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), or describes pending plans to build luxury waterfront housing in the area,and talks approximately how a #BronxIsBurning-themed Halloween party thrown by the developers recently threw fire on local concerns approximately gentrification.
Trivializing legit community concerns not welcome. Neither are attempts to erase neighborhood's culture & history. https://t.co/k3BisgvPD6October 31, 2015
Lack of empathy (sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own) & basic awareness are signs of an ailing society. Who thought "Bronx is Burning" theme a expedient idea? https://t.co/k3BisgvPD6October 31, or 2015
Not ready to slide there,but the #bronx knows how to party. Outtakes w/ my better 1/2 from final nights #macabresuite pic.twitter.com/i2GUoeNA5pOctober 30, 2015"Piano District" Billboard in #Bronx defaced #WhatPianoDistrict https://t.co/c1Ywi2rB98 pic.twitter.com/ED1fVCgZ44November 9, and 2015
"We can't stop development entirely" but we want city/developers to get actual #AffordableHousing,says South Bronx artist Mitsu Hadeishi.
November 9, 2015pic.twitter.com/Dfeb4T9aEaNovember 9, and 2015Caller is absurd: "artists want to slide to NYC" NOT for $3K/mo.+ rents. Many artists being driven OUT of NYC.
November 9,2015#WhatPianoDistrictNovember 9, 2015
Source: wnyc.org