A brand new development in the Mott Haven is now accepting applications for affordable apartments.
Located at 405 E 146th Street at Willis Avenue, Betances VI Family Apartments was constructed on NYCHA property that is part of the 1,000 plus unit Betances Houses of Mott Haven and replaced an underutilized 1 story commercial building was demolished to make way for the 15 story, 103 unit residential building.
405 E 146th Street aka Betances VI Family Apartments
Because it was constructed on NYCHA land, the development gives a preference to applicants from within NYCHA and also has several units set aside for those who qualify for Section 8 as well as offering a number of units with deep affordability.
The development is also located just a few short blocks from The Hub and the 2 and 5 subway stop at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street as well as the many bus lines that serve the immediate area.
Besides the typical amenities of shared laundry rooms and on-site security guard, Betances VI offers residents a community center, a children’s playroom, green spaces which include an outdoor terrace, and a bike storage locker room.
Available apartments range from one bedroom units as low as $617 a month to two-bedroom apartments at $728 a month for qualifying households making 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). There are also one, two, and three bedroom apartments available for households that qualify for Section 8. The rent for such units are set at 30% of the household income and will vary per household.
Betances VI Family Apartments is just a couple of blocks from The Hub
Breakdown of available units and income requirements are as follows (see website for full details and household size requirements):
30%
$617 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $24,515-$38,130
$728 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $29,383-$45,750
$672 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $27,703-$49,650
40%
$882 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $33,600-$50,840
$1,046 a month for 2 bedroom units for households making $40,286-$61,000
$1,197 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $46,560-$70,040
50%
$1,146 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $42,652-$63,550
$1,364 a month for 2 bedroom units for housholds making $51,189-$76,250
$1,564 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $59,143-$87,550
405 E 146th Street was constructed on the site of a single story commercial building that was owned by NYCHA that was mostly vacant for a number of years.
70%
$1,676 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $60,823-$88,970
$1,999 a month for 2 bedroom units for housholds making $72,960-$106,750
80%
$1,941 a month for 1 bedroom units for households making $69,909-$101,680
$2,317 a month for 2 bedroom units for housholds making $83,863-$122,000
$2,655 a month for 3 bedroom units for households making $96,549-$140,080
Please note, for each unit, there are other requirements such as number of people per household and further income requirements based on household size so refer to the Housing Connect website for further details.
How to Apply
For those interested in applying, you have until February 13, 2024 and you can do so online or you can request an application by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to: Betances VI Family Apartments c/o Lemle & Wolff, Inc. 5925 BROADWAY, BRONX, NY 10463
Remember, you can only apply ONCE and you may not apply both online and by mail. Applying more than once can and will disqualify you according to the lottery rules.
5% of units are set aside for individuals with mobility issues and 2% for those with vision and/or hearing impairments. 50% preference for residents of Community Board 1 (to see which community board you live in, click here), and 5% for New York City employees, and 25% for current NYCHA residents.
Also, please note: We are NOT connected with this or any other real estate developments and cannot assist you in obtaining an apartment so please do not contact us regarding these units.
MELROSE—The Bronx’s oldest commercial shopping district, The Hub is about to get its first luxury high-rise and it was only a matter of time before it happened given what’s been going on down by the Harlem River Waterfront.
The Jacqueline, located at 2980 3rd Avenue at E 153rd Street, the 15-story building is the first market-rate and luxury development in the neighborhood and is nearing completion after construction began over a year ago.
The Jacqueline, The Hub’s first luxury high-rise
Once complete, which should be by the end of the year or very early 2024, will feature 69 apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom units.
According to marketing materials for The Jacqueline, the development will feature dishwashers in each unit, a doorman, a secure package room, as well as a bike storage room. A private gym for residents will be available on the second floor and as for outdoor space, residents will have access to a 2,900 square foot rooftop terrace.
Currently, rents for the units haven’t been finalized but according to marketing for the development, they are in the final phase of the rents which should be publicized at some point later this year.
Whatever they will be, based on what’s going on just blocks to the south in Mott Haven and Port Morris, we can expect the rents to be well out of the reach of the average resident of the area.
