Soundview, Bronx - Urban Design Forum

About the Project

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) in collaboration with Ennead Lab and Public Works Partners will activate the future site of the Soundview Economic Hub — a currently vacant space underneath the Bruckner Expressway — with temporary art installations that honor the history of self-determination in the Bronx.

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice team visits the site in Spring 2023.

Team brainstorms activation possibilities in Summer 2023.

Team speaks with community members to define a vision for the Soundview Economic Hub art installation October 2023. Credit: Nick Hornig

A combination of community and artist input defined the Call to Artists and subsequent selection process in November 2023. Credit: Dan McCombie

Team fabricating art installation modules at Riverside Builders in July 2024. Credit: Masha Konopleva

Project team installs art pieces on site in August 2024. Credit: Andri Putri

Project team installs art pieces on site in August 2024

View into the space under the Bruckner Expressway. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

The Hub will be open every Sunday for the next year, featuring art, music, local vendors and more. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

YMPJ and their design team unveil an art exhibition featuring local artists under the Bruckner Expressway. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

David Shuffler of YMPJ gives remarks at the press event, along with local councilmember, design team, and YMPJ representatives. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

The Team gathers for a ribbon cutting at the site to celebrate the opening as a new public space. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

The Soundview Economic Hub is located under the elevated Bruckner, one of the busiest highways in the world. Credit: Cameron Blaylock

Team

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) was founded in 1994 with the mission to rebuild and improve critically impoverished neighborhoods of the South Bronx. YMPJ prepares residents to lead campaigns that prioritize environmental justice, economic opportunity, and fundamental change within the systems of oppression that challenge their ability to thrive.

David Shuffler

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Madhur Bhadsavle

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Reece Brosco

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Ennead Lab, the research and development arm of Ennead Architects, together with the urban planning and consulting firm Public Works Partners, have teamed up to combine their shared passion for community-led design with their expertise in architecture, planning and community engagement. As a partnership, they have a history of collaboration in the South Bronx and are looking forward to applying their participatory design approach in support of YMPJ’s vision for the Soundview Economic Hub.

Masha Konopleva

Ennead

Daniel McCombie

Public Works Partners

Ayumi Sugiyama

Ennead

Adam Mead

Ennead

Melissa S. Lee

Public Works Partners

Amairani Marin Tovar

Public Works Partners

Joel Hochman

Public Works Partners

Special thanks to John Sloane and Peri Chain at Buro Happold for providing engineering support. And special thanks to Siddhartha Sanchez, Nick Hornig and Malachi Pursley who contributed to the first phase of the project.

Images courtesy of partner organizations

Support

Our Rooted Cultures projects are made possible with lead support from the Mellon Foundation and with additional major support from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.

Urban Design Forum programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

To learn more about supporting the Local Center, please contact Katherine Sacco, katherine@urbandesignforum.org and Lauren Nye, lauren.n@anhd.org.