A rendering showing what 48th Street and Skillman Ave. will look like with the redesign in place. (DOT)
July 23, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
A group of Sunnyside businesses and organizations will rally this week in opposition to the city’s plans to redesign Skillman and 43rd Avenues.
The rally, organized by Queens Streets for All, calls on the city to “save our neighborhoods” by doing away with the Department of Transportation’s safety plan for Skillman and 43rd Avenues, which includes the installation of protected bike lanes through a roughly 25-block stretch and the elimination of 116 parking spaces.
The Sunnyside-based group, formed as the DOT began introducing its plans to the public in November, includes businesses and schools along the project corridor, a number of churches, and merchant groups like the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce.
Melissa Orlando, president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, said the rally is a way to stand up to the mayor, who recently gave the DOT the go-ahead to implement the project weeks after Community Board 2 and elected officials said no to it.
“Our hope is really to have an opportunity to have the mayor hear our voices collectively as a community,” Orlando said. “We believe in safety and protected bike lanes, but we don’t feel Skillman and 43rd Avenues are the best place for them.”
While the plan has seen many supporters from those living in the community and some from other neighborhoods, the group feels the vast majority of residents are strongly opposed to the plan, and will be most impacted by the changes.
“Nobody knows a community better than its residents,” said Jean Clancy, owner of Claret Wine Bar and member of Queens Streets For All. “We are overwhelmingly opposed to this. It’s the entire community across the board that’s saying no.”
Queens Streets For All has multiple reasons for opposing the DOT’s plan. The loss of parking spaces, they claim, will put a strain on small businesses, with some also claiming that increased numbers of cyclists on the protected bike lanes will pose a safety risk to pedestrians and students crossing into the corridor’s schools.
The group also believes Northern Boulevard is where the protected bike lanes should go rather than the two avenues, believing the boulevard would benefit more from protected bike lanes while Skillman and 43rd would best be suited for alternative safety changes.
“The threats have been exaggerated to justify putting lanes here,” said Pat Dorfman, a Queens Streets organizer. “We want the mayor to come here and meet with us to see the actual, on the ground situation.”
The group started planning the rally after the mayor’s announcement two weeks ago, and have invited elected officials to the event including Assemblywoman Nolan, Congressman Joe Crowley, and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
Queens Streets For All, however, has not invited Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. The group said Van Bramer did not come out as strongly against the proposal as the group wanted, as he said in his June statement that he supports a protected bike lane on 43rd Avenue. In addition, Van Bramer noted he “respects the Mayor’s” decision, while Queens Streets overwhelmingly opposes the city’s plan.
While the DOT said it will begin implementing the redesign next month, and will wrap up by the fall, the group’s aim is to have the mayor reconsider, but also to demonstrate what they say is the community’s overwhelming opposition to the plan.
“It’s not a few grumpy old people that like to keep their cars. It’s a cross section of the community.” said Gary O’Neill, owner of Aubergine Cafe and a member of Queens Streets For All. “The point is to send a message to the mayor that we are not happy—that the will of the majority of people are being ignored.”
The mayor’s office, however, said it has done extensive outreach and listened to voices across the community.
“We are moving forward with this redesign because it will make Skillman and 43rd Avenue safer for everyone, and help move the City closer to our Vision Zero goal,” said Seth Stein, a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio. “DOT will be on the ground after installation to continue gathering feedback and ensuring this project works well for the neighborhood.”
The rally will be held on July 25 at 6 p.m. at the Sunnyside Arch, located on the south side of Queens Boulevard and 46th Street.
via Queens Streets For All
Queens Streets Letters by Queens Post on Scribd
126 Comments
I currently own a house in Sunnyside. It was a recent purchase, before that I lived in a studio apartment. I have been a resident of the neighborhood for 20 years.
I have also owned a car the entire time I have been in Sunnyside. The car is a recreational vehicle (like most private cars in this city) that I bear the responsibility of owning. I street parked for many years. When that became annoying I rented a garage (also in Sunnyside but a 15m walk from my house) – because I understood that a car is not a necessity in the city, and that if I wanted to retain my sanity and also drive, it was worth the money and effort. I love cars and I love driving.
I am also an avid cyclist that commutes to the city daily and am in favor of improvements to infrastructure for the common good of all residents of a neighborhood. The bike lanes will help make it safer, especially to people new to cycling and people who want to just get around the neighborhood. The current bike lane is not safe, especially closer to Queens plaza.
