PS 170 Requests 20 Minute Street Closure
Some great administrators at PS 170 filed the paperwork to equest a street closure for twenty minutes at dismissal on 71st Street and 6th Avenue.
While the school has a team outside every at dismissal, there are a lot of cars, scooters and people not following the rules of the road. The school has addressed the issue with parents, but they know they can make the dismissal safer by closing the street for a short time.
The Assistant Principal from PS 170 was at CB 10’s meeting to request a closure on 71st Street from 6th Avenue to Stewart Avenue. (See Stewart Avenue) The school is only requesting the closure from 2:40 pm to 3:00 pm.
The paperwork the neighbors saw didn’t show that the street closure was just for 20 minutes. It said the whole school day!
Neighbors of the school filled Community Board 10’s office to speak out against the full day street closure.
Residents around PS 170 were concerned that:
a) Emergency vehicles couldn’t get through their street
b) Access-A-Ride will not be able to get through
c)They wouldn’t be able to get down the street with their car or get to their driveway
d) Deliveries won’t be able to happen.
e) Some residents felt the school would return and ask for more time next year.
All of these concerns are important and there should be a way to address them.
If the paperwork was correct and it said it was just for 20 minutes, would all of these residents showed up? I don’t think so!
Some people questioned, “What’s different now that the school needs to close the street?” There is a shortage of crossing guards and people aren’t driving safely. E-bikes and scooters have added to the traffic problem.
Some neighbors said that Stewart Street is not safe. NYC does not maintain Stewart Street because it is a private street.
CB 10 asked the school to request a speed bump near 5th Avenue.
If you know what the streets look like around 3:00 pm, you would vote for this closure in a heartbeat. People are driving like maniacs – very unsafe! If a child gets hurt, we will all be very sad and wish we had taken action!
While CB 10’s role is just advisory, they denied the application. They requested the school submit an updated application with the correct times. CB 10 also asked the school to work with their neighbors and hear their issues.
Safety for children in the community should be the main concern – see how you can make this happen without upsetting the neighbors too much CB 10.
Hugs,
marlene
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