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Big Parking Changes Proposed for Under the 7 Train on Queens Blvd , Includes Starting the Meters at 5 a.m.

Nov. 15, 2017, By Christian Murray

The Department of Transportation has put forward a plan that would bring significant changes to drivers who park on Queens Boulevard under the 7-train.

The plan, which involves 494 parking spaces that run from 48th Street to 32nd Place, would convert dozens of 14-hour metered spots to 4-hours spaces. The proposal also calls for the muni meters to start charging at 5 a.m. and the elimination of 14 spaces.

The change initially came at the request of the Community Board 2 which asked the DOT about two years ago to convert the 14-hour (long term) metered spots to 4-hour (short term) spaces, arguing that non-residents were using the long-term spaces as a means to commute to Manhattan. The board said it wants to stop commuters using Sunnyside as a stop-off point.

There are currently 185 long-term spots and 309 short term under the train.

The parking spaces between 39th Place through to 48th Street are all short term, with the exception of some spots between 41st and 42nd streets on the north side. Between 39th and 33rd streets the metered spots are all long term. The block between 33rd Street and 32nd Place is comprised of short-term spots.

Existing (Source: DOT) Click to Enlarge

David Stein, Deputy Director of Parking Management and Planning, put forward the DOT’s proposal before Community Board 2’s Transportation committee last week that would result in 348 short-term spots, 132 long-term spaces and the elimination of 14 spots.

In order to do that, the DOT proposes converting the long-term spaces between 41st and 42nd streets to 4-hour spots as well as those between 37th and 38th streets.

The DOT also plans to remove 14 spaces between 32nd Place and 33rd Street to make way for a pedestrian area for people who get off the subway.

Stein said the DOT also plans on changing the times the meters go into effect and the pricing. Currently, the meters have to be fed starting at 8 a.m. for all 494 parking spots, with the cost being 25 cents per 15 minutes. There is a maximum amount charged of $8 on the 14-hour spots.

The DOT plans to start the meter at 5 a.m. on all spots and getting rid of the maximum charge of $8 on long-term spots. Under the plan, the new charge for people who park for 17 hours (5 a.m.- 10 p.m.) would be $17.

Some Community Board 2 committee members took exception to some components of the plan.

They argued that there are still too many long-term spots under the proposal and more should be converted to 4-hour.

“We are not happy,” said committee member Sheila Lewandowski. “The DOT is basically encouraging commuter parking over people in the neighborhood.”

She said that the DOT is essentially sanctioning the practice of people commuting by keeping so many 14-hour spots.

Stein argued that many of the people who use the long-term spots work in the area and are teachers at Aviation High School, students at LaGuardia Community College, hotel employees or work at other nearby destinations. He said the DOT conducted a study and found that only a small number of commuters used the long-term spaces.

The board asked for a copy of the study.

Lewandowski claimed that workers in the area would be able to walk over and feed the meter—or use an app–if needed and so the short-term spaces wouldn’t effect these people.  She said commuters would be unable to do so and would no longer use spots that Sunnysiders need.

Meanwhile, Denise Keehan-Smith, CB2 chairwoman, was concerned about the proposal to start the meter at 5 a.m. and what it might mean for residents who park under the 7-train overnight.

“My concern is that people in the neighborhood– if they cannot find parking on their block at night–could potentially park under there because they are desperate,” she said, adding that it would be tough for them if the meter kicked in at 5 a.m. the following day.

Stein said that people would be able to pre-pay the night before.

Keehan-Smith argued that residents should not have to pay to park in their own neighborhood overnight. She asked for it to remain at 8 a.m.

The DOT is reviewing the board’s arguments and noted that the plan is a “proposal” and that it will be discussed further.

“We are discussing the feedback by the board’s Transportation Committee, and we will follow up with them on the additional information requested.”

Proposed (Source: DOT) Click on Image for viewing

 

 

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45 Comments

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Patricia Bagby

There should be a lot more municipal and street parking in LIC and Astoria. And they should stop the practice of allowing ZIP cars and other commercial enterprises to rent spaces in OUR lots! And enough with the seldom used bike lanes!

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Mike

This lot was really convenient to use when visiting manhattan via the 7 train. I notice that during weekdays day, the short term lot is pretty empty, but the long term lot is always full. I wish they just left the whole thing long term.