Do you know what I haven’t done in the entire 20 years of living in Sunnyside, while owning a car? I have never DRIVEN AND PARKED AT ANY LOCAL BUSINESS. I will never in one million years drive my car to any local business. It makes no sense, and while I don’t have any statistics, I do observe almost everyone that patronizes a local business walking there.
I do often stop on my way home, lock my bike, and shop or eat – and I also call my politicians.
Start charging for street parking via residential parking passes and I’m sure it would free up a lot of spaces.
Did anyone rally?
Did everyone double park on QB?
Anyone want to join me and loony Laura after to scream at cars as they drive by?
The amount of traffic in Manhattan and the neighboring communities of the bordering boroughs has grown exponentially in the last 5 years. Di Blasio uses traffic statistics to push his Vision Zero agenda, but his allowing an increase in TLC licenses has caused the problem. Yellow cab operators are suffering, traffic is more congested and more individuals have decided to get into the black car business. Those drivers now park on residential streets. Count how many TLC licenses are on the road and parked on the streets- unprecedented. This is all a manipulation by the current City administration.Wag the dog!
Yellow cabs suck.
Why don’t they do an event where they drive from one business to the next, and shop til they drop!
Bike lanes = car traffic
Car traffic = more pollution
You = uneducated
You = lazy
Global warming is a hoax! Its so tough for Dems/Liberals and even some Repubs to understand that “global warming” is a ploy just like every other threat the government makes up (a 2 party system is easier to control, by the way). The earth is actually cooling due to sunspots and water vapor created by the ocean. Volcanic eruptions are the biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses… not humans.
Moreover, if you want a grant and you want to understand how monkeys interact with their neighbors and build a community you wont get that money unless you tie it to global warming. Its a hoax!
Right that’s why it’s called Climate Change and not global warming. 97% of climate scientists agree that it’s real but Fox News must have told you otherwise.
https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
Your arguments make no scientific sense. First off, global temperature has increased by 0.8 degrees over the last 150 years, much of it coming over the last 50 years. This is NASA data. The people who put a man on the moon. Solar irradiation has gone down slightly according to the World Radiation Center, so you would expect to see a slight decrease in global temperature, but the opposite is happening.
You say water vapor is causing cooling? Water vapor is a greenhouse gas just like CO2, which means by definition it has a warming effect.
Finally, in 2017 approximately 32 gigatons of CO2 was emitted worldwide as a result of burning fossil fuels. The only estimate I could find on CO2 emissions from volcanic activity was 0.645 gigatons. Furthermore, volcanos actually emit lots of particles that can have a cooling effect because they block solar irradiation from reaching the earth’s surface in the stratosphere. In fact, some of the geoengineering solutions to global warming involve shooting similar particles into the stratosphere because of their cooling effect.
Why don’t they make portions of Skillman one lane, and make the parking diagonal on one or both sides? Then you’d have two to three times as many parking spaces.
Good idea. I don’t live in Sunnyside, but this makes sense to me.
The “Pat Dorfman Tries Desperately To Keep From Being Totally Irrelevant Rally”
You ugly, ugly crumb.
Amen Greg. About time for ol dwarf brain to fade into irrelevancy.
How about Florida, Pat? It’s definitely more your speed.
I love how Pat Dorfman and the NIMBY idiot mob were saying there were not enough cyclists to justify it, but now they’re saying they’re worried about the increase in cyclists being dangerous. Pathetic!
What do you expect from sheeple? Baaaaah
Hahaha a rally to save storage space for box’s on wheels
can’t wait to hear the chants…
“No parking, no peace!”
Build cities FOR PEOPLE .,… NOT CARS. I”m back!
You know who’s really taking up all the street parking? Long Islanders that drive out here to take the LIRR. We need neighborhood-only parking.
YOU ALL wanted White Hipsters in your Sunnyside North Neighborhood…Stop crying you all DESERVE each other…LITTLE DO NOTHINGS,CRYING AGAIN…YOU ASKED FOR LIBERAL IDEAS,YOU GOT IT…I’LL STAY IN SUNNYSIDE SOUTH,THE INCLUSIVE PART..YEAH,THE ORIGINAL BLUE COLLAR PART..BABIES!!!!!
HAHA! You’re right George! Stop with the CRYING RALLY! If you all want to get togehther to CRY …, go to showbiz pizza by the home depot. HAHA. Get over it.
