Morningside Avenue Plan Delayed at Fractious Community Board 9 Meeting
West Harlem’s community board delayed voting on a traffic calming proposal for Morningside Avenue.
by Max Saffer and Chen Wu
“No discourse, no debate,” Anthony Fletcher, a member of Community Board 9, shouted at Chairwoman Morgan-Thomas this evening as the board considered pedestrian safety measures on Morningside Avenue at its monthly meeting. After fierce arguments about the voting process, the board tabled a vote on the Morningside Avenue Plan until October.
The plan addresses dangerous pedestrian conditions on Morningside Avenue from West 116th Street to West 126th Street. “Over 100 accidents in the last 5 years,” said Melissa Chu, 37, a mother of two young children. “If you don’t cross at 116th Street or 120th Street, you’re in real trouble,” she told The Uptowner.
After pressure from Community Boards 9 and 10 and several local organizations, the city’s Department of Transportation proposed a plan early this month to add pedestrian islands and widen parking lanes to convert the street’s four-lane traffic into 2 lanes.
“It’s a big issue,” said Chu, who came to support the plan. So did concerned parent David Vassar. “Let’s calm this avenue for all of us and our kids,” he said addressing the board. Nearly 60 people turned out for the meeting at The Fortune Society’s building on Riverside Drive.
After listening to the parents describe conditions on the street, Carol Singleton, secretary of the board objected. “Stop labeling that as the most dangerous area in the world,” she said. “I am from here and I am a viable citizen.” She explained that she didn’t oppose the plan, but asked speakers to be careful about how they characterized the neighborhood.
Slamming the desk with her hand, Chairwoman Morgan-Thomas tried to restore order.“I always worry about children and the parents in the street because the cars rush down the avenue,” she said. “I hope our community can benefit from some safety measures.”
But a few dissenting board members moved to delay the vote.
Fletcher, an attorney, raised concerns about the community not being informed enough for the board to vote on the resolution today. “That is the most important thing we do here – public discourse,” said Fletcher.
Fifteen board members voted against tabling the vote on the resolution, but with 18 members in favor, the plan was stalled.
Morgan-Thomas attempted to calm angered parents. “This is a part of the process,” she said.
(Featured image by Chen Wu)
This is a sad commentary on the Community Boards. It’s hard enough for parents to clear out an evening to attend these events, but we do because our children’s safety at stake. But to have a Community Board simply not take a position after clearly the DOT has a very thoughtful plan laid out is abrogating their responsibilities. The DOT should move forward with their plan to make our streets safer and the Community board should stand aside and get out of their way.
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