By 2025, City Hall is expected to finally fulfill its promises to clean up The Hub commercial district in the South Bronx.
Despite cleanup efforts in the fall and even after our exposé, The Hub remains overrun by drug addicts, vagrants, spent drug paraphernalia, and filth.
One of the major efforts to rescue the area was the opening of Roberto Clemente Plaza in November 2018, described as a “green oasis amidst the chaos.”
Locals say the chaos surrounding the plaza overwhelmed it almost immediately.
The streets are filled with addicts, some shooting up in broad daylight and others suffering apparent overdoses.
Emilio Morales, general manager of the Opera House Hotel, describes the situation as the worst it has ever been.
The Hub is home to numerous methadone clinics, addiction-treatment services, and harm-reduction programs.
Business leaders in The Hub are still waiting for a lasting response from City Hall.
Previous promises of action have not resulted in long-term solutions, with drug activity and associated problems persisting.
Despite decades of challenges, it is important not to give up on finding solutions for The Hub.
A sustained police presence and relocation of addict-serving programs are suggested as potential solutions to the ongoing issues.
The Hub could benefit from Mayor Adams’ “Every Block Counts” initiative to address crime and quality-of-life issues.
City Hall must take a comprehensive approach to address the challenges in The Hub and make prosperity and public safety a reality in the area.
