A new public space and seating area, “Street Seat” was formally opened for residents along Jerome Avenue and East Gun Hill Road on Wednesday, July 14. It was organized by the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and will function as a social center for local residents. The space has been dedicated to the local medical community for the work they have done throughout the pandemic.

Part of DOT’s revitalization of the intersection as part of its Public Space Unit and Art Program, the new space builds on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “State of the City” commitment to creating newly designed public spaces for the City’s top 33 hardest-hit neighborhoods. The space is intended to support local small businesses, foster community ties, and provide an arena for arts, culture, and other programming.

Movable seating, planters, and a mural created by Bronx artist, Britny Lizet, are some of the features of the new space. Throughout the summer and early fall, Jerome Gun Hill BID will host programming in the area, including free public events twice a month. The BID will collaborate with local community organizations and businesses to bring free art activities, books, food from local restaurants, live music, and other events to the space.

The artist said when she first got the email about the project, she couldn’t believe it, saying she cried, mainly tears of joy, tears for the hard work that has paid off over the last few years. She said the fact that she could make an impact on her neighborhood was pivotal. “It was such a rough couple of years leading to this point. Without my supporters and believing in myself, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said. “This mural meant so much to me. and to be able to bring meaning and color to the Bronx is icing on the cake.”

Lizet said the project is one she will never forget and is confirmation that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you will manifest all that you want. “I’m beyond grateful for this huge opportunity. Thank you @jeromegunhillbid and @nyc_dotart for the amazing opportunity,” she wrote.

At the press conference to mark the formal opening of the new space were senior urban designer, Jessica Cronstein, Bronx DOT commissioner, Nivardo Lopez, executive director of the Jerome Gun Hill BID, Jennifer Tausig, State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey (S.D. 36), Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), District 11 Councilman Eric Dinowitz, Ariana Cipriani, manager of neighborhood development at the Jerome Gun Hill BID, and DOT assistant commissioner for street improvement programs, Sean Quinn.

Eric Dinowitz expressed his appreciation for the newly built space, which he said he believes enhances the community’s values. “During COVID, we realized how much those small spaces matter for us to come together and just have moments to enjoy one another’s company and do nice things, and those spaces look like this,” he said.

“Beautiful artwork where residents can enjoy the stores and sit down and have meals with one another and have events like the book reading which I am very much looking forward to” he added. The councilman went on to congratulate the DOT for recognizing the value of creating such spaces in the Bronx, a borough that he said is sometimes overlooked both for large and smaller projects.

Meanwhile, Lopez said as the city recovers from the pandemic, additional and similar spaces will open up around the City, and in the Bronx.