CHARLES BARRON
Affordable Housing Development
Councilman Barron has championed, secured and approved thousands of units of truly affordable housing totaling over $200 million in construction and renovation. This makes Charles Barron the #1 Council Member in building affordable housing. These projects include: New Lots Plaza, Granville Payne, Malta Street Apts, Gateway Phases II & III, Dumont Green, Riverdale Osborne Towers, Riverway Apartments, Elton St Corridor, River Rock Houses, Lott Ave, Hegeman.
Worked fiercely and successfully to save the existing affordable housing options at developments such as Starrett City, MeadowWood, and Elva McZeal.
Infrastructure Development
Led fight with community organizations and residents, prior to being elected, in averting dangerous wood-burning incinerator from being implemented in East New York.
Renovated three major parks: Linden (Sonny Carson Park) - $3.6 million, Venable Park- $8million, BRC - $3.3 million
The renovation of Sonny Carson Park completely transformed the neighborhood and contributed to the decline in criminal activity that once plagued the park land and surrounding community. Now Sonny Carson Park is one of NYC Parks Departments most sought after locations for special events permits. Venable park is one of the “best parks in the city†according to (former) Brooklyn parks commissioner.
Pushed through the development and construction of a brand new state of the art community center at the Bayview Houses.
Played a leading role in organizing community residents in Canarsie to stop a hazardous medical waste transfer Station from being built in neighborhood.
Legislation
Introduced some of the most progressive legislation in the city council.
Co-sponsored and provided strong leadership on key progressive legislation that has come out of the City Council. These include the lead paint bill, the predatory lending bill, living wage bill, the residency bill, environmental bills and much more.
Prime sponsored and got passed important City Council Resolutions including the voting machine/ paper trail resolution.
Higher Education
Led over eighty hearings on a range of topics that not only identified successes and challenges within CUNY, but provided prescriptions for improvements.
Topics include the High Costs of Text Books
Accessibility of Health Care for CUNY Students
How State Budget cuts will affect CUNY
State of Support Services For Disabled CUNY students
The Effectiveness of CUNY on-line Degree Programs
The Feasibility of Free Tuition for CUNY Students
Diversity Among CUNY Professors
Emergency Management Procedures on CUNY Campuses
The Effect of Changes to CUNY’s Admissions Standards
Championed millions of dollars for CUNY that would not have been allocated if it weren’t for his vigor and persistence, for numerous programs both on the capital and expense sides. This includes hundreds of millions of dollars for general administration, maintenance, operations, new facilities, and student services at Community Colleges, Senior Colleges, CUNY Law School, the Sophie Davis Medical School and more.
Successfully advocated for Medgar Evers College to be recognized by the state as a senior college and to receive the appropriate and deserved funding.
Initiated and secured Millions of dollars in funding for the Peter Vallone [Sr.] Scholarship Program.
Helped to institute a Safety Net Program to help CUNY students affected by state budget cuts.
Supported the CUNY Model City Council Program from its inception, where High school students come to City Hall to learn and simulate the inner-workings of the City Council.
Through tireless advocacy, secured millions for special programs such as the Dominican Studies Institute, the Puerto Rican Studies Institute, Adult Literacy/GED Program, Center For Employment Opportunities, Bridge to Medicine Program, Math, Science & Nursing Program to Address Citywide Shortage, the Black Male Initiative, the University Center for Worker Education, CUNY Prep Program, CUNY Immigration Center, The Center for Law and Social Justice, The Community Advocacy Center, LaGuardia Archives, and the Creative Arts Team.
Social Development
Conducted leadership training workshops on negotiation techniques, community organizing, team building and held numerous helpful and informative forums on foreclosure prevention, public safety, police brutality, College fairs, home lien sale prevention, homeownership grants, education and more.
When 50% black male unemployment statistics came out, Barron championed and secured $20 million dollars from the City Council for a workforce development program which brought over 6000 jobs and many more impacted with training and career development.
Seniors
Championed DFTA to keep two senior centers, Penn Wortman and Pink Houses/Teresa Moore Center open.
Secured millions in funding for Senior programs and capital needs.
Public Safety
Despite spikes and high profile cases, the crime rate in East New York has steadily declined since Councilman Barron came into office.
Labor
One of the most outspoken and active elected officials on labor issues.
Strong supporter of unions and collective bargaining.
Fought to help Brookdale health workers to keep their benefits.
Education
Secured and allocated over $11 million-in funding for Science labs, computer labs, smart boards and recording studios for schools in the district over the past ten years
Was instrumental in building two brand new state-of-the-art $80 million dollar schools
Played a leading role in stopping 3 schools from closing – PS 114, PS 213, and PS 53
Co-developed state of the art playground at PS 114– allocated $200k in capital Reso A funding to secure the project’s completion.
