August 6, 2024
Council secured nearly $500 million in local infrastructure improvements to community parks, schools, and streets, as well as commitment to develop up to 500 units for homeownership opportunities
City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council’s Committee on Land Use voted to approve the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study rezoning proposal with modifications to develop new affordable housing and invest in neighborhood infrastructure improvements surrounding new Metro-North train stations slated to be built in the Bronx. The approval will help create approximately 7,000 new units of housing amidst a housing and affordability crisis that is pushing working families to the brink in New York City.
As part of an agreement, the Council successfully negotiated commitments from the Administration to invest $498.5 million for improvements to the surrounding neighborhoods. The infrastructure investments include nearly $96.7 million for renovations of local parks and playgrounds, $11.5 million for upgrades to local schools, street and sewer improvements to address flooding issues, redesign of streets and sidewalks around the new Metro-North stations, and critical repairs and upgrades to the 49th Precinct. The Council’s negotiated rezoning will also create up to 500 units for homeownership opportunities.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is slated to open four new Metro-North train stations in Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, and Co-Op City in the Bronx, which will connecting commuters in the East Bronx directly to Manhattan’s Penn Station.
“Confronting the housing and affordability crisis in our city requires creating more new homes for New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The opening of four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx presents a unique opportunity to develop affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, while delivering critical infrastructure investments that benefit surrounding neighborhoods for generations. This project will have a lasting positive impact for the residents of the Bronx and our entire city. I thank Majority Leader Farías, Land Use Chair Salamanca, Zoning and Franchises Chair Riley, and Council Member Marmorato for their partnership to get this major project across the finish line.”
“The Bronx Metro North rezoning proposal represents a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver essential housing, enhanced transit options, job access, and safer streets,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “I am proud to have championed this development project, alongside securing over $200 million in investments for District 18. These investments were shaped by extensive community outreach, including in-person and virtual events in Parkchester, which resulted in key achievements in affordability, parking, school investments, community-centered spaces, and cultural inclusion. Our modifications to the proposal underscore the Bronx’s importance. As long-term Bronxites, my colleagues and I have demonstrated our commitment to the neighborhoods that shaped us. This rezoning’s success reflects our collaborative efforts and dedication to our home borough. After working tirelessly to ensure the proposal meets our community’s needs, I confidently voted for the modified application today.”
“This afternoon the New York City Council Land Use Committee unanimously voted in favor of the Bronx Metro-North Project,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Land Use. “As a native Bronxite, I have witnessed firsthand the historic, inequitable infrastructure, transportation, and housing investment that our Borough has experienced, so I am very grateful to my colleagues for seeing the value in this project. \ Not only will the creation of four new Metro-North stations – Hunts Point, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest, Co-Op City – dramatically improve transportation from the South Bronx to Manhattan, we will also see an influx of new professional and educational opportunities open up for our constituents. With our City experiencing a heightened housing crisis, thanks to the Bronx Metro-North, there will be an addition of 7000 new units of desperately needed housing built in our Borough. The half a billion dollars in capital funding allocated to this project is a historic investment that will improve our storm water drainage infrastructure, invest in numerous schools and parks, and repair and redesign the city’s roadway streetscape. As a Chair of the Committee on Land Use, I am honored to have played a part in bringing this much-needed project to my constituents. But as a South Bronx kid, I am excited to see how greatly my Borough will transform upon its completion.”
“Today, I am thrilled to cast my vote in support of the Bronx Metro-North Project, a transformative initiative that has long been in the making,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Chair on the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. “With the addition of four new Metro North stations, including Co-op City, we are enhancing our public transportation network and creating invaluable opportunities for affordable housing and local job growth. I am particularly excited about the administration’s significant commitments to the Co-op City area, including investments to address illegal dumping, clear debris from the Hutchinson River waterfront, and explore new bus routes with dedicated lanes. These enhancements will greatly improve the quality of life for our residents. I am proud to support this essential investment and look forward to bringing these vital improvements to our neighborhoods.”
“This rezoning is the largest we’ve seen in a decade and today marks a pivotal moment in our community’s journey,” said Council Member Kristy Marmorato. “With any proposed development, it is my job to ensure that it aligns with the district’s vision and safeguards our neighborhood’s integrity. Our collaborative efforts have resulted in significant modifications to the Bronx Metro North proposal, ensuring it respects our community’s character and meets our needs with regards to keeping our parking mandates, respecting and keeping our lower density communities, and securing much needed capital commitments. I have listened closely to the district and fought to secure over $300M in real, capital investments for our district.”
###
