THE UNIVERSAL HIP HOP MUSEUM TO GET A PERMANENT HOME IN THE SOUTH BRONX

NEW YORK, USA, 2017-Oct-04 — /EPR Network/ —The New York Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) in partnership with the Departments of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Parks and Recreation (DPR), announced a plan to transform a long-vacant site located along the Harlem River waterfront into Bronx Point, a dynamic mixed-use development that will be the official home of the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM). The Museum will be the cultural anchor of the transformative development that will also feature a state-of –the art movie theater, a food and beverage incubator and much, much more.

Sitting in a prime gateway location in the Lower Concourse neighborhood, the site of the (UHHM) future home will be conveniently located near the transit-rich 149th Street corridor where Hostos College, the Bronx General Post Office, and Lincoln Hospital are all located. The site is adjacent to Mill Pond Park and sits just north of the 145th Street Bridge that connects directly to Harlem and Upper Manhattan.

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum may be the single most important project for the preservation of Hip Hop culture. This new cultural institution will be a great new tourism destination for NYC and the Bronx. What a great day for Hip-Hop! Our four years of hard teamwork has paid off. Thank God, as I am elated to know that this mecca devoted to the cultural phenomenon of Hip- Hop will preserve not only my legacy, but also the legacies of many others for the world to see,” said Kurtis Blow, Chairman of the Universal Hip-Hop Museum.

“The journey to find the perfect location for the Universal Hip Hop Museum was magical and not always smooth. There were many days when I just wasn’t sure that I would find the right development partner and ideal location.  Then lightning struck, when I received the call from Josue Sanchez of L+M Development Partners, who asked if I was still looking for a location for the museum and then he told me about the Bronx Point plan. It was the perfect opportunity and location for the museum. There was no doubt in my mind that the mixed use vision of affordable housing, Hip Hop Museum, movie theater, food hall, modern esplanade, outdoor performance stage and education centers would provide the most value for the local community, my beloved borough and the city of New York. Hip Hop now has a home to preserve and celebrate its history and it’s in the South Bronx where the culture originated.  A wonderful manifestation of poetic justice,” said Rocky Bucano, Executive Director of the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

“We’re honored by the opportunity to develop this extraordinary site along the South Bronx waterfront,” said Josue Sanchez, Associate Director at L+M Development Partners. “Bronx Point will deliver hundreds of permanently affordable housing units while establishing a destination for residents from across the borough and beyond. From a state-of-the-art multiplex theater and top-notch educational programming, to a locally-driven food hall and the first-ever brick-and-mortar Hip Hop Museum, we believe this will be a project that South Bronx residents will be proud of for years to come. We’re excited to collaborate with Type A Projects and our longtime partner BronxWorks on an in-depth dialogue with community members and other local stakeholders about design, workforce development, open space and more as we work to deliver the best possible project.”

“We are incredibly excited to be part of this transformative development that will enhance the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx and function as a true community asset,” said Annie Tirschwell, Principal, Type A Projects. Bronx Point’s dynamic mix of cultural, educational, and community facilities, anchored by hundreds of affordable housing units and world-class public open space, will fulfill Type A’s mission to create vibrant and affordable communities that underpin the diverse fabric of New York City,” “As a woman-owned business and emerging developer, we are grateful for NYCEDC’s committed support to level the playing field for M/WBE firms.  We look forward to working with this accomplished team and the community to create an innovative and affordable waterfront destination.”

About UHHM

The Universal Hip Hop Museum’s mission is to teach, engage and to inspire audiences around the world through the creativity and power of Hip Hop culture. The UHHM carries out its mission by giving voice to the stories of the people, events and artifacts that shaped the five elements of Hip Hop- through digital collections, virtual exhibits, interviews, pop up experiences, award shows and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities, bringing a new understanding, a fresh interpretation and scholarship to the world’s most popular culture of our time that was born in the Bronx and raised worldwide. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Also, become a member at www.uhhm.org and make your donation today.

 About NYCEDC

New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, or visit our blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.

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