This week, we asked readers for their opinions on the possibility, as reported, of a multi-story apartment building, with commercial space on the first floor, being built on the empty Bainbridge Avenue lot below East 206th Street, and northwest of East 204th and East 205th Streets in Norwood, where as reported, a row of one-story, small businesses burned down in a devastating fire on Oct. 10, 2023.

 

In addition to damage to CVS Pharmacy, which closed temporarily after the fire and later reopened, other businesses along the block destroyed and demolished included the Family Meat Market business, Bainbridge Bakery, Halal Curry & Kebab restaurant, a fish market, Shahjalal Grocery & Variety, which sells Bangladeshi, American, Indian & Pakistani food, and a Mexican grocery store.

“They should rebuild the small businesses, those family-owned, mom and pop small businesses should be rebuilt here because that was good for the community. There used to be a diner where that supermarket currently [Foodtown on East 204^th] is and that burned down too , and then this burned down, and they won’t rebuild the small mom and pop shops. For fires like this, the City should have special insurance policies that help them rebuild in the same location. The City should help them rebuild there.”

Kevin Rodriguez,

Norwood

 

“I remember the fire when it happened; it was so tragic. I had become friends with the individual who owned the Mexican store. They were very young people there, so I connected with them and found that community within this community. I was devastated and had hoped that they could come back, but I do not know if they will. It would excite me to see this empty space will be filled again, but I just wish that the Mexican store could come back because I really connected with my Mexican heritage. They sold food and supplies.”

Alexander Vazquez,

Norwood

 

“That’s amazing! That would be a good thing for the community and new people would be able to get a new place. They need to build more buildings for people to live, even the homeless. That’s nice. They need more schools; the schools are basically overcrowded.”

Steven Rodriguez,

Bedford Park

 

“It will be nice to see something besides an empty space. The possibility of an apartment complex? That would be nice. As far as the parking in the area, unless they build an underground garage, they shouldn’t build it [apartments]. It’s already crowded here.”

Conrad Gifaw,

Norwood

 

“They should put affordable housing there. We do need more housing; look at all the people on the street. The problem is the new buildings they’re putting up are being made poorly and no one monitors them. If they’re not monitored, you get the sh*t. A half decent restaurant would be nice.”

Lucy Torres,

Norwood

 

Click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here to read our previous coverage of that latest October 2023 fire.

 

To read the latest coverage of the recent Bainbridge Avenue fatal fire in Fordham Manor in May, click here, here, here, here,

 

Sign up for a free smoke alarm here. Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips. “During a fire, always close the door behind you!” fire officials say. “It helps contain smoke and flames, giving you precious time to escape.”