Photo credit: New York City Council.
On August 15, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in collaboration with key stakeholders, celebrated the New York City Council’s approval of the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan. Four new Metro-North stations will be built in the Bronx neighborhoods of Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City by 2027. The plan complements the construction of these stations with more housing, jobs, and improved public spaces around the Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest stations.
This plan calls for the creation of approximately 7,000 apartments, some of which will be permanent income-restricted affordable housing, 10,000 permanent jobs, improving public spaces, and improving access to public transit. This program will improve public spaces, access to transportation, public safety, and environmental sustainability for Bronx residents.
Other infrastructure and amenity improvements include improving pedestrian safety, traffic access and traffic flow. This will be achieved through intersection and streetscape improvements near Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest stations, the creation of a new bus turnaround station near Co-op City Station at Erskine Place, the construction of a new public plaza at Morris Park station and pedestrian crossing improvements along Eastchester Road. A lighting study will help improve access to Hunts Point Avenue station.
As part of the Council’s negotiations to approve the plan, the Adams administration committed to investing $498.5 million in improvements to surrounding areas. This investment includes nearly $119 million to renovate local parks and playgrounds, $12 million to upgrade local schools, infrastructure improvements to roads and sewers to address flood risks, and repairs and upgrades to the 49th District.
Mayor Adams said, “Today, the Bronx bought a ticket to the future, creating thousands of new jobs and affordable housing while embracing mass transit—all by saying yes. The Bronx is saying yes to more housing in our backyards, communities and neighborhoods, and serving as a model for the rest of our city on how to move forward. With our administration’s neighborhood plans and our City of Yes proposal, we have a unique opportunity to build our way out of this housing shortage and affordability crisis. I urge our partners on the City Council to join us in this fight and deliver on the promise that working families are asking us to make: to build more and make this city more affordable.”
Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer said, “Today is an important milestone for our city as we celebrate the passage of the Bronx Metro-North Area Plan, which will bring millions in new funding, approximately 7,000 apartments – including permanently affordable housing – and 10,000 new jobs to the Boogie Down Bronx. Our administration is fully focused on delivering a plan that ensures Bronx residents get the most benefit from the coming stations.”
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams stated, “Addressing our city’s housing and affordability crisis requires creating more new housing for New Yorkers. Opening four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx provides a unique opportunity to create affordable housing and homeownership while making critical infrastructure investments that will benefit surrounding neighborhoods for generations to come. This project will have a lasting positive impact on Bronx residents and our entire city. I thank Majority Leader Farías, Land Use Chairman Salamanca, Zoning and Franchises Chairman Riley, and Council Member Marmorato for their partnership in getting this major project across the finish line.”
From: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is an intern at CityLaw and a student at New York Law School, class of 2025.) and Veronica Rose (Veronica is editor of CityLand and a 2018 graduate of New York Law School.)
