Debates over the ownership of a destroyed pathway that connects Arlington Avenue and Kappock Street have community members speaking out against the city's Department of Transportation.
On Wednesday, board members at 609 Kappock St. told News 12 they are working on a timeline to prove the building's management is not responsible for the pathway.
"Repairs have been made over the years. Not by either of these two buildings, but by some department in the city. And I don't know when it stopped," said board president Susan Fraser.
In a letter newly obtained by News 12 from 2006, the former Bronx DOT commissioner said in part, "our sidewalk management unit has added this location to its repair schedule. We expect this location to be repaired during the 2006 season, as weather permits."
"Somewhere along the lines that fell apart. We don't know why. We don't know how," said board vice-president Ruby Shamir.
City Council Member Eric Dinowitz took a walk through the path that features broken handrails and uneven surfaces. As he walked on the path he said, "it's not good, it's not good."
He said he noticed the efforts by community members, and is working to also get some changes to the path.
"The DOT has in the past paved this path. In 2006, they paved it to make it safe for our neighbors to walk, and all we're asking is that they take care of this pathway so people don't risk tripping and falling," he said.
The Office of The Bronx Borough President told News 12 in a statement, "Our office is aware of the issues with the walkway, which have been a long-standing issue for the community, and we are in communication with our colleagues in government and the New York City Department of Transportation about how this can be addressed."
The Department of Transportation has not confirmed the timeline of when the city stopped taking care of the path.
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Broken handrails among unsafe conditions at Spuyten Duyvil pathway
Residents push for fixes to dangerous Kappock Street pathway
