SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF CRAIN’S BUSINESS theater and a public But for now, there are still plenty of projects plaza to provide access coming on board. The city’s rezoning along Jerome to the waterfront and link Avenue, which runs through America’s poorest to Mill Pond Park, which congressional district, could bring 4,000 new will be the permanent affordable units and capital investment of nearly home of $189 million from the city, including new parks and Children’s Museum. schools. Fine’s Bolivar Development Group spent But that is far from the $11.2 million to buy the first property after the only development in the rezoning; he is partnering with the Doe Fund to erect current building spree a 15-story, 255-unit affordable housing building that that covers much of the includes 20,000 square feet of retail at the base. borough, from the arrival Outside of a few anomalies like Riverdale and of Silver Cup Studios City Island, the lines in which neighborhoods are to Brookfield Property getting market rate and which are getting affordable Group’s $165 mil- housing are starting to blur, said Ariel Aufgang, lion recently announced whose architecture firm has designed numerous 1.3 million-square foot affordable housing buildings in the borough and did waterfront site in its first nonsubsidized work there on Bridgeline. Mott Haven. The site Exact Capital’s Blondell Commons project in will feature seven Westchester Square features affordable housing towers (up to 25 among its 172 units. Bonizio said some residents stories), mixing retail, were initially wary but he believes the new residents commercial and about will bring in a surge of business to local merchants, New development on Lafayette Avenue by Aufgang Architects 1,300 apartments—30% benefiting the whole community. of which is affordable “It’s now seen as the future,” he said. “I’d like ON THE housing. And with four to see the rest of Blondell Avenue developed the Building on a resurgence Metro North stations same way.” planned to improve Now, Fine says, more developers are plunging in SPOTLIGHT evelopers are pouring in hundreds of access to , observers believe the growth will with market rate housing throughout the borough. millions of dollars into the Bronx and sales continue to accelerate. Aufgang said that the Bronx will become a home Dare rising at a rate that outpaces the rest of “There is a ton of development all over and to families priced out of and , . staggering amounts of money being spent here,” adding that market rate housing offers options to In the public’s mind, the memory of crime and arson said Weissman, who has mostly built affordable Bronxites who grow up and get jobs that price them from the 1970s lingered for decades even as the housing but recently added the 12-story, 91-unit out of affordable housing without making the other borough slowly recovered, starting with affordable luxury building Bridgeline in Mott Haven, with boroughs affordable. “The story of market rate is housing built during the Ed Koch and David Dinkins its hardwood flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, that of people that want to stay here,” he said. administrations. Now, the public is more open to landscaped roof deck fitness center and Banks says that commercial development is Triborough Bridge the borough, said Josh Weissman, who has been private parking. starting to follow, with new hotels opening near building in the Bronx for two decades and is the Peter Fine, principal and co-founder of the Einstein Hospital and Fordham University to BRONX founder of Bronx-based JCAL Development Group. Atlantic Development Group and founder of Bolivar accommodate scientists, professors and other elcome to the Bronx, the new Bronx. The last decade has seen a remarkable rebranding and “The Bronx has shown growth and resilience in Development, agrees. “There used to be two or visitors. “This sector really did not exist five years rejuvenation of our borough and we are poised for even greater growth in the future. the face of significant challenges,” said Daniel Marks ago and it is now growing rapidly,” he said. W From his first day, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has emphasized “planning with a Cohen, vice president of real estate development at Retail continues to struggle nationwide—Aufgang purpose,” focusing on helping all four corners of the borough. For instance, Morris Park, which can be an the NYC Housing Partnership, which helps facilitate says people in luxury buidings care less about hour and 20 minutes by subway and bus from 42nd Street in Manhattan, will feel more part of the city with a affordable housing partnerships between public stores than a package room for their Fresh Direct new Metro North station that will cut the commute to a mere 20 minutes. and private sectors. and Amazon deliveries. However, Weissman said The Bronx boom includes improved transportation (four new Metro North stations in total), expanded Time, as well as a decline in crime throughout the restaurants, bars and niche businesses are finding housing (44,000 units of affordable housing), commercial development (1 million square feet), tens of city, has helped the Bronx shed its reputation. The homes in the Bronx, including Beatstro, the first hip- thousands of jobs (more than 120,000 added in the last decade) and outside gradual and consistent development of subsidized hop themed restaurant; The Lit. Bar, that’s now the investment ($3.2 billion in private equity last year, a new record, for a total of housing has also been