Open Streets at Bay Ridge Prep Failed – Ridge Blvd.
When Bay Ridge Prep applied for the Open Streets Program during the pandemic, many people thought it was a good idea. Who would be against giving the students a fresh area to play during the pandemic?
During this weeks, Community Board 10 meeting, we heard from neighbor after neighbor how intrusive the open streets program was in this location.
Open Streets works in some areas because the streets are very different – they are quiet side streets. Ridge Blvd is a busy Avenue.
Charles Fassano, the Principal originally said he was only going to have the students on Ridge Blvd. from 81st to 82nd Street and no students on the side streets. The barricades were supposed to be the only thing on 81st and 82nd Street.
When things started to go wrong on Ridge Blvd., no elected leaders stepped in for these neighbors! Years ago, the City Council Representative or a Senator would call the principal and smooth things over.
Neighbors of the school showed a video of how loud a class of students were outside of their home. (See video at 8:00 minutes)
One neighbor had a video of a student kicking a ball completely down a driveway unsupervised. If that child was hurt on that neighbor’s property, the parents would have sued the home owners!
Finally, we saw how intrusive it was as the neighbors of the school tried to enter or leave their home. (Youtube video 10:14 and 12:18) Principal Fasano told the community it would take just 20 seconds for residents to go in and out because Fasano’s staff would take care of it. (Youtube video 6:46)
The Open Streets Program stopped residents from being able to leave or they had to wait to enter their driveway. Principal Fassano tried to throw this on the home owners by saying the school gave out a cell phone number for them to call. Yet, this home owner never received a cell phone number.
Runners came to the Community Board 10 Meeting to say that they weren’t allowed to run on the street. Some runners said that teachers and students made remarks to the runners on the street.
Thank you to everyone who showed up to speak for Bay Ridge and to help these residents, who have been living like this for years!
Principal Fasano only admitted that the school wouldn’t allow scooters through because they were going 30 Mph and it was dangerous.
Small business owners complained that they couldn’t travel easily in the area because of traffic detours.
Community Board 10 members: Doris, Steve and Stephanie strongly stood up for the neighbors of the school. Stephanie said this is not an Open Street – this is a closed street being used by a private school!
Charles Fasano, Bay Ridge Prep’s Principal defended his staff. Yet, he didn’t seem to realize how burdensome the open streets program had been on the neighbors of the school. If Fasano took the neighbors complaints seriously from the start, there may have been a different outcome. If he is a good man, he will end the program immediately.
To our neighbors on Ridge Blvd., we hope you don’t have to put up with this one more day. Community Board 10 please vote against Open Streets in this location!
Principal Fassano should walk his students to the park for fresh air and stop inconveniencing his neighbors! Everyone uses that park and there are very few problems. If Principal Fasano finds there is trouble at the park, he should call the police for help. We have great police officers in Bay Ridge, especially these officers.
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Hugs,
marlene
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