Agreed. Hold a formal pity party for all the inept members of society. Hold a vigil for your parking spaces cuz they’re never coming back. Cry sheeple! Cry!!!! Bahhhhhhhhhhh
IT’S KIND OF HARD TO READ WHEN YOU USE ALL CAPS.
To Sunnyside Post President Carbie Barbie: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED SUNNYSIDE POST COMMENTERS AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COMMENT SECTION THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
Cyclists want us to pay for their stupid bike lanes? No! They should buy license plates and pay for insurance just like car owners do. This isn’t about safer streets. This is about 20-30 people who have gathered their cult members around the city to convince the mayor that there are more of them than there actually are in this neighborhood. REAL residents were not surveyed or this would have lost miserably. There is nothing unsafe about Skillman. It’s fine the way it is. Use the bike lane you have, wear a helmet and stop at the FUCKING RED LIGHTS! Stop when you see pedestrians instead of peddling on. Stop riding the opposing direction on the wrong side of the street. Treat your bike like a car and you’ll be safer.
But everyone has to pay for the streets? And your free parking spot? If you think your car taxes cover it, you’re way off.
How can you bear listening to yourself? Idiocy. Sheer idiocy.
It sounds to me like one of our dumbest members of society ( a dopey polluting motorist ) alias sassy lassy is calling others idiots.
You are not smart. Stop insinuating that you are intelligent. If you’re arguing against bike lanes, it’s likely your iq is below 80.SASSY LAASY YOU’RE ONE OF THE DUMBEST IN WOODSIDE. GET A CLUE. GET AN EDUCATION. YOU ARE YOUR ILK ARE POSIONING THE AIR WE ALL BREATHE ..killing pedestians, And she believes shes smart. The magnitude of ignorance is unparralleled.sassy lassy- here is your challenge. Read a book!
I thought you were refering to Deblasio at the beginning .
Only about 10-15% of Sunnyside residents have a vehicle, yet the remaining 85-90% pay for your parking spots, with literally zero benefit from them. What’s the argument to justify that?
http://www.city-data.com/zips/11104.html
My 1st argument is that I have never had a child, but have always paid school taxes. We all share the tax burden. Do u need more examples?
An educated populace benefits all of us. I don’t have kids either but I’m happy to pay school taxes. Subsidizing parking is a whole other story.
These bicycles lanes are nothing more than paint, signs and a few raised curbs. The overall cost is low considering the safety benefits. Additionally, everyone chips in to maintain our roads, registered or not.
This street is wide and this is a good reconfiguration. The city is trying to encourage more people to walk and bike because we can’t support the current level of automotive congestion. This is a good way to do so, safe networks of bike/walking friendly streets.
More people on bikes, more room for you to drive around.
No residents were surveyed at all, actually. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The CB definitely doesn’t represent my interests or demographic.
No one will come to your door to ask you. If you want your voice to count you get up and go where people will listen to you, the CB. Get it? Participate.
Well, I elected someone to stand in for me, and they’re doing the job. I dont’ care about the CB – it’s just a bunch of busybodies
This is the kind of misunderstanding and rage that 5-6 members of the Sunnyside Chamber conspired to create in the neighborhood they claim to serve.
Close to 90% of sunnysiders do not drive regularly, two thirds do not own cars. The majority of New Yorkers do not own cars and yet we still pay taxes that contribute to the hugely expensive DOT budget to maintain roads and highways we never use.
The enormous subsidy is being paid by mass transit users to drivers. The installation of a bike lane is a drop in the bucket compared to what you owe everyone else.
The age of subsidized driving is coming to an end. Congestion pricing is imminent. So are paid parking permits. These will actually make the parking situation easier for you and hopefully ease your anger.
You do realize of course, that the arrogance with which you and your cohorts spew your self-important visions totally negates them, right? Your attitude invites swarms of attacking creatures into your life. Curb your ego. No one has a corner on the truth, naked or clothed. You know less than nothing.
This is the kind of faulty reasoning that led to this farcical group’s alternate view of reality, one in which this plan would makes things less safe, one in which the mayor would change his mind if only he meets with them.
If one has a different opinion based on facts, presenting them is therefore arrogant, the facts are false, and the presenter is ignorant (particularly if she doesn’t live in the neighborhood). And they wonder why TA wiped the floor with them without even trying?
