire community and comply with the city’s energy efficiency goals. Reduced electricity usage can lower operating expenses, and the updated systems can also extend the lifespan of lighting fixtures by minimizing the amount of time lights remain on. For questions regarding the new systems, the CSO office can be contacted at 718-320-3300, option 4.
Happy 100th Birthday, Lois Washington Lois Washington was born on December 13, 1925, and has proudly called Co-op City home since 1980. Lois devotes her time to organizations including the Grandparents Connection, NAACP, and the United Methodist Church. Surrounded by her two granddaughters, Krystle and Jessica; great-granddaughter, Sky; and a wide circle of cherished family and friends, Lois celebrates 100 years filled with prosperity and love. Her secret to staying sharp? Lots of activities, including crossword puzzles, crocheting and constantly talking on the phone. —Krystle Lawson
Happy 90th Birthday, Mr. Brown By AARON CARNEGIE
On Friday, December 12, 2025, George Brown reached the extraordinary milestone of 90 years—a milestone carved out of grit, grace, and good old-fashioned perseverance. When you look at his journey, you’re not just looking at a life well lived; you’re looking at the blueprint of Black re-
George Brown
silience in America. George’s story begins in Beaufort, South Carolina, where a young Black boy learned early that faith, family, and hard work weren’t just virtues—they were survival tools. Born into a time when the world presented challenge after challenge, he did what (Continued on page 8)
Management Report
Marvin L. Walton
Executive General Manager On behalf of Douglas Elliman Property Management, Managing Agent, we are pleased to present the Management Report for Riverbay Corporation for the period ending November 30, 2025. This Management Report provides updates with the following elements: • Public Safety – Peace Officer Staffing Levels • Convector Initiative Tracker • Informational Updates
Peace Officer Staffing The Peace Officer head counts in the Department of Public Safety dropped to 69 or 74.0% of the 93 Peace Officer positions budgeted in the department. During the month of November 2025, one (1) Peace Officer was terminated and one (1) resignation was recently received. As of December 9, 2025, 20 conditional offers were extended to candidates to fill the 23 vacancies for the next recruitment class for the in-house Training Academy.
(Continued on page 4)
CB #10 to Schedule Public Meeting on Closure of Exit 9 Early Next Year By ROZAAN BOONE After hearing from Co-op City shareholders this week, Community Board #10 District Manager Matthew Cruz reports that a public meeting will be scheduled early next year with local elected officials and community residents to discuss the New York State Department of Transportation’s proposal to close Exit 9 on the southbound I-95. The closure of Exit 9 is included in the NYSDOT’s current Phase 2 design of the Bruckner Expressway Mobility Improvements Project which is still in the very early stages. Completion is scheduled for around mid-2026, followed by final design in early 2028 and construction slated to begin in mid-2028. NYSDOT representatives presented the project at a Community Board #10 Municipal Services committee meeting on Sept. 10, and also to residents in the Community Board #11 coverage area on the same day. During the presentation, NYSDOT officials discussed the project which involves approximately 1.1 miles of I-95 in both directions, about .7 miles of the Hutchinson River Parkway and .3 miles of Pelham Parkway.
Some of the current proposals include widening of the arch bridge that carries northbound traffic on the I-95 over the Hutchinson River Parkway to fit a continuous auxiliary lane; creating a two-lane exit to the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway at Exit 9; reconfiguration of southbound merge points and removing an underused, substandard loop ramp from southbound I-95 to northbound Hutchinson River Parkway; adding an entrance from Bartow Avenue to the southbound Hutchinson River Parkway to give Co-op City direct access; installing a bus turnaround near the planned Metro-North train station in Co-op City, and realigning shared-use greenway paths and adding signalized pedestrian and bike crossings where the greenway traverses roadways. Last week, CB #10 District Manager Cruz reported that following the NYSDOT presentation at the Sept. 10th Municipal Services committee meeting, a committee member in attendance advised the state DOT that the plan was problematic for Co-op City shareholders. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto expressed those concerns last week in the Co-op City (Continued on page 10)