Sustainable Communities - Metro North - DCP

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NYC Rezoning Commitments Tracker

Bronx

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Queens

Staten Island

Citywide

NYC Rezoning Commitments Tracker


Overview East New York Bronx Metro-North Climate Resilience

Looking east down the 161st corridor in the community surrounding the Melrose Metro-North Station

The NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) is pleased to share Sustainable Communities in the Bronx: Leveraging Regional Rail for Access Growth and Opportunity, which presents a vision for a more sustainable and equitable Bronx. This report is the culmination of a two-year community engagement process examining the potential for transit- oriented development (TOD) around existing and proposed Metro-North stations in the Bronx. Together with Bronx communities, DCP identified the potential for growth around underutilized transit resources and built relationships with local organizations and leaders ready to help realize a new vision for the borough.

The Bronx is currently growing at a rate unseen since the 1940s and is projected to grow by 14% by 2040, the fastest projected growth rate of any borough. This study makes recommendations that will foster sustainable growth in the borough by expanding transit-oriented development opportunities to create housing affordable at a range of incomes, improve job access for residents, and grow the overall economy of the Bronx, strengthening its position within the city and region. Eight study areas surrounding existing and planned Metro-North rail stations were selected for evaluation to determine strategic land use, transportation, and pedestrian realm actions to accomplish these objectives.

To achieve its goals, DCP undertook an extensive community outreach process focused on education, visioning, and implementation. Because the project study area was geographically dispersed over a large portion of the Bronx, DCP developed an array of educational tools such as graphics depicting the elements of successful neighborhood streets and the potential relationships between land use and TOD. These general tools as well as more targeted site-specific information were used to engage stakeholders within communities for each of the station study areas. They provided a common language to help facilitate discussion of objectives and development of strategies. As part of this process, DCP held more than 40 community/stakeholder meetings in a variety of formats. DCP’s extensive site-specific analyses combined with input gathered through partners and general outreach provided the groundwork for recommendations around each station area.

Joint community meeting held with Metro-North and Bronx Borough President’s Office in Morris Park

The six existing and two proposed Bronx Metro-North station areas include:

Melrose

University Heights

Morris Heights

Tremont

Williams Bridge

Fordham

Morris Park (proposed)

Parkchester/Van Nest (proposed)

Map is availabe for download.

These station areas were selected based on an evaluation of four key factors: (1) potential to accommodate future growth, (2) lack of station visibility, (3) overall accessibility, and (4) opportunity to improve connections between modes of transit.

The report is divided in two sections: (1) Strategies for TOD around commuter rail in the Bronx, and (2) Station Area Studies. The findings are summarized in the following section.

Report

Full Report (27.8 mb)

By Chapters:

Executive Summary (0.7 mb)

Section I: Introduction and Strategies for Transit Oriented Development Along Commuter Rail

Introduction (5.2 mb)

Land Use and Zoning (7.2 mb)

Walkability (9.7 mb)

Intermodal Connectivity and Commuter Rail Stations (6.7 mb)

Rail Adjacent Lots (7.7 mb)

Section II: Station Areas

Existing Station Areas:

University Heights (4.95 mb)

Melrose (3.66 mb)

Morris Heights (3.33 mb)

Tremont (1.77 mb)

Williams Bridge (1.49 mb)

Fordham (2.32 mb)

Proposed Station Areas

Parkchester/Van Nest (1.76mb)

Morris Park (1.98 mb)

Project at a Glance

Strategies For Transit Oriented Development Around Metro-North Corridors

DCP identified a number of common challenges to successfully integrate Metro-North stations into the complex and distinct fabric of Bronx neighborhoods. In order to address these challenges, DCP developed a set of general strategies applicable to all study areas within the Bronx Metro-North corridor. These strategies, while developed through studying the eight Metro-North station areas, have potential applicability to commuter rail stations locally, regionally, and beyond. The strategies are described in four categories as indicated below:

(1) LAND USE AND ZONING
A framework for addressing outdated zoning, fostering appropriate mixes and densities of uses, and bolstering regional centers that will allow Bronx neighborhoods to better capitalize on transit assets.

