Residents fed up with construction at Roberto Clemente Plaza

<p>The retail heart of the South Bronx has long been plagued by a construction project that continues to stall.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 18, 2017, 9:38 PM

Updated 2,632 days ago

Share:

The retail heart of the South Bronx has long been plagued by a construction project that continues to stall.
Residents and store owners say they are fed up with the construction project at Roberto Clemente Plaza, which is 10 years in the making counting the planning phase.
Business owners say many of them have been forced to close because of the construction eyesore.
Closed sidewalks caused by the construction have also been a nuisance for pedestrians.
Michael Brady, executive director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District, tells News 12 that the project was supposed to be done about three years ago.
Delays have included the expansion of scope of work, replacing sewer lines and a contractor filing bankruptcy.
Brady says the Department of Transportation is the lead agency on the project. When News 12 contacted the DOT, it deferred to the city's Department of Design and Construction, who Brady says is managing the project.
The DDC said in a statement that the "DDC is working closely with [its] contractor Trocom to complete Roberto Clemente Plaza. Trocom experienced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy over the course of the project, ultimately leading to delays. Work is now expected to be completed by the end of November."