A sketch of the redesign of the intersection of Morris Park Avenue and Eastchester Road following a future redevelopment of the area adjacent to the upcoming Morris Park Metro-North Station. Image Credit: NYC DCP.
On June 26, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the Bronx Metro-North Station Area plan. Four new Metro-North stations will be constructed along the East Bronx in Morris Park, Hunts Point, Co-op City, and Parkchester/Van Nest. The plan complements the construction of these stations by adding more housing, job opportunities, and enhanced public spaces around the Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest stations.
Currently, some parks of the area around the future Parkchester station are limited to commercial and manufacturing uses, but the plan allows for new residential uses, which can create almost 7,500 new homes, including 1,900 permanently affordable homes. The plan also expands the amount of housing permitted around both stations.
Morris Park, with multiple hospitals and medical office centers, is the Bronx’s largest employment center; the new station will be within walking distance of Jacobi Medical Center, the Montefiore Medical Center Einstein Campus and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Calvary Hospital, and the Hutchinson Metro Center. The plan aims to support these and other local institutions, implement workforce training programs, and to strengthen commercial corridors to add up to 10,000 jobs to the area.
Other infrastructure and amenities upgrades include new or upgraded public plazas, open spaces, bus shelters, improved lighting, and wider medians for pedestrian safety.
The plan had received favorable recommendations from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, the Bronx Borough Board, and Bronx Community Boards 9 and 11. Bronx Community Board 10 disapproved the application.
Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick stated, “With today’s vote, Bronx residents are one step closer to getting the homes, jobs, amenities, and infrastructure improvements they need. These four new Metro-North stations will be transformative for the borough, the city, and the entire region. It’s common sense to pair them with such a thoughtful plan that expands housing [opportunities], creates jobs, and benefits local communities.”
Bronx Borough President Gibson stated, “Today’s vote is a tremendous win for our borough with the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan promising to bring housing, union jobs, and transportation options to the East Bronx that will further enhance our Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City communities. I want to thank New York Department of City Planning (DCP) Director and City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick, as well as my colleagues in government, community boards, and local leaders who have played a crucial role in helping to move this important project forward.”
The new stations are anticipated to open in 2027. The City Council will now review the plan.
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)