At a recent real estate conference hosted by Crain’s, development and infrastructure experts presented ambitious proposals on how to handle an ever-growing population in New York City which is expected to hit over 9 million by 2040.
One such proposal was put forth by Curtis & Ginsberg Architects to “create” new land by decking over the Metro North tracks running through The Bronx straight to the county line at Westchester.
Curtis & Ginsberg cite Morrisania Air Rights NYCHA development in Melrose as an example showing that it has already been done in our borough not to mention Park Avenue in Manhattan which once was an exposed mess of train tracks.
While the idea of creating more opportunities for types of housing is enticing especially in a borough where there is a housing crisis with many families teetering on homelessness and the most rent burdened borough in NYC, we have to ask ourselves what exactly will be built if this plan were to go through?
Will it be simply market-rate housing or will there be a mix of true affordable housing for all?
We know that there is an affordability crisis and this is something, if done right, can help solve a lot (not all) of our housing issues.
But the plan goes even further than simply just decking over Metro North and putting up housing. Curtis & Ginsberg envisions
Check out the full presentation which looks at the entire city:
Top architects share visions for the Bronx, Rikers Island and Staten Island by crainsnewyork on Scribd
Thoughts?
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