Fence outside The Bronx Charter School for the Arts has been endangering the safety of students for four-and-a-half years
Senator Jeff Klein on Tuesday stood outside the Bronx Charter School of the Arts with Principal Brenda Daniels, faculty members, parents and students to call on AMTRAK and the city’s DOT to finally take action and replace a rusty, jagged fence next to the Longfellow Avenue school that’s jeopardized the safety of students since it was damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
“In this day and age, and in this city, it is unacceptable for such a simple repair to be put off for this length of time,” said Senator Klein. “While these two agencies pass the buck over who owns what, our children are being subjected to this unnecessary safety hazard. Today I urge the city’s DOT and AMTRAK to come to an agreement and take action.”
“We are grateful for the fact that Senator Klein is making the safety of children a priority. We look forward to a quick resolution, as the safety of our students is paramount,” said Principal Brenda Daniels.
Senator Klein in February 2017 organized a meeting at the site between his office and representatives from AMTRAK and the city DOT to determine who owns the downed fence, and therefore who’s responsible to replace it. At the meeting, AMTRAK officials claimed the fence, and the wall it’s attached to, was transferred to the city in the 1950s. However the city has no record of that alleged property transfer. Neither agency has taken ownership of the fence since it was damaged.
The fence is attached to a concrete wall that separates the dead end block where the school is located from the adjacent AMTRAK train tracks. Nearly half of the metal fence is toppled over into the street. The wall even has artwork devoted to the Bronx Charter School of the Arts.
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