New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday, May 13, that she has awarded $19.4 million to ten transformational projects in Greater Morris Park as part of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
A cornerstone of the East Bronx, Greater Morris Park is defined by its longstanding and diverse residential neighborhoods, active commercial corridors and the largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions in the borough. The projects being funded include investments in transit, housing and healthcare expansion in an effort to strengthen the neighborhood’s role as both a residential community and employment hub.
These projects from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will improve open spaces, enhance streetscapes and assist local businesses to ensure a resilient, connected and welcoming community.
“The Greater Morris Park section of the Bronx is an incredibly deserving recipient of the DRI and NY Forward awards,” Hochul said. “Its diverse, vibrant community represents the very best of New York. These funds will support their existing resources and allow residents and business owners to thrive through enhanced community partnerships and continued economic development projects.”
The first of the ten projects is the establishment of St. Peter’s Westchester Square Community Engagement Center, with Hochul providing $938,000 in funding. An existing community space and offices will be renovated to establish this community engagement center, which will offer space for cultural, wellness, after-school, support services and family events.
Another $2.75 million will go towards the creation of a new public plaza at the Morris Park Metro-North station. This new civic plaza will connect the proposed Metro-North Morris Park station entrance to the Hutchinson Metro Center Campus and Marconi Street.
$3.5 million will fund the conversion of the former St. Francis Xavier School into a Greater Morris Park resource hub. The multi-use community hub will also feature a pre-school and a fully renovated gymnasium.
$1 million will help establish a small business improvement fund, which will provide small businesses within the Downtown Revitalization Initiative investment area with grants for exterior and limited interior renovations to enhance their functionality and appearance.
Streetscape and horticulture improvements to Morris Park Avenue comprise another project. The $750,000 in funding from Hochul will help revitalize the street through the installation of street trees, planters, tree guards, banners and other public amenities.
$3.5 million will help cover renovations to the northern portion of Matthews Muliner Playground to include play elements that are accessible, inclusive and engaging. Work will also be done to address recurring flooding issues, add lighting and make other improvements.
The Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library will benefit from $2.26 million in funding by Hochul. Renovations made to the library, located at 2147 Barnes Ave., will improve its accessibility, visibility and programming opportunities for patrons of all ages.
Renovations being made to the Bronx Charter Excellence Elementary School will benefit from $1.14 in funding provided by Hochul. The school’s kitchen, cafeteria and gymnasium will each undergo renovations to provide students, staff and community members with healthier and more supportive spaces.
R.A.I.N. Total Care’s currently vacant facility at 2405 E. Tremont Ave. will receive $750,000 from Hochul to help cover the cost of renovations. The work will transform this space into modern and healthy workspace capable of hosting new-hire training programs.
The last $2.822 in funding from Hochul will help pay for renovations to the Bronx Charter Excellence Middle School. A new kitchen will be made there and the safety and accessibility building components will receive upgrades.
“Greater Morris Park is a vibrant Bronx community with a strong neighborhood identity and a clear vision for its future, and these projects will help bring that vision to life,” New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said.
“Through the DRI, we are supporting projects that will enhance local businesses, improve public spaces and create new opportunities for residents. These investments build on the community’s existing strengths while fostering sustainable growth and a more dynamic, connected downtown. We are proud to partner with Greater Morris Park as it continues to grow and thrive.”
All these projects reflect the Greater Morris Park community’s vision of growing and evolving as a thriving neighborhood. The support for local businesses and investment in public amenities are intended to ensure the community is beautiful and resilient, as well as capable of celebrating its past while also welcoming new neighbors and economic investments.
“The ten projects selected that will receive both the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward funding represent a new era for the Greater Morris Park area and are an opportunity for us to ensure our streets, small businesses, green spaces and public infrastructure are ready to support the thousands of new residents, jobs and businesses coming to this vital economic hub in our borough while also continuing to support the existing community,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said.
“As one of New York City’s top ten employment centers, and with a new Metro-North station soon improving access to Penn Station and the East Bronx, we are making a historic $20 million investment in the future of this area and reaffirming our borough’s commitment to leading in economic development, support for our small businesses, the creation of new jobs, tourism and long-term neighborhood revitalization and stability.”
Only localities certified under Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program, which recognizes and rewards areas actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourages others to follow suit, are allowed to be considered for funding from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward Program. Certified localities will have access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Since the Pro-Housing Communities Program first launched, funds awarded to pro-housing communities have supported more than 20,000 homes and over 410 have been certified.
“Greater Morris Park is a vibrant Bronx community with a strong neighborhood identity and a clear vision for its future, and these projects will help bring that vision to life,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said.
“Through the DRI, we are supporting projects that will enhance local businesses, improve public spaces and create new opportunities for residents. These investments build on the community’s existing strengths while fostering sustainable growth and a more dynamic, connected downtown. We are proud to partner with Greater Morris Park as it continues to grow and thrive.”
