Katz Has Busy Day With Three Stops
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) has a busy day today starting at 11 a.m., where she will stop at the Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center, 137-57 Farmers Boulevard in Springfield Gardens to unveil new fitness equipment for seniors funded through the borough president’s capital allocations.
Then at 12:30 p.m., Katz will make a stop at Queens Hospital, 82-68 164th Street in Jamaica where she will announce completion of phase 1 of the Queens Hospital Emergency Department expansion – also funded with capital allocations through her office.
Finally, Katz will deliver the opening remarks and sing “Summertime” as part of the 2018 Katz Concert Series – on this night featuring the Queens Symphony Orchestra. The event is slated for 7 p.m., at St. John’s University (Great Lawn), 8000 Utopia Parkway in Jamaica.
Avella, Braunstein, Civics and Community Rally Against Overdevelopment
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) and Assembly Member Ed Braunstein (D-Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Broadway-Flushing, Douglaston, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Whitestone) yesterday stood with the Bay Terrace Community Alliance, and almost 200 hundred residents to protest a proposed development in their community.
A number of other civic associations from Northeast Queens joined in the protest: Northwest Bayside Civic Association, We Love Whitestone, Holly Civic Association and the Bayside Hills Civic Association.
The property/homes, formerly two, two-family homes at 15-10/12 215th Street, have already been demolished and the developer/owner submitted an application to the Department of Buildings (DOB) for a four-story, 18-unit structure with a daycare on the lower level, with underground parking.
The multiple unit development would be significantly more density than the existing two family homes on this quiet residential block. The addition of a day care center would dramatically alter the quality of life and given the already dangerous traffic conditions on this one-way street, put the clients/children of the day center in jeopardy.
This property is currently under a stop work order from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for not filing an asbestos report with the agency.
“It’s no secret that a daycare would be utilized in this area; but it should be located in a commercial area with sufficient space for parking and drop off and pickup of the children of the street. Additionally, a multiple family structure like this would create a quality of life issue for neighbors on this block,” said Avella. The Mayor, DOB and the Department of City Planning need to realize that this and other low density middle class neighborhoods need to be protected from overdevelopment.”
Braunstein said, “This proposed building is completely out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and if allowed to move forward, it will not only negatively impact the quality of life for nearby residents, but will also set a dangerous precedent for future development in Bay Terrace. At this rally an overwhelming number of residents came out to tell the developer that just because you can do something legally, does not mean that it is the right thing to do. We urge him to abandon the current proposal and consider new options that can be both profitable and contextually appropriate at the same time. Moving forward, we must continue an aggressive effort to downzone the Bay Terrace area to prohibit the construction of developments like this in the future.”
Peralta Nabs IBEW Local 3 Endorsement
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D- Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday received the endorsement of IBEW Local 3, representing over 20,000 electrical workers in New York City for his re-election campaign for District 13 ahead of the September 13 primary election.
“Protecting the workers of New York has been one of my primary missions as Senator. I am honored to receive this endorsement and support by Local Union No. 3, IBEW and am proud that I can represent their best interests. They continuously work to protect their members to ensure fair treatment in the workplace,” said Peralta.
“As your Senator, I will continue my effort to advance legislation that benefits laborers. New York needs people committed to their jobs, so it is time we properly pay them back for all they do,” he added.
Ari Espinal Marches In Jackson Heights Colombian Day Parade
Assemblywoman Ari Espinal (D), running for re-election in the 39th District, was a Guest of Honor at this past weekend’s Colombian Day Parade.
“I had a great time marching in the Colombian Day Parade and celebrating alongside the first Colombian-American elected to the Assembly, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilman Francisco Moya, and so many proud Colombians. I was thrilled to be a Guest of Honor, and I can’t wait to celebrate next year,” said Espinal.
A lifelong resident of the district, was elected to the Assembly in the April 24 Special Election. She has served as a Democratic District Leader for four years and has been an engaged civic leader and progressive activist for a decade. Prior to her election, Espinal served for seven years on Councilmember Francisco Moya’s staff while he served in the Assembly.
The Democratic Primary is Sept. 13. The district includes parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona in Queens.
