Photo by Rham Robinson/Horizon
Members of the Youth Action Leadership Committee asked the community and city officials to help in getting the "shabby shack" removed. These seven youths worked hard with rewarding results.

They blew the house down

By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

After several complaints and eventually working with city officials from the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, Community Board 4 and the Bronx Borough President’s Office, a local youth campaign is victorious.

The “Shabby Shack” is gone.

“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Amanda Manuel, a Highbridge resident. “I am so happy that they [the City] finally did what had to be done.”

Last summer, the Horizon reported on the efforts of youth to get the shack removed. The children all participate in the Youth Action Leadership Committee — a youth lead organizing group that focuses on getting children involved in civic matters.

They called on residents and city officials to help in their campaign.

The officials answered that call. Within two weeks of the article first appearing in the Horizon, an inspection was conducted.

All were amazed and dismayed by the shack’s existence. Debris, broken glass, rusty nails and garbage spilled onto the sidewalk on Nelson Avenue between 164 and 165 streets. Residents who lived nearby said the dilapidated structure was a breeding ground for roaches and rodents.”

Disgusted by what he saw, Enrique Cortes, Assistant Chief at the Department of Buildings issued an emergency declaration to have the shack demolished.

That declaration came in July. On September 29, a bulldozer and a 10-man work crew began the demolition.

“They kept their promise,” said committee member Cassandra Moreno. “I fell good about that. It lets me know my opinion matters.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” said Margarita Hunt-Tejeda, District Manager of Community Board 4. “We listen to the community’s concerns or problems and work hard to rectify them. In this instance, I’m just glad we were able to get the shack removed so quickly.” Ms. Tejeda referred to the fact that it usually takes up to a year for a demolition to happen. She thanked all officials involved in getting the blight removed in record time.

Not only was the shack torn down, but so was the three-story abandoned beige townhouse located directly behind it on Ogden Avenue.

“That building was unsalvageable,” said Lee hope, a demolition crewmember. “In fact, this whole site was pretty awful. I’m even glad to see it go.”

It took five days before the area was cleared out. Queen Opoku, a reprehensive from Borough President Adolpho Carrion’s office felt is was worthwhile. “This [the shack] was an issue of concern for residents. I’m glad we were able to collaborate and come to a resolution.”

Ms. Opoku commented on everyone’s desire to work together and how, in the future, it would be equally beneficial for residents and city officials to do so again. “Like everything else, it was a process, but eventually we do get results.”

Rham Robinson, Youth Organizer at Highbridge Community Life Center, is more than pleased by the shack’s removal. “I am overjoyed.” Referring to the shack’s less than appealing contribution to the neighborhood, he continued, “It’s a monstrosity that is not only out of our sight, out of our thoughts, but out of our lives.”

With a new vacant lot situated in the community, residents have some suggestions as to what should go there. “I hope they build a park,” said Ms. Manuel. “Someplace where I can take my grandkids to play.”

Although a park would be nice, Ms. Moreno hopes to see a youth center in its place. “We need somewhere safe to go. And a center is just the place.”