Councilman Cohen courts consensus, not quarrels

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New York City is known for elected officials who revel in sounding off on both their areas of expertise and topics they might not be so knowledgeable about.

The northwest Bronx’s Councilman Andrew Cohen does not fit that mold.

He spent his first year in office seeking to be a representative in the purest sense of the word. Facing a number of controversial developments from the start of his four-year term, he sought to make sure authorities’ decisions reflected constituents’ will. 

When working with warring parties, he suggested compromise almost as a rule. In perhaps the most pronounced sign of Mr. Cohen’s approach, he introduced participatory budgeting to his 11th council district, which includes Bedford Park, Norwood, Wakefield and Woodlawn in addition to Kingsbridge, Riverdale and Van Cortlandt Village.

In a recent interview at his new West 231st Street office, Mr. Cohen discussed Community Board (CB) 8’s months of infighting following the divisive June vote for chairman. He harkened back to his 2013 Democratic primary race, in which equally representing the 11th district’s diverse communities was a main issue.

“During the campaign, it was a little divisive — community against community,” he said, “but I really feel like I’ve tried to be sensitive to that and just make sure that I’m… accessible regardless of where people live.”

The councilman moved his office from Waldo Avenue in Riverdale to a more centrally located spot in Kingsbridge to achieve that end.

“June will be here before you know it,” he said, returning to the theme of CB 8’s elections. “If people want to fight again, more power to you, but it would be good if they really focused on doing their charter-mandated work, serving the community.”

Moderating role

Mr. Cohen is a regular presence at CB 8’s meetings to discuss the most controversial developments in the neighborhood. He summed up his views on some of the biggest ones.

On Montefiore Medical Center’s revised plans for a facility on Riverdale Avenue:

Andrew Cohen, participatory budgeting, Montefiore Medical Center, Jerome Park Reservoir, Bloomfield Development, Van Cortlandt Park Master Plan, Shant Shahrigian
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