You’re either a complete imbecile or just really bad at math. The roads and highways in New York are the lifeblood of it’s economy. Bike lanes are less than a drop in the bucket of New York’s economy. Drivers are not supported by non-drivers just the opposite is true. The MTA is bankrolled by the never ending cash cow of bridge and tunnel fares. That coupled with tax on gas, DMV registration surcharge more than makes up for the cost of roads for evil car drivers. Read the state budget if you don’t like it. But stop the inane bullshit that anybody is subsidizing automobile drivers out the goodness of their hearts. Car drivers subsidize your self aggrandizing silly little hobby. Subsidized driving my ass you arrogant little douchebag.
This poster shows the theory that by saying something loudly it therefore must be right. Without looking at the DOT plan, without reading reasonable posts, they don’t have a chance to understand the reality that surrounds them.
We all pay for the maintenance and upkeep of streets that drivers park on free, bridges drivers clog for free, with very little in return. Tolls, fees, transit fares contribute very little to the costs of maintaining infrastructure.
There are, however, a lot of drivers who aren’t even registered here. Count the out of state plates next time you’re searching for parking. Those vehicle owners did not pay the registration fees and in many cases are not paying city and state tax either. If compelled to change their registration and pay local taxes, many would quite quickly give up the cars they likely don’t even need.
But alas, why would you be angry at other drivers? It’s not like they compete for parking or contribute to traffic, right?
You do realize that you are paying for bike lanes in other cities with your federal tax dollars, and they are paying for ours, don’t you? Please spend some time looking up how bike lanes are funded instead of yammering away on this blog.
To those saying that car owners should suck it up and pay for parking or live somewhere with a garage, and that only a handful of residents actually own cars:
I own a car, as do many of my neighbors in my building, and I would be willing to pay for parking if that was the alternative. However, there aren’t feasible paid parking options or dedicated parking spots within reasonable walking distance from my apartment. We moved here thinking we would be able to park our car on the street, and now we’re losing parking spots with no alternative option being presented (paid or unpaid). Obviously I would prefer to not lose parking spots at all, but if the city is going to remove spots, I think it would be a good compromise to build paid parking structures or provide some sort of alternative rather than being told, “Sell your cars you dinosaurs!”
Also, remember that Sunnyside is a residential neighborhood with many families who depend on their cars to get around, since 1) the 7 train does not have an elevator (moms with young children have trouble dragging their strollers up and down the multiple flights of stairs to get on the train), and 2) living in a place with access to only one train makes it difficult to access other places in the city without a car, a problem which was easily remedied by owning a car in this previously car-friendly neighborhood. This is not LIC where you have a variety of transit options at your fingertips, so why is it so hard to understand why people here have cars.. especially when there was an abundance of free parking before?
I would say if you can’t find parking and need a car, then Sunnyside is not a good neighborhood for you to live in.
An abundance of free parking? When was this? 2008?
I don’t understand why anyone would live anywhere in NYC (besides SI) and assume that parking would be (a) free and (b) easy. I moved here with a car and sold it quickly – and then I got another one when the need arose. Parking sure does suck but it’s a luxury and I took the time and cost into consideration when choosing to get a vehicle again. But honestly, hook those bike lanes right into my veins people – I’m excited to get out there more and feel safe and confident to explore our neighborhood and others along the new route! If car sharing was a bit more affordable, I’d get rid of my car again permanently!
Again, I said I’d be willing to pay for parking and adapt to the change, so I am not assuming parking should always remain free. I’m also not hating on those who choose to travel by bike, so I’d appreciate it if others respected my decision to own a car. I would simply hope that this removal of parking spots in favor of protected bike lanes would have some kind of provision for car owners who will now have a harder time finding parking (like a couple of lots/garages), which we could pay for. Comments telling us to move out of Sunnyside if we want to keep our cars are not helpful.
Really, you are going to come up with 15 to 30 million to buy the land and build a parking garage? Have at it! What people are saying is that you have to make an adult decision as to whether or not less parking is going to work for you in Sunnyside. If not, there are a lot of more pleasant places to live where you can have a three bed house with a two car garage for the price of a one bedroom here.