The Jacqueline is being constructed on what used to be two separate commercial buildings. Several years ago, the building on the right, housing Glory Shoes and Jackie’s Kids, suffered a roof collapse following the catastrophic rains and flooding dumped by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021
For the past several years, The Hub has been particularly hard hit with the opioid crisis and has unfortunately been one of the epicenters of the crisis in New York City and has seen its fair share of overdoses. One of the unfortunate realities of this crisis is the blatant open use of such drugs out in the middle of the street as those suffering from addiction openly use syringes for all to see.
The Jacqueline will be a tough sell for the kind of market they’re clearly seeking if prospective residents have to walk several blocks witnessing all of that just to get to and from their homes.
The presence of such a large-scale luxury development in Melrose might only be the beginning given and may be an indication that smaller developers are being priced out of Mott Haven given what’s happened there already in terms of gentrification.
Only time will tell if this development will usher in a new wave of such developments in Melrose and around The Hub.
While New York City’s Affordable Housing program via lottery has provided residents with many opportunities for truly affordable housing, every now and again we encounter a listing that is anything but affordable.
1258 Shakespeare Avenue is literally nothing special and as basic as basic comes for new construction/Via Housing Connect
Many luxury buildings that have been constructed on the Harlem River Waterfront in the South Bronx neighborhood of Port Morris have a percentage of units set aside for “affordable” which are anything but, but that’s to be expected in The Bronx’s ground zero for gentrification.
We recently came across a listing for 19 “affordable” 1 bedroom units listed on New York City’s Housing Connect with monthly rents listed at $3,126 for brand new one bedroom apartment for households making 130% of the Area Median Income which ranges from $107,178 to $165,230 a year depending on the household size.
The new development offers zero amenities and is more expensive than the one bedroom units being offered at the uber-luxury Bankside in Port Morris where the top rent for an “affordable” one bedroom unit is listed at $3,075 a month which gives you access to a host of on-site amenities like washer and dryers in each unit along with a dishwasher, a gym, media room, party room, recreation room, a business center, a children’s playroom, outdoor terrace, a rooftop terrace, and a concierge just to name a few.
Meanwhile, 1258 Shakespeare Avenue only offers air conditioning in each unit and that is it. Nothing else is offered for the outrageous asking rent of $3,126 for a one bedroom where the typical rent for similar-sized units is about $1,230 a month according to the Furman Center.
And this isn’t the only one in Highbridge that has questionable asking rents on the Housing Connect portal.
92 West 169th Street, another new construction development that is located around the corner from 1258 Shakespeare Avenue has 2 two-bedroom units with asking rents of $3,773 a month which is significantly more than the $3,400 a month being asked for a luxury two-bedroom at Bankside.
92 West 169th Street is offering two bedroom apartments for $3,773 a month.
Highbridge is an area that is classified as one of the most rent-burdened neighborhoods in the city with 36.3% of households paying above 30% of their income towards rent and the poverty rate is at 28.3%.
The fact that New York City continues to give subsidies to these developers that market “affordable” units to those making 130% of the AMI in areas that desperately need truly affordable housing needs to stop.
The entire affordable housing program needs to be revamped from the ground up and elected officials need to work for the people and not developers that are making it impossible for those with limited means to survive in their neighborhoods.
For over 150 years, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has captured the imagination across the globe and has been reinterpreted countless times in popular culture.
But now, for the first time ever, The Bronx will be home to a massive horticultural exhibition inspired by Alice’s magical journey “through the looking glass” set on the 250 acres of The New York Botanical Garden.
Beginning May 18, 2024 through October 27, 2024, visitors to the world famous New York Botanical Garden will be able to enter Wonderland: Curious Nature, an exhibit based on the on the magical tale along with its sequels, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There and will be guest curated by Jennifer R. Gross, PhD who is an art historian as well as an independent curator.
According to a press release from NYBG, visitors will be able to experience a variety of journeys, “encompassing mind-bending horticultural displays and mesmerizing and immersive art installations in and around NYBG’s iconic glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building, and across the historic 250-acre grounds.”
If you ever wanted to wander through the rabbit hole and walk among larger than life installations that challenge visual perspectives, NYBG promises you’ll be able to do just that in Wonderland: Curious Nature!
