New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul partnered with the Department of Transportation in Parkchester Saturday to launch the first of many workshops aimed at reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway.

The partnership stems from a $7.3 million effort to reconnect the communities divided by the Cross Bronx Expressway and limit the negative effects it has had on surrounding neighborhoods for generations to come.

"We heard about concerns about the high rates of asthma, we heard about disconnected communities, we heard about lack of access to parks and green spaces," says Anthony Perez, Bronx Borough Commissioner for New York City Department of Transportation. "Now so we can talk about what are some solutions that can bring positive change to the community."

The Parkchester meeting kicked off a series of other meetings, guided by representatives from the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City Department of City Planning, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York State Department of Transportation commissioner – all urging residents to share their input.

"When the Cross Bronx expressway was constructed, nobody was asked about what they wanted," says Elizabeth Hamby, director of civic engagement at the New York City Department of City Planning. "So, really our number one priority in all of this engagement is making sure that people know that their participation, their voice is vital for shaping the plans that we're creating here."

Based on previous public comments received last year, members of the community are requesting access to green spaces, improved air quality, reduced noise, mitigation of traffic congestion, enhanced public safety and better connections to and from public transit. Parkchester locals like Matthew Mbamelu say meetings like these are a great start.

"I heard they're doing an initiative to try to make [the community] better and greener, more sustainable for the residents in the Bronx so, I decided to come and see what's being done and maybe give some input," he said.

According to Hamby, they will continue engaging the community from the summer into the fall. At the end of this year, a report will summarize all the ideas they developed and then strategize on what comes next.

The next meeting is virtual – Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. The next in-person meeting is Friday, June 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the East Bronx Academy for the Future.