WHEDco collaborates with local merchants to build a more vibrant business district in the Crotona Park East neighborhood surrounding our Intervale Green building. More than 45,000 people live within a half-mile of the Southern Boulevard commercial corridor between East 174th Street and Westchester Avenue at Simpson Street. Our Community Development team helped launch the Southern Boulevard Merchant Association (SBMA), which works to attract more local shoppers to area businesses and bring new businesses to vacant storefronts in response to local needs.
WHEDco works with residents, community partners, City agencies, and the Merchant Association to advocate for improvements, beautify the neighborhood, improve safety, organize community events, increase foot traffic, and leverage this corridor’s transit hubs to revitalize the local economy.
WHEDco also commissions reports to give local merchants data crucial for their success, but not readily available to mom & pop shops, such as information on “retail leakage” – money spent by local residents outside of the neighborhood. This information serves as a critical resource for business owners, who are able to tailor their businesses to meet the community’s needs and ensure their own financial security.
In addition to the increased economic activity that the SBMA has generated, it also benefits residents by bringing the things they need for daily living closer to home, and improves the quality of life in the neighborhood by increasing street activity and helping cut crime.
Are you thinking of opening up a business in the South Bronx? Check out our sell sheets of available commercial spaces or fill out our Retail Space Contact Form!
Neighborhood Projects
- LISC Commercial Corridor Challenge
- Southern Boulevard 2018 Storefront Improvements Work
- Southern Boulevard Retail Space tour
- Traffic safety advocacy work
Market Data
- Southern Boulevard Retail Needs Brochure
- Southern Boulevard Shopper Preferences Survey Report
- Southern Boulevard 2018 Commercial District Needs Assessment