NEIGHBORS IRATE OVER AREA WOES

Residents of Maspeth packed the basement of Trinity-St. Andrew Lutheran Church last Friday, Sept. 19 for the inaugural meeting of the newly-formed Maspeth West End Block Association. Frustrated by a perceived lack of attention to quality-oflife problems in their neighborhood, residents of Maspeth gave local public officials an earful during the inaugural Maspeth West End Block Association (MWEBA) meeting last Friday, Sept. 19 at Trinity-St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

The standing-room-only crowd of over 60 that packed the church's basement voiced their displeasure at elected officials and police representatives in attendance over a host of issues affecting the area, including the lack of a local supermarket, lost parking spaces on streets due to activity at a nearby soccer field, overdevelopment and traffic conditions along Flushing Avenue and other area roadways.

To some observers, the anxiety expressed by local residents seemed to overwhelm the affair, as some participants shouted over one another and at speakers while demanding that their problems—many of which, attendees claimed, have persisted for years—be remedied as quickly as possible.

Elected officials attending the first meeting of the Maspeth West End Block Association last Friday, Sept. 19 presented proclamations to the organization's founders in recognition of the event. Pictured along with State Sen. Serphin Maltese and City Council Member Anthony Como are MWEBA President Kathy Hamilton, Vice Presidents Alex and Sandra Santos, Secretary Toni Lentle and Treasurer William Bianchi. Not pictured was Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, who was also in attendance. At the onset of the session, MWEBA President Kathy Hamilton noted that the civic group intended to provide residents with a platform to voice their grievances, adding that the organization would also serve as a liaison between city and state elected officials and agencies to seek resolutions to their problems.

"We are concerned about illegal activity in the area," added MWEBA Vice President Alex Santos. "We can control it and stop it. We all have a voice. We're all taxpayers and all owners. We're trying to bring forth a block association concerned with our neighborhood."

To that end, ranking civic group members as well as elected and other public officials informed attendees that they would reach out to agencies and other local entities directly to help bring about solutions to local grievances.

Hungry for a supermarket

First on the list of problems tackled by residents is the lack of a supermarket in the area following the closing of a C-Town on Fresh Pond Road in 2006. The location was replaced shortly thereafter by a Staples office supply shop.

According to residents in attendance, local seniors and those without access must now travel a great distance to supermarkets several miles away or purchase items at higher prices at local shops. One neighbor suggested that a new market could be placed at a former Rite Aid pharmacy on Metropolitan Avenue near Tonsor Street that recently closed its doors.

Rumors have circulated recently that the site was being considered for the development of condominiums, according to one woman in attendance. She stated that the need of new housing in the neighborhood was not as great as the need for another place to shop for food.

"We don't need another housing project in this area," she said. "We are overwhelmed. There has to be something done to get rid of housing and bring in an supermarket to this area. There are some of us who don't drive, and shopping at some of these stores is outrageous."

Currently zoned for commercial development, the former Rite Aid property would have to be rezoned in order for any entity to construct housing. This would require a public review process before Community Board 5, noted Peggy O'Kane, a member of the advisory body.

State Sen. Serphin Maltese stated that while the owners of the property could not be forced to build something the community may want, he has reached out to entrepreneurs in the city for the potential creation of a supermarket at the location. One such name he mentioned is John Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of the Red Apple Group and Gristedes Foods.

"I can't promise anything, but he has promised me that he would take a look at the area," he said. "But I am positive that once he gets here, he's going to be able to make money if he's able to come here."

Assemblywoman Margaret Markey added that she would reach out to various supermarket chains doing business in the New York metropolitan area to see if they are interested in opening up shop at the Maspeth site. She added that she would keep the MWEBA involved in the effort and would work with them to bring a supermarket to the area.

Angst over overdevelopment

The idea of additional residential development in the Maspeth area did not sit well with one resident, who asked legislators what was being done to curb the proliferation of multi-family housing units in the area.

Maltese admitted that as a state legislator, there was little he could do in his authority to control the construction of condominiums or multi-family homes in a given area. Even so, he noted that the city is working to rezone parts of Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale to prevent further overdevelopment in each neighborhood.

City Council Member Anthony Como elaborated, stating that the rezoning project started in October 2005 has been stalled by the Department of City Planning over the last several years. His office is working with the agency to figure out why the plan is stalled and what can be done to get the rezoning process moving again.

