Fordham residents struggling after garage closure

The Department of Buildings told News 12 that vacate orders are effective immediately once issued.

Edric Robinson

Dec 10, 2024, 11:59 PM

Updated 14 days ago

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Residents of the Fordham Hill Oval are still dealing with confusion and frustration after being told to remove their cars from their unsafe parking garage.
The Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a vacate order for the garage, citing structural concerns, but residents say they haven’t been given clear instructions on when their cars must be out.
Some residents, like Javar Clayborne, have already made arrangements to park elsewhere.
“Off to the new garage, and hopefully we’ll get this resolved,” he said. But others are left in limbo, still parking at the facility despite the vacate order.
The Department of Buildings told News 12 that vacate orders are effective immediately once issued.
However, residents say poor communication from both the garage owner, Fordham Hill Oval, and the company leasing the space, Bronx Car Parking Systems, has made matters worse.
“There’s been no answers from anyone,” said Sabrina, another resident. “That’s the frustration.”
Residents are also struggling with limited street parking. “We’ve been trying to scour the neighborhood, but this area isn’t safe. You can’t park your cars on the street—they break into them,” Sabrina added.
For some, finding a new garage has come with added costs. “I’m taking my car to Riverdale to park,” Clayborne said. “Now I’m spending double what I spent here.”
Sabrina also expressed concern for elderly residents who are particularly impacted by the situation. “I feel for the elderly people who don’t have anyone to advocate for them or help them find parking. A lot of them parked here.”
The garage has been at the center of a long-running dispute between Fordham Hill Oval and Bronx Car Parking Systems over who should pay for repairs.
With no clear timeline for repairs or answers about the future of the garage, residents say they’ll continue to push for action.