Borough President Ruben Diaz wants major hotel for the Bronx

Our many members who live in the Bronx know their borough has not yet experienced the explosion of hotel development many neighborhoods throughout the other boroughs have. But a recent posting in Streetsblog makes clear that Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. continues his efforts to bring a world-class hotel to the Bronx.

He has identified this as one of his goals in both the State of the Borough speeches he has made to date. In speaking of the importance of this effort, Borough President Diaz has consistently emphasized the benefits that employment in the hospitality industry would bring to the community. He stated in his 2010 State of the Borough Speech, "A new hotel would create hundreds of good-paying jobs offering health benefits, pension plans, and a chance for its workers to have a better life."

He noted his office has been working with both the Hotel Trades Council and the New York City Economic Development Corporation and is in discussions with multiple developers. In addition, according to Streetsblog, he is currently considering the possibility of converting one of the older Yankee Stadium parking garages into a hotel as there is a surplus of parking space in the area and the garages are not doing well.

Diaz Jr., Ruben. State of the Borough Address 2011. Web site of the Bronx Borough President. February 24, 2011.

Diaz Jr., Ruben. State of the Borough Address 2010. Web site of the Bronx Borough President. March 5, 2010.

Kazis, Noah. Replacement For Yankee Stadium Parking Will Still Have to Pay The Bills. Streetsblog.org. March 17, 2011.