Welcome to www.bloomingdale.org, the web site of the

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West 104th Street Block Association

About the Block Association
What's new on the web site/in the neighborhood | Where we're located | Our purpose | Our activities | History of the block association | Membership | Why we love living here | About the Bloomingdale name

What's new on the web site and in the neighborhood

Click Newsletter on the left for all newsletters.

Where we're located
The West 104th Street Block Association is located on 104th Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive in Manhattan, New York City, State of  New York.  Our neighborhood is commonly known as the Upper West Side and historically known as Bloomingdale.

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Sally, Marsha, and Matti in the snowy dog run

Sally, Marsha, and Matti having some dog run fun; January 2003

Our purpose
The block association was founded to promote the safety and general welfare and to preserve and improve the quality of life of our immediate community.

We're incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and are a 501(c)(4) organization under Federal IRC regulations.

The block association is run by a volunteer board of directors made up of block residents.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of the month; block residents are welcome to attend. If you’re interested in meeting the members of the board, raising an issue for board discussion, serving on a special committee, or becoming a board member, feel free to contact a board member.

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Our activities
Social
- annual block party called the Yard Sale
- outdoor "Curbside Cafes:" informal summertime gatherings in the evening on the street
Beautification
- planting and caring for our 26 trees and our flowers and plants
- purchase and maintenance of tree guards
Security
- nightly security guard
Newsletter
- six issues published annually


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History of the block association
The block association was founded in 1970 in reaction to a rising tide of street crime on the block and in the belief that unified neighbors contribute importantly to theThe Lian girls in the park in 1972 quality of life on the block. The block association collected funds from block residents to hire a security guard to patrol the block in the evenings. At the same time, the association developed block beautification and social programs. All three programs continue to this day.

Sledding in Riverside Park is a favorite winter activity.   Above, the Lian girls at play in 1972.  Below, Mary Ann and her bootied friend Daisy play in virtually the same spot in 2000.

Mary Ann in the Park in 2000During the 1970s, the City awarded the block association a grant to improve block security. The money was used to heighten backyard fences, install intercoms in various buildings, make lobby doors stronger, and install alarm boxes in the outer lobby of each building. The block association also purchased, planted and now maintains the block’s trees, metal tree guards, and annual floral plantings.

In the mid 1990s, we encouraged our block's landlords to replace their deteriorating sidewalks in the interest of promoting the safety of our residents.

We have advocated for improved conditions at our local subway station (103rd St. on the #1 and #9 lines).  With the help of the Westside Crime Prevention Program, the 24th Precinct, and MTA police, we recently succeeded in stopping a subway token scam at the station.  Block association board members serve on the boards of local social service institutions as representatives of the block.

In mid-May 2000, a resident of the block successfully negotiated a change in the Saturday morning garbage pickup schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.  The resident delivered a petition to the Department of Sanitation signed by other block residents who favored the change.  We can all sleep a little bit later on Saturday thanks to this effort!

Another point of view on garbage pickups

Read about the architectural history of our block

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Membership
Full membership
All residents of 895 and 905 West End Avenue, 315 and 320 Riverside Drive, and the buildings on West 104th Street between West End and Riverside (the 300 block) are full members of the block association.

Members are asked to pay annual dues in the amount of $120 to the block association. Members participate in the block association’s programs, and enjoy all the benefits of them, whether they pay dues or not.

Associate membership
Residents of 890 and 900 West End Avenue may become associate members of the block association by paying annual dues of $30 per household. Associate membership entitles you to receive a copy of our newsletter and to rent a space at the Yard Sale at the reduced, on-block rate.

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Why we love living here
We asked some of our neighbors why they love their neighborhood. Here's what they told us.

...because I get to garden near my building and it's a short walk to the traveling rings and soccer fields.  Ira,  age 54
..because we have many willing volunteers to keep the block nice and beautiful.  David, age 9
...because of the creative energy that invigorates one; the neighborly warmth and concern; and the beautiful gardens that satisfy my love of beauty.  Estelle
...because it’s the most wonderful neighborhood anyone could live in.  Roses
..because it’s heterogeneous: varied heritages, colors, nationalities, etc.  Sheila
...because it’s my home and because I have lived here for 38 years.  Charlotte
...because of its generous, supportive residents and its visual beauty.  Alex
...because it is next to the park.   Meredith, age 11
...because the people are friendly.   Joshua, age 7
...because I love my apartment because I can look out my window and see people walking down the street.  Lydia, age 7
...because it’s sunny and quiet.  Dan
...because it is the closest thing to a community I have found thus far in New York.  Todd
...because it’s like a small town.  Monique
...because I love my super Gilberto.   Bill
...because of the amazing diversity of its residents  from graduate students to Wall Street moguls, academics to freelance writers and editors. A great and stimulating place to live.  Ned
...because it’s diverse and tranquil and lively and the weather is better than yesterday.  Nathan
...because it is full of nice and friendly people. I also have a wonderful view of the sky wherever I stand and I love it.   Kate, age 12
...because of my neighbors!   Gwen
...because I have friends and I live near where I play soccer. Ariel, age 11
...because it has a beautiful view of the park and all of the nicest sunsets of the year.  William, age 11

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About the Bloomingdale name
In the late 1600s, Dutch settlers called the area around 97th Street Bloemendaal or valley of flowers. English settlers soon corrupted the name to Bloomingdale. And when a new, wide road was planned for the west side of Manhattan in the early 1700s, it was called Bloomingdale Road, later the Boulevard, and now, Broadway.

Today, two of our most enduring institutions carry on the name: the Bloomingdale branch of the New York Public Library is on 100th St. between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues; and the Bloomingdale School of Music is on 108th St. between Broadway and Riverside Dr. 

Some former uses of the Bloomingdale name:
— From 1821 to 1894, the Bloomingdale Asylum was located on the grounds of what is now
      Columbia University
— Bloomingdale Boat Club at 102nd St. and the river
— Bloomingdale Glass Works by the water
— Bloomingdale Reformed Church at 106th St. and West End 
— Bloomingdale Square at 106th St. and Broadway was renamed Straus Park in 1912

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Updated 16 December 2007

 

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