This Morning was the official ground breaking ceremony at West 230th and Broadway for the development of the 133,000 square foot mall to be called Broadway Plaza. Developer Equity One is investing almost fifty-four million dollars to build a two story mall located on West 230th Street between Broadway and the Major Deegan Highway. The 6 - 9 stores when completed will create approximately 250 full and part time jobs, while having had approximately 500 construction jobs.
New York City Economic Development Corporation COO Zachary Smith who lives in the area of the new development said "This will ensure that the Broadway Corridor here in the Bronx will continue to thrive into the future". Equity One CEO Jeffrey Olson said that when completed Broadway Plaza will be a wonderful addition to the community both as a generator for economic development, and as a shopping destination and amenity for the residents. He said that the projected opening date for the mall is the fall of 2014.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said "This is only one of the many new developments Bronxwide that I had visioned when I was elected to be borough president". Diaz added "It is because of new development like this that has taken the Bronx out of having the highest unemployment in New York State". Congressman Eliot Engel said "this is further proof that the Bronx, and especially the northwest Bronx is back and better than ever". Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman Oliver Koppell lamented the days of having lunch across the street over ten years ago thinking of a project like the one being done today.
Left - NYC Economic Development Department COO Zachary Smith is speaking as you can see a drawing of what the shopping mall will look like on the far right.
Right - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. tells of all the other development going on throughout the Bronx.
Left - Councilman Oliver Koppell tells of his vision for the then empty lot when he was elected almost 12 years ago.
Right - Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation head Ms. Marlene Cintron said "Developers were waiting to see when the Bronx would turn around". "This project and other further up on Broadway were the two first new developments in the Bronx.
Left & Right are Jeffrey Olson (of Equity One), Ms. Marlene Cintron (of BOEDC), Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Zachary Smith (NYCEDC), Congressman Eliot Engel, Councilman Oliver Koppell, Bob Fanuzzi (Chair CB8), and Sergio Vilavarde (Chair EDC CB 8).
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