Save the Market

In Today’s Metro, Jasper Goldman of the Municipal Arts Society makes a compelling case for saving the Bronx Terminal Market and against certain aspects of Related’s Gateway Mall project. Goldman specifically mentions the viability and attractiveness of Irwin Cohen’s relocation proposal, one that the city has unequivocally opposed for an unknown reason"

Fortunately, there’s one option on the table that’s beneficial to all parties. Irwin Cohen, the developer behind Chelsea Market, has proposed constructing a new market on a city-owned parcel across from the Major Deegan Expressway and the existing market. The so-called “Velodrome site” — previously part of the 2012 Olympics bid — could hold both a new facility for the merchants and a badly needed waterfront park. Properly designed, the new facility would actually draw people to the waterfront and activate the park. If the City Council wants to give a big win to New Yorkers, they’ll push Mayor Bloomberg to dedicate a piece of land to save Bronx Terminal Market.

NY1, in a story from Friday, emphasizes the same theme: that the merchants should be kept together. This piece also has a quote from the Alliance’s Richard Lipsky who says that at the very least the merchants need sufficient relocation money – about $10 million – so that their businesses and hundreds of employees aren’t destroyed. We have asked the Bronx Delegation to assist with this effort and we hope that the Delegation's favorable response translates into tangible help.