We the undersigned would like to get our charming lane paved. To that end, we are requesting that the City of New York formally engage in a process of negotiation that we hope will conclude with the Dedication of Independence Avenue between West 246th and West 247th Streets, in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

The street is now a narrow, poorly paved road that falls within the bed of Independence Avenue as it is currently mapped, but the roadway is not vested by the city. It is a charming part of Riverdale, a country lane that people enjoy walking in all seasons.

Our reason for requesting Dedication is to get the current roadbed properly paved. The condition of the road is a hazard to cars and people, with frequent eruptions of significant potholes and a constant wash of gravel from disintegrating asphalt.

We believe that the block meets the city's criteria for Dedication:

1.The ownership of the roadway is unknown. Most of our property lines stop, according to our surveys, at the edge of the paved roadway [though some properties cross into the bed of the mapped street].

2. The street is open to general traffic at all times.

3. The city provides ample services to the street:

a. DoT provides traffic and parking signage, has added striping in recent months, and sends crews to fill potholes when called on 311

b. The Department of Sanitation provides trash pickup and plowing

c. FDNY provides ambulance and fire truck services.

d. City water lines run under the road.

We are requesting that the city pave the street only if it can be done in its current location and configuration. Expanding the roadbed or adding sidewalks would not be acceptable to us [though some curbs might be required at selected locations to control runoff]. Speed of traffic is another concern that we would hope to discuss with city officials as a part of this process. That is why we are requesting to begin a conversation with city officials to set the parameters of any improvements.

A meeting with city officials should be a first step, so that the precise scope and technical details can be understood and accepted by the community, before formal Dedication proceedings start. After the road is Dedicated we understand that the city would take responsibility for repaving the street as needed, and otherwise caring for it ,as it does for so many others.

Thank you for your consideration.