I think you should build a parking garage, you’d be a local hero
Surferose,no,we always had parking…It’s the ongoing problem of Morons from Skillman Ave who decide what’s best for the whole DAMN Sunnyside..Lets get something straight here, stores like Sunwood Realty only give a Damn about The Almighty Dollar.You all saw this coming..no????These Skillman outsides are Pimps to their own Real Estate Values and white is right edicts..Anyone ever see a Hispanic population on Skillman living there??nope..Sunwood Realty doesnt rent to minorities..Ask Jim
I pay for parking in the neighborhood. BTW. It wasn’t that hard to figure out.
Please read the DOT’s strategic plan available on their website. You and others are unaware of the direction NYC and most major cities are heading with regards to car use/parking. No one, including the city, will be building more parking garages, and more bike lanes will be added every year. This never was, and never will be a car suburb.
There’s no doubt a lot of people have cars. But how much they are needed differs vastly between car owners.
You might as well keep the number of people who need their car constant before and after implementation. But because daily users represent a huge minority of area car owners you can assume that those fairweather drivers are going to change their behavior more quickly, so just hold out and you should be fine.
Some car owners may opt for paid spaces, some may park in the industrial area where parking is quite abundant, some may sell their car (or one of them) and go to car share, etc. All it takes is a few drivers per block to make these choices and completely offset the 66 parking spaces taken in the residential stretch of this plan. It likely won’t take long either.
In terms of getting back parking spaces, the answer is yes, the DOT have worked with local electeds and neighborhood organizations to do just that. The problem here is that instead of sitting at the table, our business and civic leaders did all they could to stop the plan and nothing to mitigate it. They lost and now it’s here and you’re left holding the bag (while they protest).
The answer here was for the chamber to request an addition of metered parking and loading zones along the avenues and for the residents to lobby for additional parking on residential streets. It was all very possible. Instead the chamber tried to unify businesses and residents (in spite of their differing parking needs) and check your hand, the bag is still in it.
Good luck going back to the DOT or your elected officials after 18 months of politicking and say, hey can you add some parking? It’s not impossible but it’ll need to come from someone besides the groups holding this ridiculous rally. Neighbors with common sense should not attend this rally. Repudiate the chamber! Organize for common purpose in the face of positive change!
While I support the protectedbike lanes I also feel this is a very reasonable and sensible post. The City should find a location to build a parking garage in Sunnyside and also install elevators in the 7 train stations. Until then I can usually find parking between Woodside Ave and 39th Ave behind Doughboy Park. It may require a short walk to your final destination but usually has space available.
Oh?! Another question. What ever happened to the law stating commercial vehicles were limited to the amount of time they were able to park on residential streets. Aren’t TLC commercial vehicles? Another “quality of life” law ignored?
“Aren’t TLC commercial vehicles?”
No
Oh yes they are! They are money makers, so they are commercial!
That’s not how it works, sorry.
What are you guys down voting? “A” asked a question, I answered it honestly. TLC plates on a car do not make a vehicle commercial.
Bicycles should be registered, insured and licensed. If a vehicle uses the roads it should be identifiable, and responsible as cars, trucks and motorcycles. Share the roads, share the costs and the responsibilities.
Bicycles do not damage the roads and the environment like cars, motorcycles, and trucks do.
Agreed, bicycles should have their own lane that’s just as wide as all car lanes. Share the costs and the responsibilities, Share the roads.
Thanks
Geez, I surly do not like this Sandinista DeBlasio. But I’ll be looking soon for another car to park in my driveway @ 300/month..600/month total tax free, money in my pocket not for Sandinista progressive DeBlasio.
They should do a Cannonball Run style rally down Skillman Avenue it’s all kinds of wacky characters and hijinx and antics!
Mayor De Blasio says “We’re not going to–and I’ve shown this many a time on Vision Zero–we’re not going to give in to some loud voices who want to keep a status quo in place that actually endangers peoples lives.”
So the geniuses at the Sunnyside Chamber walk right into a misstep that further politically isolates them? The plan proponents must be jumping for joy because this rally should be titled “De Blasio, you were completely right about us after all!”
I don’t doubt the businesses here are failing before this plan and that they’ll all blame it when they shutter. It’s a pity but what else can they do when the chamber is such a miserable cesspool of incompetence. Many of us predicted this when the hostile takeover put the batty lady who didn’t want the Queensboro Bridge renamed in charge. What a ship of fools!!
Many other business organizations, including in far more car oriented areas of Queens, are clamoring for these kinds of business friendly improvements. Unfortunately our chamber has been in steep decline for the last 20+ years. I don’t doubt there will be turnover, and what new business would want to join a chamber after speaking with Manny Gomez for more than 30 seconds?