crucial, especially during only bookstore in the borough, and Bronx Native, $19.2 billion since 2009). recovery from the Great Recession. Many also credit which sells merchandise celebrating the borough. borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. All three are owned by Bronx natives. “There’s an But wait, there’s more. We still have a number of major projects in planning The last decade has seen “He brings energy to his advocacy for the Bronx incredible spirit here,” Weissman said. and development or about to break ground. While major South Bronx a remarkable rebranding and but also elevates the level of policy discourse,” said Banks said he believes the Bronx is “poised for projects like Bronx Point have garnered more headlines, the Kingsbridge John H. Banks, president of the Real Estate Board of The Bridgeline Building even more success,” with Carl Heastie as speaker rejuvenation of our borough and Armory is finally ready to break ground on its new 750,000-square-foot New York (REBNY). of the State Assembly. “That will bring more interest we are poised for even greater ice sports complex, which will provide local jobs and priority access to the Now development in the Bronx has truly taken off. and opportunities to the Bronx, taking it to the ice rinks for local public schools. And a multibillion-dollar redevelopment “The Bronx is getting its own story now,” Weissman next level.” growth in the future. project at Fordham Landing is moving forward. These projects will define the said. Like many, he seems thrilled to be singing the “The story ...is that of people The trick will be growing rapidly as all the money pours in while maintaining the borough’s essential – Marlene Cintron, northwestern portion of the Bronx and will turn the heads of those coming in from borough’s praises instead of merely trying to wash that want to stay here.” the north. away negative images. flavor and keeping it as a place where Bronxites The Bronx Overall All the good news about the Bronx is bringing more visitors, from the rest of REBNY showed that the average sales price for – Peter Fine, Atlantic Development Group, can stay. Economic Development Corporation the city as well as tourists. While everyone already knows about , a home in the Bronx rose to $472,000 in the fourth Bolivar Development “People say, ‘The Bronx is going to become the the and the New York Botanical Garden, the borough has so much quarter last year, up 12% from the previous year, new Brooklyn but the character hasn’t changed—it which outpaces the rest of the city. Sales volume has always been a family-oriented, working-class more to offer, from the tranquil beauty of Public Gardens to the art deco growth is also higher there. And a recent Property borough, where people live and commute to work,” buildings along the Grand Concourse to Salsa Fest at . Even Little Italy, which is thriving like Shark study revealed that in neighborhoods ranging three buyers for each development site in the Bronx, Aufgang said. “The city is pushing for affordable never before, reflects the borough’s marvelous diversity—amidst all the Italian shops and restaurants you’ll from Mott Haven to Fordham to Bedford Park now there are 10 or 15.” housing and the market is pushing the other way find a reflection of the community in an Albanian coffee shop, a Mexican restaurant and the Dominican cigar home sale prices surged by more than 50% from John Bonizio, chairman of the Westchester Square and that’s how diverse neighborhoods are built.” makers rolling their wares at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. In other words, the Bronx has something for 2014 through 2018. Rentals in the Bronx are also BID and owner of the local Metro Optics chain, said Fine agrees there is currently a balance between everyone. outpacing the rest the city. the borough benefited from Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s land being used for affordable and market rate So make your way to our borough where you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes ... and may even decide The shining symbol of the new Bronx is the Bronx push for affordable housing because there is not housing but said the city must continue adapting its to stay. Point development on one of the largest sites much land left elsewhere in the city. policies to keep affordable housing development owned by the city. Slated to open in 2022, this $194 Still, NYC Housing Partnership’s Cohen worries viable. “My hope is that there is a mix of affordable million investment by Mayor de Blasio includes more that the Bronx could become “a victim of its own and market rate development in the future as well than 1,000 housing units, including 600 permanent success,” saying that, even in the Bronx, land is as retail and other commercial amenities in order Marlene Cintron affordable housing units; The Universal Hip Hop “a finite resource and the low-hanging fruit for to create one big stew—or, as we say in the Bronx, President, BOEDC Museum; a multiplex; an open-air performance affordable housing is now largely gone.” a salsa.” SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS

