Open Streets Approved for School on Ridge Blvd.
Charles Fasano, the head of Bay Ridge Prep spoke about the school using the Open Streets Program for the students from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm originally.
The Open Streets Program allows the school to put barriers across Ridge Blvd. between 81st and 82nd Streets, so cars can not pass. People will still be able to use the sidewalk.
The Open Streets Program allows the school to bring 200 students outside each day. Prior to this, Bay Ridge Prep used to bring students to the park. (Pic) Fasano noted that there are problems are the park (someone should be addressing this). Fasano wanted to use the Open Streets Program for safety.
Residents of Ridge Blvd, who are neighbors of the school, sent a representative who read a letter explaining how taxing this was on the neighborhood in prior years. Two of the homes have no access to their driveways every day when the school uses the Open Streets Program.
Many residents in Bay Ridge work at home and feel that Bay Ridge Prep using the Open Streets Program causes traffic and noise issues. The residents believe the school can provide alternative outdoor space to the students without lowering their quality of life.
Charles Fasano was open to compromising and said he could reduce the hours to 10:30 am to 2:20 pm, which is 50% less time than originally requested. From 12:15 – 1:00 pm is lunch and the school will use Ridge Blvd. from 81st to 82nd Streets for all the students to be outside. Fasano said that the students are going to do most of the activities in front of their school building.
Charles Fasano said he will move the barrier and the students when residents need to get to their driveways. Steve from Community Board 10 said the school needs to have someone man this part of the barrier so the residents can have access to their property.
Residents told Community Board 10 in the chat that the hours aren’t much different than what they were last year and they haven’t seen much change.
Some Community Board 10 Members spoke out strongly on behalf of the residents! Barbara, Steve, Judith, Preston and Habib did a good job speaking for the community.
Barbara was a school administrator and she said having 100 students outside at any time would create a lot of noise. She also knew residents in the apartment building were not happy with the noise from Bay Ridge Prep.
Preston from Community Board 10 shared that he lives near the school and that the traffic conditions around dismissal outside Bay Ridge Prep have gone unaddressed for years.
Community Board 10 recommended that the hours be modified in the application. They also requested that it be approved only with if Bay Ridge Prep had someone to man the barrier for residents with cars.
Community Board 10 voted 14 opposed and 17 in favor. The use of of Open Streets was opposed for Bay Ridge Prep.
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Hugs,
marlene
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