The exhibition also promises to be not just a visual feast but also one for the tastebuds as you can partake in an, “imaginative meal or elegant afternoon tea at the Hudson Garden Grill, grab a quick bite at the Pine Tree Café, and discover whimsical pop-ups sprinkled throughout the visually stunning Botanical Garden landscape. Whether looking for a hearty meal, a sweet “unbirthday” treat, a savory nibble, or an inventive handcrafted cocktail, all will find something delightfully mad to spark their curiosity and whet their appetites.”
Over the past recent years, The New York Botanical Garden has produced some of the most fantastic exhibitions in New York City that blend the art world with nature including the works of Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Monet, Kusama, and Chihuly just to name a few.
And Wonderland: Curious Nature, is promising to perhaps be one of the garden’s biggest exhibitions ever given how universal the tale of Alice in Wonderland is to the world.
We’ll be sure to keep you posted as more details emerge about the exhibition.
Tickets go on sale February 1, 2024 and you can get them right here.
Photo Credit: The New City Island Bridge Facebook Page
The following is an Op-Ed by John Doyle, Kim Jones Woodruff, and David Diaz, board members of the community based non-profit group, City Island Rising.
As proud residents of City Island, we are passionate about our unique community. Like many Islanders, the tranquility that washes over us as we cross the City Island Bridge returning home is a feeling we cherish.
Our community’s history as the “Seaport of The Bronx” is deeply ingrained in our culture, evident in our yacht clubs, marinas, and boatyards, and in the countless vessels crafted here over the centuries.
So why, as New York City invests more into the NYC Ferry service, with routes seeing record ridership, is our maritime haven being excluded from this transportation network?
Change is inevitable and City Island has seen its fair share. Most residents no longer work in the boat-building industry, and a significant portion (about 9%) commute daily to Manhattan with some even traveling farther into Brooklyn. City Island commuters will tell you that their journey into Manhattan takes, at best, 90 minutes each way. Let that sink in for a moment – spending three hours, on a good day, traveling to and from work.
Devoting 12% of your day to commuting (even more if you discount sleep time) significantly impacts your quality of life. These challenges are a major obstacle in attracting and retaining young professionals to City Island, and revitalizing our nightlife and culture.
Unfortunately, those who are unsatisfied with their commutes are making the difficult decision to leave.
The NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) suggests that a ferry can trim the commute to Manhattan by about 30 minutes each way, offering us the gift of time — more moments with our families, to pursue passions, or to engage more deeply within our community.
But it’s not just about the commute. Even City Island residents who would not be using the ferry on a regular basis would benefit from the positive impact a ferry terminal could have on our community. Here’s why:
Revitalizing Our Economy:
A ferry could provide a boost to our local businesses. Ferry riders would arrive on foot and are more likely to explore City Island Avenue, breathing new life into our local shops. Currently, the majority of visitors arrive by car, park in a restaurant’s lot, dine, and then leave without visiting many of our small businesses.
Essentially, we have two different economies that coexist but are not interconnected. Our main street is still grappling with the aftermath of the ’08 recession, and many storefronts remain vacant or underutilized. In fact, the majority of City Island local stores close by 9pm.
By arriving via ferry, visitors would have the opportunity to fully experience City Island and the small-town feel that attracts so many of us. The influx of foot traffic could bring scores of new customers into our shops, revitalize local businesses, and encourage extended business hours. It would create jobs and strengthen our local economy.
Alleviating Traffic Concerns
Traffic is a well-known annoyance on City Island. While some make baseless claims that building a ferry terminal will lead to more traffic and parking problems, the experts at the EDC say otherwise.
They argue that people are incredibly unlikely to drive 20 minutes out of their way and search for parking when they can choose other terminals with closer parking or use Metro North. Moreover, this ferry could potentially reduce traffic.
It offers an exciting new way for people to visit City Island and appreciate its nautical heritage.
Which option sounds more attractive to visitors: sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic with vehicles spewing exhaust everywhere or visiting City Island via our scenic waterways on a beautiful day?