(2) WALKABILITY
Best practices to improve safety, street life, and walkability of neighborhood streets that connect Bronx residents with jobs, retail and services, and mass-transit options.

Educational graphic depicting the elements of a successful streetscape - View some attributes of walkable streets

(3) INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY & COMMUTER RAIL STATIONS
Improvements to create seamless connections between Metro-North and other modes of transit will provide greater accessibility for Bronx residents and local and regional workers, and improve overall ridership.

(4) RAIL-ADJACENT LOTS
IImprovements to create seamless connections between Metro-North and other modes of transit will provide greater accessibility for Bronx residents and local and regional workers, and improve overall ridership.

Proposed improvements to Rail Adjacent lots along E Tremont Avenue around the proposed Parkchester/Van Nest Station

Station Recommendations

The study includes individual area studies for each station. It focuses on challenges and opportunities to strengthen these areas through targeted regulatory changes and physical improvements, and it offers for each area a set of recommendations developed in concert with stakeholders.

Existing Stations

University Heights: “Balancing Access Needs and Development Potential”

Potential development scenario along the University Heights Waterfront

The University Heights station sits on the Fordham Road Corridor between an undeveloped portion of the Harlem River Waterfront and the Major Deegan Expressway. The area has the potential for significant housing and retail growth that would open up the waterfront to the community; however, its potential is significantly limited by barriers to access.

Recommendations

Implement phased access, safety, and pedestrian improvements to the intersection of Fordham Road and the Major Deegan Expressway and surrounding sites

Develop a comprehensive approach to redevelopment of the waterfront area with zoning that permits a balance of land uses tied to infrastructure improvements

Strengthen pedestrian amenities along the Fordham Road corridor

Melrose: “Tying It All Together”

The Melrose station area played a key role in the dynamic history of the South Bronx and has been the focus of significant and successful public investment where more than 3,500 new units of affordable housing have been created in the last fifteen years with significant additional units planned. Despite the area’s assets and recent revitalization, the community lacks a cohesive urban fabric.

Recommendations

Create a consistent pedestrian environment along the 161st Street corridor

Create a gateway to the Metro-North station area on 161st Street through phased capital improvements to existing neighborhood amenities

Adopt a long-term land use strategy that knits together recent investments by providing additional retail opportunity and encouraging additional housing options in special mixed use districts

Proposed improvements around the Melrose Metro-North station area

Morris Heights: “Connecting the Island”

The Morris Heights Metro-North station and its surrounding features, which include Roberto Clemente State Park, are isolated from the community largely by topographical changes and a major highway. There is an opportunity to increase usage of the park and station, as well as increase access to the Harlem River Waterfront and River Park Towers housing development.

Recommendations

Enhance to pedestrian pathways to reconnect amenities to the surrounding community, increase safety, and promote usage of the park and station

Promote Cedar Avenue as a mixed-used commercial corridor through land use actions

Create a safe and attractive gateway to the station, park, and waterfront along West Tremont Avenue through coordinated design of pedestrian crossings and pathways, step-street improvements, signage, and lighting

Tremont: “Emerging Commercial Corridor”

The Tremont Metro-North station is located along the re-emerging East Tremont Avenue commercial corridor. The area was recently rezoned to promote housing and retail growth; however, gaps in street trees, lighting, and inconsistent pedestrian paths result in a disjointed corridor.

