NEW YORK—Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Marisa Lago today announced a series of “deep dive” thematic workshops beginning March 14th for the Southern Boulevard Neighborhood Plan. The workshops will address topics that have emerged as priorities for local residents.
“Members of the Southern Boulevard community are committed to their neighborhoods. Their passion for and knowledge of their neighborhoods are informing and benefitting our ongoing planning work in this area. As we hone in together on priorities for building a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable future, we urge residents and business owners to come to these workshops and help us plan,” said DCP Director Marisa Lago.
The four thematic workshops, and some sample questions they will pose, are:

• Parks, Public Space, & the Waterfront
  Thursday 3.14.19 | 6:00p - 8:30p
  East Bronx Academy, 1716 Southern Blvd.

How should we improve access to our local parks?
How should we create safer streets for everyone including pedestrians and bicyclists?
How should we transform the Bronx River Waterfront to achieve the community vision?

• Housing
  Thursday, 4.11.19 | 6:00p - 8:30p
  East Bronx Academy, 1716 Southern Blvd.

  How should we ensure the community remains affordable for those living there today?
  What resources are available to tenants, homeowners and landlords to keep housing affordable?
  How should we ensure healthy, quality housing?

• Neighborhood Food Landscape
  Thursday, 5.9.19 | Time TBD
  Location TBD

  What makes it hard to eat healthy in the neighborhoods around Southern Boulevard?
  How should we increase access to affordable, healthy food options?
  What would an equitable food landscape look like?

• Violence as a Public Health Issue
  June TBD | Time TBD
  Location TBD

  How should we address violence in the community?
  How should we detect and manage conflict to create a safer and healthier community?
  What would a truly safe community look like?

The March 14th Parks, Public Space, and the Waterfront meeting will be an open house, workshop-style format. Attendees can expect to engage in conversations and activities about parks, streets, the waterfront and connections throughout the study area.

City agencies will be present to share information about existing programs, projects and services. The agencies include the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Transportation, Department of Design and Construction and more.

The event runs from 6:00-8:30 pm so attendees may arrive at whatever time works best for them and they should expect to stay at least an hour.

These meetings will help identify priorities to help shape a plan for the neighborhood’s future that is responsive to local needs. For summaries and materials from past meetings, see nyc.gov/southern.

The Southern Boulevard study aims to explore ways to protect and increase affordable housing, strengthen retail and local businesses, increase pedestrian safety and walkability, and improve community resources, all of which will support the long-term sustainability of the area.

The 130-block study area encompasses the Crotona Park East and Longwood neighborhoods. It spans parts of Community Districts (CD) 2 and 3, and a small part of CD9 (one block of the western shore of the Bronx River). The area is home to almost 60,000 residents.

In recent years, the neighborhoods surrounding Southern Boulevard have participated in a number of planning processes and have seen public investments, specifically in affordable housing, which have had a positive impact on the community. Concerns and opportunities remain that can be best addressed through a comprehensive approach to the area informed by a collaborative planning effort. The Southern Boulevard planning process is an opportunity to build on past plans, implement previous recommendations, identify additional needs and create a unified vision for the area.