News

Bronx kiosk beats to a different drum

August 8, 2014

An open-air music kiosk is being featured this summer at the Freeman Street subway station in New York City, according to The New York Times. 

The Boogie Down Booth will play the sounds of Bronx-connected musicians such as Rebel Diaz, Will Calhoun and Bobby Sanabria until September.

The Department of Transportation, the Design Trust for Public Space and various community groups collaborated on the project, called "Under Elevated: Reclaiming Space, Connecting Communities," in an effort to revamp public spaces around bridges, train tracks and highways.

"We're finding ways to reimagine the uses for these spaces," said Susan Chin, executive director of Design Trust, in the article. "People think of them as being very loud and not pleasant to be in, so how do you improve this kind of space?"

The first kiosk, located under the Manhattan Bridge, ran from April to July and allowed residents to post events and comments on a community calendar. Boogie Down is intended to be a tribute to the Bronx's musical history and features bench seating and solar-powered LED lights, according to the article.

The Department of Transportation's Director of Urban Design, Neil Gagliardi, said he hopes the kiosks will make "hospitable streetscapes for a diverse population."