Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymember Fall to Continue Annual Statewide Tour on Staten Island
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Pictured with Speaker Heastie in the first photo at the Empire Outlets: Assemblymember Charles D. Fall. -
Pictured with Speaker Heastie in the second photo at Curtis High School (clockwise from the top): Curtis High School Principal Greg Jaenicke, Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, P.S. 78 Principal Jodi Contento and I.S.49 the Berta A. Dreyfus School Principal Lou Bruschi. -
Pictured with Speaker Heastie in the third photo at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden (from left to right): Business Manager Jenny Kelly, Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, Director of Operations and Capital Projects Alexandra Patrone, Chairman of the Board Mark Lauria and Director of Engagement and Education Susannah Abbate. -
Pictured with Speaker Heastie in the fourth photo at Bayonne Bridge in Staten Island: Assemblymember Charles D. Fall.
Speaker Carl Heastie joined Assemblymember Charles D. Fall on Staten Island today for the fourth stop on Speaker Heastie’s 2019 statewide tour. Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Fall made stops at the Empire Outlets, Curtis High School, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, and the Bayonne Bridge.
"It was great to see all the interesting things happening here on Staten Island from centers of commerce like the Empire Outlets to centers of culture like the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens," Speaker Heastie said. "The Assembly Majority has long-supported programs across the state to support our youth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Curtis High School today and to see firsthand their unique approach to help our children reach their full potential."
"Improving the lives of those in my community is a top priority for me, said Assemblymember Fall. "Having Speaker Heastie visit the North Shore of Staten Island will ensure that we have an even better understanding of my district and the needs of those who reside here."
The first stop on today’s tour was the Empire Outlets, the only shopping outlet currently in New York City. This recently completed shopping hub is expected to be home to nearly 100 waterfront shops and dining facilities, which are anticipated to bring approximately 1,200 new jobs to the area.
Following Empire Outlets, Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Fall visited Curtis High School. Built in 1904, it was the first high school established on Staten Island. During today’s visit to the high school, administrators from three public schools, P.S. 78, I.S. 49 the Berta A. Dreyfus School and Curtis High School, provided an overview of joint school initiatives they are collaborating on to improve the academic outcomes of students on Staten Island.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden was the third stop of the tour. Home to several 19th century buildings, Snug Harbor is a cultural destination that houses 14 botanical gardens as well as a center for arts, education, horticulture, agriculture and recreation. It provides the residents of Staten Island with dynamic programming year round.
Rounding out the tour, Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Fall visited the recently renovated Bayonne Bridge, an arch bridge connecting Bayonne, New Jersey to Staten Island, to discuss the potential for open space and active recreational amenities under the bridge and the Bus Rapid Transit.