The wide-ranging Bronx Metro-North station plan was recently approved by the City Planning Commission, bringing the megaproject one step closer to final approval from the mayor. The plan now heads to the City Council for review.
The proposal to build new stations in Morris Park, Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest and Co-Op City has already been over six years in the making and was crafted with input from 16 city, state and federal agencies, as well as the general public.
In addition to the new train stations, rezoning changes in those areas would pave the way for an estimated 7,500 new homes and 10,000 jobs in Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest.
The plan aims to capitalize on proximity to existing large employers like Montefiore Hospital, Jacobi Medical Center, Calvary Hospital and Hutchinson Metro Center, since Morris Park and Hunts Point are already two of the city’s top job centers.
Under the current proposal, Co-Op City and Hunts Point would not receive new housing but would be rezoned for potential business development. A number of infrastructure upgrades are planned around all four stations to ensure that increased foot traffic and population density would be supported.
The new stations will be “transformative” for the Bronx and entire region, according to Dan Garodnick, chair of the City Planning Commission and director of the Department of City Planning.
“It’s common sense to pair them with such a thoughtful plan that expands housing opportunity, creates jobs, and benefits local communities,” he said.
While the new train stations have been generally met with enthusiasm, the proposed rezoning has seen criticism from some local residents.
Community Board 10, which includes Co-Op City, voted the plan down, citing concerns over building height, supporting infrastructure and parking. The Parkchester Watch Group, a grassroots group of longtime neighborhood residents, has also taken a skeptical stance towards increasing housing density, mainly due to the lack of mandated parking.
But the Metro-North plan was supported — though not without caveats — by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Community Boards 9 and 11. The plan was also approved by the Borough Board, comprised of all Bronx City Council members and chairpersons from all community boards impacted by the proposal.
City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías, whose district includes Parkchester, was among those who praised the Metro-North plan for its potential to create jobs for Bronxites, reduce travel time to Manhattan and provide much-needed housing. Her office has held community meetings to discuss the rezoning with constituents and hear their concerns.
“After hosting several comprehensive community input sessions and speaking directly with my neighbors, I stand firm in saying that this project is in the best interest of our collective community and its future,” said Farías in a statement.
Upon the vote of approval by the City Planning Commission, the Bronx Metro-North plan was praised by agency representatives spanning parks, business and transportation.
The plan will “creat[e] the opportunity for thousands of new homes and jobs in true 24/7 live, work, and play neighborhoods,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball in a statement.
In the coming weeks, City Council will hold a hearing and vote on the plan. If approved, it will go to the mayor, after which he will have five-day window to veto it, and the proposal will stand if he does not. The new stations are expected to open in 2027.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
