Bronx Gateway by D. Bell (January 2009)
I was excited to see the progress being made on the new Gateway Center being built across the Harlem River in the shadow of the new Yankee’s Stadium.
The brand new shopping center is being built on redeveloped land that was formerly the very dilapidated Bronx Terminal Market up until about a year or so ago. Here are pictures of the mall and the accompanying train station just a short walk away.
The mall will be easy to get to with direct access from I-87, the new train station for the new Yankee’s Stadium, and a short ride or walk across the 145th Street Bridge for Harlemites.
Do you think the Gateway Plaza will be a good addition to the area or will it create more traffic congestion and continue to drive business away from the mom and pops left in the neighborhood?
For more information: Bronx Gateway Website
narmer
January 13, 2009
Don’t forget about the Tennis Club opening on the river front side of the plaza and the new Soccer Field that will draw the crowds too.
illoquentgent
January 13, 2009
I was already excited when I saw a mall was going to be built there. The place was seedy and dangerous after 6pm, kind of like the ViVa area by the Hudson River before the “revitalization”. As the names of the stores kept coming in it became clear this would be my default shopping mall. It is about time we get something close (closer) and (more) convenient. I know that BJ’s in particular will be a great appeal to the Harlem/Bronx neighborhoods.I’m a Home Depot junkie so I’ll just be stopping by every weekend. And an Applebee’s too? Awesome!
Traffic will be out of control though. That street (145th/149th) already goes through horrible congestion during rush hour. Coupling that with eager shopper can become a nightmare. Hopefully they can find a system that will mitigate the problem a bit. All that aside, whoo-hoo!
D. Bell
January 13, 2009
Hugo,
I am very concerned about the traffic. 145th Street can become a gridlock nightmare when there are Yankee’s games. I am thinking of the combination of the Yankee’s fans with the shoppers coming from every direction! And poor I-87 heading toward the GW Bridge is going to bear the added brunt as well. From the signage there are plenty more retail spaces available. What out shops might be a good fit? I am thinking a bookstore. We don’t have enough bookstores in Harlem or The Bronx. The only B&N I know of is all the way in Co-Op City. It doesn’t have to be a B&N though. If Starbuck’s doesn’t have a moratorium on opening new locations I’m sure they will jump in on the action as well. Wish they hadn’t bought out ALL the smaller chains so they could have some competition. Too bad Pete’s Coffee isn’t here in New York.
harlemite
January 12, 2009
well for that area, its a MAJOR comeup. i’m most excited about the BJs though. costco, best buy, and target here in harlem probably wont finish til spring 2010
D. Bell
January 12, 2009
The BJ’s is what really caught my eye. A BB&B is also something we don’t have in Harlem. You have to go downtown for those items. Also right now the closest Target is at 225th Street which is a pain to get to on the subway if you live closer to the Harlem River and only slightly less annoying if you drive (fortunately there is adequate parking.) Though Harlem has been promised out set of big box stores that East Plaza Center is having so many issues and the location is less convenient that the Bronx location. Wondering if Best Buy will make it through the recession though.
Steven
January 11, 2009
Excited? The city gave away that land! Then gave them more land in what used to be the jail that was a few blocks away. $8/hour jobs with no benefits. Oh yeah, I’m really excited.
D. Bell
January 11, 2009
Key word is JOBS in an economy that is losing them quickly.