2024 Theses Master's

Activating Jerome Plaza through the NYC Plaza Program

Punay, Lance Mikhail Roldan

This project, undertaken with the Friends of Mosholu Parkway (FOMP) as the client, focused on Jerome Plaza in the Bronx as a potential site for activation into a vibrant public plaza for the community. Located at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and E Mosholu Parkway North, the 4,230 square foot paved space exhibits underutilization despite its central location. To advocate for more investments for the place, FOMP aims to secure recognition of Jerome Plaza as an official NYC Plaza through the NYC Plaza Program.

The project involved the development of a comprehensive report and Community Visioning Session toolkit designed to support FOMP's future application to the NYC Plaza Program. This included documenting current conditions, conducting research on usage patterns, and making recommendations for enhancements. Additionally, the project integrated community engagement through two visioning sessions to ensure alignment with community needs and desires. Utilizing qualitative methodologies such as the Toolkit for the Ethnographic Study of Public Space (TESS), the project gathered data on social, political, and physical characteristics of Jerome Plaza.

Thematic coding and triangulation of data sources were employed to generate insights and recommendations. Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis. First, the plaza's passive state limits its potential as a recreation and community hub. Second, insufficient activity and infrastructure contribute to concerns about safety within the space. Third, long-term success requires fostering community ownership through proactive programming. Lastly, embracing its transient nature offers an opportunity to transform the space into a formal gateway to Mosholu Parkway.

Despite limitations, this Capstone project provided valuable insights and recommendations that can guide FOMP's continued efforts in activating Jerome Plaza. By leveraging the NYC Plaza Program and engaging the community, Jerome Plaza has the potential to become a thriving public plaza and community hub.