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Parking Garage To Be Built On Muni Lot Site
"[City Councilmember] Peter Vallone, Jr. has secured $1.5 million in additional grant money to build an additional second deck," said Dr. Jay Tartell, speaking on behalf of the Astoria Boulevard Coalition, a group of concerned businesses and residents at the May meeting of Community Board 1. A proposal by the city Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) agency to sell the municipal lot to the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC) for $1 to build 184 units of senior citizen housing was presented last November to Board 1. At that time, only 32 public spaces were to remain available for parking, prompting immediate disapproval from residents and business owners at that meeting. Specifically, in addition to the total of 69 spaces, the agreement calls for 32 short-term spaces available to the community with the cost of short-term parking comparable to current municipal lot rates. In addition, interim parking during construction of 12 short-term p a r k i n g spaces has been agreed to. Shortterm parking will be maintained for no less than 40 years and HANAC has also agreed to maintain the new parking configuration for no less than 40 years. HANAC has also agreed to construct the parking structure in such a way that an additional level could be added to the current one-story garage if it becomes evident that the parking provided is inadequate. "HANAC and Peter Vallone Jr. have done a terrific job," Tartell said. The city Department of Planning (DCP) and HPD have discussed the proposed addition with HANAC and have indicated that the parking addition is considered a one-story parking garage with rooftop parking that will require a special permit for a public parking garage. HPD will submit the application for the special permit to DCP as a co-applicant with HANAC. " P l a n s will be presented to Community Board 1 for the additional deck of p a r k i n g , " said Tartell. "We will be supporting this plan." Praising b o t h HANAC and Peter Vallone Jr. for their response, a public meeting was held on May 18. Where further concerns were thrashed out. Pointing out that only 41 spaces have been reserved for residents of the senior housing facility, Dr. Tartell said there is concern that the number is not sufficient. "The coalition will do an additional parking study and monitor development of the proposed plans," he said. In other business, an application to construct three additional stories on an existing manufacturing one-story building with off-street accessory parking spaces located on the roof at 34-29 37th St. was denied. An application to establish an unenclosed sidewalk caf with 11 tables and 25 seats at Saprys Restaurant, 24-25 Steinway St., was denied while an application to renew a revocable consent to operate an unenclosed sidewalk caf with seven tables and 28 seats at Olympia Caf Billiards, 23-44 Steinway St., was approved. New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Elana Shneyer, Shelter and Community Coordinator for Emergency Faith Shelter Network, Partnership for the Homeless, were guest speakers. Gotbaum described her role in city government as a watchdog over the delivery of city services. "That means to make sure my constituents, your friends and neighbors, are getting their services," she said. Gotbaum noted her efforts to help special education students in particular. Shneyer reminded the board that there are 32,000 people, on average, in a shelter in New York City every night. The Emergency Faith Shelter is a network of 104 churches, synagogues and community based organizations that open their doors at night to the homeless. There are four locations within Board 1, First Presbyterian Church of Astoria, Immaculate Conception, Redeemer Episcopal Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. Finally, the board approved "also known as" street signs for Joseph J. DeMonte, Secondino "Dino" Carusone, Vincent Iannece and Correction Officers. |
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