Crowley, Klein, Gjonaj, Vacca Secure Victory in Recognition of Allerton, Pelham Parkway as Official Neighborhoods

Department of City Planning, Google update maps after hearing from elected officials, community

BRONX, NY  – Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), NYS Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and NYC Council Member James Vacca, cheered the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) decision to update their data to include Allerton as a neighborhood in the East Bronx. They also hailed Google’s recent changes recognizing Allerton and Pelham Parkway on their maps. In a letter written to Google last week, the officials urged the company to accept the updates entered on their website and supported by local residents.

“We are thrilled the NYC Department of City Planning and Google have listened to the concerns of Allerton and Pelham Parkway residents! The members of these two vibrant communities deserve to have our city maps accurately reflect the places they call home,” said the officials in a joint statement.

“We thank our elected officials for their help in getting our neighborhoods properly acknowledged,” said Community Board 11 District Manager, Jeremy Warneke. “We are proud of our communities and these corrections will go a long way toward putting us on the map!”

On January 28, the officials wrote a letter calling on DCP to make the modification after hearing from Bronx residents and local civic organizations including Bronx Community Board 11, the Allerton Homeowners and Tenants Association, and 49th Precinct Community Council President, Joe Thompson. In response, DCP said they would be adjusting their data accordingly.

Previously, City maps labeled the region as Bronxdale, despite most of the area’s residents using the term Allerton when referring to their neighborhood.

The full text of the letter to Google is below:

February 4, 2014

Ms. Mistique Cano
Google, Public Affairs
1101 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005

Dear Ms. Cano,

Our constituents have recently supported changes initiated on Google Maps so that the software more accurately reflects two areas in the Bronx – Allerton and Pelham Parkway. We urge you to accept these changes since they reflect how local residents identify the areas.

Allerton is a vibrant and distinct area that is home to almost 50,000 residents. The community is known in part for its large commercial strip, Allerton Avenue, that is home to several locally-owned businesses, including the well-known Farenga Brothers Funeral Home and the popular Sal and Dom’s Pastry Shop. In addition, the region is home to Beth Abraham Health Services, the Allerton Library, Allerton Playground and Allerton subway stops on the 2 and 5 lines. 

The Pelham Parkway region borders the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo, two of the most popular destinations in New York City. Pelham Parkway is known not only for the parks along its eastern border, but also for the open green strips lining the edge of the Pelham Parkway thoroughfare. Residents also frequent the small businesses lining the commercial strip White Plains Road, in addition to such popular destinations as the local branch of New York Public Library and the Bronx House Jewish Community Center. 

While residents recognize Allerton and Pelham Parkway as their home regions within the Bronx, Google Maps inaccurately labels the Allerton area as Bronxwood and the Pelham Parkway area as Bronxdale. We urge you to consider the wishes of the residents of these communities by accepting the proposed changes on Google Maps. Specifically, we ask you to label as “Allerton” the region along Allerton Avenue to the north of the Pelham Parkway thoroughfare and designate as “Pelham Parkway” the neighborhood directly south of Allerton. This initiative is strongly supported by local residents, community advocates, and civic organizations, and the New York City Department of Planning recently indicated it would change its own website to more accurately represent these areas.

 We are aware that users initiate suggested changes to Google Maps, but the ultimate decision on these changes rests with Google. We thank you for your attention to this issue and look forward to your response. Please feel free to reach out to our offices if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Joseph Crowley
Member of Congress, 14th District

 

Jeff Klein

NYS Senator, 34th District

 

Mark Gjonaj

NYS Assembly, 80th District

 

James Vacca

NYC Council Member, 13th District

 

Congressman Crowley is the eight-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.

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