The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved plans for The Bronx’s first full-service animal shelter in decades — after the de Blasio administration sweetened the deal following local opposition.
Under the agreement ironed out by Councilman Andy King (D-Bronx), Co-op City is not only getting the shelter, but a youth center, more senior food programs, various traffic and playground improvements and other perks.
King said even some of the staunchest opponents had a “change of heart” after “all the things were added.”
“There were those who were emphatically saying ‘no’ who were [now] saying, ‘You know what, I can live with an animal shelter if we get our youth center, which the community has been fighting decades [to get],” he said.
Community Board 10 voted in favor of bringing an animal shelter to The Bronx — but not to the Bartow Avenue location that was selected, citing traffic congestion.
The 47,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to open by 2024, will have space for more than 200 animals.



