Melrose is the Epicenter Of The Revitalization Of The South Bronx; But We Already Knew That

Melrose and The Hub, the heart of the neighborhood's commercial district.
Melrose and The Hub, the heart of the neighborhood’s commercial district.

amNewYork published an article yesterday talking about Melrose as the epicenter of the South Bronx’s revitalization: Something we know very well since we are based in the neighborhood and Welcome2TheBronx started out as Welcome2Melrose, documenting the area for over 6 years now.

The article says:

Melrose, a collection of small blocks with big character, lies sandwiched between the busiest thoroughfares of the South Bronx.

A steady surge in real estate development, population growth and civic investment in local infrastructure is giving the South Bronx a face-lift, and neighborhoods like Melrose are poised for a continued revitalization as interest in the area continues to grow.

“Melrose is kind of the epicenter,” said Michael Brady, director of special projects at SoBRO, an organization founded in 1972 to reverse the flight of jobs from the South Bronx at the time.

“It is the epicenter of both transportation and also retail in the South Bronx,” Brady continued, referring to the bustling business district on Third Avenue known as “the Hub.”

Situated at the southeast corner of Melrose, where Third Avenue, East 149th Street and Melrose Avenue converge, the Hub is lined with a variety of retail stores, eateries and entertainment options.

It attracts more than 200,000 people every day and is the second busiest place in New York, after Times Square, according to the city. The buzz around the Hub has also caught the attention of real estate developers and business owners in other boroughs.

via City Living: Melrose – am New York.

Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.