Monday, July 23, 2012

USTA plans to gobble up more parkland


From the Daily News:

Not every aspect of the U.S. Tennis Association’s proposed expansion in Queens is an ace right down the middle in the court of public opinion.

Advocates are yelling “fault” at the proposal to build two parking garages in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, saying they have no place in the greenspace.

The garages are included in the $500 million expansion plan for the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center announced last month.

The two garages — two and three stories — to be built on the footprint of current surface-level parking, would add 500 spaces.

But several community board members and parks advocates panned the proposal.

“Queens is getting to be a parking lot. It’s wrong,” Eugene Kelty, chairman of Community Board 7, said during Wednesday’s hearing. “We’re not building parking garages. I can’t see my board voting that way.”

The park falls under the jurisdiction of Community Boards 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Let's take away more parkland in order for the few to make more money?

This is a disgusting idea, we need more parkland in Queens, nor less!

Alfredo C

Anonymous said...

They don't maintain what they have now.At the end of shea rd,the three flag poles have been bare for years,all of the lighting around them is out. The concrete stanchion is moldy.Looks very inviting,indeed...........

Anonymous said...

these lily-white suburbanites... heaven forbid they take a train with normal people. they MUST have door-to-door vehicle accommodations!

Anonymous said...

How can this lot ever pay for itself if it is used only one week in a year? Leave aside the substantial cost of building it, the maintenance and operating costs can't be covered year-round by one week's usage. The USTA center is accessible by LIRR and the subway. Leave the car home.

Anonymous said...

Pretty soon the park will cease to exist as we want (need) it. Thanks Bloomcrap---FOR NOTHING!!!

Anonymous said...

"“Queens is getting to be a parking lot. It’s wrong,” Eugene Kelty, chairman of Community Board 7, said during Wednesday’s hearing."
--------------------
As I recall, CB7 did approve the original takeover of park land by USTA in 1997(?); Mayor Dinkins signed the give-away on his last day of office, despite Giuliani's request not to do so. Dinkins was later elected as Board member of USTA.

Anonymous said...

C'mon....is this really a park?
It's an old ash dump posing as one.

It's become a 3rd world haven.

Central Park and Prospect Park...
now those are parks.

And what's the final count on how much Estelle cooper stole from the conservancy?

Anonymous said...

C'mon....is this really a park?
It's an old ash dump posing as one.

It's become a 3rd world haven
----------------------------------
So true. The third worlders from Corona and Jackson Heights took over Flushing Meadows years ago. That park is shot to hell.