DIEGO BEEKMAN

A Community-Based Plan
for the South Bronx

ABOUT THE PlAN

Originally proposed in 2017, the Diego Beekman Neighborhood Plan is designed to tackle historical disinvestment and build back our community. This plan outlines a series of ambitious efforts to transform the socio-economic conditions, public safety challenges, and quality-of-life issues confronting our community. This plan is vitally important in creating a framework for growth and opportunity, addressing some of the community’s most pressing economic safety and quality-of-life needs, and helping our neighborhoods recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Plan

Become a public supporter

Stand with us in support of a community-based plan that works for all of Mott Haven and tackles historical disinvestment in the community.

The plan is designed to build locally rooted economic opportunities, invest in community infrastructure, and create much needed housing, putting Mott Haven residents front and center.

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Neighborhood Planning Process

Forsyth Street and Curtis+Ginsberg Architects worked with Diego Beekman’s leadership to gather neighborhood priorities and needs through a variety of methods. A survey was distributed to all Diego Beekman households as well as residents of the Concord Avenue private homes, with 151 responses to drill down on priorities and key neighborhood issues.

Curtis+Ginsberg Architects facilitated a community visioning session that focused on the programs for two key sites. Numerous meetings were held with elected officials, agencies, and other stakeholders to obtain feedback throughout the process.

May 31, 2016 Visioning Session held in a classroom with a diverse group of people.

May 31, 2016  Visioning Session

Listening to Community Residents

Forsyth Street, working with Diego Beekman and Curtis+Ginsberg, drafted a survey for residents of the neighborhood to better understand priority community needs, unmet retail demand, use of public space, public safety concerns, transportation use, and demographic information. A summary of results is presented below.

Key takeaways: ‍

  • Public safety is the top concern, followed by job opportunities, social services, youth programs, and better retail.
  • Nearly 45% of respondents report “fair” or “poor” health, much higher than comparable communities.
  • The South Bronx is one of the city’s worst public school districts, impacting the future success of students.
  • Respondents on the whole are willing to pay more for a higher quality supermarket, clothing store, restaurant, and laundromat.
  • Only 21% of respondents report that the quality of life in the neighborhood is “very good” or “good”.
139th Street in the Bronx, A mother and child are crossing at an intersection

The Plan

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