We Have One Week Left! Let The City Know Your Opinion!!

On June 25, 2013, the City will release it’s final recommendations for the future of the Sheridan and our communities.

The Department of City Planning has put up a feedback form on their website about their draft recommendations. Although these surveys have their limitations, The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance urges you to express YOUR priorities for the Sheridan and YOUR opinion of the study process.

The City has put forward three scenarios for the future of the Sheridan. While we do not think that any of the scenarios goes far enough to address the critical issues facing our communities, the Alliance has taken the position that, out of the three, the Modified Combined scenario is the best first step toward the transformative justice that we all want to see. (to read SBRWA’s response to the City’s draft recommendations in May of 2013, click here).

Of the three scenarios, Modify Combined allows for the greatest potential for affordable housing, local jobs, and new green space. Modify Combined would create three crossings over the Sheridan to Starlight park. Modify Combined would close two Sheridan ramps and build new ramps from the Bruckner into Hunts Point, keeping trucks off local streets.

A Modify Separated scenario would do some of these things but leave less space for housing, jobs and green space. A Retain scenario would leave the Sheridan as it is — UNACCEPTABLE!

The Alliance does not endorse Modify Combined as the final outcome for the Sheridan Expressway. The City’s recommendations are just that — recommendations. But it can show the State that this is the direction we are going and begin the transformation from the current blighted highway system to better land uses that benefit our communities.

Let’s make sure the City knows that Modify Combined is the very LEAST we will accept!!