Pols unveil Broadway facelift plan

A busy stretch of Broadway is anchored by malls at West 230th and West 238th streets, but the space between has lacked a guiding vision for years.

A group of elected officials announced plans to change that last week.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and other elected officials released an analysis of the area with recommendations including more lighting, graffiti removal, standardized street furniture and waste bins and the creation of new parks and “public interaction spaces.”

“We’ve been able to work in such a smart and strategic way, it really makes me proud,” Mr. Diaz said at a Sept. 2 press conference on West 231st Street. “This is what I call planning with purpose.”

Although beautification strategies are still in the planning stages, the report outlines a few aspects of the proposed makeover.

The Bronx Revolving Loan Fund has accumulated close to $500,000 in funds for local businesses to put toward the aesthetic improvement of their properties. Property owners are encouraged to contact the NYC Economic Development Corporation and request free graffiti removal. 

The report calls upon the city to add better lighting under the elevated subway track and also to provide new or improved sidewalks to the corridor. Mr. Diaz also cited the desire for a “pocket park” near West 230th Street.

“We’ve always talked about doing beautification in this area and it is just a breath of fresh air to hear that it’s actually starting to happen,” said Farrah Rubin, Development Director for the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (KRVC).

Elected officials also stressed the need for modernized parking meters along the stretch of Kingsbridge. 

“We want [shoppers] to have peace of mind so that they can go from store to store and have a wonderful shopping experience,” the borough president said.

Mr. Diaz also mentioned his desire for Citi Bikes to expand the program into Bronx neighborhoods, calling their failure to do so a “disgrace.”

Councilman Andrew Cohen believes the corridor is ripe for beautification.