On December 10th community residents, concerned over yet another sweetheart deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars being dumped in the Bronx without any community input, met at the offices of Bronx Legal Services.
Killian Jordan, a local resident in the affected area along with the help of a group of other concerned residents put together the following document so that we may keep the community informed.
La Central, as the massive development project will be called, will be comprised of 5 buildings and 985 units of mixed-income including 48,000 square foot YMCA-community facility, 43,000 square feet of retail space, 5,000 square foot community space with a recording studio and curate workshops and open recording studio for projects for and by the community, Bronx Astronomy Tower and Lab including a rooftop telescope, and a rooftop farm just to name a few. The development will occupy approximately 185,000 square feet of land. The total cost of the project is currently said to be, “very approximately $345 million.”
Read an excellent write up by Alice Speri of DNAinfo on the major setback FreshDirect received.
In the article she writes,
Securing the funding would require the unanimous approval of the New York Empowerment Zone Board, which provides incentives for private investors revitalizing poor communities. FreshDirect removed its application for funding from the board’s agenda after Serrano made clear Wednesday that he would vote against it.
Back in mid-August, the Opera House Hotel opened its doors in Melrose as the Bronx’s first luxury boutique lodging of its kind. Many residents were excited about such a place opening up in the Bronx let alone the South Bronx. Others were skeptical and were in the opinion that no one would want to stay in the neighborhood.
Another victory against FreshDirect and corporate welfare been won today by the residents of the Bronx.
Both New York City Department of Buildings and HUD could not provide enough evidence as to why Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) should strip PS 31’s landmark status even in the edifice’s deteriorating condition.
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…
Almost 500 people have signed the petition to save PS 31 aka The Castle on the Concourse from losing its landmark status and being demolished.
Many have left heartfelt comments about the school and building helped shaped their lives but one comment really stands out and it is from Sharan Rosen.
World famous food show host Anthony Bourdain has his eyes on the Bronx according to an interview with the Gothamist.
In the interview he acknowledges that the Bronx is generally overlooked (other than our beloved and real Little Italy Arthur Avenue).
Crunch Fitness is opening up in Norwood on Webster Avenue and 205th Street according to its website.
This is the 2nd Bronx location for the popular and full service gym. This past summer, Crunch Fitness signed a lease for a massive 18,000 square foot space at the recently opened luxury boutique Opera House Hotel in Melrose on 149th Street.
New York City is filled with many edifices that are as much a part of the fabric which makes up this city as are the people who walk their corridors.
Just a few short blocks from where the Grand Concourse begins, that boulevard of dreams, sits PS 31.
A soccer stadium deal with a reported price tag of anywhere from $300 million to $400 million seems to have been made behind the back of the community.
Just last night, dozens of community members gathered at the offices of Bronx Legal Services to discuss the deals that were being made without any community input in relation to the proposed Major League Soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club.
Saturday’s 1st Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference was successful in starting the conversation about the issues surrounding the turbulent topic and it is one that we, as well as the Bronx Documentary Center will be keeping tabs on.
