WATCH: Newly Renovated Subway Station Celebrates Famous People With Bronx Ties Including Sonia Sotomayor, & Gil Scott-Heron

After being closed for five months for renovations, the 167th Street and Grand Concourse Station on the B and D line has finally reopened.

What was once a dark and dreary station is now bright and modern with beautiful artwork by Rico Gatson who created eight wonderful mosaic portraits of notable individuals either born in The Bronx or with roots in our borough.

All entrances to 167th Street have also been modernized.

The artist chose to memorialize United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Celia Cruz, Gil Scott-Heron, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Tito Puente, Reggie Jackson, and Audre Lorde.

All either had connections to The Bronx or were born here in our borough.

Audre Lorde described herself as, “…black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.”

I was particularly surprised and inspired by seeing two Black and Queer icons such as James Baldwin and Audre Lorde forever memorialized in a Bronx subway station in the South Bronx.

James Baldwin, one of America’s most impactful authors who was also gay.

The powerful message here does not escape me that this is in South Bronx and not The Village or Chelsea.

Other station improvements include bright new lighting throughout the entire station, new digital maps and signage throughout, new seating, and new turnstile entrances as well.

Anyway, have you seen it yet? Let us know what you think!

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.