It's time to scratch our backs

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following was sent to Community Board 8 ahead of its April 14 board meeting.

When I set out a few months ago to petition for the street co-namings of Bradley Terrace with that of Villa Rosa Bonheur and John J. McKelvey Sr., I knew about 75 percent less about the history and culture of Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale.

I have come to realize that the vast majority of our residents have a similar lack of perspective about the place they call home.

Two of the goals of our 197-a zoning plan are to “preserve the scale and character of area neighborhoods” and to “preserve and educate the public about historical references.” It calls for “increased efforts … to prevent the loss of local historical resources, either by decay, displacement or alteration of historical context of surrounding resources.”

We need to ask ourselves: Has Riverdale truly been successful in meeting these goals?

With the demise of Villa Rosa Bonheur, I can definitively say “no.”

Perhaps Villa Rosa Bonheur’s greatest contribution was waking us up to the existential crisis we now face for the survival of the character of our community. We need to actively protect our historical and ecological treasures. And for what’s already lost, we need to educate the public as to the tragic results of losing focus on preservation.

We need to recognize the urgency of historical and environmental preservation, and afford them primary roles in Riverdale development priorities. We have to stop apologizing, and instead fight harder and with urgency.

COVID-19 has shown us that the green space, lack of density and historical character of Riverdale are not amenities. They are unqualified necessities for the physical and mental health of our community, as well as for the off-setting of the ravages of climate change for the entire city.

Indeed, our lack of density may have actually saved lives, in contrast to the more densely populated neighborhoods in the city where residents have no ability to safely social distance and exercise.

We need to prioritize historical and ecological preservation throughout the whole of Riverdale, both inside and outside of the historic and Special Natural Area districts.

The residents of Spuyten Duyvil came out in droves to support the protection of SNAD, and now they need reciprocal support in the form of these street co-namings.

I thank you for the opportunity to address you as to this initiative, and to the vital issues addressed here.

Stephanie Coggins

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