Throggs Neck News: Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

Throggs Neck News: Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center: Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW ...

#Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

Bronx Now has a First-Class Place to Stay

Marriott Opens Door in Metro Center

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 24- In a sign of the continued revitalization of the Bronx, community leaders hailed the opening of the borough's first upscale hotel. The ribbon cutting was also the capping of an odyssey for the Metro Center complex which went from an abandoned factory and vacant land to a thriving college campus style office complex and medical village.

The 125-room Marriott Residence Inn officially opened to great fanfare on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony with elected officials. Sure the Bronx has many motel rooms but none you would want to spend the night in. New Rochelle boasted the closest place to get a nice hotel room while visiting family rather than a hot-sheet motel. Now all that has changed with the opening of a first-class hotel.

"We’re thrilled that Marriott, one of the world’s premier hospitality companies, chose this location. Metro Center Atrium is unique in the Bronx – there’s nothing quite like it available anywhere else in the Borough. This truly is a landmark event for Metro Center Atrium, for our company, and for the Bronx," said Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development, whose company envisioned and built the Metro Center.

The Marriott is the crowning jewel in the Metro Center complex. The hotel caps off the Metro Center Atrium which is a mix of medical and office space in a suburban style campus.

Twelve years ago Old London Foods moved out of the area behind the Metro North tracks. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr said people were worried about the loss of jobs and that the land would sit unused. Now the Metro Center boasts 370,000 square feet of medical offices, an Applebee's, an LA Fitness and now a first class hotel. The complex also includes Mercy College.

"Today we have seen the realization of a magic trick," Diaz said.

Metro North is planning to reopen the old Morris Park station which will have a stop steps from the Marriott. Thus giving hotel guests access to transportation to Penn Station in Manhattan and upstate New York.

The new hotel is already a success. Officials say that although it officially opened today, the hotel is already 80 percent occupied. Business execs and hospital visitors to the medical centers inside the complex as well as nearby Calvary, Einstein Hospital and Jacobi Medical Center are staying at the new Marriott.

“Today is a great day for the Bronx,” said New York City Council Member James Vacca. “We welcome Marriott as the borough’s first hotel with open arms and hope it is the signal of even more great things to come. Clearly Marriott has recognized that the Bronx is a destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike. We already have beautiful parks, the

best zoo in the nation, the Yankees, and a PGA tour worthy golf course recently completed in nearby Ferry Point Park.”

Father Richard Gorman, chairman of Community Board 12, said the grand opening is a culmination of the revitalization of the borough.

"The Bronx is not only coming back. The Bronx is back," he said.

#Marriott #Simone #MetroCenter #Bronxnews

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Fathers Day drive by shooting

Father's Day Drive By Shooting 

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 22- 

Throggs Neck residents had their Father's Day peace and quiet shattered by gunfire.

Reports are sketchy but what we do know is that cops released s photo of the SUV they believed was involved in the shooting.

At around 9:20 a.m., shots rang out on Dewey Avenue. A 27-year-old told cops that he was sitting in front of 2829 Dewey Avenue when he heard gunshots. The man started to run when he noticed he was shot. The victim was taken to Jacobi Medical Center.

Police released a still from a home owner's video camera. In the photo a red SUV is seen leaving the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime

Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM. All calls are confidential.

#NYPD #FathersDay #DrivebyShooting #ThroggsNeck #Bronxnews

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Throggs Neck News: A-Rod Joins the 3000 Hit Club

Throggs Neck News: A-Rod Joins the 3000 Hit Club: A-Rod Joins the 3000 Hit Club Tries to Channel Jeter's Humbleness By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JU...

A-Rod Joins the 3000 Hit Club

A-Rod Joins the 3000 Hit Club

Tries to Channel Jeter's Humbleness

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JUNE 20- With two out and no men on base in the first inning on Friday, June 19, Alex Rodriguez  homered on a 95 mph fastball from Justin Verlander of the Tigers to join the MLB 3,000 hit club. He wasted no time as it was the first pitch he saw. Rodriguez is the 29th MLB player to become a member of this exclusive fraternity.

Rodriguez is the first to reach 3,000 hits since Derek Jeter on July 9, 2011. He will only be the second player, along with Jeter, to reach that milestone while a member of the Yankees. He is also only the third of the 29 to homer for his 3,000th. He follows Jeter and Wade Boggs.

It appeared destined that Yankee fans in the Bronx would have the opportunity to witness the special event in person as Rodriguez began the current homestand with 2,995 hits and eight games scheduled at Yankee Stadium. He hit safely twice on Wednesday, twice on Thursday and was obviously, prepared for Friday.

He commented after the game, “It’s a magical number, 3,000. I’m glad to be in the club. [I’m] very emotional, overwhelmed. I’m so happy to do it here in front of the fans. I was especially happy my two daughters were here.”

When asked what would be most remembered by him about this day, he replied, “After the last out, Miguel Cabrera came over and gave me a hug. That’s what I’ll take away from this day 20 years from now."

As the days pass, Rodriguez moves higher and higher in the ranks of career offensive statistics. He is the second player in MLB history to drive in more than 2,000 runs. Rodriguez’s RBI total (2,004) is only below the 2,297 of Hank Aaron.

The 39 year-old ranks fourth in career home runs with 667. He is currently only behind Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762). He is sixth in extra base hits with 1,228. He ranks eighth in runs scored with 1,957

When asked which of these accomplishments meant the most to him, he answered, “RBI and runs because that’s how you win games. The most important thing is to win the game.

Rodriguez’s impressive career statistics are not only a measure of his lengthy 20+ year MLB career, but of a collection of outstanding individual seasons. The infielder compiled 13 consecutive years of blasting 30 or more home runs and driving in at least 100 runs (1998-2010). He also scored more than 100 runs in 13 straight years (1996-2008).

Those achievements were rewarded with many honors. A-Rod was selected to the American League All-Star team 14 times. He was a 10 time Silver Slugger winner and twice won a Gold Glove for fielding prowess at shortstop. Rodriguez was also the A.L. MVP in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

The career numbers should be put into perspective by the large amount of games A-Rod missed during the past few years. He was suspended by MLB for all 162 games in 2014. In addition, he missed 221 games during the previous three seasons (2011-2013) due to injuries.

A question must also be raised regarding the affect upon Rodriguez’s stats by the use of PEDs. The answer to that cannot be scientifically be determined. He implied his thoughts now are not on the Hall of fame or the past as he is preparing “to finish my career so I can be proud and do it the right way.”

#ARod #3000 hits #Yankees #Bronxnews

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Throggs Neck News: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

Throggs Neck News: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.: Saints Dance on Arthur Ave. Photos by Dan Gesslein The smells of zeppole a...

Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

Saints Dance on Arthur Ave.

Photos by Dan Gesslein

The smells of zeppole and sausage and peppers wafted through the air as the sounds of traditional Italian music filled the streets of Arthur Avenue during the Feast of St. Anthony. During the weekend long celebration feast goers got a chance to see a tradition return in the Bronx’ Little Italy as the “Dancing of the Giglio” was performed in front of Mt Carmel Church. Over 100 people lifted the platform containing the statue of St. Anthony as well as a performing band and danced through the streets.

#LittleItaly #ArthurAvenue #FeastofStAnthony #DancingGiglio