Longwood | |
|---|---|
 Southern Boulevard in Longwood | |
 Location in New York City | |
| Coordinates:40°48′58″N73°53′56″W / 40.816°N 73.899°W /40.816; -73.899 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City |  New York City |
| Borough |  Bronx |
| Community District | Bronx 2[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.489 sq mi (1.27 km2) |
| Population | |
• Total | 26,196 |
| • Density | 53,600/sq mi (20,700/km2) |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | $32,860[4] |
| Ethnicity[4] | |
| • Hispanic and Latino Americans | 67.9% |
| • African-American | 27.2% |
| • White | 2.2% |
| • Asian | 0.4% |
| ZIP Codes | 10455, 10459 |
| Area code | 718, 347, 929, and917 |
Longwood is a mixed-use neighborhood in the southeastBronx inNew York City. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are East 167th Street to the north, theBronx River and theBruckner Expressway to east, East 149th Street to the south, and Saint Anns Avenue to the west.Southern Boulevard is the primary thoroughfare through Longwood.
The neighborhood is part ofBronx Community District 2, and its ZIP Codes include 10455 and 10459. The neighborhood is served by theNew York City Police Department's 41st Precinct.[5]NYCHA property in the area is patrolled by P.S.A. 7 at 737 Melrose Avenue in theMelrose section of the Bronx. The local subway, the6 and <6> trains, operates along Southern Boulevard.
The Bronx initially began to urbanize with the construction of a streetcar network. Eventually, the expansion of the elevated and subterranean rapid transit lines fromManhattan rapidly accelerated development. Solid rows of 5 and 6 story, walk-up and larger elevator, apartment buildings were built to the sidewalk and dominated the landscape ofUpper Manhattan, the West Bronx and in walking proximity of the elevated lines in the East Bronx. Commercial corridors quickly developed in close proximity to rapid transit stations and primary thoroughfares. Early in this construction boom, Longwood was one of the most dense and developed Bronx neighborhoods. For much of the first half of the 20th century, the Bronx was overall home to a predominantly middle-class population of European and Jewish descent hailing from diverse nationalities, including immigrants directly from the corresponding countries of varying socioeconomic statuses.[6]
Beginning in the 1950s, the older, more developed parts of the Bronx experienced a socioeconomic shift due to a number of factors. The construction of theCross Bronx Expressway displaced thousands and physically divided communities,Co-op City in the northeast Bronx offered modern amenities and spacious apartments, and suburban communities outside New York City became more appealing with their auto-centric lifestyle. As people with financial means began to leave, impoverished people often replaced them.White flight and abandonment only accelerated over time. By the late 1970s, many buildings in the greater South Bronx had been burnt out in an epidemic wave of arson. Scammers realized they could manipulate the system and collect insurance money after more lucrative tenants had fled. The area was severely run down as the community became increasingly disfranchised. At this time, crime reached such a level that the 41st Precinct building at 1086 Simpson Street became known by the police as "Fort Apache".[7]
The wave of arson eventually ended with the help of community groups such as Banana Kelly CIA, Inc. and SEBCO (South East Bronx Community Organization), who worked to bring recognition and protect the remaining apartment buildings in the greater South Bronx.[8][9] What was left was a wasteland of abandoned buildings, vacant lots, filthy streets and a severe lack of even basic commercial amenities. During this period of time, the neighborhood was dealt another blow as violent crime hit historic highs during thecrack epidemic. The police seemed to be fighting a losing battle as many young men in New York City were killed on the streets over drug turf. The greater South Bronx was one of the hardest hit areas, with a largely poor population which lacked local jobs, many began to turn to the lucrative drug trade.[10]
Some of the first federal funding in decades for new investment began in 1986 under theEd Koch administration. In blighted neighborhoods across the city, various housing experiments were attempted. TheNYCHA was one of the first agencies to create and renovate residential units in Longwood, the city soon followed up with independent, locally driven developments. This construction resulted in escalating reinvestment in these communities Continuing into the mid-1990s, local and federal governments invested over $550 million in new subsidized residential housing and the expansion of businesses and commerce. This period saw the construction of the South Bronx headquarters of thePolice Athletic League of New York City and the relocation of the 41st Precinct of the NYPD from Simpson Street to Longwood Avenue.[7] In addition, investments were made to the Banana Kelly High School, and to several small and large businesses. This investment has only increased exponentially since that time. A vast number of new housing and commercial units have been constructed on formally vacant lots, with more planned. A community once dominated by blight and disinvestment, is now towered over by modern apartment buildings, renovated pre-war structures, and rows of attached row houses. Social problems persist due to a significant percentage of the population living in poverty. Crime, for instance, has declined versus historic highs in the 1990s, but remains significantly above average for New York City. Nonetheless, the neighborhood remains a symbol of social and economic improvement.[11]
