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Home , 161st Street (Bronx), Bronx Community Board 1, Bronx Community Board 4, Grand Concourse (Bronx), Melrose station, South Bronx

DEVELOPED BY THE CITY OF 2008 S o u th B ron x INITIATIVE THE PEOPLE THE NEIGHBORHOODS THE VISION E 170th St Claremont Park

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160th St ASSETS & CONTEXT E 167th St John A REGIONAL CONTEXT C Mullaly Jerome Ave McClellan St Park W 162nd St Metro North

4 New Grand ConcourseBronx Museum of the Arts Study Area

Metro North D 155th St B D B E 165th St Joyce Macombs Kilmer Study Area Washington Ave Boston Ave Dam Park Park Webster Ave Lou Gehrig Yankee Stadium Heritage Plaza Field Park Melrose Metro Third Ave Metro North Station 150th St Bronx County Bronx County North Station Amsterdam Ave Building Hall of Justice E 161st St Boricua Village River Ave Frederick Douglass Blvd Park Ave E 163rd St D 3 WaltonFranz Ave Morris Ave B 145th St Sigel Tinton Ave Park Mott Haven Schools Melrose Ave C Gateway E 161st St Prospect Ave A Waterfront Parks E 156th St Sunflower Way Center 4 153rd Street P.S. 29 Ballfield Pregones Theater Bridge The Orion Westchester Ave

7th Ave The Hub Retail and 2 Hostos E 156st St Office Center 5 140th St Community 2 146th St College Via Verde/ E 149th St Plaza The Greenway at the M A N H A T T A N 2 5 Hub 3 Lincoln 2 Hospital Workforce1 Center

Major Deegan Expwy (I-87) Lenox Ave E 149th St 5 Third Ave 135th St Metro NorthB R O N X 4

6 138th St

5th Ave Mott Haven St Marys HARLEM RIVER St Ann's Ave Jackson Ave Historic District Park Existing & Planned Assets 130th St Existing / Under Construction Madison Ave Brook Ave 6 Willis Ave E 135th St Planned 6 5 Planned / Under Construction Open Space 125th St Park Ave 4 S o u th B ron x I nitiative6 S trategic P lan Bruckner Expwy The South Bronx is rebounding as an area with safe, vibrant Economic Development and Rebuilding, to identify community neighborhoods and a growing economy. Guiding this change priorities and create a coordinated economic development strategy for are grassroots efforts and partnerships between community the area. The team includes the Departments of City Planning (DCP), stakeholders, elected officials, and government agencies committed Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Parks & Recreation to improving quality of life and creating new opportunities for current (DPR), Small Business Services (SBS), and Transportation (DOT), and and future residents. the Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

As a result, over $3 billion of public/private investment and new This plan is the product of an extensive planning and outreach development, including the Boricua Village mixed-use campus, process that included over 35 meetings with community stakeholders anchor retail at Gateway Center, and Harlem River waterfront parks, and elected officials. It articulates a vision and recommendations will create almost 16,000 construction and permanent jobs and lay for strengthening connections between existing assets and recent the groundwork for additional, sustainable growth. investments, supporting additional growth, and addressing To guide future land use changes and capital investments that community concerns. Continued collaboration and dialogue with address community concerns, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg community stakeholders and elected officials will be essential announced the “South Bronx Initiative” (SBI) in 2006 and charged for implementing the plan and ensuring that a shared vision of a an interagency team, led by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for prosperous South Bronx is fully realized in the years to come. • Total population in the SBI area THE PEOPLE is over 300,000 and will grow an additional 10% by 2030. With over 300,000 residents, the SBI study area in high-need, low-income neighborhoods like Mott is home to a diverse immigrant population and Haven and Melrose. Through the Young Adult • 35% of the area’s residents Internship program and Service Learning program, the largest youth population in the city. are under 18 years of age, disconnected youth are receiving support from City compared to 24% citywide. The area, located in Congressional District 16, had agencies and community organizations to connect to • Over the past 5 years, almost an 8% unemployment rate in 2006, compared to education, jobs, and leadership development. 300 businesses and 2,454 jobs 5% citywide. By improving coordination and Coordinated partnerships to provide training and have been created in the targeting investments in after-school and workforce job placement programs are also helping working SBI area. development programs, the City seeks to support adults build their skills and advance their careers. young and working adults in their academic Since 2004, the Workforce1 Center at the Hub has • Over the past 12 months, the development and search for permanent employment. placed more than 5,600 residents in jobs. With three Workforce1 Center has issued 470 Individual Training Grant Since December 2006, the City’s Center for new CEO-funded staff and direct collaboration vouchers to residents seeking Economic Opportunity (CEO) has been with community-based organizations, the Center is employment and advancement. implementing initiatives aimed at reducing poised to target South Bronx residents and increase poverty citywide and addressing specific challenges job placements by 100 per quarter.

