Residents Protest New KFC

KFC is coming to Morningside Heights, and with it a group of avid opponents intent upon closing down the fledgling outlet of the national fast-food chain. Residents of the area have formed a coalition, Neighbors United Against KFC, to work toward the closing of the restaurant, which is currently being constructed at 106th Street and Broadway.

According to Krista Wergeland, the head of Neighbors United Against KFC, the organization began its campaign in April and gathered over 3600 signatures in two months. "That raised flags with KFC, and they sent their representatives out. We met with them twice, and they have postponed. They were originally going to open much earlier," Wergeland said.

Objections to KFC's doing business in Morningside Heights come from a variety of sources. "The two main concerns are the influx of chain stores and losing our local merchants, plus the rat problem," Wergeland said.

Residents worry that Morningside Heights is losing its ethnic diversity in the face of corporate business. "That building used to house Samba's Deli, which was owned by a Palestinian family," Wergeland said. "In February, I found out from Mr. Samba that he had to close down because the landlord had gotten twice the rent of what was normal for this neighborhood from KFC."

Some locals also fear that KFC's presence will worsen the already daunting rat problem in the neighborhood, and more specifically, in Straus Park, which has long been a popular recreation spot for families. "It's like the jewel of the neighborhood, so we are really concerned about garbage being left on the sidewalks," Wergeland said. "We're concerned about the kids playing in the park with the rats. This neighborhood is a really family-oriented neighborhood, and we don't want rats in the park."

Although KFC's representatives have promised to keep the street clean, Wergeland said she and other members of Neighbors United against KFC "know that's not going to last long," given local chain restaurants' tradition of disregard for sanitation edicts.

In addition to the hazards posed by rats in Straus Park, some residents are concerned with the interests of local schoolchildren. On 109th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam, there is an elementary school that contains no cafeteria for use by its students. Consequently, local fast food establishments have long been an attractive meal option for students there. A nearby Burger King has done excellent business for years, partly as a result of interest from students. To get to the KFC location, however, requires crossing several dangerous intersections.

Issues of youth safety may prove particularly important as construction on Columbia's K-8 school on 110th Street nears completion. Residents of 110th Street expressed concerns that, like students at PS 145 on 109th Street, children attending the new school would risk serious injury crossing busy intersections during their lunch hour to eat at the KFC.

"I really worry about excited kids getting out of school and looking back at friends as a car speeds towards them trying to beat the lights or turning as they do there," former Democratic District Leader Ed Sullivan said.

The popularity of Morningside Heights has attracted corporate chains at increasing rates in recent years.

Many residents acknowledge that this influx is not always a bad thing. Large corporations, for instance, usually have the monetary capacity to make improvements to the buildings they rent. In a meeting with Neighbors United Against KFC, KFC representatives promised small augmentations such as new awnings. Since that meeting, KFC has provided these changes. Nevertheless, residents worry that the negative will outweigh the positive.

No matter what their complaints regarding the KFC, residents will get the chance to register them officially on the date of the planned KFC boycott.

According to Wergeland, the KFC is slated to open in roughly two weeks, and the boycott will occur around the same time. All neighborhood residents will be informed of the boycott through e-mails and flyers in the days immediately prior, Wergeland said.

"We'll pick a date near to the opening, and people will notice," she said.

The boycott itself will feature picketing, flyer distribution, and a table with petitions for area locals to sign. "We're trying to hang on as hard as we can to this neighborhood," Wergeland said, "and I think we can do it."

According to Democratic District Leader Curtis Arluck, the boycott stands a substantial chance of being effective. Citing the closure of the 102nd Street CVS store following a boycott by local residents, Arluck stressed the importance of organized and cooperative community leaders in effecting change. The store remained open for over a year, but eventually community wishes won out and the Morningside Heights branch of CVS closed its doors.

"The worthy fight against the new KFC won't succeed overnight either, but it will succeed," Arluck said. "The cause is just, and the organizers know how to work with rather than against their elected officials."