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The making of a sidewalk--People power!

  Take a drive down Fort Hill Road, south of Ardsley Road. A new sidewalk, almost completed, looks great. In September, 2015 members of the Southern Greenville Civic Association invited me to a block party. They highlighted the need for a sidewalk. Our town engineers and Public Works department staff immediately got to work. Last spring neighbors and town staff walked the location with residents to make sure that the community was supportive of the sidewalk and to answer questions residents had. The Police Chief confirmed the need. We solicited bids, also restored curbs and the sidewalk will soon be enjoyed by children who will be able to safely walk to school.  Another sidewalk on Seely got built last year --and finishing touches and a new crosswalk from Ardsley Road took place last week.
  
  Yesterday morning almost 20 residents who live on or near Columbia Ave in Hartsdale met with me and Public Works Commissioner Victor Carosi asking for another sidewalk --on Columbia Ave.  (SEE PHOTO)Many children and residents walk to the village of Hartsdale  on Columbia ---worried about the cars. Last year the Police Chief and I met with Bill Sicari (who is active in the neighborhood). He  highlighted the need for a sidewalk. The chief agreed.  Bill went door to door canvassing residents who live on the avenue, asking if they support the construction of a sidewalk. The response was very favorable.  Yesterday  we walked the avenue with the residents explaining what needs to be done and some of the challenges we will face.

  Funding will be included for this sidewalk in the 2017 capitol budget which will be presented to the Town Board on Wednesday evening.  A public hearing will be scheduled for March 22nd.  One of the major challenges we face is working with the utility companies  who will have to move the utility poles.  We think that construction of the sidewalk could commence in the mid/late fall of this year.

  We have also been working with the Juniper Hill Civic Association and anticipate constructing a new sidewalk on parts of Juniper Hill this year. Juniper Hill connects to the Lee Jackson School. That sidewalk will be built in phases.

   There are many other streets in town that need sidewalks. And more sidewalks will be built around town this year (Benedict Ave from Hackley School down to 119 should start within a month or so, Secor Road from the housing complex to Saw Mill River Road will be done this year as examples). We have grant applications with the state to build sidewalks on Central Ave and Knollwood Road --waiting to hear back from them.  And want to pursue sidewalks off of Jackson/Ravensdale.  There is also a need for a sidewalk on Hillside -heading to the Bailey School. And plan to construct a sidewalk on Ardsley Road.

  We will continue to fund sidewalks annually and promise to make Greenburgh a much more pedestrian friendly community.
PAUL FEINER