Mayor Michael Bloomberg, joined by Borough President Adolfo Carrion and community activists, announced plans to renovate and expand the South Bronx Greenway Monday.

The plan calls for 12 acres of new waterfront open space, a mile and a half of waterfront paths, and eight and a half miles of pedestrian-friendly routes. The entire plan could take more than 10 years to finish, but the smaller projects in the plan are expected to start by next summer.

"Another major goal of our Hunts Point Vision Plan takes aim at maximizing this areas most untapped resource, its waterfront," said Bloomberg. "For decades, neighborhoods in the South Bronx have been blocked off from the waterfront by industries, depriving families of the recreational space they need and deserve. Fortunately, now we are changing that.

Community activists like Majora Carter of the environmental group Sustainable South Bronx and Kellie Terry Sepulveda have been pushing for more waterfront access and green space in Hunts Point.

"Yeah, it was hard for people to wrap their minds around this. Hunts Point as a place people wanted to be, but now folks have looked at it as something that needs to be protected and preserved and a place we can really enjoy and just love," said Majora Carter of environmental group Sustainable South Bronx.

Much of the waterfront property in the area is occupied by industrial companies, but community activists say they are trying to change that acre by acre.

"The Greenway will not only create open space, bike paths and new links to waterfronts, but also enhance transportation safety, improve air quality and produce opportunities for economic development," said Bloomberg.

The projects include a waterfront park at the Hunts Point Landing and a connection to Randall's Island for pedestrians and bicycles.

"You’re really talking about a quality partnership between the community and elected officials putting all of our efforts together, and putting money behind it," said Carrion.

"When elected officials take the lead from people who live, care and work in the community good things happen. This is an example of that," said Sepulveda.

The project will be built in phases, the first of which will be four small projects that will cost the city $30 million.

Construction is expected to start next summer.