Recommendations

Implement comprehensive streetscape improvements to East Tremont Avenue in coordination with emergent Business Improvement District to capitalize on the recent 3rd Avenue/East Tremont Rezoning and support additional mixed-income housing along the corridor

Streamline connections to mass transit and strengthen access to local employment centers and community and retail amenities

Block front along E Tremont Avenue indicating streetscape improvements and development potential

Williams Bridge: “Completing Connections”

The Williams Bridge Metro-North station sits along a busy corridor, has convenient intermodal connections, and is near a major medical facility that is one of the Bronx’s largest employers. A recent rezoning provides opportunity for additional growth and ridership. However, poor visibility and connectivity present challenges to achieving a strong mixed-use retail corridor.

Recommendations

Complete pedestrian connections from station area to Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue retail corridors, area employers, and recreational amenities

Support the goals of the recent rezoning for Webster Avenue as a neighborhood main street

Fordham: “Taking the Next Steps”

The Fordham station area is home to a number of regional attractions and institutions including Fordham University, the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Little Italy, and one of the busiest retail corridors in the city, Fordham Road. With high ridership today, it has potential to become a stronger regional hub of activity.

Recommendations

Strengthen pedestrian connections between area attractions, surrounding neighborhoods, and transit assets

Improve coordination between area attractions, institutions, and retail corridors

Adopt land use policy that supports additional growth around transit and retail corridors and facilitates uses typical of commercial business district such as office, regional retail, and hotels.

Proposed Stations

MTA Metro-North Railroad has developed an overall concept to provide additional regional rail service by linking its east-of-Hudson service directly to Penn Station. It includes two proposed stations on the West Side of Manhattan, and four new stations in the East Bronx. This study examines two of the proposed Bronx station areas with the greatest potential for long-term transit-oriented growth.

Parkchester/Van Nest: “Overcoming Dividers”

The proposed Parkchester/Van Nest station is located along East Tremont Avenue between the Parkchester planned community and Van Nest neighborhood. The proposed station will help establish a new center for these neighborhoods, but currently it is characterized by inactive uses, difficult crossings, and a general lack of pedestrian amenities.

Recommendations

Re-examine zoning along both sides of East Tremont Avenue to encourage the development of a mixed-use retail corridor and pedestrian activity, and to re-orient the community towards the corridor and proposed station area

Implement comprehensive streetscape improvements to both sides of East Tremont Avenue which include activating rail adjacent lots and revisiting the street alignment to allow for wider sidewalks and pedestrian safety

Morris Park: ”Regional Professional Employment Center”

As the home to a number of large professional institutions and planned developments, Morris Park is a regional center for employment and education. The proposed station currently lacks pedestrian infrastructure and commercial uses to support the institutions’ needs. The new station would help bolster the area’s status as a regional employment center and be an asset to the community.

Recommendations

Re-examine zoning to permit retail and a range of housing options on both sides of the rail line

Identify long-term improvements to pedestrian and vehicular access to enhance circulation

Explore opportunities to brand the area through increased partnerships between institutions

Potential improvements around the proposed Morris Park Metro-North Station

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Implementation

Interactive workshop around the Melrose Metro-North Station

Throughout this study DCP built strong partnerships with stakeholders who are rooted in these communities. These partnerships have expanded opportunities for implementation of recommendations identified in this report, and in some cases, existing efforts have already jump-started action. To realize the full potential of recommended improvements, implementation will require:

Land use actions and zoning changes with a focus on an appropriate mix of uses and a wide range of affordable housing options

Prioritization of capital projects to promote safer, more walkable streets and smooth transfer between various modes of transportation

Continued coordination with city agencies and community stakeholders

Together the application of these strategies will create a more livable Bronx by increasing access to jobs and neighborhood amenities, providing mixed-income housing options for residents, and creating more sustainable communities surrounding Bronx Metro-North stations.

For more information on the Sustainable Communities Bronx Study, contact the Bronx Office of the Department of City Planning at 718.220.8500 or email Shawn Brede at:
sbrede@planning.nyc.gov

See what some of our partners are doing in these communities!

Metro-North: Penn Station Access Study

Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco)

Robert Clemente State Park Improvements

Community Outreach

Melrose

University Heights

Morris Park

Parkchester/Van Nest

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