Open Letter to Commissioner Sadik-Khan

Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan
Department of Transportation
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10041

Dear Commissioner Sadik-Khan:

This letter is to request your immediate attention to an urgent matter that is affecting and damaging many small businesses due to construction and repairs that are being done at and near the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Castle Hill Avenue in The Bronx. 

You should be aware that that this construction project deters and blocks people from entering shops on Westchester Avenue.  It is an outrage to learn that this construction is planned to continue for seven months.  This construction is practically closing the doors of the small businesses in this area.  This is no way to help small businesses.  The damage to the local economy cannot be overlooked.

Closing both sides of the street of this main intersection is going to cause serious damage to the local economy.  This project should be completed one side and section of the street at a time leaving the other side open. The way it is being done now is forcing small businesses in the area to close their doors and risk going bankrupt and out of business.  If you don’t make these changes, you will be shutting down the minority business enterprises in our community.

Photos of this area are attached to detail my serious concerns, and I look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,


Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

cc: Mayor Michael Bloomberg
      Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
      Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda
      Council Member Annabel Palma
      Community Planning Board 9
      media