Empty vendor stalls at Fordham Plaza irk Community Board 6 members

Members of Community Board 6 are confused as to why many vendor stall have remained empty at Fordham Plaza seven years after $34 million in renovations were completed.

News 12 Staff

Feb 25, 2023, 11:02 PM

Updated 597 days ago

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Members of Community Board 6 are confused as to why many vendor stall have remained empty at Fordham Plaza seven years after $34 million in renovations were completed.
Fordham Plaza is one of the Bronx’s biggest hubs, with multiple bus lines, Metro-North and Fordham University.
Members of CB6 have been trying to get the city to pick up the slack and fill the vendors stalls for years. They say not much has been done to improve the space since the 2016 renovation – and now it’s become desolate and graffiti-ridden.
The goal for the renovations, backed by the city’s Department of Transportation, was to make the area more pedestrian friendly, complete with space for several vendors kiosks and a café. However, besides a temporary art gallery a few years ago, the space has remained empty.
Last July, the DOT issued a notice of solicitation for the stalls, but the Community Board says they’re not seeing much progress.
The DOT tells News 12 complications due to the pandemic have kept the kiosks empty, but they have recently issues two request for proposals for concessionaires and that process is moving along.
Their next meeting is on March 8. CB6 plans to take a vote to request an audit by City Comptroller Brad Lander.