Case Study 3

WHEDco Works with Merchants to Revive Morrisania's Commercial Corridor

Background:

The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a Bronx-based property owner and developer involved in affordable housing and commercial revitalization. WHEDco is deeply engaged in its community and also operates workforce development and family support programs. When beginning commercial revitalization work in an unfamiliar neighborhood, WHEDco works to build relationships with local property and business owners by inviting them to participate in forging a common vision for the area’s economic development. WHEDco also stresses its role as a property owner with its new partners.

Strategy:

WHEDco organized merchants along Southern Boulevard, a commercial corridor in the Morrisania section of the Bronx with a high commercial vacancy rate, by discussing their common interest in boosting local property values. It drew a strong response. WHEDco discussed the results of resident surveys that it had conducted which indicated a high incidence of “retail leakage”, or money spent outside the community. This sparked discussion among property owners and prompted them to invest in their businesses through façade improvements, marketing, retail attraction events, and new market studies. Ultimately, after a nearly two-year merchant organizing effort, the commercial vacancy rate in the relevant portion of Southern Boulevard had decreased from twenty-four percent (24%) to thirteen percent (13%).

Conclusion:

Through a carefully designed marketing and commercial revitalization strategy that enjoyed broad support from property owners and residents, WHEDco implemented a feasible plan that benefited all merchants. This case study demonstrates the importance of generating a common vision among property and business owners as a viable strategy for implementation.

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