Another rezoning could be on its way to the Bronx, this time along Southern Boulevard.
The Department of City Planning started the second phase of its community engagement process for the area this week, according to City Limits. The study area includes the borough’s Longwood and Crotona Park East neighborhoods, covering Southern Boulevard between East 163rd Street and the Cross Bronx Expressway. It spans more than 130 blocks and is home to 17,000 residential units and 60,000 residents.
The plan to look into the area for a rezoning came about after the state announced plans to convert the Sheridan Expressway into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, a roughly $75 million project.
The city recently rezoned Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, a move expected to generate roughly 4,600 new units of housing across 92 blocks from 165th Street to 184th Street.
Councilmember Rafael Salamanca told City Limits his main concern is that residents and small businesses could get displaced because of the new development that a rezoning will typically bring.
“How would the [city] avoid gentrification?” he asked. [City Limits] – Eddie Small