Bronx DA's Office Investigates Carrion Home Renovation

Bronx prosecutors are investigating a renovation project at the home of former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. after the Daily News revealed he approved a big city project designed by the same architect. Carrion, now White House urban policy director, admitted to the News that he didn't pay architect Hugo Subotovsky for designing a porch and balcony on his City Island home, claiming that he's waiting for Subotovsky to complete a final survey of the long-completed project (Carrion told the Times it was his fault he hadn't requested the survey). The White House said they expected the survey would be done soon and that the bill—$3,627.50 for 51 hours of work—would be paid shortly. The project Subotovsky was involved with was Boricua Village, "one of the largest and most ambitious development initiatives in the South Bronx." The Times points out, "Mr. Carrión’s support of the zoning change for the housing project was not vital — borough presidents offer only advisory opinions and cannot kill proposals. But officials further down the review process, including the City Planning Commission and the City Council, take into account the views of borough presidents in making their decisions."