Stringer’s vision for development has eye on the Bronx

Comptroller Scott Stringer says he is doing his utmost to help the development of the Bronx, but he is not planning to utilize the most potent weapon at his disposal, an audit, on any of the controversial projects in this part of the borough yet.

“On the most local level, I’m obviously going to listen to the views of the community,” Mr. Stringer said in March while discussing the Hudson River Greenway and other topics. “Do I have a plan to deal with that today after 70 days? No, except to the extent I can play a role looking at where to save money, how to streamline operations and look at performance structures. I’m certainly going to do that.”

Mr. Stringer has sought to assert his power as comptroller since taking up the office in January. Last month, he said he would audit charter schools, potentially adding to the ongoing debate about their role in the city. Mr. Stringer’s office already has performed an audit finding $1.7 million in lost city tax revenue due to improper classification of vacant lots.

On the topic of the proposed greenway to link riverside paths in Manhattan and Yonkers at an estimated cost of $75 million, Mr. Stringer said he has no plans to intervene at the moment.

Parks called key to growth

But during an interview at The Press’ Riverdale Avenue office, he said he viewed parks including Van Cortlandt Park as key to economic growth outside of Manhattan.

“Clearly there has to be… more of a commitment from the city to create a centralized public-private partnership for all of our parks and our playgrounds” he said. “When you invest in parks, you ultimately invest in the local economy because it really has a multiplying effect.”

The 53-year-old John F. Kennedy High School graduate added Vannie was his go-to park while growing up in Washington Heights. Mr. Stringer’s mother currently lives in Riverdale.