Bronx Commons
In his interview, Bobby explains that throughout his childhood live performance and music was easily accessible including through the radio, music education in schools, nightclubs, social clubs, neighborhood concerts. He states that even television programs offered exposure to live performances without the need to pay “An exorbitant amount of money to see them live in Las Vegas or in a top-tiered...Manhattan nightclub.” Bobby recalls, “All the TV talks shows had bands and they were all jazz bands. All the cartoons had jazz in them and...every situation comedy at that time...featured some type of jazz-oriented music whether it was McHale’s Navy or The Mary Tyler Moore show...you turn on the TV and all of a sudden you see Sammy Davis on TV or Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra or Nancy Wilson or Nina Simone.” For Bobby, this meant that “you got to respect art and culture without even knowing it.” He regrets that younger generations have not been allowed as much exposure to live performances as a result of a multitude of factors including budget cuts in arts education. However, in addition to the work being done by the BMHC, future developments in the Bronx provide a hopeful outlook.
One of the most recent developments in the South Bronx has been Bronx Commons, for which construction began on January 13, 2017. “Completion of Bronx Commons is expected in 2019” (Bronx Commons Breaks Ground in Melrose). The site is “WHEDco’s third affordable housing development in the Bronx…[and] will be located in the Melrose neighborhood” (Melrose Community Needs & Actions Report). The mission at WHEDco “is to give the Bronx greater access to resources that create beautiful and thriving communities - from sustainable and affordable homes, high-quality early education and after-school programs, and fresh, healthy food, to cultural programming and economic opportunity” (WHEDco). The design for Bronx Commons was based on input from community members. In partnership with “a Healthier Bronx at Bronx Health REACH,” WHEDco, conducted “a community needs assessment focused on a one-mile radius around the Bronx Commons site...[which included] a survey of 1,000 people who lived, worked, or attended school within the one-mile radius” (Melrose Community Needs & Actions Report). The survey found that “Entertainment, cultural institutions and community centers are among the top businesses/organizations respondents would most like to see” (Melrose Community Needs & Actions Report).
Bronx Commons will be home to the Bronx Music Hall - “a community performance and event space” (Bronx Commons). The Bronx Hall “will have a flexible performance space with approximately 300 seats; areas for exhibits; rehearsal spaces for music and dance; digital archives; a café; and outdoor performance/public recreation space” (Bronx Commons). When completed the Bronx Music Hall will also be the new home for the Bronx Music Heritage Center. In addition to providing a venue for community involvement, the idea behind Bronx Commons was also meant to strengthen intergenerational ties. The president and founder of WHEDco, Nancy Biberman “hoped to set aside 15 percent of its 305 units for older musicians. The goal was to also involve them in the activities of the Bronx Music Hall...giving them a chance to continue making and teaching music to a new generation” (Gonzalez). However, it is unclear whether this will be allowed. “City officials told her that a set-aside might violate fair housing laws that prohibit preferences based on age or race” (Gonzalez). Biberman’s plan would have addressed the need for “affordable housing for aging musicians” (Gonzalez) - a preferred alternative to senior housing - while also sustaining musical culture in the community. This circumstance reflects enduring tensions between community needs, governmental policy, and private interests, which often hinder the potential for community development as advocated for by residents.