Caring for Riverdale’s streets

The Riverdale Main Streets Alliance Inc., RMSA, will turn 14 years old in January 2026. The nonprofit has grown, evolved and thrived during that time. But with that growth comes challenges — one of the biggest being how to connect with more community members to join and support our mission.

With this op-ed, we hope to make more of our neighbors aware of what we do and to convince some of you to lend your time and resources.

A small group of business owners incorporated the North Riverdale Merchant and Business Association on Jan. 2, 2012. At first, the group functioned as a true merchant’s association, aiming to support businesses struggling along Riverdale Avenue, Mosholu Avenue and Broadway in the 10471 ZIP code.

The group quickly realized that deteriorating streetscape conditions were hurting foot traffic and local business. Members began clean-up and beautification efforts and started advocating for city improvement funds. As residents and institutions lent their support, the group saw that its old name didn’t reflect its broader civic purpose.

In 2017, the board of directors voted to rename the group the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance Inc., and secured recognition as a charitable organization — a designation that allows donations to be tax-deductible.

Today, RMSA functions as a true nonprofit civic organization. A 15-person board of directors, more than two dozen sponsors and dozens of informal “members” raise roughly $25,000 annually for beautification projects. That includes mowing parks and green spaces around 10471 — from highway medians to Van Cortlandt Park and Vinmont Veteran Park.

We work with our council member on capital and beautification funding. We plant and weed more than 50 tree pits along Riverdale Avenue from West 254th Street to the city line, as well as on parts of Mosholu Avenue and Broadway.

We organize clean-ups, the annual Riverdale Avenue Block Party and community events like Decades Night and Comedy Night. We advocate forcefully for more city funding for traffic safety, beautification, parks and policing. Sometimes that means taking hard positions on complex local issues, from unlicensed cannabis shops to the need for stronger police presence in 10471.

We do a lot with very little — and sustaining that effort is a challenge.

That’s why we’re asking neighbors to get involved. Here’s how you can help:

Sponsors: We welcome cooperatives, condominiums, commercial property owners and local businesses to support our work. Every dollar goes directly to streetscape improvements. If you already give — thank you. We deeply appreciate your support.

Board: We’re recruiting board members, especially those with fundraising skills. 

Members: Individuals and small businesses can become members. It’s low-cost, and there’s no time commitment.

Volunteers: Not able to donate? Join our all-volunteer Streetscape Committee. Help with plantings and clean-ups. Think of us as a rag-tag, diverse, Bronx-style Garden club.

Advocates: Keep the pressure on elected officials to invest in parks, sidewalks, roads and public spaces.

Unlike our suburban neighbors, there’s no agency directly tasked with caring for the main streets in New York City neighborhoods like Riverdale. It’s up to us to define how Riverdale Avenue, Mosholu Avenue and Broadway look and function.

RMSA is helping to fill that gap — with support from a handful of sister organizations, elected officials and Community Board members. But our work is only as strong as the individuals who support it.

To learn more, email rmsabx@gmail.com, or join us at our Annual Meeting on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

Riverdale Main Streets Alliance