6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN 7 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 7 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

In the fall of 2011, the Bronx Office of the Depart- more than 40 community/stakeholder meetings in a ment of City Planning (DCP) initiated the Sustainable variety of formats. DCP’s extensive site-specific anal- Communities Metro-North Corridor Transit-Oriented yses combined with input gathered through part- Development Study. The Bronx is currently growing ners and general outreach provided the groundwork at a rate unseen since the 1940s and is projected to for recommendations around each station area. grow by 14% by 2040, the fastest of any borough. This study makes recommendations that will foster sustainable growth in the borough by expanding transit-oriented development opportunities to cre- This study identifies transit-oriented de- ate housing affordable at a range of incomes, im- velopment (TOD) strategies and recom- prove job access for residents, and grow the overall mendations that will: economy of the Bronx, strengthening its position • Capitalize on Bronx Metro-North sta- within the city and region. Eight study areas sur- tions by integrating them into Bronx rounding existing and planned Metro-North rail sta- neighborhoods, creating safer streets tions were selected for evaluation to determine stra- and expanding access to housing, trans- tegic land use, transportation, and pedestrian realm portation, and jobs actions to accomplish these objectives. • Spur investment in lively, sustainable, To achieve its goals, DCP undertook an extensive mixed-use neighborhoods by permit- community outreach process focused on education, ting additional density and land uses visioning, and implementation. Because the proj- with a focus on new mixed-income hous- ect study area was geographically dispersed over a ing opportunities and a broad range of large portion of the Bronx, DCP developed an array retail and neighborhood services of educational tools such as graphics depicting the elements of successful neighborhood streets and • Connect both Bronx residents to local the potential relationships between land use and and regional job centers, and regional TOD. These general tools as well as more targeted workforce to Bronx job centers site-specific information were used to engage stake- • Improve station visibility, pedestrian holders within communities for each of the station access, and intermodal connections study areas. They provided a common language to around selected Bronx Metro-North Sta- help facilitate discussion of objectives and develop- tions to support access and ridership ment of strategies. As part of this process, DCP held

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 9 1

2

3

FIGURE 1 | Successful TOD communities in City ensure that areas with good transit access can accommodate future growth. This type of development is created by allocating the highest and best land uses within close proximity to the station, creating a comfortable pe- destrian environment, and providing a highly integrated multi-modal transit system.

1 High density mixed-use development with provide both employment and living opportunities 2 Seamless transition between different modes of transit FIGURE 1 | Successful TOD communities in ensure that areas with good transit access can accommodate future growth. This type of development is created by allocating the highest and best land uses within close proximity to the station, creating a safe pedestrian environment, and providing a highly integrated multi-modal transit system.

1 High density mixed-use development with both employment and affordable living opportunities 2 Seamless transition between different modes of transit 3 Successful pedestrian streets

These station areas were selected based on an eval- STUDY APPROACH & FINDINGS uation of four key factors: (1) potential to accom- modate future growth, (2) lack of station visibility, (3) The six existing and two proposed Bronx Met- overall accessibility, and (4) opportunity to improve ro-North station areas include: connections between modes of transit. • Melrose The Melrose and University Heights Stations were • University Heights chosen for more detailed study because their sur- • Morris Heights rounding areas have the most potential to accom- • Tremont modate future growth. The planning process for • Williams Bridge these stations included a comprehensive land use • Fordham study and a more intensive public outreach process. • Morris Park (proposed) The report is divided in two sections: (1) Strategies • Parkchester (proposed) for TOD around in the Bronx, and (2) Station Area Studies. The findings are summarized in the following section.

