Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is catching some heat from Bronx residents and New Yorkers at large alike, over accusations of ignoring the encroaching gentrification on the borough and general (voluntary) obliviousness to the plight of his constituents.
After attending a star-studded party to raise support for Chetrit Group and Somerset Partners' proposed development of the "Piano District;" a fake neighborhood that represents South Bronx gentrification by design, New Yorkers lost much faith in the borough President.
New Yorkers are now freshly outraged with Diaz Jr. following his recent appearance on the Brian Lehrer show, where after making a statement against Bronx gentrification, he seemed to ignore its existence and dismissed his own call-in constituent rather rudely.
The crux of the exchange centers around a caller named Collin expressing Bronx residents' exhaustion with being priced out and pushed out of their homes to pave the way for developments that are priced astronomically higher than anyone in the neighborhood can reasonably afford.
In response, Diaz Jr. seemed to mimic climate-change deniers' strategy of saying relevant words while making no lucid point with them, while also appearing to argue against the existence of something that's clearly a reality.
After an exchange where the borough President and caller exchanged the question, "Are you in reality?" Diaz Jr. demanded proof that there is gentrification in the Bronx.
So to provide exactly that, Welcome2theBronx put together a list of markedly above-market priced apartments and condos, as well as a list of properties that have sold recently at speculation prices, astronomically higher than their actual value, because they're to be developed into luxury spots.
We're rounding up a some of the best points made by Welcome2theBronx's lists, because if the borough President needs any proof, he needn't look any further.
1. The Clocktower Building rents are upwards of $1000 higher than the average median price in Port Morris and Mott Haven.
via New York Times
2. Proposed rent for a one-bedroom Piano District unit is $3,750.
everydaybronx As seen in the Bronx. Photo by @jazzaddikt #everydaybronx #everydayeverywhere #everyday #bronx #thebronx #bx #nyc #bronxstreets #bronxlife #bronxstrong #whyilovethebronx #ilovethebronx #bronxisbeautiful #bronxcommunity #bronxstorytelling #thebronxisnotforsale #whatpianodistrict #pianodistrict #elbronxnosevende #notobxgentrification
3. First South Bronx market-rate condos, Bronx Bricks' asking price range was $388k-$789k, in 2007.
via Curbed NY
4. Parkchester lost 38 mom and pop shops in a $15,000,000 development sale.
nycbodegas #nycbodegas #NYC #bodega #bodegas #brooklyn #williamsburg #mushroom #pipe #unionave #labodega 🍄🚬
5. 304 Grand Concourse in Mott Haven sold for $3,250,000 in October, almost ten times the median price per square foot.
bronx_photo_league Featuring Bronx Photo League Member, Rhynna Santos! #Repost @rhynnasantos with @repostapp. ・・・ bx - Bronx residents gather in front the Bronx County Courthouse to demand real affordable housing be built in the Bronx. The average income for families in the Bronx is $25,000 per year. The Mayor's plan considers "affordable housing" to be households who make $77,000 per year. #everydaybronx #everydayeverywhere #bronx #thebronx #elbronx #bx #nyc #thebronxisnotforsale #notobxgentrification #whatpianodistrict #pianodistrict #elbronxnosevende #affordablehousing #bronxaffordablehousing #bronxstrong #bronxprotest #bronxvoice #bronxlife #whyilovethebronx #ilovethebronx #bronxisbeautiful #bronxcommunity #bronxstorytelling #bronxphotography #bronxphotographer #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhitebronx
Check out 8 Legit Reasons Why You Should Visit Morningside Heights.
[via Welcome2theBronx] [Feature Image Courtesy TimeOut]