Waterfront District Planned in South Bronx

Winnie Hu reports on the early plans to transform a stretch of the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx into a “waterfront showcase” between 138th and 149th Streets. Plans so far include an esplanade, a park, restaurants, stores, theaters, and residential towers.

“Research provided by borough officials showed that the development could drastically remake a half-mile of shoreline that is mostly dotted with low-slung buildings and vacant lots. It could add over 1.1 million square feet of housing, 865,000 square feet of commercial space, and 269,000 square feet of community space.”

Some of the area’s residents, according to Hu, welcome the idea of the waterfront showcase. “Many residents and workers in the South Bronx said they saw the waterfront development as another step forward for a borough struggling with high rates of poverty, unemployment, crime, obesity and diabetes. They said that it would transform an overlooked neighborhood by creating more housing, parkland and recreational amenities.” But there are also concerns about how the redevelopment would impact local businesses, which mostly consist of industrial uses.