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 9 EXISTING STATIONS SECTION 1 | STRATEGIES University Heights: “Balancing Access Needs and DCP identified a number of common challenges to Development Potential” successfully integrate Metro-North stations into the The University Heights station sits on the Fordham complex and distinct fabric of Bronx neighborhoods. Road Corridor between an undeveloped portion of In order to address these challenges, DCP developed the Harlem River Waterfront and the Major Deegan a set of general strategies applicable to all study ar- Expressway. The area has the potential for significant eas within the Bronx Metro-North corridor. These housing and retail growth that would open up the strategies, while developed through studying the waterfront to the community; however, its potential eight Metro-North station areas, have potential ap- is significantly limited by barriers to access. plicability to commuter rail stations locally, regional- Recommendations ly, and beyond. The strategies are described in four Implement phased access, safety, and pedes- categories as indicated below: • trian improvements to the intersection of Ford- ham Road and the Major Deegan Expressway (1) LAND USE AND ZONING and surrounding sites A framework for addressing outdated zoning, foster- • Develop a comprehensive approach to redevel- ing appropriate mixes and densities of uses, and bol- opment of the waterfront area with zoning that stering regional centers that will allow Bronx neigh- permits a balance of land uses tied to infrastruc- borhoods to better capitalize on transit assets. ture improvements • Strengthen pedestrian amenities along the (2) WALKABILITY corridor Best practices to improve safety, street life, and walkability of neighborhood streets that connect Melrose: “Tying it all together” Bronx residents with jobs, retail and services, and The area played a key role in the sto- mass-transit options. ried history of the South Bronx and has been the tar- get of significant and successful public investment. (3) INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY & Despite the area’s assets and recent revitalization, COMMUTER RAIL STATIONS the area lacks cohesive urban fabric. The Melrose station area played a key role in the Improvements to create seamless connections be- dynamic history of the South Bronx and has been tween Metro-North and other modes of transit will the focus of significant and successful public invest- provide greater accessibility for Bronx residents and ment where more than 3,500 new units of affordable local and regional workers, and improve overall rid- housing have been created in the last fifteen years ership. with significant additional units planned. Despite the area’s assets and recent revitalization, the com- (4) RAIL-ADJACENT LOTS munity lacks a cohesive urban fabric. Improvements to create seamless connections be- Recommendations tween Metro-North and other modes of transit will provide greater accessibility for Bronx residents and • Create a consistent pedestrian environment local and regional workers, and improve overall rid- along the corridor ership. • Create a gateway to the Metro-North station area on 161st Street through phased capital improvements to existing neighborhood ame- SECTION 2 | STATION AREAS nities • Adopt a long-term land use strategy that knits The study includes individual area studies for each together recent investments by providing addi- station. It focuses on challenges and opportunities tional retail opportunity, encouraging addition- to strengthen these areas through targeted regu- al housing options in special mixed use districts latory changes and physical improvements, and it offers for each area a set of recommendations devel- Morris Heights: “Connecting the Island” oped in concert with stakeholders. The Morris Heights Metro-North Station and its sur- rounding features, which include Roberto Clemente

10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 11 FIGURE 2 | Streetscape exercise at a Melrose community workshop. Community participation was a central part of the planning process for this study, with over forty community meetings held in various formats. The NYC Department of City Planning also lead neighborhood tours to both engage and educate the public on issues of walkability, intermodal connection, land-use, and TOD principles in the Bronx.

State Park, are isolated from the community large- housing and retail growth; however, gaps in street ly by topographical changes and a major highway. trees, lighting, and inconsistent pedestrian paths re- There is an opportunity to increase usage of the park sult in a disjointed corridor. and station, as well as increase access to the Harlem Recommendations River Waterfront and River Park Towers housing de- velopment. • Implement comprehensive streetscape im- provements to East Tremont Avenue in coordi- Recommendations nation with emergent Business Improvement • Enhancements to pedestrian pathways to re- District to capitalize on the recent 3rd Avenue/ connect amenities to the surrounding commu- East Tremont Rezoning and support additional nity, increase safety, and promote usage of the mixed-income housing along the corridor park and station • Streamline connections to mass transit and • Promote Cedar Avenue as a mixed-used com- strengthen access to local employment centers mercial corridor through land use actions and community and retail amenities • Create a safe and attractive gateway to the sta- tion, park, and waterfront along West Tremont Williams Bridge: “Completing Connections” Avenue through coordinated design of pedes- The Williams Bridge Metro-North station sits along trian crossings and pathways, step-street im- a busy corridor, has convenient intermodal connec- provements, signage, and lighting tions, and is near a major medical facility that is one of the Bronx’s largest employers. A recent rezoning Tremont: “Emerging Commercial Corridor” provides opportunity for additional growth and The Tremont Metro-North Station is located along ridership. However, poor visibility and connectivity the re-emerging East Tremont Avenue commercial present challenges to achieving a strong mixed-use corridor. The area was recently rezoned to promote retail corridor.

