The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors salutes Kathy Zamechansky by Eliezer Rodriguez

Eliezer Rodriguez, Bronx - Manhattan North Association of Realtors

In September 2014, Kathy Zamechansky was sworn in as the 57^th president to lead The Bronx Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR). At her first Executive Board meeting, Zamechansky pledged to have a stronger voice and presence in the communities we serve and to build on The Bronx Borough president’s theme of “The New Bronx.” On September 12, 2016, Zamechansky will end her two one-year-terms as president and will pass the gavel to the incoming president, Christina Leigh-Stevens. When she passes the gavel, Zamechansky can proudly look back knowing that she accomplished her goals and The Bronx is better off because of her leadership.

Kathy Zamechansky, KZA Realty Group

During her tenure as president, Zamechansky led the charge in receiving five grants from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The five grants, totaling $62,200, were used to change the face and help guide the future growth of Bronx Community Board 9 (BXCB9). BXCB9 is the largest and the poorest of 12 community boards in the borough and it is the proposed home of the New Metro North Station, Soundview Ferry, York Movie Studio and other growth.

The first grant was a $2,200 Placemaking Micro-Grant earmarked to transform an unused public space into vibrant place. According to Zamechansky, “Realtors live, work and volunteer in their communities and take immense pride in working to improve them. Placemaking grants can help foster healthier, more social and economically viable communities.” Thanks to NAR and our members, a wall once covered in graffiti, now displays a mural that depicts the image of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic in the United States Supreme Court, along with other important figures and places from the Soundview community. Unexpectedly, the mural is now valued at $55,000.

The other four grants were Smart Growth Level 3 Grants and each totaled $15,000. The grants were to help BXCB9 form a planning committee to develop vision plans for the development, growth and improvement of the community board. The needs of BXCB9 were in keeping with the principles of the grant to provide support to community partners with land use policy and/or transportation changes. Thanks to the research conducted, residents of BXCB9 now know that others are paying attention to their vision for future growth. Decisions are now being made based on statistical sense and not just based on emotional opinion. The community is now more effective in voicing its concerns, and feelings empowered by its influence. Zamechansky is correct when she said, “The grant provides BMNAR with the opportunity to show BXCB9 that we believe in their vision and we are, indeed, partners in making The Bronx a better place for people to live and work.”

Zamechansky also wanted to bridge the gap between elected officials and BMNAR. Her answer was to create Legislative Breakfasts to discuss pending legislation, policy initiatives and the importance of promoting and protecting a fundamentally sound real estate market so we can continue to build vibrant communities to live and work. Realtors are part of the largest professional trade association in the United States. While we may not always agree on the issues facing the real estate market or the obstacles to achieving the American dream of home ownership, we must, however, listen to all sides as that is the American way. The Breakfasts were well received and in 2017 we will be planning our 3rd Annual Legislative Breakfast to keep the momentum going.

Thanks to Zamechansky’s leadership, BMNAR we will continue to invest in the landscape of The Bronx and to create a greater demand for BMNAR Realtors. BMNAR will remain an active participant in land use policy discussions at the outset to increase business opportunities for our membership, to establish robust relationships with local/state elected officials, and to elevate the status of BMNAR as trusted advisors.

Thank you Kathy Zamechansky for a job well done! 

Eliezer Rodriguez is the executive director of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors.