Mixed Feelings in Mott Haven About New High Rises

Bronx, N.Y. – Karina Vargas worries that new development in Mott Haven will force her out of the neighborhood she grew up in. A group of  27-story buildings are going up with 200 apartments each, and she and others wonder what comes next. “These changes are not for us and they’re going to push us out,” Vargas said.

The 33-year-old single mother explained that she researched applying for one of the 60 apartments set aside for middle income families, but she discovered that the family income must be $80,000. “Nobody in this community makes that amount of money, I have a Section 8 voucher. They don’t accept it,” she explained indignantly. 

But others in the neighborhood see the development as a change for good. Alerton Garcia, 25, said, “the streets will be cleaner. This is a poor neighborhood. We deal with homelessness and garbage. Having a new population will force new actions and more upkeep.” However, he also echoes the concerns Vargas has and fears the new demographic of wealthy people will change the face of the community in five years.

Jimmy Serrano, 31, also feels uncomfortable about the changes. “At first I would get excited when I would see one of those buildings being built.” Serrano thought that the buildings meant opportunities for those that live in the community. However, he began to understand the concerns of his neighbors. “As time passed and more buildings were finished, I started understanding the people from the neighborhood,” he said. “Mott Haven has changed for the better, but we’re also being pushed out”

Yet Serrano is taking a chance and hoping that he can get an apartment in one of the buildings. “There are different ways to apply to these buildings through USPS (United States Postal Service) mail, online lottery, walk-in, referral, and most likely there are more ways to apply.” He used the online lottery system and hopes that he’ll find a new home. “ I’ve applied to all of the buildings to see where I would be lucky. I was surprised how simple it is to apply once you set-up your profile,” Serrano explained.

Some store owners look at what the development might bring. They hope for economic growth as the population expands in the neighborhood. Josefina Valdez, 45, owns La Santa Cruz Records, a store on 138th Street. “I hope that as new people move into this neighborhood, they discover the business more. I have been here for ten years, and business has slowed down.” 

Valdez says that the neighborhood may even see a reduction in crime. So far in 2023, there have been 83 robberies and 126 assaults with weapons in the 40th Precinct, according to NYPD statistics.

“As a store owner, I am afraid of being robbed because of the citywide increase of robberies. I feel like the police will be around more to keep the neighborhood safe,” Valdez said.

Down the block from Valdez in a bodega called Lara Grocery, Adel, 38, works as a clerk and has a different concern. “You will see economic growth in the neighborhoods when rich people move into them. This neighborhood will be changed upside down. Although I’m happy that the business will continue to grow, I can’t deny that I don’t worry about my future here. My rent has gone up 46 percent in the last two years since the construction went up, and I fear that this percentage will continue to increase as the buildings get finalized.” 

The change that seems inevitable feels like it’s knocking on neighbors’ doors. Lucy Martinez, 53, the secretary of St. Jerome HANDS Community Center, fears for those who will no longer be able to afford to live in the neighborhood. She said, “this church has been serving the community for more than 125 years. We try to help low income families as much as we can as the rents keep going up. We do see a change in the families that are leaving.” Martinez believes that the condominiums should have options for low income families that would give everyone a chance to seize the opportunities, not just those who are above the $80,000 mark.