Expanding Opportunities for Youth
The ferry could open up new educational horizons for our students. Easier access to different schools and institutions can significantly benefit our youth, and in turn, lessen the burden on parents who drive their kids to school every day.
For many years, City Islanders have complained about the lack of opportunities for young people within the community. A ferry terminal would provide them with an easier way to explore neighboring communities while making it easier for others to visit here.
Enhancing Emergency Preparedness
As a Zone 1 evacuation area, having an alternative means of evacuation via a ferry could be a crucial safety net in emergencies. Our emergency exits within Pelham Bay Park (along with some City Island streets) currently flood under routine rainfall.
A ferry would provide another way for Islanders to escape in the case of an emergency, particularly if something happens in or around the single escape point, the City Island Bridge.
We shouldn’t wait for tragedy to strike before developing alternative evacuation routes.
While the island’s diversity of opinion is a strength, it’s essential to base our decisions on facts, figures and accurate information. The concerns some have about street parking due to a ferry have been addressed by the EDC, indicating minimal impact.
Additionally, while there’s interest in a ferry at Orchard Beach, logistics suggest it might not offer the same benefits as a City Island service.
A City Island Ferry isn’t just a nod to our past but a bridge to our future. By integrating modern transport solutions with our maritime heritage, we can ensure that City Island remains a thriving, connected community for generations to come. Let’s unite in support of this vision.
After all, to flourish, communities must adapt and evolve.
We encourage you to sign our petition to expand Ferry service to City Island here and to speak to the Bronx Borough President’s Office and your New York City Council Member.
Disclaimer:Comments, views, and opinions are that solely of the author and should never be misconstrued as that of Welcome2TheBronx or any other authors of this site. Welcome2TheBronx only edits articles submitted by readers for grammar and spelling leaving fact checking up to the author.Welcome2TheBronx encourages reader submissions for consideration for publication on our site. It is our mission to be able to provide a platform where Bronx residents can have their voices broadcast to a wider audience.To submit an article, email us at submissions@welcome2thebronx.com
PORT MORRIS—A new waterfront park is now open to the public along the Harlem River in the South Bronx.
Located at the foot of the Third Avenue Bridge leading into Manhattan, the new waterfront park is part of the Bankside luxury development that is gentrifying the neighborhood but thanks to provisions within the Special Harlem River Waterfront Rezoning, any development within the rezoned area must provide a Shore Public Walkway.
A new waterfront promenade is now open to the public in the South Bronx
Eventually, this area will link to the greater network along the Harlem River Greenway that is currently under planning stages and will stretch for 7 miles from Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale, down to Randall’s Island.
The new park offers plenty of seating and lounge deck chairs to sit back and enjoy the outdoors, sun, and the views of the Harlem River. According to a sign within the park, it’s open as late as 1AM.
The new waterfront park offers plenty of seating areas
While the new waterfront promenade must be made accessible to the public, there is currently no signage indicating its location provided by neither the developers nor the city making it almost feel like local Bronx residents who have lived there their entire lives aren’t wanted.
But Welcome2TheBronx being Welcome2TheBronx is here to rectify this and ensure that our residents get to enjoy this public resource that many residents across the city get to enjoy along their waterfronts.
For far too long, The Bronx has been cut off from our waterfronts so it’s important that residents are aware of such locations once they are opened.
While the overwhelming majority of local residents cannot afford to live at Bankside where rents are typically over $5,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, at the very least we can enjoy the waterfront park.
A few local residents have found the park but many don’t know it even exists
Currently, the only way to access the park is either by going through Third at Bankside at 2385 Third Avenue or on the other side of the bridge at Lincoln at Bankside. At the moment, you can’t travel between both sections of the park as the connection underneath the Third Avenue Bridge has yet to be constructed.
Every now and again there’s a property in The Bronx that catches the eye with its asking price and almost always, that home is in Fieldston.
And once again that’s exactly where the most expensive home on the market in The Bronx is located.
5020 Grosvenor Avenue in Fieldston is a massive 10,000 square foot home on almost an acre of land and even comes with a swimming pool/Via Corcoran
Located at 5020 Grosvenor Avenue, the 10,000 square foot Fieldston mansion, which was constructed in 2012, was listed 10 days ago for a whopping $7 million and features 7 bedrooms with 7 and a half baths, two fire places, a swimming pool all set on almost three-quarters of an acre of land, something that is unheard of in New York City except a handful of neighborhoods like Fieldston.
