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.