South Bronx shopping center in the works

A two-level shopping center is in the works for the Hunts Point neighborhood in the South Bronx, according to the New York Post. Construction on the $35 million project is set to begin on the mall, known as the Crossings, at the intersection of Hunts Point Avenue, Southern Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard midway through 2011, according to the project’s developer, the Prusik Group. The 250,000-square-foot development will include “mid-box” stores like Old Navy on its second level, developers say, and smaller stores on the outdoor retail area, in order to preserve the neighborhood’s small-business feel. Although plans haven’t been finalized yet, the Crossings may also include some housing units — roughly 138 — some of which may be designated under “some sort of affordable program,” said Rohan Mehra, a member of the development team. While community advocates were initially skeptical of the plan, Media Sadiq, executive director of the Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District, said that the project team has collaborated well with the neighborhood. “I’m hoping [the mall] attracts people from all parts of the borough,” Sadiq said. “We are very excited about this, and hope it does happen.” If approved by the city council, the project should open in 2013. [Post]