The neighborhood predominantly consists ofLatin Americans (Longwood has one of the highest concentrations ofPuerto Ricans in New York City) but includes a small yet diverse mix of races, ethnic groups, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and national origins. Like most neighborhoods in New York City, the vast majority of households are renter occupied. Almost half of the population lives below the federal poverty line and receives public assistance (AFDC, Home Relief, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid). This community was once part of New York's 16th congressional district, the poorest such district in the United States. Afterredistricting, it is now part ofNew York's 15th congressional district and no longer the poorest district in the United States. There is significant income diversity on a block by block basis.[2][12]
Based on data from the2010 United States census, the population of Longwood was 26,196, an increase of 3,114 (13.5%) from the 23,082 counted in2000. Covering an area of 246.55 acres (99.78 ha), the neighborhood had a population density of 106.3 inhabitants per acre (68,000/sq mi; 26,300/km2).[3]
The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 1.5% (382)White, 22.4% (5,866)African American, 0.1% (32)Native American, 0.5% (135)Asian, 0.0% (9)Pacific Islander, 0.3% (78) fromother races, and 0.6% (163) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 74.6% (19,531) of the population.[13]
The entirety of Community District 2, which comprises Longwood and Hunts Point, had 56,144 inhabitants as ofNYC Health's 2018 Community Health Profile, with an average life expectancy of 78.9 years.[14]: 2, 20 This is lower than the median life expectancy of 81.2 for all New York City neighborhoods.[15]: 53 (PDF p. 84) [16] Most inhabitants are youth and middle-aged adults: 28% are between the ages of between 0–17, 29% between 25 and 44, and 21% between 45 and 64. The ratio of college-aged and elderly residents was lower, at 12% and 10% respectively.[14]: 2
As of 2017, the medianhousehold income in Community Districts 1 and 2, includingMelrose andMott Haven, was $20,966.[17] In 2018, an estimated 29% of Longwood and Hunts Point residents lived in poverty, compared to 25% in all of the Bronx and 20% in all of New York City. One in eight residents (12%) were unemployed, compared to 13% in the Bronx and 9% in New York City. Rent burden, or the percentage of residents who have difficulty paying their rent, is 58% in Longwood and Hunts Point, compared to the boroughwide and citywide rates of 58% and 51% respectively. Based on this calculation, as of 2018[update], Longwood and Hunts Point aregentrifying.[14]: 7
Longwood is dominated by pre-war, 5- and 6-story apartment buildings. Starting in the 1990s, a construction boom has resulted in a number of modern apartment buildings and row houses. Much of the original housing stock was structurally damaged by arson and eventually razed by the city between mid and late 1980s.[11]
The total land area is roughly 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2). The terrain is somewhat hilly.
Southern Boulevard is a long-standing, mixed-use district. The Southern BoulevardBusiness Improvement District, formed in 2008,[18] sits between the two points of closest proximity for the IRT Pelham and White Plains Road Lines.[19] Other primary thoroughfares contain amenities like supermarkets, pharmacies, barbershops, hair salons, fast food, bodegas, and cheap shops.
The Crossings is a two-level 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) mall at the intersection of Hunts Point Avenue andBruckner Boulevard.[20] Initially, the project included a residential component, but was quickly scrapped, much to the dismay of the community.[21][22][23]
The landmarkedLongwood Historic District is located south of Longwood Avenue along Beck, Kelly, Dawson Streets and Hewitt Place. The district largely consists of semi-detached row houses, most of which were designed by one architect, Warren C. Dickerson.[24][25]
There are four NYCHA developments located in Longwood.[26]
In 2006, an online news outletThe Hunts Point Express began reporting onHunts Point and Longwood. It is written by students atHunter College, edited by journalism professorBernard L. Stein, and also appears in a print edition that is available for free at community centers, clinics, and stores throughout the neighborhood.
