The Department Of Transportation Alternatives are attempting to usurp parking spaces from residents in Far Rockaway

 

 

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Pheffer Amato Joins Community Opposition To Seagirt Blvd. Project 

 

South Queens, NY - Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens) met with school administrators and parents to discuss the hazards of the potential Seagirt Boulevard redesign. The city-based project has garnered extreme pushback from local and non-local residents and has been openly opposed by Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.

During dismissal the other week, the Assemblywoman saw firsthand how this project would cause an extreme backlog and increase traffic up and down the whole boulevard. “I acknowledge the need for safety measures, as that is something we all wish to see. However, any changes to Seagirt Boulevard cannot come at the price of accessibility or safety of the students from numerous schools who traverse the boulevard on a daily basis, yet alone hinder motorists in and around the community in their daily lives,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato, along with parents and community members have expressed disappointment and opposition to this project because of the lack of outreach and the expected problems the redesign would cause. The removal of a vehicle lane, yet alone over 60 parking spots, will cause an inevitable increase in traffic disruptions and mass congestion which would negatively impact the community on an enormous level.

The Assemblywoman referred to the plan as “nuts” and insisted that the NYC Department of Transportation must “go back to the drawing board and create a plan that reflects the will of the community” as the project was moved ahead without community support. 

Good to see an elected official call out the nimrods that are in charge of the DOT. While not mentioning her name, "Nutty" Nicole Garcia is trying to do over here what she's doing with inducing citibike docks on street curbs to steal parking spaces in Robert Holden's district instead of on ample sidewalk space. The entire DOT needs an enema starting with Adams moron buddy Ydanis Rodriguez, who can't even ride a citibike more than one block to do an ad encouraging more cycling.  

The DOT Commissioner couldn't even ride one extra block to do an ad about biking in NYC. What a farce.

You know this guy hopped into a big taxpayer funded SUV after one of his aides docked that @CitibikeNYC. https://t.co/4pa6qSwXLL pic.twitter.com/socQrLoD2y

— JQ LLC (@ImpunityCity) September 20, 2022

Jamaica bus lines study is FUBAR

 

Queens Chronicle

The Chronicle has obtained a letter in which eight elected officials who represent Jamaica or neighboring areas call on the city Department of Transportation to end its intended year-long study of how bus lanes are affecting Jamaica Avenue.

The letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia, dated July 8, says businesses are being harmed and that residents are complaining about a lack of accessibility along the popular commercial and retail shopping corridor.

It was sent on the letterhead of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, but also was signed by Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica), Councilmembers Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton) and Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans); state Sens. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park); and Assemblymembers Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) and Khaleel Anderson (South Ozone Park).

“The DOT has expressed to the community the need for a year-long study to best determine the impact of the bus lanes on Jamaica Avenue,” the letter states. “However, we believe a six-month study is enough to give the DOT sufficient ability to understand the impact these bus lanes have had on businesses and everyday residents in Jamaica.”

The elected officials want the study to be concluded and the results published by the end of summer.

Numerous businesses have complained to the Chronicle since the start of the year about how the bus lanes and lack of traffic have hammered their bottom lines.

The July 8 letter’s language on that topic was diplomatic but unmistakably clear.

“Downtown Jamaica has been subject to a major transportation shift as the community has continued to grow and revitalize,” it states. “While we understand the need for improved bus service, the Jamaica Avenue bus lanes have had a significant and damaging effect on businesses along the corridor. Our offices have also received several complaints from local residents about a lack of accessibility along Jamaica Avenue.”

The signatories also would like the DOT to install signs along Jamaica Avenue with more clear and concise language to help individuals better understand the rules for things like parking, loading areas and standing zones.

The Department Of Transportation Alternatives will never compromise

Queens Post

Council Member Bob Holden is calling for the firing of Queens DOT Commissioner Nicole Garcia arguing that she fails to listen to the concerns of residents and shows contempt for local civic organizations.

Holden’s call for Garcia’s ousting comes at a time when the DOT is working on installing 52 Citi Bike stations in Middle Village and Maspeth, both neighborhoods he represents.

The council member has been critical of the agency for not properly notifying his constituents about the Middle Village/Maspeth plan, and then failing to work with civic groups—such as Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA) —in terms of where the stations should be installed.

The JPCA, which has embraced the Citi Bike expansion, has been calling on the DOT to place the stations on sidewalks—as opposed to on the street—as a means to preserve parking spaces. Christina Wilkinson, secretary of the association, put together a detailed plan as to where the proposed street stations could be moved to avoid the loss of parking.

The DOT rejected these calls last month, prompting criticism from Holden. (click for JPCA proposal and DOT response)

“Garcia’s Queens DOT shows nothing but contempt for local civic organizations in middle-class neighborhoods, particularly in their refusal to seriously consider requests regarding Citi Bike installations,” Holden said.

The councilmember argues that the Queens DOT is not sincere when it says it wants community feedback.

Holden said that many neighborhoods in Queens desperately need parking spaces and have little use for renting bicycles, including seniors, families with children and the disabled.

“Lyft’s Citi Bike agenda lacks any regard for those New Yorkers and has no interest in inclusivity. The DOT should stand up for these New Yorkers and stop doing Lyft’s bidding. One of the great things about living in New York City, particularly in Queens, is that every neighborhood has its own character. The Queens DOT denies this unique diversity by forcing a one-size fits all approach to bike stations across the city.”

He said it’s time for the Queens DOT to turn a page and advocate for its residents. He said the agency also has a history of denying requests for stop signs, speed bumps and other traffic safety measures in his district that would keep his constituents safe.

“The Queens DOT can only move our borough toward a safer future with a new commissioner who will listen to community feedback and respond swiftly to the needs of Queens taxpayers.”

“Garcia’s Queens DOT makes a dog and pony show out of asking for community input and then throws it in the gutter. Lyft’s Citi Bike program continues to gobble up parking spaces badly needed by hardworking New Yorkers, like a giant corporate PAC MAN who refuses to hear the reasonable requests of middle-class neighborhoods in favor of the fanatical anti-car movement and a corporation with a vested interest in getting New Yorkers to give up owning cars.”

Taking too long to fix Douglaston streets

From the Queens Chronicle:

The mean streets of the Douglaston Manor Historic District, where much of the pavement is little more than rubble, sidewalks are collapsing and Belgian blocks separating stately homes from the roadways are in disarray, don’t look likely to see the needed repairs anytime soon.

The problems are that the damage is so extensive, the streets need complete reconstruction and the money has not been allocated to do it, according to the city Department of Transportation.

Now two of the area’s elected officials, Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) are pressing the city to add the funding — $260 million — to its mid-fiscal year capital plan.

The $260 million does not include an unknown amount of money that would be necessary for the Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade underground infrastructure that also would likely need to be done, according to a letter Vallone received from Department of Transportation Queens Commissioner Nicole Garcia.

Well, at least they did something about Shore Road.

149th St Bridge may actually be repaired soon

From the Queens Chronicle:

Officials announced Thursday that the long-awaited reconstruction of the 149th Street Bridge in Flushing will soon begin.

The deck on the newly built but unsafe bridge needs replacing, and that will cost the city $1.6 million, Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia said Thursday.

In the meantime, while the city is chipping in those additional costs, it is also suing Gandhi Engineering, the firm responsible for what Garcia referred to as the bridge’s “poor design,” and is hoping to retrieve back $4.2 million.

Perfetto Contracting Co. has been selected as the new contractor, and the preliminary work like applying for permits is set to start Nov. 30, Garcia said.