By Roland Li
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last week initiated a $3.5 million initiative to fund sustainability, transit and economic development in New York and Connecticut. The effort, known as New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities, will focus on developing areas near the MTA’s Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road. Eleven state agencies and non-profit groups will form an advisory board.
In New York City, the program will fund three projects. Efforts include the capitalization of the Bronx Metro-North Corridor, which will promote job creation for local residents, access to local rail stations and investment in mixed-income housing.
“We know that our city shares with the region not only a transportation system, a labor force, and an economy, but also common opportunities and challenges for the future,” said Amanda Burden, commissioner of the Department of City Planning, in a statement. “To remain competitive in an international economy, we must work together and direct growth in areas accessible to our expansive transit and rail network.”
City Planning will develop a sustainability strategy in Cypress Hills and East New York, with a similar focus on mixed-income housing and transit, as well as streetscape improvements and increasing healthy food options.
City Planning will also develop citywide protections against climate change, particularly to minimize damages due to flooding and storm surges.
Other programs will be initiated in Westchester County, Long Island and parts of Fairfield County.
