City Planning Commission Kicks Off Public Review on Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan - DCP Press

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For Immediate Release

January 22, 2024

Contacts:

Casey Berkovitz, Joe Marvilli – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

City Planning Commission Kicks Off Public Review on Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan

Proposal will complement new Metro-North stations coming to Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, and Co-op City
Land Use Revamp Around New Stations Builds on Six Years of Public Engagement
Plan to Bring Thousands of New Homes and Jobs, Improved Infrastructure, and More to the East Bronx

(Click here for gallery of photos and renderings related to the Bronx Metro-North Plan)

NEW YORK – New York City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick today began the public review process for the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan, the first neighborhood plan certified during Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which will better support the East Bronx’s current and future needs. This once-in-a-lifetime plan complements new Metro-North stations coming to Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City with improved public space, transit access, and other community amenities, as well as nearly 7,500 homes, including permanently income-restricted housing, and 10,000 jobs in Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park.

“Building on historic citywide zoning overhauls like ‘City of Yes,’ our plan for the Bronx Metro North Station area offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transportation and neighborhood investments that will serve current and future residents of the East Bronx,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The plan would bring more than 7,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs to these neighborhoods, along with infrastructure and public realm improvements, workforce training programs, and support for important community institutions and job centers. We hope Bronxites continue to engage with this transformative effort and make their voices heard as it continues through the public review processes.”

“With four new Metro-North stations on their way, this is a unique and exciting opportunity for the East Bronx. Our plan will help to ensure that those who live and work in these four neighborhoods are the ones who benefit the most from these new stations. From housing to jobs, open space to infrastructure, and more, this community-focused plan will be a truly transformational and positive force for the Bronx,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

“The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan is years in the making and will be a major game-changer for the East Bronx. Soon, we will be connecting communities in historic transit deserts to accessible public transportation options, providing employment for New Yorkers, reducing our carbon footprint, increasing public amenities in these neighborhoods, and developing new, affordable housing to combat our current housing crisis. I want to thank the NYC Department of City Planning, my colleagues in the City Council, and transit advocates for their partnership on this important initiative, and we look forward to our continued work together to bring this project to fruition,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“The Bronx Metro-North plan is transformational for the East Bronx. This project’s success depends on the engagement of our communities and making sure their voices are heard throughout the public review process. As the Council Member representing Parkchester and someone who was raised by this community, it is critically important to me that this project continues to be an open and transparent process that prioritizes the existing community and our local businesses. I look forward to continuing to work with DCP, Bronx Borough President Gibson, my Council colleagues, and my neighbors to ensure the Bronx Metro North project is not only for us, but created by us,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías.

“I am committed to supporting projects that enhance our neighborhoods. I will continue to listen to the needs of our district, ensuring that this Metro-North plan not only brings new infrastructure but also addresses the concerns and aspirations of the residents it serves,” said New York City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato.

“The City Planning Commission's public review process is paramount to fostering transparency, community empowerment, and the incorporation of diverse perspectives to ensure the creation of vibrant and sustainable urban spaces that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of our constituents. With DCP’s initiation of public review on the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan, I express my strong support for this transformative project, particularly as it includes a crucial stop in my district, the Co-op City community,” said New York City Council member Kevin C. Riley. “This initiative, a testament to the collaborative efforts between City Council and the Department of City Planning, signifies a monumental step forward for our neighborhood and the broader Bronx community. With over 7,000 homes, job opportunities, and improved infrastructure, this plan aligns with our vision for sustainable growth. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, I emphasize the importance of incorporating community input and inter-government partnership to ensure that the development resonates with the distinct needs of the communities we serve. This inclusive urban planning approach, guided by collaborative efforts, reflects our commitment to shaping a vibrant and thriving future for the Bronx and beyond.”

“I am happy to see the progression of the Department of City Planning’s Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan with the start of the Public Review process. For too long, Bronxites have dealt with impaired access to each other due to a lack of public transit options. Now, with the opportunity to hear from the public, we must ensure that their concerns are being addressed. For this plan to benefit our borough, true affordable housing and job creation for Bronxites must be prioritized, and appropriate parking at all proposed stations needs to be provided so that our already congestion-heavy streets will not be impacted by any further congestion that new stations will attract. I look forward to hearing the community’s input and working together to continue revitalizing and rebuilding the Bronx,” said New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca.

“New York City financed a record number of new affordable homes in 2023, and the city is hard at work to continue building new affordable housing anyway we can, everywhere we can,” said Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “The launch of the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan showcases how we push the envelope to deliver for New Yorkers. Along with critical transit access, public space, and community amenities, this plan will bring over 7,000 new homes to the Parkchester and Morris Park neighborhoods. HPD looks forward to working with DCP in getting this transformative plan across the finish line.”

“Expanding sustainable and safe public transportation options brings better access to education and economic opportunities, as well as supports ongoing demand for housing in New York City, while also making it faster and easier to get around without a car,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We look forward to engaging with Bronx communities to build the infrastructure necessary to make these new neighborhoods a hub for vibrant public space and improved quality of life.”