• Over the last 7 years, more THE NEIGHBORHOODS than 2,300 units have been built or are under construction innovative affordable housing projects like Sunflower While the “South Bronx” originated as a small on public sites in Melrose Way and Via Verde/The Greenway. section of Mott Haven, the name grew to Commons, and up to 1,400 encompass many neighborhoods, each with The development of the first new mid-rise more units will come online its unique history and character. co-ops and condos in decades, including the Orion by 2010. in Melrose, will enable moderate and middle-income • Over 2,500 units of moderate These neighborhoods vary from the growing families to stay in the South Bronx and lay the and middle-income housing are residential community in Melrose, the bustling foundation for balanced retail communities. projected for public and private retail district at the Hub, and the emerging antiques sites in the SBI area by 2010. district in Port Morris, to the historic Art Deco Rezonings, too, in Port Morris and Morrisania, have set the stage for creating economically diverse buildings of the Grand Concourse, and • A new Metro North station at communities, by retaining industrial businesses Civic Center along East . Yankee Stadium, scheduled and jobs for local residents, while encouraging the to open in 2009, will increase The neighborhoods in the South Bronx are development of housing and neighborhood retail. public transportation options becoming more environmentally sustainable, for residents and visitors transit-oriented, and economically diverse, thanks year-round. to public/private partnerships that are developing THE VISION Partnerships between the City, community, and private sector will build upon the South Bronx’s existing assets and potential to enhance and sustain revitalized neighborhoods that include: • Affordable housing for people of diverse incomes; • A publicly-accessible waterfront;

• Vibrant commercial districts with year-round destinations; • An efficient transportation network; and

• Attractive streetscapes, public spaces, and parks; • A diverse economy providing jobs for local residents.

PLAN FOCUS AREAS

This plan seeks to link existing assets with recent investments, support additional growth, and address the community’s quality of life concerns. The interagency team focused on three areas with significant opportunities to achieve these goals, given the availability of City-owned land, proximity to transit, and potential to redevelop privately-owned vacant and underutilized land through rezonings.

These three focus areas fall within Community Districts 1, 3, and 4, with major thoroughfares like 149th Street, 161st Street, , and the Grand Concourse providing critical transportation and retail connections.

Highbridge MELROSE COMMONS / THIRD AVENUE B D 4 D B Study Area Macombs Morrisania Dam Bridge BRONX CIVIC CENTER Morrisania 161st Street Rezoning A thriving residential area, where City, community, and private partnerships are Concourse establishing a mixed-use, economically Village diverse neighborhood.

Bro e nx Co

s 3 r m u munit 3 o ict c 4 y istr Bronx Civic Center n ct Melrose D o ri C t t 1 4 d is ic n D tr MELROSE COMMONS / ra y River Avenue t is G i D THIRD AVENUE un ty 145th St m i om un C m Bridge m nx o 2 ro C B nx 5 ro B 2 venue 149th Street A An urban center with a strong civic and Third office core, bolstered by new and enhanced

LOWER GRAND CONCOURSE 2 5 The Hub regional destinations like Yankee Stadium, 3 Gateway Center, Harlem River waterfront 2 parks, and the .

HARLEM RIVER 5 Madison Ave 4 LOWER GRAND CONCOURSE Bridge 6 138th Street

Port Morris Mott Haven 6 6 5 4 An area surrounding the Grand Concourse, Port Morris south of East 149th Street, characterized Rezoning Third Ave by multi-story industrial loft buildings, Bridge excellent highway and subway access, and

6 its proximity to the Harlem River waterfront. Melrose commons / THIRD AVENUE Melrose Commons is the realization of a The Hub is a regional commercial center system at the Hub, while spurring collaborative process involving an engaged of the South Bronx, where more than additional development. community, the City, and the Bronx 200,000 pedestrians pass through daily. Borough President. Since implementation of By 2010, there will be approximately Melrose Commons is envisioned as an the Melrose Commons Plan 400,000 square feet of retail space built attractive mixed-income urban village with in 2000, over 2,300 units have been built or on public sites around Melrose Commons balanced neighborhood retail, new parks, and are under construction. By 2010, as many and the Hub. Improved streetscapes and a college campus. It will demonstrate market as 3,700 new housing units will be built on enhanced bus service along Webster or potential for mixed-income residential City-owned sites, with particular attention to Third Avenue would better connect the development and a diversity of retail in the urban design and sustainability. growing residential population to the subway South Bronx.

