BP Fossella to Announce Capital Funding Allocation for State-of-the-Art Biplane Imaging Technology at RUMC
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella will announce a capital funding project for Richmond University Medical Center to acquire state-of-the-art biplane imaging technology for its new vascular institute. The announcement took place at a press conference at RUMC on Wednesday, September 10th at 12:00 PM.
Opening in 2026, RUMC’s Joan and Alan Bernikow Heart and Vascular Institute will bring together advanced cardiology and neuroscience services under one unit. Biplane imaging is one of the most advanced interventional technologies available. It uses two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take simultaneous images. As the cameras move side to side and front to back, they produce highly detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue, and blood flow in real-time. Biplane imaging is also used to path the blood flow through vessels, which helps to find the precise location of disease or malformation. Using a small amount of injectable dye, the biplane cameras take x-rays that can be viewed in real time to detect blockages or aneurysms and plot the best course of treatment.
The project expands RUMC’s existing Catheterization Suite, which currently treats over 500 cardiac patients annually and has been experiencing expediential growth over the years. The number of preoperative and holding bays will be increased to better accommodate patient volume while improving patient flow and staff services. The existing waiting and reception area will also be refurbished and more centrally located within the suite for better flow and functionality.
In order to help maximize patient outcomes and to utilize the best technology available to do so, Borough President Fossella is allocating $1.52 million to RUMC to acquire the biplane imaging equipment.
BP Fossella, Staten Island Civic Leaders to Stand Against Universal Daylighting Bill
Intro. 1138 is projected to eliminate 49,000 parking spots on Staten Island:
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella and local civic leaders publicly opposed the City Council’s Universal Daylighting Bill at a press conference at the corner of Acacia Avenue & Sycamore Street on Wednesday, October 1st at 11:00 AM.
Currently, the City Council is considering Intro. 1138, a bill which would mandate daylighting, the prohibition of standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of the crosswalk, at every intersection across the City. If passed, the measure is estimated to eliminate roughly 300,000 parking spaces across the five boroughs, including approximately 49,000 parking spots on Staten Island.
Though supporters of the initiative claim that universal daylighting would improve pedestrian safety, the New York City Department of Transportation has publicly stated that the measure may increase driver speeds when making a turn and may put pedestrians crossing the street at greater risk, and would incur a cost that is double DOT’s current annual budget.
Additionally, the mass removal of parking spaces may worsen the quality of life, especially for residents of Staten Island, where vehicle ownership is a necessity. Amid these concerns, Community Board 1 recently formally moved to oppose Intro. 1138.
The Borough President was joined by civic leaders to issue a public condemnation of the measure as a “one size fits all” policy which would do greater harm, than good.
BP Fossella with guests and politicians from Kosovo. Image Credit – BP Fossella
Banner Image: BP Fossella welcomes Kosovo president. Image Credit – BP Fossella
The Office of the Borough President has a responsibility to advocate for the entire Borough of Staten Island and all its residents, and represents the Borough's interests within City government.
The Borough President communicates directly with the Mayor and the City Council to emphasize Staten Island’s budget priorities.
In addition, the Borough President is responsible for reviewing major land use decisions and proposing sites for city facilities within the Borough.
As the chair of the Borough Board, the Borough President leads Staten Island’s City Council delegation and Community Board chairs in the process of reviewing and approving the transfer of public properties to private use. The Borough President’s Office houses the Borough's Topographical Bureau, which maintains the borough’s official maps and assigns street addresses.
The Borough President monitors the delivery of city services on Staten Island, and acts as a liaison between residents and city agencies when problems arise to devise solutions. The Borough President is also responsible for appointing one member to the Panel for Educational Policy and one member to the City Planning Commission, as well as some 150 members to Staten Island’s three community boards.