The mansion is also located at the 16 acre Villanova Heights, a fifteen home development that welcomed the first two mansions in 2009.
The home comes with two fire places/Via Corcoran
While it is currently the most expensive home on the market in The Bronx at $7 million, it is not, by far, the most expensive ever in the borough.
That honor goes to nearby 360 West 253rd, a massive 15,000 square foot home on 2.3 acres that was built for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yes, you read that correctly. That property was listed for $15 million back in 2009 and by 2015 it was dropped to $10 million and finally sold in 2017 for just $6.25 million—a mere fraction of the original asking price.
The seven bedroom home also features seven bathrooms and a half-bath/Via Corcoran
At any rate, while 5020 Grosvenor may not have an interesting origin story like the Jesus mansion, it sure is a beautiful home that will make the family that can afford it happy.
Take a look at the listing and all the photos of your dream home here.
MELROSE—Ten years ago, the world famous—and anonymous—street artist from England named Banksy, left his mark in The Bronx during a month-long outdoor show in which he would tag at least one wall a day across New York City.
Now, the building on Elton Avenue and 153rd Street which is home to the mural that has been under a locked gate for 10 years, is coming down along as the owner is demolishing the buildings that occupy the lot.
The Banksy mural as seen several weeks ago when the gate was opened by a building representative.
History of the mural
On the morning of October 21, 2013, Melrose residents starting their morning commute through The Hub stumbled upon one of his most controversial pieces during his ‘Better Out Than In’ New York City “residency”—the child spray painting the words “Ghetto 4 life” while a butler holds a tray with spray paint.
Once avid Banksy fans found out the location, thousands descended upon a neighborhood they would otherwise never even think of coming to unless for a game or event at Yankee Stadium at the complete opposite end of the area.
Many residents complained, myself included, how not only the phrase, ‘Ghetto 4 life’ that Banksy chose for his Bronx piece being rather offensive and further negatively stereotyping the borough but also the fact that the South Bronx was and still is full of works by local, home grown graffiti artists, many of whom have also received world-wide renown yet none of these people would make their way to see those works.
By that first evening, the owner had hired security to guard the mural from vandalism as many graffiti artists around the city were destroying the works Banksy left behind. The guards even hid the mural behind make-shift curtains made from bed sheets.
Two days later, a gate was installed along with plexiglass over the section to protect it from any vandalism and damage. While the building owner said at the time his motivation to protect the wall wasn’t financial, let’s be real here—Banksy walls have been known to sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars and one with such infamy like this Bronx wall probably would fetch a pretty penny.
Sale of the mural
Fast forward to the present day, while walking past the building, I noticed the gate had been opened and the mural was unveiled for the first time in almost 10 years. A gentleman saw my stop and take pictures and he immediately asked me if I was from the gallery.
He then explained that the building was going to be demolished to make way for a charter school and that the mural was going to be sold to a gallery but wouldn’t specify which gallery it was.
The representative for the building owner was there to figure out with the gallerist how to remove the wall.
The set of four buildings on Elton Avenue and 153rd where the Banksy mural is will soon be demolished to make way for a charter school.
At one point about a year after Banksy put up the mural, the owner was in the process to convert the building into market-rate apartments but that clearly never materialized and other than the stores on the ground floor, the buildings remained empty for over 40 years.
Patricia Wheeler Bozza, who grew up in Melrose and lived in one of the buildings at 649 Elton Avenue (651 Elton is the one where the Banksy ‘Ghetto 4 Life’ is located), told us she lived there from when she was born in 1947 until 1967.
“It was a railroad flat above stores and the rent started out at $27.30 a month and once we had radiators and risers, the rent rose to $43.80,” said Wheeler Bozza. “The bathtub was in the kitchen!” she added.
Since that conversation several weeks ago with the building representative, the remaining businesses on the ground floor have been shuttered and scaffolding has been erected to get ready for the demolition process.
While we have reached out to the owners, we have yet to receive a response as to what the future of the mural is and where it will end up.