“These new stations will connect Bronx residents with crucial job centers and increase access to other parts of New York City and beyond, while creating more vibrant communities in the station neighborhoods. The neighborhood plan includes proposals that will enhance green and open public spaces, and increase park equity by ensuring Bronxites have access to high-quality outdoor spaces,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “These new stations and the proposed transit-oriented development will be transformative for the Bronx and we look forward to receiving public feedback on the neighborhood planning proposals.”

“The Bronx is home to some of our city's most vibrant commercial corridors,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “DCP's plans will not only create greater accessibility to the Metro-North area and generate thousands of jobs, but also supercharge the small businesses that make their home in the East Bronx. I want to thank Commissioner Garodnick and Borough President Gibson for making the Bronx a pivotal part of the City of Yes.”

As NYCEDC works to further our commitment of making New York City a great place to live, work, play and learn, it’s essential we invest in commercial and residential density near transit options,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “I applaud DCP and Commissioner Garodnick's commitment to maximizing housing and job creation near the four new Metro-North stops in the East Bronx.”

“It’s exciting that we’re already seeing the benefits of Metro-North Penn Access,” said Metropolitan Transit Authority Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “This project supports the East Bronx’s economic development and is a perfect example of how investing in public transportation stimulates local and regional economic activity, especially in historically underserved areas. New rail service to and from the East Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut will provide residents with access to job opportunities, education, medical institutions, and leisure travel and support development of the surrounding communities, aided by this initiative from the Adams administration.”

Together, these four neighborhoods of Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City are home to 500,000 New Yorkers, greater than the population of Atlanta, Georgia. Nevertheless, these communities have limited access to public transit, with the exception of Hunts Point. The new Metro-North stations on the New Haven Line will connect area residents to job opportunities across the Bronx, Midtown Manhattan, Westchester and Connecticut, while also reducing car use and easing traffic.

Most of the land use actions proposed in the Bronx Metro-North Plan are focused on the neighborhoods of Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park, with Hunts Point and Co-op City receiving investments but no zoning changes.

The Bronx Metro-North Plan would create nearly 7,500 new homes, including 1,900 permanently income-restricted homes through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, by allowing residential uses in some areas of Parkchester/Van Nest currently designated solely for commercial and manufacturing uses. It would also expand the amount of housing allowed in some residential districts in that neighborhood and in parts of Morris Park.

The plan would lead to the creation of 10,000 new jobs by bolstering key commercial corridors, establishing workforce training programs, and supporting important community institutions and job centers, such as Jacobi Medical Center, Montefiore Hospital, Calvary Hospital, and Hutchinson Metro Center. Morris Park and Hunts Point are two of 10 largest job centers in New York City, responsible for a total of 37,000 jobs. To augment the mix of education and health care found in Morris Park, the Bronx Metro-North Plan will explore siting a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) school to set high schoolers on a path to a career success in these growing sectors.

Enhanced infrastructure and new pedestrian-friendly public amenities will make it easy for residents and workers to access the new stations, and improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Proposed public realm improvements include new and/or upgraded public plazas and open spaces; bus shelters, improved lighting, wider medians; and local retail that fosters a sense of community around these transit hubs.

“As a Chamber leader, I have waited for a strategic plan such as this one that not only fosters economic and workforce development but also recognizes and confronts the unique challenges of small businesses. The prospects that lie ahead following the implementation of the several new Metro-North stations are truly promising, and I eagerly anticipate the positive outcomes it will bring. In order to ensure that these stations and the related redevelopment have a positive impact on the employment needs of Bronx communities and the talent needs of local employers, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is committed to partnering with the necessary organizations to develop information and strategies,” said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

“The Morris Park Business Improvement District welcomes the start of the formal public review process undertaken by DCP towards opening new Metro-North stations in the East Bronx. We are confident that this new step will lead to an improved public space, better transit access and new job opportunities strengthening Morris Park's contribution to the Bronx economy, continuing our path as one of the largest life-sciences job centers of the city. Our thanks to the DCP team leading this tremendous effort,” said Dr. Camelia Tepelus, executive director of the Morris Park BID.

“This is an exciting day and a big step forward for the East Bronx,” said Ruben Diaz, Jr., SVP, Strategic Initiatives, Montefiore. “With four new Metro-North stations providing improved transit access to this borough, along with new housing, jobs, and infrastructure investment, we’re on our way toward a brighter future with improved access to vibrant economic activity and world class scientific research and healthcare.”

In partnership with Bronx Borough President Gibson and the New York City Council, DCP has conducted extensive outreach in the communities around the new stations over the last six years, including both in-person and virtual workshops, open houses, weekly “office hours” to answer questions, surveys, and small-group meetings. The agency has held multiple meetings with nearly two dozen community stakeholders, ranging from neighborhood organizations to educational and medical institutions, as well as 16 government agencies at the city, state, and federal levels.

Today’s certification begins the roughly seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), which includes recommendations from Community Boards 9, 10, and 11, and Borough President Gibson, followed by votes at the City Planning Commission, then the City Council.

The MTA anticipates the four new Metro-North stations will open in 2027.

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.