10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 11 WESTCHESTER COUNTY

NEW JERSEY Williams Bridge

THE

University Fordham BRONX Heights Morris Heights Morris Park Tremont (proposed)

Parkchester (proposed)

Melrose

MANHATTAN

Study stations: Existing Stations Metro-North Lines THE BRONX Proposed Stations Amtrak Hell-Gate Line

FIGURE 4 | This study analyzed eight Metro-North station; six existing and two proposed.

NEW YORK CITY

12 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 13 Recommendations • Implement comprehensive streetscape im- • Complete pedestrian connections from station provements to both sides of East Tremont Av- area to Gun Hill Road and re- enue which include activating rail adjacent lots tail corridors, area employers, and recreational and revisiting the street alignment to allow for amenities wider sidewalks and pedestrian safety • Support the goals of the recent rezoning for Webster Avenue as a neighborhood main street Morris Park: ”Regional Professional Employment Center” Fordham: “Taking the Next Steps” As the home to a number of large professional insti- tutions and planned development, Morris Park is a The area is home to a number of regional center for employment and education. The regional attractions and institutions including Ford- proposed station currently lacks pedestrian infra- ham University, the , New York Botanical structure and commercial uses to support the insti- Garden, Little Italy, and one of the busiest retail cor- tutions’ needs. The new station would help bolster ridors in the city, Fordham Road. With high ridership the area’s status as a regional employment center today, it has potential to become a stronger regional and be an asset to the community. hub of activity. Recommendations Recommendations • Strengthen pedestrian connections between • Re-examine zoning to permit retail and a range area attractions, surrounding neighborhoods, of housing options on both sides of the rail line and transit assets • Identify long-term improvements to pedestrian • Improve coordination between area attractions, and vehicular access to improve circulation institutions, and retail corridors • Explore opportunities to brand the area through • Adopt land use policy that supports additional increased partnerships between institutions growth around transit and retail corridors and facilitates uses such as office, regional retail, and hotels, typical of commercial business districts IMPLEMENTATION

PROPOSED STATIONS Throughout this study DCP built strong partnerships with stakeholders who are rooted in these commu- MTA Metro-North Railroad has developed an over- nities. These partnerships have expanded oppor- all concept to provide additional regional rail ser- tunities for implementation of recommendations vice by linking its east-of-Hudson service directly to identified in this report, and in some cases, existing Penn Station. It includes two proposed stations on efforts have already jump-started action. To realize the West Side of Manhattan, and four new stations the full potential of recommended improvements, in the East Bronx. This study examines two of the implementation will require: proposed Bronx station areas with the greatest po- tential for long-term transit-oriented growth. • Land use actions and zoning changes with a fo- cus on an appropriate mix of uses and a wide Parkchester/Van Nest: “Overcoming Dividers” range of affordable housing options The proposed Parkchester/Van Nest station is locat- • Prioritization of capital projects to promote saf- ed along East Tremont Avenue between the Park- er, more walkable streets and smooth transfer chester planned community and Van Nest neigh- between various modes of transportation borhood. The proposed station will help establish a • Continued coordination with city agencies and new center for these neighborhoods, but currently it community stakeholders is characterized by inactive uses, difficult crossings, Together the application of these strategies will cre- and general lack of pedestrian amenities. ate a more livable Bronx by increasing access to jobs Recommendations and neighborhood amenities, providing mixed-in- • Re-examine zoning along both sides of East come housing options for residents, and creating Tremont Avenue to encourage the develop- more sustainable communities surrounding Bronx ment of a mixed-use retail corridor and pedes- Metro-North stations. trian activity, and to re-orient the community towards the corridor and proposed station area

12 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX 13