It’s a shame that the mural just remained locked up for all these years no matter how one felt about it.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS—Fordham Landing, the mega development along the Harlem River in The Bronx, that was first proposed four years ago in 2019 by developer Dynamic Star, is nearing ground-breaking for construction of phase 1 of the development.
Rendering of Fordham Landing phase one with the taller community facility to the left/Via Dynamic Star
The development site, which is located along the Harlem River, is located directly south of the University Heights Bridge and Fordham Road and is bound to the east and west by the Major Deegan Expressway and the Harlem River and Roberto Clemente directly to the south.
The first phase is slated to have a 290,000 square foot community facility as well as 505 units of affordable and market-rate residential housing. As part of this phase, a new, 3,000 square foot entrance to the University Heights Metro North Station will be constructed and located within the community facility building.
The waterfront will also be developed to provide public accesss and once all phases of the development are completed, it will include a waterfront promenade that will connect with the Bronx Harlem River Greenway connecting Van Cortlandt Park to Randall’s Island along a 7-mile waterfront route.
Fordham Landing phase one site just below the University Heights Bridge/Via Google Streets
Originally, when the development was first announced four years ago, Fordham Landing was proposed to be a massive 5 million square foot, 2,800 residential unit development along with a life science center and even a hotel and a conference center spread across the entire development site, which actually begins just south of the Shops at Marble Hill and south to the University Heights Bridge, and had an estimated price tag of $3.5 billion dollars and would have made it the largest development in New York City since Hudson Yards.
However, since then, the proposal appears to have been changed a bit and the developer will first focus on phase one since that lot will not require rezoning.
In a statement to Welcome2TheBronx by Dynamic Star, the site north of the bridge will require rezoning and the company stated that, “…this property requires zoning changes and the program will be determined in close collaboration with the New York City Department of City Planning, the local community, and local elected officials.”
Meanwhile, there are concerns of how such a development can speed up gentrification in the area which already has one of the highest rates of rent burdened residents paying over 30% of their income towards rent.
Welcome2TheBronx hasn’t received word yet on exactly how affordable the units that will be set aside in phase one will be.
Construction is slated to begin by the end of the year and anticipated completion date some time in 2025.
Lidl, the wildly popular discount European supermarket, is finally opening up a store in The Bronx.
While shopping at the Bronx Terminal Market yesterday, we saw the announcement at the former Michael’s arts and crafts location in the mall which closed for good during the pandemic.
Ever since Lidl opened its first store in the United States in 2017 in Virginia, many New Yorkers familiar with the supermarket and big savings they offer back in Europe have been hoping for one to open nearby. And while the first New York City location opened on Staten Island in 2018, it was not accessible to most New Yorkers.
Lidl is coming to the Bronx Terminal Market
Eventually, location opened in Astoria and Harlem but still none in The Bronx.
Now, our borough will finally get another and much needed quality, discount supermarket especially given the inflation of the past several years.
Lidl is much like Aldi which also offers deep discounts on groceries and both operate on similar principles of carrying mostly store brands versus national brands (although Lidl tends to offer more national brands as well) which keeps prices down when compared to regular supermarkets.
Lidl operates with a no-frills approach. The store layout is typically simple, with products often displayed in their shipping cartons to reduce labor costs. With a focus on efficiency, the brand ensures speedy checkout processes and relies on a small but high-turnover range of products.
They also offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and a range of produce at affordable prices making them an attractive destination for such items.
One of the things that sets Lidl apart from Aldi, is that most stores have a bakery, usually located at the entrance, filled with freshly baked goods and honestly, the aroma is a bit too enticing easily bringing in customers just by good smells alone.
Both stores also were founded in Germany and quickly spread across Europe but where Lidl began operating in the US in 2017, Aldi has been in the US since 1976.
Such stores like Lidl are a welcomed relief for consumers thanks to the deep savings they offer. I’ve been a loyal shopper at Aldi in the Melrose neighborhood of the South Bronx and oftentimes my groceries cost almost 50% less when compared to other supermarkets. I’ve also shopped at Lidl in Harlem and simply love their wide variety of items as well.
