Potential development scenario along the University Heights Waterfront

The University Heights station sits on the Fordham Road Corridor between an undeveloped portion of the Harlem River Waterfront and the Major Deegan Expressway. The area has the potential for significant housing and retail growth that would open up the waterfront to the community; however, its potential is significantly limited by barriers to access.

Recommendations

• Implement phased access, safety, and pedestrian improvements to the intersection of Fordham Road and the Major Deegan Expressway and surrounding sites
• Develop a comprehensive approach to redevelopment of the waterfront area with zoning that permits a balance of land uses tied to infrastructure improvements
• Strengthen pedestrian amenities along the Fordham Road corridor

The Melrose station area played a key role in the dynamic history of the South Bronx and has been the focus of significant and successful public investment where more than 3,500 new units of affordable housing have been created in the last fifteen years with significant additional units planned. Despite the area’s assets and recent revitalization, the community lacks a cohesive urban fabric.

Recommendations

• Create a consistent pedestrian environment along the 161st Street corridor
• Create a gateway to the Metro-North station area on 161st Street through phased capital improvements to existing neighborhood amenities
• Adopt a long-term land use strategy that knits together recent investments by providing additional retail opportunity and encouraging additional housing options in special mixed use districts

Proposed improvements around the Melrose Metro-North station area

The Morris Heights Metro-North station and its surrounding features, which include Roberto Clemente State Park, are isolated from the community largely by topographical changes and a major highway. There is an opportunity to increase usage of the park and station, as well as increase access to the Harlem River Waterfront and River Park Towers housing development.

Recommendations

• Enhance to pedestrian pathways to reconnect amenities to the surrounding community, increase safety, and promote usage of the park and station
• Promote Cedar Avenue as a mixed-used commercial corridor through land use actions
• Create a safe and attractive gateway to the station, park, and waterfront along West Tremont Avenue through coordinated design of pedestrian crossings and pathways, step-street improvements, signage, and lighting

The Tremont Metro-North station is located along the re-emerging East Tremont Avenue commercial corridor.  The area was recently rezoned to promote housing and retail growth; however, gaps in street trees, lighting, and inconsistent pedestrian paths result in a disjointed corridor.

Recommendations

• Implement comprehensive streetscape improvements to East Tremont Avenue in coordination with emergent Business Improvement District to capitalize on the recent 3rd Avenue/East Tremont Rezoning and support additional mixed-income housing along the corridor
• Streamline connections to mass transit and strengthen access to local employment centers and community and retail amenities

Block front along E Tremont Avenue indicating streetscape improvements and development potential

The Williams Bridge Metro-North station sits along a busy corridor, has convenient intermodal connections, and is near a major medical facility that is one of the Bronx’s largest employers. A recent rezoning provides opportunity for additional growth and ridership. However, poor visibility and connectivity present challenges to achieving a strong mixed-use retail corridor.

Recommendations

• Complete pedestrian connections from station area to Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue retail corridors, area employers, and recreational amenities
• Support the goals of the recent rezoning for Webster Avenue as a neighborhood main street

The Fordham station area is home to a number of regional attractions and institutions including Fordham University, the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Little Italy, and one of the busiest retail corridors in the city, Fordham Road.  With high ridership today, it has potential to become a stronger regional hub of activity.

Recommendations

• Strengthen pedestrian connections between area attractions, surrounding neighborhoods, and transit assets
• Improve coordination between area attractions, institutions, and retail corridors
• Adopt land use policy that supports additional growth around transit and retail corridors and facilitates uses typical of commercial business district such as office, regional retail, and hotels.

The proposed Parkchester/Van Nest station is located along East Tremont Avenue between the Parkchester planned community and Van Nest neighborhood. The proposed station will help establish a new center for these neighborhoods, but currently it is characterized by inactive uses, difficult crossings, and a general lack of pedestrian amenities. 

Recommendations

• Re-examine zoning along both sides of East Tremont Avenue to encourage the development of a mixed-use retail corridor and pedestrian activity, and to re-orient the community towards the corridor and proposed station area
• Implement comprehensive streetscape improvements to both sides of East Tremont Avenue which include activating rail adjacent lots and revisiting the street alignment to allow for wider sidewalks and pedestrian safety

As the home to a number of large professional institutions and planned developments, Morris Park is a regional center for employment and education. The proposed station currently lacks pedestrian infrastructure and commercial uses to support the institutions’ needs.  The new station would help bolster the area’s status as a regional employment center and be an asset to the community.  

Recommendations

• Re-examine zoning to permit retail and a range of housing options on both sides of the rail line
• Identify long-term improvements to pedestrian and vehicular access to enhance circulation
• Explore opportunities to brand the area through increased partnerships between institutions

Potential improvements around the proposed Morris Park Metro-North Station