The South Bronx Reacts to Rebranding Efforts: ‘What Piano District?’
A group of developers are trying to rebrand part of Mott Haven in the South Bronx as "The Piano District" - which is a nod to the piano factories that used to be there a century ago.
Eddie Small, reporter/producer for DNAinfo covering the South Bronx, explains why some community members are pushing back against the rebranding (using the hashtag #WhatPianoDistrict), describes pending plans to build luxury waterfront housing in the area, and talks about how a #BronxIsBurning-themed Halloween party thrown by the developers recently threw fire on local concerns about gentrification.
Trivializing legit community concerns not welcome. Neither are attempts to erase neighborhood's culture & history. https://t.co/k3BisgvPD6
— Melissa MarkViverito (@MMViverito) October 31, 2015
Lack of empathy & basic awareness are signs of an ailing society. Who thought "Bronx is Burning" theme a good idea? https://t.co/k3BisgvPD6
— Melissa MarkViverito (@MMViverito) October 31, 2015
Not ready to move there, but the #bronx knows how to party. Outtakes w/ my better 1/2 from last nights #macabresuite pic.twitter.com/i2GUoeNA5p
— Reese Pozgay (@Reesito) October 30, 2015
@BrianLehrer "Piano District" Billboard in #Bronx defaced #WhatPianoDistrict https://t.co/c1Ywi2rB98 pic.twitter.com/ED1fVCgZ44
— Welcome2theBronx™ (@Welcome2theBX) November 9, 2015
"We can't stop development entirely" but we want city/developers to make actual #AffordableHousing, says South Bronx artist Mitsu Hadeishi.
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) November 9, 2015
Here's that poll Brian just referred to about views on #AffordableHousing, via @PublicAgenda/@WNYC: pic.twitter.com/Dfeb4T9aEa
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) November 9, 2015
.@BrianLehrer Caller is absurd: "artists want to move to NYC" NOT for $3K/mo.+ rents. Many artists being driven OUT of NYC.
— Susan Sternberg (@swmstn2) November 9, 2015
More of the same people keep getting the raises & jobs to invade lower income areas. It's unequal access. @BrianLehrer #WhatPianoDistrict
— ILoveLife (@LioraLovesLife) November 9, 2015