Boricua Village 161st St Melrose Metro North Station M

Washington163rd Ave St

Metro North Boricua Village The Hub Retail & Office Center Park Ave

156th St Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Area

Elton Ave

Brook Ave Ave

Ave St. Ann's Ave The Hub Retail and Office Center Courtlandt Melrose Via Verde/The Green Way Third Ave

Strategic Action Legend Westchester Ave Develop City-owned Vacant Lots 2 5 The Hub Strengthen Retail Corridors 149th St Reconfigure Key Intersections Create / Enhance Open Spaces

STRATEGIC ACTIONS Short-term Long-term

Continue to establish Melrose Strengthen retail corridors Improve mobility at key Create opportunities for new or Commons as a mixed-income by supporting commercial intersections and transit enhanced public open spaces

GOALS & balanced retail community continuity and diversity service along majorSt corridorsMarys Park Pursue funding to develop new Develop last remaining City- Market Melrose Commons to Upgrade Roberto Clemente parks, while upgrading and owned sites to create affordable major retailers and support Plaza, at the E. 149th St./Third preserving existing parks, open housing and ground-floor local businesses Ave. Hub, and reconfigure the E. spaces, and community gardens retail space 161st St./Elton Ave. intersection Evaluate feasibility of providing

ACTION ITEMS Bus-Rapid Transit service on Webster Ave. or Third Ave.

Lead Agency: HPD Lead Agencies: EDC, SBS Lead Agencies: DCP, DOT, MTA Lead Agency: DPR BRONX CIVIC CENTER East 161st Street is the civic center of the in the Bronx, with stops on the B, D, and 4 Center. The vision includes a mix of office, South Bronx. With new destinations like the subway lines and several bus lines, a new retail, and residential development enhanced Harlem River waterfront parks, and a new Metro North Yankee Stadium Station by a pedestrian-friendly environment, Yankee Stadium, the Civic Center is scheduled to open in 2009, and a Metro convenient public transportation access, and expanding west to include the River Avenue North near 161st Street and improved traffic flow. Together, new corridor and fast-becoming a dynamic urban . development and greater transit options center of year-round activity for residents, will attract economic activity to the area, workers, and visitors. This center of activity in the South Bronx while providing jobs and new amenities for is envisioned as a transit-oriented, higher- residents and visitors to enjoy. This area has some of the best transit access density district that elevates the Bronx Civic

New Yankee Stadium John Mullaly 4 Park D B Bronx Museum of the Arts

B D New Yankee Stadium Joyce Kilmer Macombs Park Dam Park Gateway Center 161st St Heritage Bronx County Yankee Stadium Field Park Metro Hall of Justice Station Ave 153rd St County Building Metro North M Gerard

River Ave

alton Ave W Grand Concourse ve Harlem Park A River Harlem River Waterfront Parks Gateway Franz Concourse Village West Water- Sigel front Center Park Parks Strategic Action Legend 151st St Mott Haven Rezoning Area

Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) Expressway Deegan Major Schools Targeted Transportation Improvements 153rd Street Bridge Improve Streetscape & 4 Urban Design

2 Develop City-owned Sites

STRATEGIC ACTIONS Short-term Long-term

Strengthen the Bronx Civic Improve mobility along Create a consistent identity Activate River Avenue with a Center with additional E. 161st Street and River Avenue along E. 161st Street and dynamic mix of uses opportunities for office, retail River Avenue and enhance the GOALS and residential development area’s public spaces Make targeted transportation Facilitate the planning and improvements such as signal development of City-owned Rezone to encourage high- timing and pedestrian crossings Make targeted streetscape sites along River Avenue density commercial and improvements along E. 161st Extend BX13 bus service further residential development Street and River Avenue, south to 149th Street including new distinctive lighting and street furniture ACTION ITEMS

Lead Agency: DCP Lead Agencies: DCP, DOT, MTA Lead Agencies: DOT, DCP Lead Agencies: EDC, DPR St Marys Park Lower GRAND concourse In the nineteenth century, the Lower Grand provide an opportunity to support a growing use rezoning will allow the area to develop Concourse was a manufacturing center that population and help meet demands for into a multi-faceted neighborhood that produced goods ranging from pianos to affordable housing. With major investments retains industry and jobs, supports new ironworks, including the dome of the U.S. such as the Gateway Center to the north, housing and retail, including grocery Capitol building. However, since the 1960’s, and the success of the Port Morris mixed- stores, and provides new public waterfront as manufacturing needs changed, the area use district to the south, the Lower Grand open spaces. Although the City-owned, experienced minimal investment. Concourse area is primed for change. former P.S. 31 building requires substantial rehabilitation, it presents an opportunity to Today, the area’s excellent transit access, The Lower Grand Concourse is envisioned as leverage private resources with a community underutilized lofts, and underdeveloped land a vibrant gateway into the Bronx. A mixed- vision for alternative uses.

