A plan that could bring thousands of new homes and jobs to a part of the East Bronx near several planned Metro-North Stations is finally moving ahead after the city began its formal review process on Monday.
The “Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan” would spur the creation of some 7,500 new apartments, including 1,900 affordable ones, and roughly 10,000 jobs across the neighborhoods of Morris Park, Parkchester, Van Nest and Westchester Square. That’s according to the Department of City Planning, the agency spearheading the zoning changes that would allow for housing to be built in areas that currently only allow for commercial and manufacturing uses.
City Planning certified the proposal at a meeting on Monday, kickstarting approximately seven months of review by different city stakeholders in a process known as a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP.
The plan, which dates back to 2018, is the first neighborhood-wide rezoning to move ahead under Mayor Adams’ administration.
“Our plan for the Bronx Metro North Station area offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transportation and neighborhood investments that will serve current and future residents of the East Bronx,” Mayor Adams said in a statement. “We hope Bronxites continue to engage with this transformative effort and make their voices heard as it continues through the public review processes.”
MTA
Artist rendering of proposed changes including a new Metro North Station.
The rezoning is intended to complement the MTA’s $3 billion, ongoing Penn Station Access project to create four new accessible Metro-North stops on the New Haven Line in the East Bronx. The stations at Hunts Point, Co-op City, Morris Park and Parkchester/Van Nest are expected to open in 2027.
City Planning emphasized the economic component of their rezoning, which aims to bolster “key commercial corridors” and establish workforce training programs. That includes supporting big-name Bronx hubs such as Jacobi Medical Center and Montefiore Hospital.
While the rezoning includes infrastructure improvements and workforce development near all four stations, the new housing and jobs components are only concentrated by Morris Parks and Parkchester/Van Nest. The other two stops are excluded from the rezoning but will be receiving investment, City Planning said.
The rezoning will next go to the three affected community boards for their recommendations, followed by the borough president, the City Planning Commission and finally the City Council.