Now, having Lidl AND Aldi in the South Bronx is the perfect compliment for discounted grocery shopping.
Currently there is no exact set date for their grand opening but we’ll make sure to let you know once we find out!
Hip hop, a vibrant cultural and artistic movement that began in the streets of New York City in The Bronx in the 1970s, has become one of the most influential and globally recognized genres of music today. Its roots are multifaceted, drawing from African, Caribbean, and Latino influences, and it has since grown to encompass various sub-genres, styles, and cultural phenomena.
It’s almost hard to believe that what started in The Bronx 50 years ago today, August 11, 1973, would eventually span into a global movement that has generated hundreds of billions of dollars (if not more) during the half a century it has existed.
Bronx Beginnings
In the early 1970s, a remarkable cultural movement was taking shape in the South Bronx, a neighborhood known for its diversity and the rich heritage of its residents, many of whom hailed from Caribbean and African roots. It was a time of great economic decline and urban decay, a period when the city itself seemed to be crumbling under the weight of neglect and social struggle. Yet, amidst this challenging environment, something incredible was happening: the birth of hip hop.
Hip hop, as we know it today, is a global phenomenon that has influenced countless artists, musicians, and creatives around the world. But its humble beginnings can be traced back to the streets of the South Bronx. It was here that the pioneers of the genre, such as Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash, first experimented with a new form of music and expression that would go on to reshape popular culture.
Kool Herc, widely regarded as the “Father of Hip Hop,” began hosting block parties in the Bronx, where he would showcase his unique DJing style. He would isolate and extend the breakbeats of funk records, creating a rhythmic foundation that captivated audiences. This new approach to DJing, now known as “breakbeat DJing,” became a defining element of hip hop.
But hip hop was not just about the music. It was a multidisciplinary movement that encompassed various art forms and self-expression.
The Four Pillars
Hip hop culture is traditionally recognized as having four main elements:
Rap (MCing) – vocalists, or MCs (Master of Ceremonies), began by introducing DJs and hyping up the crowd. Over time, this evolved into the rhythmic spoken delivery we associate with rap today.
DJing – manipulating and mixing records to produce new sounds and beats, creating the musical backdrop for rappers.
Breakdancing – a style of dance that emerged in tandem with hip hop music, characterized by acrobatic and rhythmic movements.
Graffiti – visual art, often in the form of spray-painted murals or tags on urban surfaces, that served as a medium for self-expression and commentary.
While many are familiar with Rap and DJing, Breakdancing and Graffiti had meanings beyond what most would think.
Breakdancing emerged from the creative energy of the South Bronx. It became a physical form of storytelling, combining acrobatics, athleticism, and rhythm. Breakdancers would gather in parks and on street corners, showcasing their skills and engaging in friendly battles that pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
Growing up in the South Bronx in the 70s and 80s, you couldn’t go a block without seeing someone with a boombox and someone or a crew Breaking on the streets.
Graffiti art, which was much derided and considered vandalism, was much more than that. It’s only been considered art in more recent decades. This pillar also played a crucial role in the early days of hip hop. Amidst the crumbling infrastructure of their neighborhoods, young artists saw an opportunity to transform their environment through vibrant artwork. Graffiti became a medium of expression and a way to claim a sense of ownership over the neglected spaces. These bold and colorful murals, often adorned with intricate lettering and symbolic imagery, became a visual representation of the determination and resilience that defined the South Bronx and its hip hop culture.
The Puerto Rican and Latino Influence
Oftentimes and almost always overlooked in the discussion of the birth of Hip Hop is the impact that the Latino community, particularly the Puerto Rican community had on the development of the genre.
The fact of that by the 1970s, the South Bronx was the largest Puerto Rican community outside of Puerto Rico. The mixing of cultures in the South Bronx and genres of music is what gave life to hip hop, and it is well chronicled in the documentary, From Mambo to Hip Hop which was produced by Elena Martinez (who is currently the Co-Artistic Director of the Bronx Music Heritage Center), and Steve Zeitlen.
Carlos Mendes who is Puerto Rican, is best known as DJ Charlie Chase was the DJ for the Cold Crush Crew, pioneers of hip hop and the first rap group to be signed by CBS Records.
