The Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA), along with nearby block associations, met at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 3, 2014 to pool their concerns about the neighborhood. Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer was unable to attend but sent her representative, Athena B. Moore, Director of Northern Manhattan, to explain what their office does and to hear the residents’ concerns. There were some problems in common and others which were localized but could prove worrisome down the road for adjoining areas.
Harlem Block Associations listen to Athena Moore from Gail Brewer’s Office – G.Hazard
The meeting was sponsored by the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA ) which invited the surrounding block associations to their monthly meeting for a get together with the new borough president. The evening was opened by DBPORA President Keith Taylor and chaired by JoLinda Ruth Cogen, treasurer. Block associations who attended were West 132nd Street (7th-8th Ave), W. 136th Street (7th-8th Ave) and W. 139th Street (Edgecombe Ave. – 8th Ave).
Ms. Brewer was well represented by Ms. Moore who was enthusiastic and showed extensive knowledge of the borough’s ‘hot spots.’ The Borough President’s office advocates for residents who have made verifiable complaints to city agencies but their issues remain unresolved. Her examples were complaints about noise (construction, after hour’s bars, etc), the need for tree guards and traffic/pedestrian safety. Her office frequently writes letters of support for resources and action on residents’ complaints.
Issues of concern from the block associations included
- A new SRO on 137th Street that houses addicts, draws prostitutes and vagrants, and produces litter. Nearby homeowners said they were given sanitation tickets because this residence routinely pushed their trash onto their property.
- Warm weather brings the return of the noisy and dangerous street bikers, still at large.
- Also the promise of unrestricted events in St. Nicholas Park with amplified music that can be heard as far as Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 139th Street, and can span hours leading up till midnight without any response from NYPD.
- The intersection at 136th Street and Edgecombe Avenue has been the scene of constant car collisions. At least one of these accidents left an SUV smashed against the fence of Percy Sutton Educational Complex which fronts this street. Response from the DOT has been unhelpful.
Ms. Moore advised the groups that when making a complaint to 311 they must always record the complaint number for future reference. This number helps them to confirm a complaint was filed and gives her office something to refer to when they address the appropriate agency on citizen’s behalf. Be persistent; 311 operators can seem obstructive in their rush to handle hundreds of calls. Ms. Cogen further advised that the more people who call in the complaint, the better.
The meeting concluded with the block associations exchanging contact information and hopefully there will be more communication in the short term to keep up to date. Ms. Cogen and Mr. Taylor encouraged residents to attend the community board meetings on the first Wednesday of the month to address some of their concerns. It was a good showing of community involvement and support in a Harlem nabe under constant change. The community must stay responsive to these changes to make sure they are for the good of all.