Artworks By Bronx Students On Display at $14.8 Million Del Valle Square Project

Students of Casita Maria at the Del Valle Square art installation

Fourteen students from Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education and The Point Community Development Corporation beautify their community

Project to add features, ease traffic and improve pedestrian safety for new plaza to open end of 2025

NYC Parks, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) on Tuesday unveiled student art along a 176-foot-long construction fence at the $14.8 million project that is transforming the Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square in Hunts Point, Bronx into a versatile public space surrounded by calmer traffic and improved pedestrian safety features. The $14.8 million project is being managed by DDC for DOT and NYC Parks and is scheduled to be completed in the end of 2025.

The 14 artworks were done by students ranging from 8- to 16-years-old from Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education and The Point Community Development Corporation, and features the elements the students felt best represented their community.

Del Valle Square is bounded by Bruckner Boulevard, East 163^rd Street and Hunts Point Avenue. The reconstruction project will realign the roadway to reduce traffic flow on East 163^rd Street, and a new traffic lane will be installed on Hunts Point Avenue. 

New roadway upgrades and a bus shelter will be added to ease bus traffic in the area for smoother transfers, rider pickups and loading. The project will also facilitate access to the Hunts Point Avenue subway station. Street and traffic lighting will be upgraded, and DOT wayfinding signage will also be added. ADA-compliant pedestrian curbs will be installed in the area and sidewalks will be renovated. The project will also provide connections to the area’s bike lane network.

Inside the plaza itself, amenities will be installed including new light poles, seating and a stage for community activities and events. A bottle filler, drinking water fountain, bike racks and movable planters will be added. The project will also include upgrades to water mains, fire hydrants, catch basins and underground utilities.

The project is expected to be completed by end of 2025.