Goal: To improve the quality of life in Kingsbridge and University Heights.

Safety and Traffic

This year, members of the Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, the United Committees of University Heights, Our Lady of Angels Church and the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center continued organizing to improve safety in their neighborhoods.  Concerned that more progress had not been made in installing crosswalks and traffic signals since a Public Meeting in the 2006, residents met with Commissioner Moran of the Bronx Department of Transportation to follow-up about several dangerous intersections in University and Kingsbridge Heights.  On November 7, 2007, over 50 community residents increased the pressure on the Department of Transportation and the 50th and 52nd Police Precincts in a public accountability meeting at Our Lady of Angels Church.  Residents expressed frustration to the Police that streets in their community had become even more dangerous since their Public Meeting over one year ago.  By the end of the meeting they had an agreement from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Police Precincts to accompany neighborhood leaders on a walking tour of “problem” safety and traffic areas.  The tour, which occurred on November 27, succeeded in highlighting problem areas and getting commitments from the DOT to follow-up with us, conduct studies, and improve dangerous intersections, in concert with the Police.

Safe and Affordable Housing

Housing leaders in the Heights Region have successfully started a new housing campaign targeting predatory equity, private investment firms that has bought up an astounding number of buildings in the Northwest Bronx.  Over the summer, tenant leaders and organizers from 2320 Aqueduct and 131 West Kingsbridge visited the business offices of SG2 and secured an agreement that management will meet with the tenants.  As a result of their united organizing efforts, tenants have received many repairs in their apartments and their buildings. 

Organizing Plans

Kingsbridge and University Heights community leaders will continue to organize for safer streets and decent housing conditions, with a meeting planned the spring of 2008 to move forward with the safer streets campaign.  Priorities for the neighborhood include continuing to hold Department of Transportation, Police Precincts and landlords accountable while developing a more powerful alliance of elected officials, neighborhood congregations and community centers.

For more information, please contact:

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, 2008 TICO Apprentice

(718) 584-0515 and desiree@northwestbronx.org