Governor Kathy Hochul announced on May 13 the selection of ten projects in Greater Morris Park, Bronx, as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs. The combined awards total $20 million for these initiatives, which aim to support economic development and community growth in New York City.
The announcement is significant as it targets the Greater Morris Park area, a key neighborhood in the East Bronx known for its diverse residential communities and concentration of healthcare and research institutions. The funding will be used to enhance public spaces, improve infrastructure, support small businesses, and create new opportunities for residents.
Projects funded include establishing a community engagement center at St. Peter’s Westchester Square, creating a public plaza at the new Metro-North station, converting the former St. Francis Xavier School into a resource hub with preschool facilities, setting up a small business improvement fund, upgrading streetscapes along Morris Park Avenue, enhancing Matthews Muliner Playground with accessible play elements and lighting improvements, modernizing Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library facilities for better accessibility and programming opportunities, renovating Bronx Excellence Elementary School’s kitchen and gymnasium spaces for healthier environments, transforming R.A.I.N.’s vacant facility into workspace for training programs, and constructing new kitchen facilities at Bronx Excellence Middle School alongside safety upgrades.
According to Governor Hochul: “The Greater Morris Park section of the Bronx is an incredibly deserving recipient of the DRI and NY Forward awards. Its diverse, vibrant community represents the very best of New York. These funds will support their existing resources and allow residents and business owners to thrive through enhanced community partnerships and continued economic development projects.”
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said: “Greater Morris Park is a vibrant Bronx community with a strong neighborhood identity and a clear vision for its future… These investments build on the community’s existing strengths while fostering sustainable growth.” Empire State Development President Hope Knight added that these awards “will help create a more vibrant… Greater Morris Park for residents… businesses and visitors.” RuthAnne Visnauskas from Homes & Community Renewal said this investment “will support projects that improve public spaces… assist small businesses… By linking these resources to the Pro-Housing Communities Program we are ensuring that revitalization efforts also support housing growth.” Other local leaders including Assemblymembers John Zaccaro Jr., Karines Reyes R.N., Council Member Shirley Aldebol expressed gratitude towards Governor Hochul’s leadership in directing funding toward long-term neighborhood stability.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was established in 2016 to accelerate downtown renewal across all regions in New York State by combining strategic planning with immediate implementation. Through nine rounds so far it has awarded $1 billion statewide; another $100 million is proposed in next year’s Executive Budget. The NY Forward program complements this work by focusing on smaller or rural downtowns—awarding $400 million through four rounds—with additional funding also proposed.
