Photo by Devin Tucker
A so-called step street in Kingsbridge is set to undergo a $6.6 million reconstruction following years of complaints.
The multi-agency operation between the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and local officials united to “make the necessary upgrades that will allow this step street to flourish, and create a safer, more efficient passageway for the community,” according to DOT’s Bronx Borough Commissioner Nivardo Lopez.
The 230-foot long step street, comprised of ten flights of concrete steps, connects Heath Avenue and Kingsbridge Terrace. It will be given a complete facelift that will include new features, such as granite steps, new lighting, trees, drainage and benches. The restoration will also include granite inclines flanked by the step street to allow cyclists to carry their bikes up and down the stairs easily.
To ensure public access and safety, the sidewalks will be widened at Heath Avenue and Kingsbridge Terrace and temporary wooden steps will be put in place for pedestrians throughout the construction.
The project came after several years of complaints by residents who saw the step street is slowly crumbling. Among those complaining was Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, who represents Kingsbridge.
“I first brought these particular step streets to DOT’s attention because I was so appalled at their terrible condition. I believe that this newly rebuilt step street will demonstrate how much communities can benefit from well maintained, well-lit pedestrian routes,” Dinowitz said.
The project is expected to wrap up in late-2018.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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that’s wonderful….” but more important..The dense mass populations.need open spaces and all the stores and restaurants etc..should have a consistant look!..make the sidewalks ‘cobble’ stone in sections..must get rid of ugly fronts on stores put in a few upscale classy stores after all the economy is growing there!.m more trees ala (Bloomberg )funding. the entry of large Malls of new stores should start funding these such as BJs,Staples,Garden Café,revitalizing .add.more designing artistic looking benchs!.. make a ‘section’ 0f ‘Staples parking lot a small grass ‘oval’ park with sculptures, benches and a spraying water fountain..put some trees with nice ”modern” fences at the ‘Stop and “Shop supermarket around the perimeters and keep areas open for entrances for delivery’s and cars…by the way the stores in Staples are an eyesore!.. it is the 21st century,not the 1950s so lets get started.. a neighbor hello””i know its not going to look like ‘Rockefeller Center’ but lets give it a try!!…