The new outdoor dining on Willis Avenue. Photos courtesy of Kamila Harris Photography
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BY JASON COHEN
More than 30 volunteers
constructed modular outdoor
open space facilities focused
on rebuilding the quality of life
for a major hub in the Bronx
last week.
On Oct. 2, the Bronx Community
Foundation in partnership
with the Third Avenue
Business Improvement District,
NY Department of Transport
and Rockwell Group’s DineOut
NYC, created outdoor dining
and open space at 500 Willis
Ave., between 147th Street and
Roberto Clemente Plaza in the
south Bronx.
The space will be open daily
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is set
up in front of a number of small
businesses including Botanica
La Milagrossa, Hair Braiding,
The Hub Novelty, Coffee
Delight Diner, Boost Mobile,
La Isla Restaurant and Alex
Grocery Store.
In addition to adding extra
space for diners, the program
will include activities focusing
on youth, public health, arts
music and culture. Individuals
can participate in outdoor salsa
lessons, fi tness and aerobic
classes, live performances basketball
games and air hockey.
The goal of this major revitalization
project is to celebrate
the intense urbanity of the area,
which sees thousands of passersby
daily, while providing the
community with a clean, safe,
open space for workers, residents
and visitors. It also makes
the plaza a hub in itself, giving
community members a place to
congregate and celebrate.
A recent study from HR&A
Advisors indicated that the
south Bronx would experience
diffi culty recovering from
COVID-19, due to economic and
health disparities.
These challenges are further
exacerbated as the majority of
the south Bronx is comprised
of mom and pop shops, with
only 16 percent of businesses
considered chains.
Alexander Avenue has been
a focus of The Bronx Community
Foundation and their
COVID-19 relief effort. The
Bronx Community Relief Effort,
which supports small
businesses and the revitalization
and recovery of the Bronx
in partnership with the Third
Avenue Business Improvement
District and a coalition of 15
Bronx business organizations.
Grants have been provided to
multiple small businesses with
a focus on supporting businesses
owned by women or
people of color.
Improving
outdoor space
Volunteers revitalize Bronx hub