First steps to remove controversial Staten Island fence visible on Friday

New York’s Staten Island — Workers at the site looked to be assessing the area Friday morning as the initial steps to remove a controversial fence from Clove Lakes Park were apparent.

After Mayor Eric Adams overturned the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to build the Martling Avenue Bridge, a group of political leaders from Staten Island, led by Borough President Vito Fossella, stated last week that two unsightly fences along the bridge will be taken down.

At a recent press conference to announce the fence’s dismantling, Fossella said, “I applaud the people of this community who rightfully stood up and protested.” Our voices were heard clearly and loudly. We made it clear that we would not be stopping.

Since the fence’s construction in November, local residents have been instrumental in the opposition against it.

Contractors were on site Friday doing an evaluation, and action to dismantle the barrier is anticipated soon, according to Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn). DOT is attempting to dismantle the fence, but they do not yet have a schedule for doing so, according to a DOT representative.

Additionally, Community Board 1 approved the fence’s removal. Community Board 1 member Tim Forsyth reported seeing city employees at the location on Friday morning.

The fact that the community’s voice was heard is, in my opinion, a huge victory, he said.

Shortly after Staten Island elected officials, including Carr, Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore/Brooklyn/Manhattan), Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island), Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), District Attorney Michael McMahon, and Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore), were ready to file a lawsuit, the city announced that it would take down the fence.

When we dissected the bureaucracy and reasoning behind the fence’s placement, we discovered that there was no genuine need for it to exist and that it should be taken down, Carr said. All the credit for listening to the people and us and overriding DOT should go to the mayor. Additionally, I would like to thank Councilwoman Hanks and Borough President Fossella for their outstanding collaboration and leadership on this matter.

Since the fence was put up, the group of elected officials has opposed it with considerable assistance from the neighborhood.

Erin Jansky, a resident of Westerleigh, even started a change.Many contributors to the petition, which had gathered close to 2,000 signatures, recalled idyllic times spent at the bridge, which is a section of the Martling Dam, which was constructed between 1928 and 1929.

One of my favorite places to fish was here! One user, Leroy, commented, “My daughter caught her very first fish there and now we can’t utilize that spot due to that awful looking fence.” The barrier has nothing to gain from being there, and everything to gain by having it taken down!

Why the fence was erected

At first, the DOT claimed that the barrier would increase bridge safety, including for pedestrians crossing beneath it. Additionally, the DOT stated that whenever it replaces or renovates a bridge structure that spans roads, railroads, or navigable bodies of water, it installs pedestrian fencing.

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