September 22, 2016

DDC's STEAM Team Participates in Southern Boulevard Beautification

On Thursday September 22, New York City Department of Design and Construction and WHEDco, along with over 100 volunteers from JPMorgan Chase & Co., spent the day beautifying the neighborhood around Southern Boulevard in the South Bronx. This initiative is part of a local effort to revitalize public spaces for the enjoyment of residents and merchants. The Southern Boulevard Infrastructure Upgrade is a $60 million project of infrastructure upgrades, water main, sewer, and trunk mains that includes the planting of new trees, sidewalks and roadways.

Volunteers painted tree guards along Southern Boulevard, beautified green spaces in Crotona Park, and assisted with gardening on the rooftop farm at the Intervale Green affordable housing development. DDC’s STEAM Team assisted local artist Laura Alvarez of BxArts Factory with stencil work that enhanced and embellished the tree guards creating a look that echoes a bustling and vibrant neighborhood. “We received great feedback from local residents who were excited and appreciative of making the neighborhood more beautiful which ultimately was our goal,” remarked DDC’s Deputy Director for Public Art Xenia Diente.