As residents of the vibrant Bronx neighborhood, we were caught off-guard by the decision taken by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to close 222nd Street from White Plains Road to Carpenter Ave, between 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, starting September. This decision was taken to facilitate the implementation of the 'Open Streets' initiative for Equality Charter School, a decision made with no community input or fair warning. Many of us were dismayed to only learn of this arrangement on the last day before everyone went on vacation.

The DOT and Equality Charter School overlooked the community's sentiments and failed to consider the significance of 222nd Street to our daily lives. As a main thruway that connects east to west, it serves as one of only four key paths providing our residents access to a major highway. With this closure, we anticipate significant disruption in our everyday commute, as well as potential traffic bottlenecks on the remaining one-way and smaller street throughways.

We understand the intention behind the Open Streets initiative – to create safer, cleaner spaces for our children to play and learn. However, these noble goals should not come at the cost of the quality of life and mobility of the larger community. We urge the DOT and Equality Charter School to revisit this decision and work towards a solution that strikes a balance.

Let's come together and back this request for a fair and inclusive decision-making process. We, as a community, need our voices to be heard. Please sign this petition and help maintain uninterrupted access to 222nd Street for all residents.