Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study

Illustrated map of Parkchester with surrounding neighborhoods

Parkchester/Van Nest

Parkchester and Van Nest are two of the borough’s most unique and diverse communities. South of East Tremont Avenue and the Metro-North rail line, Parkchester is home to thriving and diverse communities. Named after the Parkchester planned community, developed by the Met Life Corporation in the 1940s, the area is home to a large and still relatively affordable housing stock. North of the East Tremont Avenue, in Van Nest Neighborhood, is a mix of smaller homes and schools, strong retail corridors -- similar to in Morris Park -- and thriving immigrant communities.

East Tremont Avenue offers opportunities for building more housing and small business near the coming station. East Tremont Avenue lacks basic pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks and crosswalks to accommodate people traveling to and from the surrounding neighborhoods to the train.

View the full zoning proposal here.

Para ver este video en español, haga clic aquí.

Plan Objectives

Objectives developed with Parkchester/Van Nest communities include:

Vibrant Communities

Planning for growth while celebrating who we are.

Encourage the development of a mixed-use, walkable district around the future station
Make the new stations a part of the neighborhood
Encourage welcoming public connections throughout the neighborhood, create new open spaces and improve and better connect to existing ones
Preserve existing housing and allow for new housing for a range of incomes and housing types
Promote fair, transit-oriented development that benefits all residents
Support the area’s diverse and growing immigrant communities
Make healthy food options available
Support aging in place
Honor the area’s history and promote public art
Plan for added demand for schools, police, fire service, and other basic services

Community gateway - Click on the numbers on each image to see descriptions.

Illustrated roadway with greenery, residential buildings and a transit station. Text reads “Vision for East Tremont Ave near station with pedestrian/streetscape improvements”

Roadway with parked cars and residential buildings. Text reads “Current view of East Tremont Ave near station”

Today	Tomorrow
1. Poor and obstructed sidewalks on north side of E Tremont Ave	1. Continuous and clear sidewalks on the north side of E Tremont Ave

Today	Tomorrow
2. No pedestrian crossing near station	2. Improved pedestrian crossings

Today	Tomorrow
3. Lack of basic pedestrian amenities	3. Pedestrian amenities such as benches and amenities that encourage multiple modes of transit, such as bike racks and improved bus stops

Today	Tomorrow
4. Lack of retail for large stretches of E Tremont Ave	4. Retail uses oriented towards the station that help to bring E Tremont Ave to life

Today	Tomorrow
5. Lack of housing along E Tremont Avenue	5. Allow for housing and new retail near station while respecting character of existing neighborhood

Connected Communities

Planning to help people get around the neighborhood, the city, and the region.

Address traffic circulation around the new station as the area continues to grow
Ensure that major corridors are safe, well-lit, and offer pleasant pedestrian experiences
Strengthen bike and walking connections to the station, transit, retail, and area campuses
Improve wayfinding to local retail corridors, neighborhoods, and amenities (zoo, libraries, etc.)

Working Communities

Planning to help people get around the neighborhood, the city, and the region.

Connect Parkchester to major job hubs in Morris Park, Penn Station, and the region
Understand the needs of existing small businesses and identify tools to support them
Ensure that Bronxites are aware of, qualified for, and connected to current and future job opportunities in the city and the region

Detailed recommendations for Parkchester/Van Nest coming in fall 2023.

Where to next?