Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. and Astoria merchants discuss alternatives to the DOT’s proposed closure of Newtown Avenue near 33rd Street. Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. met with Astoria merchants on May 30 to discuss a Department of Transportation (DOT) proposal to close down one block of Newtown Avenue near 33rd Street to traffic.

The DOT considers the intersection dangerous for pedestrians, but merchants believe the closure of the street is a drastic option which would severely hurt their businesses and would not improve traffic conditions, but would in fact worsen them.

Vallone and the local business owners support the construction of a small, landscaped plaza that does not impede traffic, as opposed to the DOT’s proposal which will shut down all traffic on the street.

A meeting was slated for June 5 at the Astoria Manor, 25-22 Astoria Blvd., Astoria to discuss the proposal. Representatives from DOT and Community Board 1 were scheduled to attend the meeting, which was open to the public.