Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Voices That Must Be Heard" Articles Description An account of the resource The Independent Press Association (IPA) translates articles from the ethnic press (when necessary) and distributes them via web and fax newsletter to mainstream and ethnic press, government offices, nonprofits, and interested individuals. Voices That Must be Heard was designed by the Independent Press Association staff in New York City in response to the horrifying events of September 11. After Sept. 11th, Voices focused on the South Asian, Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York. Since February 2002, the project has expanded, selecting articles from the broad range of ethnic and community newspapers throughout the city. Here, the Archive has preserved the Voices collection from its inception until November 2002. VTMBH Article VTMBH Article: Edition 36 VTMBH Article: Article Order 7 VTMBH Article: Title Theatre project to stimulate economic growth in the Bronx VTMBH Article: Author Robert Waddell VTMBH Article: Publication Siempre VTMBH Article: Original Language English VTMBH Article: Translator VTMBH Article: Section briefs VTMBH Article: Blurb VTMBH Article: Keywords VTMBH Article: Body In an effort to revitalize the economy of the South Bronx, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., allocated a half million dollars to a newly created theatre based economic development project. The project would take possession of the Olympic Theatre, located at 163rd Street and Longwood, Westchester and Prospect Avenues, improve the façade of local stores, build a parking lot and stimulate growth in the area, said Eugene Rodriguez, the projects president. Four years ago, Rodriguez wanted to develop a theatre district in East Harlem but soon moved his attentions to the South Bronx. Rodriguez hopes to create a Lincoln Center-type hub where smaller theatres, shops, restaurants, a movie theatre and a poetry café would grow around the larger Olympic Theatre. He hopes that the venture will stimulate growth in the impoverished area and attract more tourism to the Bronx. It means businesses will start doing very well, said Rodriguez, who is the president of the community Health Support Inc., which will oversee the Olympic Plaza project. Well create 150 to 250 new jobs and generate $40 million in new revenue, Rodriguez estimates. The Olympic Plaza project is a three phased undertaking in which Rodriguez will take possession of the Olympic in November and bring Broadway quality shows to the theatre, he said. The second phase includes treating the facades of already existing local stores so that a more attractive uniformity can be established. The third phase, the most ambitious, would develop the vacant land around the theatre where Rodriguez and his team plan to build four 150 seat theatres, a movie house, café and an arcade for shops. With the half million dollars in pocket, Rodriguez needs to now raise the rest of the 40 to 60 million dollars from the city, state and federal governments, as well as from corporate sponsorship. Rodriguez agrees that in supporting the Olympic Plaza project, State Senator Espada made a political move, but also a wise one. In a borough where waste disposal plants and bus depots have been dropped, a theatre district to infuse the economy of the Bronx is a bold move, even in a election year, said Rodriguez. None of the other politicians had any vision, said Rodriguez. This will bring new life to the Westchester corridor. It will be a catalyst in the heart of one of the poorest communities. No one else stepped up to the plate. It may be a political move, but it is good for the community. Rodriguez has had a long career in the theatre and in politics. He feels that his grassroots experience in the Latino community makes him the right man at the right place at the right time. This project will contribute to changing the negative image of the Bronx, said Rodriguez. This project will attract a lot of tourists with disposable incomes and that is what the Bronx needs after September 11th. VTMBH Article: Line Breaks 1 VTMBH Article: Date 2002-09-07 VTMBH Article: Thumb VTMBH Article: Article File VTMBH Article: Hit Count 83 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theatre project to stimulate economic growth in the Bronx 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. unknown Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. article Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-07