DIVIDED BY A STONE WALL

Antoine Guerrero (left) and Yun Kang of P.S. 1 unveil the art space’s plans for a new front entrance to Community Board 2. (photo: Sam Goldman) A new proposal from Performance Space 1 (P.S. 1) drew criticism from Community Board 2 at its Mar. 4 meeting at Sunnyside Community Services not for what it would do, but for what it would not.

Antoine Guerrero and Yun Kang of P.S. 1 in Long Island City unveiled their vision for a new lighting and construction project at the front entrance of the art facility.

According to Guerrero, this fouryear capital project, set to begin in September, will “change the main gates of the principal entrance” by adding new programmable LED lighting and a service desk, at a total cost of $186,000.

However, board members complained bitterly about P.S. 1’s refusal to investigate changes to the solid 16- foot-high windowless wall along Jackson Avenue, a longtime complaint of the body.

Several board members, including Chairperson Joseph Conley and First Vice Chairperson Steven Cooper, referenced the concrete wall as a metaphor for P.S. 1’s relationship with the community.

“It’s a world-class institution,” Conley said of P.S. 1. “Is this the best we can get?”

In the project’s defense, Peter Sprung of the city Department of Design and Construction claimed that the new lighting “does not call attention to the wall,” and Guerrero told the crowd that “it’s not a fixed type of project,” implying that further additions can be made in the future.

Guerrero, in particular, portrayed the concrete wall as an architectural, artistic choice.

Board member Dorothy Moorehead, however, called the project “putting lipstick on a pig.”

“Put windows, do a grid, something,” she urged.

Committee reports, other news

The Veterans Committee is currently reviewing the city’s contract with Integrated Community Living, which runs the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, according to Marvin Jeffcoat, the committee’s chairperson.

The Transportation Committee announced a study of traffic patters and pedestrian behavior at Van Dam and Thomson Avenue, in cooperation with LaGuardia Community College, Board member Emilia Crotty announced.

Andy Towler of Water Taxi Beach assured residents that New York Water Taxi, the site’s proprietor, would keep certain promises made to the community regarding Board 2’s concern over rowdy customers leaving the venue and heading into the residential Hunters Point neighborhood.

According to Towler, increased signage will lead patrons from the venue to the Vernon Avenue-Jackson Avenue 7 train station via the more industrial Borden Avenue, and security guards will be stationed at the front gates.

“We anticipate an incident-free year this year,” he assured the advisory body.

Justin Park, the Woodside florist who has come before the board several times seeking relief from nearby bodega owners who are selling flowers in front of their stores, asked Board 2 to help bring all parties together for “arbitration.”

“Nothing has been changed,” he stated.

District Manager Debra Markell- Kleinert assured Park that the Department of Consumer Affairs is “doing the best they can within the letter of the law.”

Board 2’s April meeting will be held on Apr. 8—a week later than usual—at 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services at 43-31 39th St.