Bronx residents said they’re sad and disappointed amid news that the years-long tradition, Bronx Week, will not be held this year.

“I’m not naive enough to realize that the city is in the midst of a fiscal crisis and a budget deficit right now that we have to work with and we are a part of as a borough president,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said.

What You Need To Know

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said she decided to pause this year’s Bronx Week so that her office can shift its focus to deal with the budget deficit and the looming fiscal challenges facing the city

In recent years, Bronx Week has been a nearly month-long series of events celebrating the borough, people and cultures of the Bronx

Each year, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation and the Bronx Tourism Council spotlight Bronx restaurants and other small businesses, cultural institutions and parks

The work is part of the Community Parks Initiative launched in 2014, which has already completed 70 park projects citywide

Gibson said her office is launching a survey to get community feedback on how best to make Bronx Week better

Gibson said she decided to pause this year’s Bronx Week so that her office can shift its focus to deal with the budget deficit and the looming fiscal challenges facing the city.

“I’m thinking about all of that and how it looks to the public,” Gibson said. “I want to focus on what the needs are of the borough, which we are doing right now when it comes to social services, housing, Section 8 vouchers — all of the things we know they, Bronxites, are in need of today.”

In recent years, Bronx Week has been a nearly month-long series of events celebrating the borough, people and cultures of the Bronx.

Each year, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation and the Bronx Tourism Council spotlight Bronx restaurants and other small businesses, cultural institutions and parks.

“We can’t ignore the historical significance of having this event for over 50 years at this point,” said Pedro Suarez, executive director of the Third Ave Business Improvement District.

Suarez is among those asking the Borough President to reconsider suspending Bronx Week.

“I think it really is about a coordinated strategy with business improvement districts and other economic development leaders and bringing small businesses to the table around the planning of these events,” Suarez said.

“The Bronx has often been told a message that, ‘if you want this, you need to give up this.’ And I think that we have to fight that. We have to fight that kind of thinking because it is difficult,” he continued.

City Council Member Justin Sanchez echoed those sentiments in a recent statement: “The Bronx has always turned setbacks into comebacks, and this will be no different. Let’s come together and make it happen.”

While the pause is temporary, Gibson said she intends to make tourism a larger component of Bronx Week in the future while increasing participation.

“Bronx Week has been phenomenal. I just want it to be even better. I want all Bronxites to be a part of it,” she said.

The borough president said her office is launching a survey to get community feedback on how best to make Bronx Week better and to make sure all who want to participate in it can.