tickets affordable and find acts that are high quality We are proud to be part but broadly appealing enough to fill the seats. “My challenge is to make it a place for all culture so it is diverse like New York,” said Bornstein, who oversees a celebrity series (including performances by Michael Bolton, Johnny Mathis, Patty Labelle, among of the renaissance of the others) and the Latino music series that’s the heart of each season. The borough’s building boom is also music to the ears of performers. The new Bronx Point will offer 1,000 housing units but also attractions like Bronx over the last 30 years. the Universal Hip Hop Museum and an outdoor performance space with views of the . And WHEDco (Women’s Housing and Economic Development) is building Bronx Commons, an Lehman Center for the Performing Arts affordable housing development, that will include the Bronx Music Hall, the new home for the Bronx Music and theater thrive in diverse borough Music Heritage Center. “Traditional music is the very spirit of the Bronx,” he Bronx is alive with the sound of music, but co-founder of the Atlantic Development Group and said Elena Martinez, co-artistic director of the Bronx lately the rhythm section includes hammers founder of Bolivar Development. Music Heritage Center. T and saws. Organizations are flourishing The borough’s biggest stage is also currently its Currently, the center is housed in a 1,400-square- throughout the borough but construction on one major biggest project: the Lehman Center for the Performing foot storefront that seats 60 and doubles as the renovation and two new additions drives the backbeat. Art’s 2,278-seat auditorium is finishing a $15.4 million Heritage Center’s exhibit space and triples as “There’s a lot of music history and a lot of energy refurbishment. “There’s tremendous competition in its classroom. The new home will feature a 250- here,” said John MacElwee, director of the Hostos New York City so you always have to be innovative seat theater with separate classrooms and exhibit Center for Arts & Culture. “People don’t have to go and creative. So lately we’ve been concentrating on spaces. That theater fits nicely in the Bronx’s wide downtown for music, theater and dance.” our facility,” said Eva Bornstein, executive director of range. Besides Lehman’s large auditorium, there’s Jorge Merced, associate artistic director at the the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, on the also Pregones Theater’s 124-seat space and Hostos, Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, said Bronx campus at Lehman College/CUNY. which has a 900-seat theater, a 350-seater and an artists often engage with audiences directly in their The theater is getting new seats and an upgrade 80-seat black box. neighborhoods at places like community gardens. for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Building and expansion doesn’t always involve “The Bronx is such a fertile environment for artists while the lobby is being enlarged to ease crowding hammers and nails. MacElwee said his art center, but it is different from other boroughs,” Merced said. for audiences when shows are sold out. “We will which has presented a mix of Afro-Carribean music, “Artists are not just in traditional venues—people have a new super-duper center,” said Bornstein. dance and drama for 35 years is always evolving. here are very creative and it is very grassroots.” “We want it to be the center of the cultural universe “We put on programs that reflect our community and Still, the borough’s institutions offer artists in the Bronx.” the Bronx is changing,” he said. and audiences unique homes for a variety of Lehman is one of very few performing arts centers Hostos has added hip-hop across mediums performances. “The Bronx is the most musical where 90% of the revenue comes from earned (dance, music, spoken word) with programming borough by far,” said Peter Fine, principal and income, Bornstein said, which means she must keep like Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen, a performance

“The Bronx is such a fertile LOS VAN VAN environment for artists but it is different WORLD CLASS Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 8:00pm from other boroughs. Artists are not just ENTERTAINMENT IN THE in traditional venues – people here are "Cuba's greatest dance BRONX! very creative and it is very grassroots.” orchestra!" – Jorge Merced, Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater

event designed to showcase female artists. While salsa remains a draw, MacElwee has been adding more Dominican programming. This year featured Dominican-American playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez’s “Ashes of Light,” performed half in English and half in Spanish. Bornstein said Lehman Center has also added Dominican programming. The African population is growing, though not from one particular country but since “Africa is not a monolith,” FRANK REYES MacElwee said Hostos is still exploring how best to represent the different countries and cultures. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 8:00pm Merced, whose theater at Pregones hosts music, dance, theater and comedy, said that even within One of the most famous bachata one culture, there’s always change. “No culture is artists in Latin America! stagnant—it’s always being renewed, and so we are always in dialogue with the community,” he said. The community includes not just the people Call the Box Office: (718) 960-8833 living in the Bronx and the artists but those who Or Visit: lehmancenter.org strive to bring these performing arts to life. While there’s always room for new organizations, Martinez Atlantic Development/Bolivar Development believes for now that the borough’s arts community is an ideal size, where everyone knows and works together. “This is really an incredible time in the performing arts here.” Emmanuel Quiros Photo credit:

CN019173.indd 1 5/16/19 4:56 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS

use financially predatory services,” Branche said. Nonprofits: Committed to the community SSBx has recently expanded from two to three Tradition tastes fresh in Little Italy ince its nadir in the 1970s, the Bronx has wages,” Torres said. That might mean after-school different training programs in green infrastructure been rebuilt, often at the grassroots level by programs that can range from elementary school and solar installation for 185 people annually. “We Festival, which put 40 top pizza makers on the S community advocates and local nonprofits. help to free SAT prep to a recently expanded leverage those program slots into permanent jobs,” street, cooking in gas, coal and wood ovens. The They have been aided, of course, by government, workforce development program that has helped Branche said, adding that 70%-80% of trainees BID actively markets the neighborhood, now selling foundations and others, like M&T Bank. get BronxWorks clients hired by the construction and get jobs annually and 70%-80% of those are still Little Italy in the Bronx tomato sauce in 4,000 stores “We understand how access to fundamental development firms coming into the Bronx to build. employed one year later. across the country. It’s also testing other products. resources can help cultivate and sustain an area Sustainable South Bronx Sustainable South The Bronx Defenders The Bronx Defenders is, New merchants also bring a fresh flavor. Bronx for generations,” said Blair Ridder, M&T Bank’s Bronx merged in 2015 into the citywide Hope as the name says, a public defender organization but the organization does not stop there. “We are natives Paul and Anthony Ramirez founded Mainland regional president for the New York City market. Program but SSBx retains its laser focus on its home also seeking to radically transform both the way Media to improve their borough’s image. They were “We are committed to continued investment in not- turf, providing a sustainable environment and living for people. people are represented in the legal system and in selling Bronx-themed merchandise at pop-up shops for-profit organizations that provide these essential services to children, individuals, families and seniors legal system itself,” said executive director Justine in landmarked locations in 2013 when they came to throughout the borough.” Olderman. the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. They gave out free There are numerous not-for-profits throughout Olderman emphasizes the Defenders’ holistic beer and it was such a hit they decided to open the the Bronx working on a wide array of issues. Meet approach. “We don’t just address the case, we Bronx Beer Hall there. It sells New York State beers three of them: look at the client and address all the drivers of and mostly local wines and offers programming BronxWorks With 900 employees in 40 locations their involvement with the legal system and the from comedy to trivia to live jazz to Frank Sinatra serving 50,000 people annually, BronxWorks covers devastating consequences of that involvement.” impersonators. the entire borough, striving to feed, teach, shelter If someone is arrested on a drug charge, the “We’re not just drawing tourists but also and support anyone in need. “We do so much,” said Defenders also help find services related to reintroducing Bronxites to Arthur Avenue,” said Eileen Torres, executive director of BronxWorks. substance abuse, and others if the arrest might prompt eviction from public housing or custody Paul Ramirez. “We take a holistic approach.” issues or deportation. “No matter the entry point “One of our goals is to create a sense of community, There are two focuses. BronxWorks aids people Sustainable South Bronx teaches locals about we will be there at every point,” she said. “These so we have long wooden tables that encourage in crisis—the homeless, or those on the verge of green infrastructure and solar installation. becoming so; the chronically ill and people suffering systems are super-intertwined.” people to sit with strangers,” Anthony Ramirez added. from severe food insecurity. While the organization “We provide green-jobs training for folks who The Defenders’ systemic efforts include class- opened a shelter for homeless single adults, it also are disconnected from the workforce because of action litigation, such as a case where the NYPD had On Arthur Avenue: Orazio Carciotto, owner of Cassa Della Mozzarella works on eviction prevention and, if the client in homelessness, low education levels or involvement been accessing supposedly sealed criminal records, “...history, tradition and question is a senior, the organization might connect in the criminal justice system,” said chief development in addition to policy reform work on topics like bail and speedy-trial reform, and through community rank Franz’s grandfather arrived in the Bronx In recent decades, many of those settlers’ families them to a senior center for more support. officer Irene Branche. To sustain these clients, the culture live here.” BronxWorks also works on the big picture. “We organization has expanded its mental health services organizing. “We get people from the community from Italy and built a house near Arthur moved out to the suburbs. There was a business - Frank Franz, Bronx Little Italy help families with children break the cycle of poverty and financial literacy program. “People in the Bronx involved, get them speaking to lawmakers for a Avenue in 1910. Franz, the founder of the downturn in the late 1980s, and even 20 years ago, F are underbanked and we want to ensure they do not greater impact,” Olderman