You have major graffiti artists and crews like Crash that has been active since the nascent days of hip hop and Tats Cru, who’s founding, original members like Nicer, Bio, and BG183 who were active during that time (and continue to this day).
Then of course in later years you have icons like Fat Joe and Big Pun who have helped further shape the genre.
And of course, where would we be as viewers of the past if it weren’t for Joe Conzo Jr, a Puerto Rican photographer from the South Bronx who was there to document hip hop when it was still in its infancy? Joe Conzo Jr, the one called, “The man who took Hip-Hop’s baby pictures” in a New York Times article?
Over 10,000 of his images and prints now reside at The Cornell Hip Hop Collection as part of the university’s archive preserving over a quarter of a million items that document the genre.
Mainstream Success and Evolution
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the success of tracks like “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang signaled hip hop’s crossover into mainstream music. The 1980s also saw the emergence of socially conscious rap with artists like Public Enemy and N.W.A addressing societal issues and injustices in their lyrics.
By the 1990s, hip hop had further diversified with the emergence of gangsta rap, East Coast vs. West Coast rivalries, and a global expansion. Artists like Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Dr. Dre became household names.
In the 2000s, hip hop continued to evolve with the rise of Southern hip hop, the blend of R&B and hip hop, and the commercial success of artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Eminem.
Global Expansion
From its birthplace in the Bronx, hip hop has become a global phenomenon. Countries from Japan to South Africa, from France to Australia, have embraced and localized the genre. Today, non-English hip hop, such as K-hip hop in South Korea or Spanish rap in Latin America, has made significant inroads into the global music industry.
The Legacy and Future
Hip hop has not just been a genre of music; it’s a reflection of societal issues, aspirations, struggles, and victories. Its influence can be seen in fashion, language, and even academia, with courses on hip hop history and culture offered at many universities.
Today, as technology democratizes music production and distribution, the barriers to entry are lower than ever with Hip Hop music creators and performers needing only access to apps like Instagram and TikTok to get their name out there. The genre continues to evolve with the rise of drill, trap, and countless other sub-genres, ensuring that hip hop remains at the forefront of cultural conversations for years to come.
Hip hop’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and transformation. From the streets of the Bronx to global arenas, its journey is a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring human spirit. It is, without a doubt, the story of The Bronx.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has made a groundbreaking announcement today, that Edward Caban has been appointed as the 46th commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD). This historic appointment marks a significant milestone as Caban becomes the first Latino to hold such a prominent position within the nation’s largest police force, which has been in existence for 177 years.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban in an undated photo via NYPD Comm Affairs Instagram Account
Caban, who previously served as deputy commissioner under Keechant Sewell, the first woman to hold the position and who recently retired after only 18 months on the job, began his career at the NYPD in 1991 at 40th precinct in The Bronx and was the location of today’s announcement by the mayor.
The symbolism of not only selecting an officer from the 40th precinct who worked there when the precinct had one of the highest murder rates in New York City during the tumultuous crimewaves of the 90s as well as a precinct that has been embroiled in controversies due to also being the epicenter of stop and frisk which targeted Black and Latino men does not escape us.
This is not including the recent settlement by the city to pay millions of dollars to protestors that were wrongfully detained and arrested in 2020 during the George Floyd protests that spread across the country. During that incident in the midst of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a city under curfew, officers from the 40th precinct “kettled” in over 300 protestors blocking them from being able to leave the area in time to meet the curfew.
NYPD officers began wrongfully detaining protestors during the George Floyd protests in the South Bronx back in June 2020
Chaos ensued which resulted in multiple injuries to protestors as a result of their abuse of power.
Caban’s father, a retired NYPD Transit police detective, was by his side during today’s announcement who Caban described as his mentor.
Not only is Caban the first Latino NYPD Commissioner but he’s also the first Puerto Rican from The Bronx to claim this title.
While the NYPD has a contentious history particularly with Blacks and Latinos in The Bronx, this is still a significant moment in the department’s history.
According The New York Times, the Legal Aid Society, which is the largest provider of legal aid for those in need, plans to work with the new commissioner to help him earn the public’s trust in the NYPD.