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shawn

i will say this…if you live in sunnyside, there is no reason whatsoever you need a car to get to work. why? because we live in sunnyside. we literally have a train right there for us. every sunnysidian can and should be using the 7 train. now, if your job is in Coney Island, Flatbush, Staten Island, etc well, you should be waking up early to take the train. i mean, if long islanders have to do the same, why can’t you? i understand the need for a car if your constantly using it to visit fam, friends, and you have a large family. but people i think are forgetting that we aren’t a community like long island, like certain areas of brooklyn where you need to take a bus to get to the train. heck areas of queens have that issue as well. but we live in sunnyside and we literally have a train for us to use. why are ya’ll moving in here and work over an hour away? move else where with better parking. sunnyside is overcrowded with families who have large cars and/or multiple cars. our schools are over crowded. if people work at the local hotels littered all over queens blvd here in sunnyside, or if your a teacher/professor at aviation high school/LGACC WHY ARE YOU DRIVING TO WORK? you literally have a 7 train that drops you off right across the street from your jobs! you would think, if it’s just you, one person, and you live outside of sunnyside, to use the trains! if you live in sunnyside, and it’s just you, why do you even own a car?? ya’ll are making sunnyside the way it is. impossible to park.

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28 years in Sunnyside

5 am? How cruel to the residents of Sunnyside who, as many others have said here, park under the elevated train when they are desperate and cannot find anything else. Unfortunately, I have to drive some days to Staten Island, Brooklyn and out further in Queens. Sometimes to two locations in one day. Bus and train and bike are not solutions for me. I bring a valuable service to children in these areas. When I have parked under the train at night, in the morning when I go to get it there are many empty spots. That means local residents are using the parking there! Again, 5 am!! Not fair.

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Why NYCHA Discounts

Please explain why NYCHA residents get discounts??
“Some spots in NYCHA developments are also set aside, with discounts available to NYCHA residents to use ZipCar’s services

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Jimmywearsapinkhat

Van blooper waited till after the election to target parking spaces, typical little weasel.

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Tea Lady

Sunnyside needs affordable parking near the subway. The White Castle and the JW halll should be torn down and replaced with multi-story parking lots. $1 per hour.

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Mac

Nothing for JVB to worry about!..He parks in a garage overnight and uses his City Council ( credentials) or muscles to park under the 7 during the day. He is immune from parking tickets..He is after all fighting for “our” values!..Since he is so pro bicyclist is he planning to start riding to and from City Hall to his office?

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JVD

He can’t bicycle to work, he can’t reach the pedals. We are setting up a go fund me account to buy little JVB a modified bike so that he can ride to work. This is only necessary due to tall privilege.

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Jimmywearsapinkhat

Dan does the pedals and Jimmy wearing a pink hat shouting “he will not divide us “at any car that gets near them.

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Anonymous

At a time when local news is disappearing it is great that we have this site.
I would never have known about the Phipps development plans if it weren’t for this site, or the parking space losses, or the aluminaire house, or school on Barnett, or FDNY site on Skillman, or new businesses. It goes on and on.
I have to thank you for running it. Although I HATE your commenters.

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TheDailyGrind

There is a big difference in having to move your car at 9am and 12pm… It’s a good system now. I Work until 9pm, then by the time i get home i driving around looking to a spot if i don’t find one I park at 10pm under the el. throw in $4 and you’re good til 12pm. With the new system i gotta move it at 9am? Why? what are they trying to accomplish with this new system…

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context clues

Why? Because the DOT conducted a study and found that only a small number of commuters used the long-term spaces.

You should try actually reading the article sometime, it’s a good way to learn what the content of the article is.

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CarLord

simple more money from your pockets because the dot is a bunch of greedy people that are making people lives miserable in terms of finding parking they keep eliminating parking . so where do they want people to park .

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Eurozone

Personal Perspective on this issue…

-Change the time on the short term to 9 am so people don’t have to move their cars early in on rush hour.

-Make it 7 am on the long term given that it is mainly commercial/industry.

-Give residents of the neighborhood parking permits, visitors can park under the El. (Give commercial vehicles temporary timed access. (for work related duties)

-Build protected bike lanes with non-mixing zones (*saves parking spaces*) keeps everyone safe. “Gets the bikes out the way”.

