Several Bronx business owners are currently facing severe economic challenges as a monstrous MTA construction project encroaches upon their customer base and visibility. As reported by CBS News New York, metallic fences and concrete barricades have significantly obscured storefronts along Broadway near Van Cortlandt Park, essentially wiping out parking and making it difficult for potential customers to even spot the businesses behind the obstructive barriers.
The construction, which began in late October of 2024 and is slated for completion in 2026, aims to install an elevator and replace the century-old Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street Station structure. However, this necessary modernization has come at a cost to local commerce. One of the businesses affected, Broadway Joe's Pizza, has lost up to 35% in sales since the fences went up, owner Louie Porco disclosed to CBS News New York. "Business was pretty good, you know, before construction. But since construction, it's been down 35%," Porco said.
This sentiment is echoed in a statement obtained by The New York Post, where business owners along the affected Bronx block reported losses up to 50% in the past six months due to plummeting foot and vehicle traffic, coupled with an uncomfortable increase in homeless activities shielded by the erected fencing. Gary Singh, owner of Shah Halal Food, expressed his frustration about the lack of progress, despite the MTA's receiving funds from congestion pricing tolls. The MTA claimed a completion timeframe of six months for a two-stop elevator, only to seemingly abandon the project shortly after starting.
Business owner Abuekr Algazali described the dire situation, stating, "We shut it down. We were open for three weeks. We lose a business. You know, I have to pay the rent through now and it's closed. And here, we owe rent, too. We owe a lot of money," as told to CBS News New York. Algazali, struggling with mounting debts and running a business obstructed by the fence, has also been borrowing money to make ends meet. He's pleaded with the MTA to create openings in the fence to allow pedestrians to access businesses but to no avail, as shared with The New York Post.
A worker from Shamrock Wines and Liquors, Danny, conveyed the atmosphere of hopelessness to The New York Post, "If we continue to lose business like this, we will have to shut down." Safety concerns due to increased incidences of theft and harassment are also on the rise. Meanwhile, local patron Michael Walker lamented the transformation of the neighborhood scene, urging, "Either they start doing the work or take the fence down. You are hurting the business and the community. This is ridiculous. The MTA can do better."