"I met with the Mayor's office and the [Council] Speaker [Christine Quinn]," Como said, adding that another meeting has been scheduled to determine why the project is being delayed further.

Parking, loitering problems

While reporting an overall drop in crime throughout the 104th Precinct over the last four weeks, members of the Ridgewood-based command heard a litany of complaints from local residents regarding parking violations, illegal dumping and loitering youths in the area.

A 60th Road resident informed police that cars frequently double park on her block during all hours of the day. Despite numerous complaints made to the city's 311 hotline, she observed, no action has been taken to rectify the situation.

The resident added that groups of noisy teenagers have also been spotted sitting on stoops of nearby homes hanging out during evening hours. She suspected that some of the individuals were smoking marijuana during these times.

Lt. Jeff Wellbrock of the 104th Precinct stated that the precinct would come down to investigate the situation, adding that members of the Youth Unit would also be advised to visit known locations where teenagers hang out in the neighborhood to make sure they disperse.

Homeowners living near the Metropolitan Oval soccer field on Andrews Avenue at 56th Street complained about sleepless nights and few places to park resulting from games and other activities held at the facility.

One resident noted that she has called the city's 311 hotline frequently over the years to complain about nighttime activities at the oval which have taken place as late as 11 p.m. or midnight on weeknights.

"We can't even sleep," the resident said. "If you go to a regular park, 9 o'clock it's closed. Something's wrong."

It was noted that Metropolitan Oval is a privately-owned operation and not under the jurisdiction of Parks Department regulations.

Another long-time neighbor of the facility informed police that players, coaches and other participants who drive into the area take up parking on local streets every day of the week, depriving residents of parking spots. Vehicles were also spotted parking along the sidewalk and blocking fire hydrants on 60th Court, added another resident.

"We have to struggle to park on the street," the resident said.

Det. Kevin Weber of the 104th Precinct Community Affairs Unit stated that the precinct would investigate the situation and take corrective action against those who violate parking laws.

Hamilton added that she has contacted Metropolitan Oval management regarding the situation as well as the upkeep and maintenance of the facility. The group was informed that the oval was willing to work with the civic group to resolve their concerns.

MWEBA Secretary Toni Lendle added that the civic group will invite the management of Metropolitan Oval to a future meeting.

Need more traffic devices

Neighbors asked Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano about requests to install traffic control devices along several accident-prone roadways in the area, including Flushing Avenue and the intersection of 60th Street and 62nd Avenue.

The district manager informed attendees that an all-way stop sign had been previously requested for the intersection of 60th Street and 62nd Avenue but was denied by the city Department of Transportation following a study of the crossroads. He noted that the board would request another review to determine if the intersection meets federal standards necessary to have the device installed.

Another resident complained about speeding traffic through the Flushing Avenue underpass that has made the stretch a virtual "grand prix." She asked for another stoplight to be placed somewhere along the roadway between 55th and 61st streets to prevent future accidents and fatalities along the strip.

Giordano replied that while the community board could ask for stoplights at most Flushing Avenue intersections, the move might not be helpful as drivers may be encouraged to speed up in order to beat red lights.

He suggested that the city step up its effort to encourage drivers to slow down.

"We've asked them for more request for signals, daylighting, signs, but don't see the city trying to get people to slow down," Giordano said. "If the city won't take active view at educating people [about the speed limit], we'll just be plugging dikes."

Other news

Como, Maltese and Markey applauded the group's foundation and presented ranking members with proclamations celebrating the occasion, adding that they looked forward to working with MWEBA in the years to come.

Residents or business owners who find graffiti tags on their properties should have the vandalism removed as quickly as possible, observed Peggy O'Kane of the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation, who advised attendees of the organization's anti-graffiti program.

For a one-time $75 fee, O'Kane explained, GRRC workers will power-wash graffiti from the side of buildings up to three times. The organization will also remove graffiti from businesses provided that the property owner has signed a waiver granting the group permission to do so.

O'Kane also noted that the corporation provides assistance to homeowners on a variety of legal matters, including advice on rent control and rent stabilization, adding that the group can file a variety of city and state paperwork for property owners free of charge.

For further information, call GRRC at 1-718-366-8721.

The next MWEBA meeting is scheduled to take place in November at a time and location to be announced.