Safe. Organized. Fair. Logistically possible.

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Sunnysider

No, no, no to the 5am! On Sunday nights, its almost impossible to find a parking spot on the street in Sunnyside . . . overnight parking under the el is a complete life saver.

Also taking away the 14 hour spots is insane. There are absolutely no parking lots in the Sunnyside/LIC area anymore, and there are literally no options for parking. It’s already hard enough to have a car in this neighborhood and this is making everything more complicated.

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Anonymous

We should charge market rates for parking spaces. Take the average price of land per square foot in any given neighborhood to determine how much to charge. It’s absolutely absurd that tax payers give away free space to people who chose to drive. Especially in western Queens where the majority of residents do not own a car or commute to work by car.

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Tg

Tax payers giving what away? I am a Sunnyside tax payer- I have a car and need a place to park it, so I can walk, or take mass transit (another sham) to work. I pay to park at meters spots when no spots are available. I pay the state fees for registering my car, ezpass tolls, gas tax to local gas stations, fair price and sales tax to car wash businesses and oil change places etc. how about require new buildings to include parking for the occupants- residential or commercial for starters if you want to link land prices to parking.

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Roxy

Those parking areas are potential death traps for pedestrians. Don’t ever walk through there because drivers are very careless about backing out of spaces, and delivery people on motorized bikes use them as shortcuts.

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Tg

It isnt a walkway under the train -it is a parking lot. Queens blvd sidewalk footpaths are for pedestrians.
Residents need the 14 hr spaces because there arwnt enough street spots- esp with alternate side street cleaning rules. Who on my community board would advocate for more 4 hr spaces, 5am meters, and boosts in meter costs without overflow pkg? This is a sham.

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Anonymous

get a meeting together with everyone there and make sure JVB and DOT and everyone else shows up — it has to start somewhere and not just complaining on here —

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Resident annoyed with parking situation

Taking away even more parking for residents in the area… again!?!
We’re all still suffering from the ridiculously extended corners on the side walk that have replaced dozens and dozens of parking spots in the neighborhood. (Seriously who needs that much extra sidewalk!?)
I agree with the guy above “who knows everything” parking permits would help the parking issue because we all know you’re not giving great us back those parking spots! Come on DOT!!!

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where's JVB?

Mr. Van Bramer, I hope you get as involved with this as you have with the new bike lanes. It should be kept at 8am, price should remain the same. Doubling the price is ridiculous. We are losing 150+ spots on the street as it is…step up.

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SunnysideDown

All these new measures with bike lanes, less parking etc etc are driving people who have been living in the neiborhood for years out. If we wanted to live in Willyb or Manhattan we would. Sunnyside should remain a suburban area and as it is.

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Anonymous

Um, Sunnyside has way to high of population density to remain a “suburban area”. Have you actually been to a suburban area? Very different from Sunnyside.

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Dumb idea

When I can’t find parking at night, I will park under the train. Starting the meter at 5am is ridiculous, especially if they are taking away the 14 hour meters. And guess what, by taking away the 14 hour meters, these commuters will just take spots on the street instead.

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I KNOW EVERYTHING

Jesus! If none of this matters.

GIVE US STREET PARKING PERMITS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENETS!!!!

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---------?--------?--------?-------

This is great! Now I can drive from middle village and park here all day instead of using the bus. Who care what it cost I won’t have to get on a bus at 6am

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Anonymous

well well well Jimmy Van Bramer’s husband is on the board of the DOT this is a conflict of interest on every level — beware what is going to happen next —

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Two-faced Jimmy

No. Get your facts right.
His husband is on the board of Transportation Alternatives. That is the biggest lobby group for bicyclists in New York City.
He has former staff members at DOT promoting this stuff if that is what you mean.

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Anonymous

Van Bramer

1) Calls for tolls on 59th Street bridge
2) Spoke out in support of bike lanes on Queens Blvd
3) Backs bike lanes everywhere
4) Distorts facts to the detriment of drivers

And he uses bogus statistics to get all this. His beliefs are bad for QUEENS.

I pray his career falls from here. My guess is that he will probably trip over his ego and will fade into obscurity..

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