The Bronx County Conservative Party is expressing deep concern over the New York City Council’s recent decision to approve the massive upzoning surrounding the four new Metro-North train stations in the Bronx. This initiative is expected to drastically alter the character of the Bronx, threatening to transform some of the borough’s quieter, residential areas into dense urban developments—a change that many Bronx residents do not support.
Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district is directly impacted by this proposal, should have been a stronger advocate against such sweeping changes. While she did manage to secure some reductions to the original plan, her efforts ultimately fell short of what was necessary to protect our communities.
Patrick McManus, Chairman of the Bronx County Conservative Party, voiced his disappointment: “While I applaud Councilwoman Marmorato’s efforts in obtaining some concessions in the proposed Metro-North upzoning project, it was my sincere hope that she would have forced her fellow councilmembers to break with the long-standing tradition of member deference by voting no.”
McManus continued, “To understand the long-term results of massive upzoning projects like this, we need only to look at Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn as prime examples. Twenty years after these projects, these neighborhoods have become unaffordable to the average New Yorker. This is not development but gentrification.”
The introduction of these new stations, along with the challenges they are likely to bring, and the erosion of the community’s distinct character, signals the beginning of a significant loss for the Bronx. The Bronx County Conservative Party firmly believes that this upzoning approval is a misguided step that will have long-term negative impacts on our borough.
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Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
