See the Greater Morris Park application here
See the Harlem River Gateway application here
Bronx, NY – On Friday, October 18, 2024, the application period for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) program was completed. As part of the application process, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson submitted two applications for the state to consider. One was for the Greater Morris Park area, and the other for the Harlem River Gateway District. Borough President Gibson worked with numerous stakeholders across The Bronx to identify capital projects that would support these communities and benefit from DRI funding.
The Greater Morris Park DRI area has general boundaries of Pelham Parkway to the north, Hutchinson River Parkway to the east, East Tremont Avenue and Westchester Avenue to the south, and Bronx Park and White Plains Road to the west. It includes the neighborhoods of Morris Park, Van Nest, Westchester Square, Indian Village, and Pelham Parkway. Existing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) within the Greater Morris Park DRI include the Morris Park, Westchester Square, and White Plains Road BIDs. This area is a top 10 job center for New York City and will soon see two new Metro-North stations as part of the Penn Station Access project. A recent rezoning was approved along with $500 million in capital to support the community.
“In my recommendation as part of the rezoning process, I stated my commitment to the Morris Park community, and I am showing that with action,” said Borough President Gibson.
As part of the application, 32 projects were identified, totaling approximately $105 million in capital-requested funding. The wide range of projects includes beautification projects, public park improvements, and transit, traffic, and pedestrian infrastructure projects. In an equally important application, the Harlem River Gateway District has seen a significant influx of new development and investment in recent years, but these increases have also brought additional needs.
“The South Bronx has seen tremendous growth in the past few years, which is a testament to the resiliency and vitality of our borough,” said Borough President Gibson. “It is our mission to ensure this community receives the necessary capital investment to undo years of economic neglect and stimulate continued growth and prosperity.”
The Harlem River Gateway District has general boundaries of the Harlem River to the west, the Harlem River and Bronx Kill to the south, the Bruckner Expressway to the east, and East 149th Street to the north. It includes the neighborhoods of Mott Haven and Concourse. Over recent years, the Bronx waterfront has been studied, and these studies have helped transform the community into a regional destination.
“With the Yankees, the recently opened Bronx Children’s Museum, and the world’s first Hip Hop Museum opening in 2025, this area has opportunities to draw in visitors year-round,” said Bronx Borough President Gibson. “Between the tourism and all the new housing being developed, residents need places to buy their groceries and do their shopping, so there is a huge need for capital improvements to help support all this new economic activity.”
This application had 14 projects totaling over $61 million in capital-requested funding, including beautification projects, public park improvements, and infrastructure projects.
The 2024 cycle marks the eighth round of DRI applications which will invest $100 million in 10 new communities that will be selected by the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC), with The Bronx being located in the New York City REDC. This program is a cornerstone of the State’s economic development program, led by Governor Kathy Hochul to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. The Bronx received a previous DRI award in 2018 for the Bronx Civic Center neighborhood.
“I am optimistic that this is the time for The Bronx to receive additional capital investment,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I am very proud of these two applications and believe state funding would go a long way in supporting these communities.”
While Borough President Gibson has submitted two applications, only one can be awarded to each REDC in any year. This is a competitive process, and multiple applications are expected to be submitted to the New York City REDC.
“This is a competitive process, so we needed to put in a high-quality application, I believe we did that as both have been a labor of love. I will continue to advocate and fight for The Bronx and look for as many capital opportunities as possible to support our great borough,” said Borough President Gibson. “We know both applications cannot receive the award, so we will continue working with community residents and stakeholders to find ways to support them, and I will be applying again for two communities in 2025. I invite all Bronx residents to contact our office if you have capital projects that need support and could be eligible for future DRI funding.”
Borough President Gibson acknowledged support from the elected and community officials who sent letters of support for these applications, including:
For Greater Morris Park: Congressmember Ritchie Torres, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, State Assemblymember Karines Reyes, State Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr., State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias, City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, and Community Board 10 District Manager Matthew Cruz.
For the Harlem River Gateway District: Congressmember Ritchie Torres, State Senator Jose Serrano, State Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, State Assemblymember Landon Dais, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Community Board 1 District Manager Anthony Jordan.
The winning DRI applications are expected to be announced in early 2025.
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