Harlem River waterfront 3 4 Mott Haven Schools 145th St Gateway Bridge 153rd Street Center Bridge

Gerard Ave 2

Grand Concourse ve Metro North ) 7 Hostos 8 - I 2 ( Community 5 Morris A y a College 149th St

w

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s Park Ave Lincoln

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p

x Hospital E

n 144th St

a

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e Walton Ave

D

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a Rider Ave M

Canal Pl Madison Ave ve Bridge Multi-story loft Third A

138th St St Marys Strategic Action Legend Park Metro North Rezoning Area

ve 6 6 Grand Concourse Gateway 5 Port Morris 4 Rezoning Waterfront WalkwayWillis A & Park P.S. 31 Adaptive Reuse Site

STRATEGIC ACTIONS Short-term Long-term

Encourage residential Establish a grand gateway to Develop new parks and Redevelop the former P.S. 31 development for different the South Bronx open space income levels, while

GOALS retaining viable light Evaluate the feasibility of an manufacturing businesses Rezone and make streetscape Map a new public park along adaptive reuse of P.S. 31 and lighting improvements on the Harlem River and leverage the lower Grand Concourse private development to create continuous public Rezone to allow mixed-uses and Improve the appearance, ADA waterfront access provide a zoning incentive for accessibility, and structural affordable housing condition of subway stations at 149th Street and 138th Street/

ACTION ITEMS Grand Concourse

Lead Agencies: DCP, HPD Lead Agencies: DOT, DCP, MTA Lead Agencies: DPR, DCP Lead Agency: EDC DEVELOPED BY THE CITY OF NEW YORK 2008 S o u th B ron x INITIATIVE THE PEOPLE THE NEIGHBORHOODS THE VISION This SBI strategic plan will guide future City investments and support further dialogue with the community. Several of the proposed “strategic actions” will have their own public outreach or public review and approval processes, including the rezonings and park developments. To realize the SBI vision, the City will work with elected officials and State agencies to secure the dedicated funding and commitments necessary for implementing capital projects and transit improvements. The joint efforts of all key stakeholders – the City, elected officials, community, and private sector – to implement the plan’s recommendations will ensure that current and future residents participate in the sustained revitalization of the South Bronx as an area with mixed-income neighborhoods, vibrant commercial districts, attractive public open spaces, an efficient transit network, and a diverse economy providing jobs for local residents. TO LEARN MORE VISIT OUR WEB SITE: www.nycedc.com/SouthBronxInitiative E-MAIL: [email protected] www.nyc.gov provides links to: Department of City Planning Department of Housing Preservation and Development Department of Parks & Recreation Department of Small Business Services Developed by the Department of Transportation City of New York New York City Economic Development Corporation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & THANKS Hon. José E. Serrano Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation U.S. Representative 16th District Citizens Advice Bureau, Inc. (CAB) Hon. Adolfo Carrión, Jr. District 16 Neighborhood Council Bronx Borough President Eugenio María de Hon. Maria del Carmen Arroyo of CUNY New York City Council Member - District 17 HUB - Third Avenue Business Hon. Helen D. Foster Improvement District New York City Council Member - District 16 International Council of Shopping Centers Hon. Melissa Mark Viverito (ICSC) New York City Council Member - District 8 Jackson Development Group, Ltd. L & M Equity Participants, Ltd. Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center Mid-Bronx Desperadoes Economic 161st Street Merchant Association Development Corporation 167th Street Merchant Association Mid-Bronx Council (MBC) 170th Street Merchant Association Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural 44th Precinct Clergy Coalition Affairs, Inc. (NAICA) Atlantic Development Group, LLC Neighborhood Housing Services of Banana Kelly South Bronx Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance The Phipps Houses Bronx Council on the Arts Poko Partners, LLC Bronx Overall Economic Development Pregones Theater Corporation (BOEDC) Procida Realty & Construction Corp. South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) South Community Organization The Bluestone Organization The Related Companies We Stay / Nos Quedamos Committee, Inc. Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation

Brochure Design: SMWM LLP. Aerial photo of Yankee Stadium on front cover courtesy of Intervision New Media.