OVERVIEW

In response to the closure of the Pathmark supermarket in 2012 and the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, Urbane Development partnered with Two Bridges Neighborhood Council to launch "Beyond the Grid", a resilience-focused initiative aimed at building a more self-sufficient community.

SYNOPSIS

The first stage of Beyond the Grid focused on addressing the loss of Pathmark by establishing “NeighborFood,” a local food brand designed to transform food access in Two Bridges. Urbane and Two Bridges collaborated with small grocers, food carts, and farmers' markets to bring fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant foods into the neighborhood. This initiative also incorporated innovative healthcare partnerships, such as a pilot program with nearby hospitals that enabled doctors to prescribe healthy, affordable food to residents in public housing. Sourced through NeighborFood, the food was prepared and delivered directly to housing complexes, blending preventative healthcare with food security to tackle root challenges and support the local food economy. 

Beyond food security, the initiative addressed communication resilience, a critical issue highlighted by Hurricane Sandy’s impact. Urbane partnered with WiFi-NY to create an off-grid broadband network that ensured residents could access emergency information, public service updates, and digital resources even during outages. A central hub at 82 Rutgers Street linked to nodes hosted by local businesses and institutions such as Gouverneur Hospital, establishing a reliable and affordable internet service during normal conditions and free access in emergencies. This infrastructure became a lifeline for residents and created opportunities for training and employment in technology maintenance and management. 

The project also targeted economic revitalization by launching a Small Business Resilience Program. Urbane worked with 10–15 local grocery stores and bodegas along East Broadway, Madison Street, and Henry Street, providing technical assistance, infrastructure upgrades, and tailored marketing strategies. Stores were equipped with standalone mobile generators, resilient refrigeration systems, and optimized layouts to ensure they could operate during crises and better serve the community. Urbane introduced a “food ambassadors” program, which connected residents with these establishments through guided tours, promoting local engagement and healthier consumption habits. These efforts empowered local businesses to serve as community anchors, enhancing both economic and social resilience. 

Public spaces and commercial corridors also received renewed attention. At Pier 35, Beyond the Grid collaborated with the Hester Street Fair and local vendors to activate the waterfront with night markets and flexible spaces for entrepreneurs and artists. This effort reconnected the neighborhood with the waterfront and fostered new opportunities for economic activity and community engagement. Plans to rezone the Rutgers Street corridor aimed to establish it as a thriving commercial link between residential areas and the waterfront, further supporting long-term growth. 

Building on the foundational work of Beyond the Grid, Urbane Development has applied its experience to new community-focused projects, such as "The Steps at Saratoga" in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. This development reflects Urbane’s commitment to integrating equitable infrastructure, including a community-owned broadband network—an innovation rooted in the lessons learned from Two Bridges’ resilient communications systems. The broadband network at The Steps at Saratoga provides affordable internet access to residents, ensuring connectivity for local businesses and community programs. It builds on the success of Beyond the Grid’s off-grid broadband initiative, further advancing the vision of localized, resilient digital infrastructure. 

The Steps at Saratoga goes beyond connectivity to incorporate a holistic approach to community well-being, echoing Beyond the Grid’s emphasis on local empowerment. With initiatives like a commercial food incubator, shared kitchens, and wellness programs, this project addresses food justice, economic opportunity, and health equity in tandem. These features align with Urbane’s broader mission to create systems that serve communities long-term, reinforcing the impact of its earlier work in Two Bridges. 

Through projects like The Steps at Saratoga, Urbane continues to evolve and scale its vision for resilient, community-driven development. The principles and innovations established in Beyond the Grid—such as community broadband and integrated systems for food access—remain central to Urbane’s approach, ensuring that each new project strengthens the foundation for equitable urban transformation.