To: Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of NYC Department of Transportation and Henrietta Lyle, Chairwoman of Community Board 10 - Manhattan
People of the Village of Harlem and Community Preservationists Demand that Harlem's 7th Avenue Re...
Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Boulevard (ACPB), also known as 7th Avenue, is the last Grand Boulevard of Harlem. It has four lanes in each direction (one for parking and three for driving). It has the most contiguous landscape and skyline associated to the Harlem Renaissance period. The physical character of the boulevard is close to the way it looked during the time of Harlem's Historic Parades and Historic Black Men in Movement Rallies held on the boulevard led by Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and other great men of color.
The boulevard's current physical character and ambiance is essential to ACPB as a Historic Resource for Harlem residents and friends of Harlem. Today, people draw from that inspiration. The African American Day, African and Harlem Mother's Day Parades follow in the tradition of Harlem's Historic Parades. The same is with Activism.
The New York City Department of Transportation's plans to alter the physical character of the boulevard would jeopardize its historical integrity. Alleging that such changes are in the name of safety because it has become a dangerous boulevard when the DOT has failed to maintain the simplest things to keep the boulevard safe does not fly, i.e., trimming the excessive foliage from trees blocking lights and other traffic controlling devices and repainting lane markers, which in many areas have faded. Moreover, they want to do this without due process of law.
We the undersigned petitioners DEMAND that the NYC DOT stop the proposed renovations of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd in August. The DOT must make the recommended maintenance corrections first before it can talk about other safety measures.
We further Demand that the NYC DOT hold community town-hall hearings first, allowing the public at large to decide any changes to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Blvd. The changes that the DOT has in mind would affect the historical integrity of the boulevard.
Why is this important?
Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Boulevard (ACPB), also known as 7th Avenue, is the last Grand Boulevard of Harlem. It has four lanes in each direction (one for parking and three for driving). It has the most contiguous landscape and skyline associated to the Harlem Renaissance period. The physical character of the boulevard is close to the way it looked during the time of Harlem's Historic Parades and Historic Black Men in Movement Rallies held on the boulevard led by Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and other great men of color.
The boulevard's current physical character and ambiance is essential to ACPB as a Historic Resource for Harlem residents and friends of Harlem. Today, people draw from that inspiration. The African American, African and Harlem Mother's Day Parades follow in the tradition of Harlem's Historic Parades. The same is with Activism.
The New York City Department of Transportation's plan to quickly start construction - sometime in August 2012 - and make the following unwanted changes in the name of safety does not fly: Narrowing the street and putting up pedestrian plazas won't stop speeding. That's a problem all over the city. The chances of getting seriously hurt or killed being hit by a moving vehicle are 80% if a car hits someone while traveling at 35 or 40 MPH. No. This plan is more about gentrification.
Repainting lane dividers that have faded in many areas and cutting back excessive foliage from trees blocking traffic controlling devices, i.e. traffic lights and signs, along the boulevard would be a great help in keeping ACPB safe. However, the DOT does not properly maintain the boulevard, which it should before making changes.
Also, not hosting proper town-hall meetings for community discussions before attempting to make such changes violates state and federal law.
The DOT has solicited some community support. An approximate total of 226 petitioners (including several letters) signed a simple petition supporting the DOT's plan. The DOT has said that this represents overwhelming support for its traffic safety plan. However, there are many people out there that say otherwise.
By signing this petition you can can show the Bloomberg administration that you are one of the many who care about Harlem's historic preservation and Harlem's last grand boulevard.