Mott Haven

Mott Haven
Amolina196 · Public domain · source
Name	Mott Haven
City	New York City
State	New York
Country	United States

Mott Haven is a neighborhood located in the southwestern section of the Bronx, bordered by the Harlem River to the west, the Bruckner Expressway to the east, East 149th Street to the north, and East 135th Street to the south, near Lincoln Hospital and the Bronx County Courthouse. The area is part of Bronx Community Board 1 and is close to the neighborhoods of Port Morris and Melrose. Mott Haven is named after Jordan Mott, a New York City businessman who owned a large estate in the area, and is home to the Mott Haven Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features buildings designed by architects such as Stanford White and Cass Gilbert. The neighborhood is also near the New York Public Library's Mott Haven Branch, which was built with funding from Andrew Carnegie.

History

The history of Mott Haven dates back to the 19th century, when it was a rural area with large estates owned by wealthy New York City residents, including Jordan Mott and William Waldorf Astor. The area was also home to the Mott Haven Canal, which was built in the 19th century to connect the Harlem River to the Bronx River and was used by ships traveling to the Port of New York and New Jersey. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mott Haven experienced significant growth and development, with the construction of new buildings, including the Mott Haven Houses, a public housing project built by the New York City Housing Authority and designed by architects such as Richmond Shreve and William Van Alen. The neighborhood was also home to the Bronx Opera House, a theater that hosted performances by companies such as the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. Mott Haven is near the Fordham University campus and the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which features exhibits on artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Frida Kahlo.

Geography

Mott Haven is located in the southwestern part of the Bronx, near the Harlem River and the Bruckner Expressway. The neighborhood is bounded by East 149th Street to the north, East 135th Street to the south, the Bruckner Expressway to the east, and the Harlem River to the west, near the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. Mott Haven is also near the Bronx Kill, a waterway that separates the Bronx from Randall's Island, which is home to the Randall's Island Park and the Icahn Stadium. The neighborhood is close to the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo, which is home to animals such as African lions and Asian elephants. Mott Haven is part of the Bronx Community Board 1 and is near the neighborhoods of Port Morris and Melrose, which are home to the Port Morris Gantries and the Melrose Ballpark.

Demographics

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, Mott Haven has a diverse population, with a mix of African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites. The neighborhood is also home to a large population of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Mexicans, and is near the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy and the National Congress of Puerto Rican Rights. Mott Haven is part of the New York City Council's 8th and 17th districts, which are represented by Council Members such as Diana Ayala and Rafael Salamanca. The neighborhood is also near the Bronx Borough Hall and the Bronx County Courthouse, which is home to the New York Supreme Court and the Bronx District Attorney's office. Mott Haven is close to the Hostos Community College and the Boricua College, which offer programs in fields such as business administration and social work.

Economy

The economy of Mott Haven is diverse, with a mix of industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The neighborhood is home to the Lincoln Hospital, which is part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and offers services such as emergency medicine and pediatrics. Mott Haven is also near the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, which is a teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The neighborhood is close to the Hunts Point Cooperative Market, which is a large food distribution center that serves the New York City area and is home to companies such as Sysco and Gordon Food Service. Mott Haven is part of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and is near the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, which offers services such as business development and workforce training.

Landmarks and culture

Mott Haven is home to a number of landmarks and cultural institutions, including the Mott Haven Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features buildings designed by architects such as Stanford White and Cass Gilbert. The neighborhood is also near the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which features exhibits on artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Frida Kahlo. Mott Haven is close to the New York Public Library's Mott Haven Branch, which was built with funding from Andrew Carnegie and offers programs such as literacy training and children's storytime. The neighborhood is also home to the Mott Haven Bar and Grill, a restaurant that serves Puerto Rican cuisine and offers live music performances by artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. Mott Haven is near the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, which offers classes in fields such as ballet and hip hop dance.

Transportation

Mott Haven is accessible by a number of transportation options, including the New York City Subway's 2 and 5 trains, which stop at the East 149th Street station. The neighborhood is also near the Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line, which offers service to Grand Central Terminal and the Hudson Valley. Mott Haven is close to the Bruckner Expressway and the Cross Bronx Expressway, which provide access to the New Jersey Turnpike and the George Washington Bridge. The neighborhood is also near the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, which connects the Bronx to Manhattan and Queens. Mott Haven is part of the New York City Department of Transportation's Bronx district and is near the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.