An enormous but barren parcel of land at the southwestern tip of the Bronx is one step closer towards development by the city, testing interest in the waterfront while advancing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s overall vision for the South Bronx.

The 158,000-square-foot property, settled at the shadow of the Major Deegan Expressway and Bronx Terminal Market near 149th Street, represents one of the city’s larger available spaces in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The city, through a Request For Expressions of Interest (RFEI), is envisioning a whopping 40-story, mixed-used affordable housing complex overlooking the Harlem River. RFEI’s are a precursor to a Request for Proposal. Its aim is to pick the brains of potential vendors to determine how to best move forward with developing a piece of property.

In a statement, Maria Torres-Springer, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which owns the property, said one goal is to offer “residents of the South Bronx much-needed access to their waterfront.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a proponent of waterfront development in the South Bronx, said the space “has tremendous potential” to spur more development in the Bronx.  “[C]onsidering the location of the proposed site, it would be an invaluable asset to convert that vacant lot into a mixed-income affordable housing project that will enhance the area, add commercial and community facilities as well as new open space.”

Diaz would have a say in reviewing projects, telling the Norwood News he looks forward to “working with the city on the appropriate development of this location.”

The property, valued at an undisclosed price by the NYCEDC, is designated as an R7-2 zone. This can allow buildings to go as high as 14 stories depending on how much space it allows for on-site parking. While R7 districts usually demand on-site parking, R7-2 districts require only 50 percent of the units to have parking spots. In its RFEI report, the city stated it would rezone the lot to allow for 40 stories following a lengthy public review process that involves the recommendation of local Community Board 4 and Diaz. As it stands, the site does not fall under a so-called “Transit Zone,” which would bar developers from having to build parking given the proximity of public transportation.

Should zoning changes be implemented it would take into account the increase in traffic. As it stands the area is a nexus of travel for drivers coming in and out of the Bronx, creating backups on both sides of 149th Street.

The affordable housing model aligns with Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York initiative, which seeks to build or preserve 200,000 units of housing over the next decade. In March, zoning changes approved by the New York City Council made it easier for development in the five boroughs.

Mayor de Blasio had already eyed redeveloping the South Bronx thanks to a $200 million commitment he announced during his 2015 State of the City address. The funds would see the creation of 4,000 new units of mostly affordable housing and offer “parks, schools, and commercial development,” according to remarks he made during his annual speech.

This contributes to more than $1 billion in reinvestment for the South Bronx, an area once known as a national symbol of blight that’s now seeing pockets of gentrification. Last year, Somerset Partners L.L.C. /Chetrit Group announced it would build a $400 million residential and retail complex in neighboring Port Morris. The plan was met with controversy after the developer held a chic party that appeared to commercialize the area’s dark history while revving up efforts for major redevelopment against the wishes of residents.

The Port Morris waterfront was an area focused in a 2014 report by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., which outlined the economic benefits to building in the largely industrial waterfront known as the Special Harlem River Waterfront District.

“Over the next few years, my office will continue to aggressively push this development agenda, in partnership with our institutions, businesses, elected officials, non-profits and the 1.4 million citizens who call the Bronx their home,” wrote Diaz Jr. in the report.

But Ed Garcia Conde, an activist and popular blogger of South Bronx matters, believes that space would be better suited for a park as he was told was initially intended. The park was to have extended upwards to Mill Pond Park, which offers views of the waterfront.

He’s weary of supporting housing that won’t necessarily be affordable to the existing demographic of nearby communities.

“[W]e need more open spaces not just buildings,” said Garcia.

A spokeswoman for NYCEDC said there will be available green space that will connect with the existing park.

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.