A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on River Commons, a new mixed-use development at 1240 River Avenue in the South Bronx. Led by Type A Projects in partnership with BronxWorks, L+M Development Partners, and NYC Health + Hospitals, the project will transform an underutilized site near the elevated 4 train into a new residential, healthcare, and community resource. VHB supported the project by advancing critical infrastructure, mobility planning, environmental review, and agency approvals needed to bring the development to life.
The 17-story development will deliver 328 affordable and supportive homes, approximately 6,000 square feet of community facility space for African Communities Together and the BronxWorks Empowerment Center, and a new 7,000-square-foot public green space designed in partnership with the community. The development will also include a new 43,000-square-foot healthcare facility for NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania, marking a first-of-its-kind model for NYC Health + Hospitals that brings housing and healthcare together within a single mixed-use development.
VHB helped advance site design and infrastructure improvements that support accessibility, and long-term resilience. The team also prepared the environmental review supporting the public approvals needed for the project to proceed. River Commons will include landscaped gathering areas, improved pedestrian connections, integrated parking, and sustainable stormwater management strategies designed for a dense urban environment.
“The most successful affordable housing projects are the ones that solve for more than housing alone,” said David Quart, Northeast Markets Development Lead at VHB. “This development will provide affordable and supportive housing, expand access to healthcare, create space for community-based organizations, and improve how people move through and around the site. VHB’s job was to help make those pieces work together so the project could move forward and support the continued growth of the South Bronx.”
As construction moves forward, River Commons represents a significant investment in the South Bronx—expanding access to housing, wellness resources, and community spaces that help residents connect and thrive.
Connect with David Quart to learn how VHB supports mixed-use development and affordable housing projects that strengthen communities.
