Mott Haven community calls for cleanup under Major Deegan Bridge
"When I walk past here, I get depressed. It's real depressing and sad to see this," said neighbor Ali Betts.
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Mott Haven residents are asking for the area under the Major Deegan Bridge to be cleared of trash and debris.
"It's disgusting," shared neighbor Nate Ubiera.
The problem area is located on Lincoln Avenue between 134th and 135th streets.
"When I walk past here, I get depressed. It's real depressing and sad to see this," said neighbor Ali Betts.
On Wednesday, the two fenced sections under the bridge contained littered pavements and abandoned furniture.
Ubiera said the sections under the bridge were once home to several vehicles, some of which appeared to be desolate.
"I'm actually glad to see the car is gone. Now all we need is trash to go. Maybe some plants to grow here if they can," Ubiera stated.
One side of the underpass is connected to a community garden. The lot area is where members of South Bronx Unite have a vision to expand for community use.
"We're willing to accentuate any space like this to create more community cohesion and quality of life enhancements," explained Mychal Johnson, co-founder of South Bronx Unite.
Johnson shared that he and others once noticed what appeared to be hazardous waste coming from a vehicle in the lot.
"As of recent, there were trucks parked here, some holding home heating oil or cooking oil, broken, dilapidated cars and tow trucks parked here. We got on the city about getting these cars out of here.
News 12 reached out to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Sanitation about the issue.
The Department of Sanitation released a statement that read in part, “In addition to any vehicles that may have been removed already, the Department of Sanitation is planning a joint operation with NYPD this evening to remove derelict and abandoned vehicles at or around this location. Knowing that derelict vehicles affect quality of life, the Department of Sanitation removes thousands of untagged vehicles off our streets every year, many of them in response to community complaints.
As for trash — All property owners are required to keep their sidewalks clean, as well as 18 inches into the roadway. We supplement this work with street sweepers and litter patrols. While it was not possible to investigate this location with the network’s two-hour turnaround time, we will investigate, and either clean or issue a summons if appropriate.“