Longwood and Hunts Point are patrolled by the 41st Precinct of theNYPD, located at 1035 Longwood Avenue.[5] The 41st Precinct ranked 67th safest out of 69 patrol areas for per-capita crime in 2010.[27] As of 2018[update], with a non-fatal assault rate of 151 per 100,000 people, Longwood and Hunts Point's rate ofviolent crimes per capita is greater than that of the city as a whole. The incarceration rate of 1,036 per 100,000 people is higher than that of the city as a whole.[14]: 8
The 41st Precinct has a lower crime rate than in the 1990s, with crimes across all categories having decreased by 65% between 1990 and 2022. The precinct reported 5 murders, 31 rapes, 303 robberies, 426 felony assaults, 159 burglaries, 399 grand larcenies, and 231 grand larcenies auto in 2022.[28]
The 41st Precinct was located at 1086 Simpson Street until 1993.[7] During the 1960s, crime reached such a level that the Simpson Street building became known by the police as "Fort Apache", as was later immortalized in a1981 movie named for it.[7][29] The Simpson Street building currently houses theBronx Detectives Bureau.[30]
Longwood contains aNew York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire station, Engine Co. 73/Ladder Co. 42, at 655 Prospect Avenue.[31][32]
As of 2018[update],preterm births and births to teenage mothers are more common in Longwood and Hunts Point than in other places citywide. In Longwood and Hunts Point, there were 101 preterm births per 1,000 live births (compared to 87 per 1,000 citywide), and 36.2 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births (compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide).[14]: 11 Longwood and Hunts Point has a relatively high population of residents who areuninsured. In 2018, this population of uninsured residents was estimated to be 14%, slightly higher than the citywide rate of 12%.[14]: 14
The concentration offine particulate matter, the deadliest type ofair pollutant, in Longwood and Hunts Point is 0.0085 milligrams per cubic metre (8.5×10−9 oz/cu ft), more than the city average.[14]: 9 Fifteen percent of Longwood and Hunts Point residents aresmokers, which is higher than the city average of 14% of residents being smokers.[14]: 13 In Longwood and Hunts Point, 42% of residents areobese, 20% arediabetic, and 38% havehigh blood pressure—compared to the citywide averages of 24%, 11%, and 28% respectively.[14]: 16 In addition, 26% of children are obese, compared to the citywide average of 20%.[14]: 12
Eighty-two percent of residents eat some fruits and vegetables every day, which is less than the city's average of 87%. In 2018, 72% of residents described their health as "good", "very good", or "excellent", lower than the city's average of 78%.[14]: 13 For every supermarket in Longwood and Hunts Point, there are 20bodegas.[14]: 10
The nearest hospital isNYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln inMelrose.[33]
Longwood is covered by multipleZIP Codes. The area north of Longwood Avenue is part of 10459 and the area south of Longwood Avenue is part of 10455.[34] Though there are no post offices located in Longwood's borders, theUnited States Postal Service operates the Hunts Point Station at 800 Manida Street in Hunts Point.[35]
Longwood and Hunts Point generally have a lower rate of college-educated residents than the rest of the city as of 2018[update]. While 16% of residents age 25 and older have a college education or higher, 41% have less than a high school education and 43% are high school graduates or have some college education. By contrast, 26% of Bronx residents and 43% of city residents have a college education or higher.[14]: 6 The percentage of Longwood and Hunts Point students excelling in math rose from 24% in 2000 to 26% in 2011, and reading achievement increased from 28% to 32% during the same time period.[36]
Longwood and Hunts Point's rate of elementary school student absenteeism is more than the rest of New York City. In Longwood and Hunts Point, 35% of elementary school students missed twenty or more days perschool year, higher than the citywide average of 20%.[15]: 24 (PDF p. 55) [14]: 6 Additionally, 58% of high school students in Longwood and Hunts Point graduate on time, lower than the citywide average of 75%.[14]: 6
Public:
Parochial:
TheNew York Public Library operates two branches near Longwood. The Woodstock branch, a two-storyCarnegie library building opened in 1914, is located at 761 East 160th Street.[38] The Hunts Point branch, a two-story Carnegie library building opened in 1929, is located at 877 Southern Boulevard.[39] The Hunts Point library, designed byCarrère and Hastings in theItalian Renaissance style, was the last Carnegie library built for the New York Public Library system and is aNew York City designated landmark.[40]
The followingMTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Longwood:[41]
The followingNew York City Subway stations serve Longwood:[42]
He stretched his memory back 25 years to his days as a rookie patrolman in the 41st Precinct, whose station house was known from here to Hollywood as Fort Apache, a solitary outpost in a neighborhood of death and decay and gangs with grandiosely macabre names.
| South Bronx |  | |
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| West Bronx | ||
| East Bronx | ||
| Related areas | ||