In April of 2015, the New York Times published an article entitled “Staten Island’s Turning Point?”. This piece was written by C.J. Hughes who believes Staten Island is turning into more of a gentrified area. However, this gentrification is only happening wherever builders will allow it. The builders are mostly focusing on the Northern Shore where water front homes can be made. This includes areas such as Stapleton, Clifton, St.George and Tompkinsville. Not only do these neighborhoods have views of Manhattan, they are also right near the Staten Island Ferry.
Before I came to Wagner my Dad told me that Staten Island was a semi-trashy area, and believed I would get mugged with in my first week of being here. Now the thing was is he hasn’t been to Staten Island since the early 2000s. He use spend most of his childhood here as well because some of his family lives here. So when I told him about the mansions I saw on the ride to the ferry or how safe I felt on campus he was shocked. And I pretty sure he thinks I am lying to try to make him feel better. My mom who has visited the campus however knows just what I am talking about however. But even so my Dad can’t quite wrap his head around the fact that Staten Island is changing into a gentrified area of prime real estate.