2012-04-18 / Front Page

Halloran Cleans Up Whitestone Eyesore

Folks in Whitestone have something to look forward to after dealing with an eyesore for years.

Councilmember Dan Halloran met with Robin Singh, the new owner of the property at 24th Road and Francis Lewis Boulevard and struck a handshake deal that the graffiti-scarred construction fence would be taken down and replaced with a six-foot-tall chain link fence.

And the best part is that the job will be done in a week, according to Halloran.

Halloran’s office has been actively working with the Department of Buildings for two years to resolve this problem.

“One of the problems is that this lot has changed hands several times recently,” Halloran said. “The new owner is anxious to be a good neighbor, and we are pleased to work with him on behalf of the community.”

The last hurdle to the project was cleared on April 15, when Queens Buildings Commissioner Ira Gluckman approved Halloran’s request to allow a six-foot-high fence around the property, rather than the four-foot fence that zoning rules require.

“Commissioner Gluckman, Mr. Singh and I agreed that the higher fence would discourage dumping and trespassing, so it made sense to do it here,” Halloran said.

Singh has rejected suggestions to use a slatted fence because it would be a graffiti magnet, opting instead to further clean up the lot.

“We both had the same idea of sowing wildflower seeds on the property in the hope that after all these years, our neighbors deserve some beauty, instead of a ghastly eyesore,” Halloran said.
 

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