By DAVID CRUZ

Behind the holiday lights strung throughout four commercial strips, a blueprint for bolstering economic fervor along a major thoroughfare, and a revamped Norwood News, the Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) has overseen it all. And that’s just in 2014.

“We really made some significant inroads this year, and accomplished a lot of relationship and community building,” said Roberto S. Garcia, the executive director of MPC.

It’s been 33 years of that type of community building for MPC, showing no signs of stopping. Its mission is etched in its name–Mosholu (the neighborhood commonly known as Norwood), Preservation (safeguarding the community’s integrity) Corporation (a not-for-profit entity). Their mission has largely served as a vanguard for Norwood, sustaining it to benefit neighbors and Montefiore Medical Center, deemed central to the economic and community vitality of the community.

Indeed, it was Montefiore that helped create MPC to keep Norwood from experiencing the downturn that consumed the South Bronx during the 1970s. In its genesis, MPC was given $500,000 to purchase several rundown properties to prevent a slump. With three decades behind it, MPC’s mission continues, providing a stable shot in the arm to communities.

Much of that has been accomplished by broadening MPC’s mission, introducing itself to neighborhoods that hug Norwood. With $130,000 worth of grants secured, MPC advanced economic activity along East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood for the upcoming fiscal year, East 233rd Street near White Plains Road in Wakefield, a stretch of Kingsbridge Road that runs east to west, and a stretch of Webster Avenue, ripe with economic growth. MPC garnered support from local New York City Council members Andy King, Andrew Cohen and Fernando Cabrera, who allocated public funds to MPC.

Beautification projects were also a major priority, a reason why holiday lights are adorned throughout the respective corridors, a mix of mom and pop businesses, and regional stores. MPC capped its year with a Meet Santa event on Dec. 18 at East 233rd Street and White Plains Road, where 300 toys were given to local families.

“Having holiday lights is an indication that all of these merchant associations and the work that we do is working out and that these areas are vibrant, that we succeeded,” said Garcia.

The New York City Small Business Services sees it that way too, awarding MPC an ‘A’ for neighborhood development this year.

Garcia, juggling his duties as the executive director of MPC with that of senior director for community relations at Montefiore, emphasized MPC’s wider mission. It works in tandem with Montefiore, viewing MPC as a model of neighborhood preservation. Among them is 233rd and White Plains Road, where Montefiore purchased Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, that was bankrupt and closed.

“[Montefiore] has made an investment in the community,” said Garcia of East 233rd Street. “But then MPC has also made an investment in working with a community board, the local elected officials. When I say community, I mean everyone.”

MPC’s Board of Directors includes Doris Quinones, the community relations director for Bronx House, who praised the work of the nonprofit. “Many more small businesses and residents will benefit from upcoming projects in MPC’s economic blueprint and its increasing role in helping the retailers near Montefiore Wakefield Campus reach their full potential too,” said Quinones.

Though it’s expanded greatly, MPC’s main focus does remain Norwood. Over the summer, MPC released a report detailing the economic potential for 17 blocks on Webster Avenue between 195^th Street and East Gun Hill Road. The thoroughfare, home to residential properties and mechanic shops, was rezoned in 2009 to make way for more stores and properties. The report, analyzing the community’s needs and wants, was inspired by the Webster Avenue Vision Plan drafted by the city Economic Development Corporation.

“The goal was to identify businesses that would be complementary to Webster Avenue, the vision of Community Board 7, elected officials and residents,” said Marcia M. Cameron, MPC’s deputy director.

Cameron, doubling as the executive director of the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District, pushed for surveillance cameras throughout the BID, adding an extra layer of protection for shoppers and residents.

Contributing to the MPC’s hallmarks of economic development has been disseminating information through the Norwood News, a newspaper that reached its 25-year milestone. In December 2014, David Cruz completed his first year as editor-in-chief of the nonprofit newspaper, having revamped the design of the newspaper that has reported on critical stories and more over the years. Garcia recognized this year’s redesign of the newspaper as a signature accomplishment.

“The newspaper plays a crucial role in how things get addressed in the community, bringing things to light, asking the proper questions,” said Garcia, extending credit to Cruz over highlighting stories that included removal of benches on Mosholu Parkway, updates on the Kingsbridge Armory lawsuits and business trends on Jerome Avenue.

“It’s the voice of the community,” added Cameron.

“Exactly,” said Garcia. “It’s a major point of MPC, because it allows us to showcase the community development, the economic development, the quality of life issues, and all those things that MPC’s mandated to do.”