The HUB of the South Bronx is what some people call “The Times Square of the Bronx.” Over 200,000 people pass through this area everyday to shop at the many diverse stores in the area. However, unlike Times Square the area is plagued by numerous methadone clinics, extreme poverty and massive government infrastructure projects that have scourged the area for several years due to a lack of government urgency. Although not one agency is to blame, the lack of care in delivering goods and services in an impoverished area is on full display throughout the neighborhood. One can’t help but wonder if these projects had been going on in say, the Upper West Side, how differently the City would have dealt with these issues.
Aka “The HUB”
Aerial view of The HUB
A subway exit around dinner time. The first look of the neighborhood to a person visiting the area…
View looking south down Melrose into the HUB intersection. This is the second of three major infrastructure projects in the HUB.
Street view of the main 5-way Intersection as the local schools break for the day.
Caution
An unfortunate yet common site around the construction project. Many passers by blame this on the local Methadone Clinics, but one can’t be sure.
The City has not changed out this sign which has been burnt and graffitied since the beginning of the project three years ago.
The future sight of Roberto Clemente Plaza. It is now a three year eye sore that stores construction equipment and has hurt local businesses.
The owner of 518 Willis Ave Discount Store standing across from the construction project. He has lost tens of thousands of dollars over the years due to the long delays and general troubles the construction projects have caused the area
Johnson, a local resident, rides his bike along the plaza construction site
The sun shines on a typical illegal dumping spot in the area.
Two blocks away from the plaza rests this crown jewel of the neighborhood: Immaculate Conception Church
A woman walks to one of many bus stops throughout the HUB as the shops begin to close down for the night.
2 comments
Really great job with this Justin. I’m very familiar with the HUB and I feel like you did a great job portraying the atmosphere. Looking forward to the rest of the pics.
There are some very good images of the lingering mess and disorder that the Hub has become rather than the center of community activity which it should be. What could anchor this project better is to alternate photos of people’s reactions to the ugliness and disruption caused by the trash and construction debris which have gone on for so long with the background shots. You would need more shots like that of Johnson and the store owner, and fewer general shots of garbage and open ditches.
Really great job with this Justin. I’m very familiar with the HUB and I feel like you did a great job portraying the atmosphere. Looking forward to the rest of the pics.
There are some very good images of the lingering mess and disorder that the Hub has become rather than the center of community activity which it should be. What could anchor this project better is to alternate photos of people’s reactions to the ugliness and disruption caused by the trash and construction debris which have gone on for so long with the background shots. You would need more shots like that of Johnson and the store owner, and fewer general shots of garbage and open ditches.