said. and build a work force with livable and sustainable Bronx Little Italy Business Improvement District the Bronx was “hard to sell,” according to Franz, Business Improvement District (BID), was born in that house 65 years ago and still who said there were a few empty storefronts on lives there today. the street and in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market So, Franz can testify to how much Little Italy has launched in 1940 by Mayor . While the Ramirez brothers were inspired by changed. “We used to address people you saw But while Manhattan’s Little Italy has been largely their love for their home borough, what’s even more on the street in Italian first,” he said, but now the subsumed into Chinatown, the area around Arthur remarkable is the arrival of a certain breed of new At M&T Bank, understanding neighborhood is far more diverse thanks to an influx Avenue and East 187th Street is thriving, serving Italian immigrant. Most businesses are run by third-, of Albanians and Latinos, mostly Mexicans, who heaping portions of tradition, not only to New fourth- or fifth-generation Italian-Americans, but what’s important means realizing moved in after many Italian-Americans moved out. Yorkers but to busloads of tourists from around the several restaurants have chefs from the old country: the role a bank plays in people’s But in a city that prizes constant evolution, what’s Roberto Paciullo at Robertos and Zero Otto Nove; more astonishing is how much this neighborhood Marco Coletta at Tra Di Noi; and Gennaro Martinelli lives. And then living up to those has not changed. at San Gennaro. The newest arrival is MangiPasta, “It really has stayed the same in a lot of ways— in 2018, opened by Aurora Cerrato with her responsibilities, by helping families, there are a lot of stores that have been around for so husband Estevan. businesses and communities many years,” said Chris Borgatti, who has spent the Cerrato came to New York from Napoli in 2009 last 43 years in his family’s Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg for school. She eventually decided to open a thrive. It’s what we’ve been Noodles business, which opened in 1935. restaurant that offered genuine Italian food, not Bakeries are the best example of how deeply Italian-American fare. “People who have been here doing for more than 160 years. rooted Little Italy is in its traditions and its past: for four or five generations did not grow up with Learn more at mtb.com. Egidio Pastry Shop opened in 1912; Madonia Bakery the same palettes and flavors,” said Cerrato, who debuted six years later; DeLillo Pasticceria dates imports her flour and tomatoes from Italy. to 1925; and Artuso Pastry Shop opened just after “We make our ravioli completely differently. We World War II. That makes Gino’s Pastry Shop, which don’t make pasta with meatballs—that was born here. M&T Bank is proud to support was founded in 1960, a relative newcomer. Cookies at Artuso Pastry Shop We don’t use heavy cream in our carbonara sauce.” The Bronx community and its “I remember being five years old and being in She was disappointed with Manhattan’s Little Italy here next to my father in his apron,” said Gino’s son world. It stems from a blend of the hard work of its but impressed with the visitors flocking to the Bronx, endeavors. Jerome Raguso, who now runs the store. The shop longtime merchants, the faith in the community of so she opened MangiPasta on East 187th Street, just recently made its Broadway debut in the Broadway new arrivals, the ambitious work of the BID and the a few doors down from Casa Della Mozzarella. She musical “A Bronx Tale.” The storefront was included resurgence of the Bronx as a whole. relishes speaking Italian with Carciotto of Casa Della John Chiti in the set design because Gino’s is a favorite of the “It’s better now—there are no storefronts with Mozzarella and Peter Servedio, owner of Peter’s Group Manager writer and star Chazz Palminteri. the gates down so the neighborhood looks good,” Meat Market, giving this newest Little Italy business Not-For-Profit Banking It’s not just parents passing on to children their said Orazio Carciotto, who arrived from Italy in a sense that it belongs here. 212-350-2451 food businesses and restaurants like Mario’s, which 1986. He makes world famous cheese at his Casa Franz said the mix of new and old keeps Little opened in 1919; there are other efforts to keep Della Mozzarella. He also welcomes the increased Italy going strong. “I can see it’s not the same the tradition alive. Examples include Belmont Library diversity in the neighborhood. neighborhood I grew up in, but it feels like the same and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center and the traditional “Other neighborhoods, like Morris Park and neighborhood,” Franz said, pointing not only to the M&T Bank. Understanding Ferragosto Festival, run by the BID, which is in August. Throgs Neck, have more Italian-Americans now, but stores, restaurants and bakeries but to all the Italian- Italians transformed the community early in the the history, tradition and culture live here,” Franz said. Americans from the tristate area who flock back 20th century, when the elevated train extended up However, Franz adds, “we’re not a historic relic.” each weekend to shop. “A Saturday afternoon looks what’s important. from Manhattan right as immigration was peaking. Last year, the BID introduced the New York Pizza like a Saturday from 50 years ago,” he said. Equal Housing Lender. ©2019 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. 21480 190514 VF