Sunnyside Queens – come for the parking, stay for the mediocre retail shops and restaurants.
“Four stars, I found parking, food is terrible but oh boy that parking”
What if I told you some of the most successful businesses in this city have virtually no parking available?
Do they realize they’re hosting this the day NYC’s school zone speed camera program officially expires? It’s a GREAT thing a plan like this is being installed to slow speeds, shorten crosswalks, and protect our children.
It’s silly of them to think they represent the entirety of the community. That’s just bluster. The cravenness of this small group of people only concerned about parking knows no bounds.
Why not have the rally on Skillman? I’ll wave as I ride by on my bike. Best of luck with the rally, parking warriors of Skillman Ave
As you ride your bicycle, stop at a red light, so we know it’s you, since so many of your brethren think red lights , stop signs and other basic laws of the road don’t apply to them
Ever driven your car faster than the speed limit?
No
One thing is for certain: there is no stopping them; the bikers will soon be here. And I for one welcome our new biking overlords. I’d like to remind them that as a biking advocate, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their socialist biking pits.
Compare the design of this flyer to the one created by actual city planners. Gee, wonder who I want making decisions about civil engineering in my neighborhood.
Good Lord. What if these busybodies put their energies towards something productive.
Wow! No photo op for Jimmy. Maybe he can make another silly sign “I’m ready to fight” and look like a member of The Brady Bunch.
“Majority of residents”? Did I miss the poll?
“Queens Streets for All”? This design is a huge compromise. There are WAY more car-less households in Sunnyside than those with vehicles to park on the street. Just yesterday, I counted 6 out of state plates parked on my block and 5 TLC license plates – going after extended pedestrian plazas and cyclists is honestly so stupid when other car owners are the reason why you can’t find parking.
Hey Guys,
Thanks for sending out word via twitter and doing the phone banks for us. We must continue to call these guys NIMBY’s, use Gelacio Reyes names as much as possible, and remind people that there is no such thing as safety unless it comes bicycle lanes.
Also, Jimmy will give you an award from city hall when the coast is clear.
Call ’em like I see ’em pal. I don’t need TA to tell me what a NIMBY is when I’m surrounded by them daily in this neighborhood. What’s sad is, is that this neighborhood is generally very progressive, liberal, and accepting – except when it involves the city reclaiming city property to benefit pedestrians and cyclists.
Only us trolls hang out in the comments — it’s not reflective of the actual population 🙂
To the Pastor’s who signed the petitions, have your parishioners walk to church!!! To sunnyside residents who own a car, you want parking – pay for parking or buy a house with a garage. Most of the cars parked on local streets have TLC plates – they should pay a premium and all you sucker’s should be charged a fee for parking on the streets for free all these years. Ask your beloved councilman Jimmy van Bramer where he parks his Mercedes Benz? He parks on the street -when he has his own garage.
I work with a Sunnyside congregant who carpools in every weekend from Nassau county and finds parking every time. He was shocked to learn about any of this, much less that his church would sign on behalf of worshippers. I encouraged him to let the local elected officials know, though I am not sure he did.
Note that the organizations these parking claim as supporters DO NOT represent their members. That a group opposing street safety would try to inflate numbers based on conscious people of faith is a sin!
Over half of the cars are barely used. I recall when the flyers were put out for the other free parking advocate rally… You could see that these cars would sit in one spot for 5 days straight
Wow he’s shocked to learn of this? What church, what’s his name? Hard to believe when you just wrote things without actual facts
What’s your name?
Pretty sure JVB has a Hyundai
Yes he has a crappy little car. On the dashboard he has a placard identifying him as a government official so he can park anywhere! Jimmy doesn’t have to worry about bike lanes or alt side parking rules like the rest of us. What a phony.
I bet he parks right in the middle of the intersections. What a world!
I for one am proud to live in a community that actively takes part in the political process. We cannot let the mayor bully us into submission! The elected officials are ignoring the will of the people for their own political gain. Basta!s
You’re the bullies… scared of children and bicycles
Here’s the hyperlink for the petition: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/775/957/416/please-do-not-remove-our-parking-spaces/
“It’s a few grumpy old people that like to keep their cars. It’s a small cross section of the community.” said Gary O’Neill, owner of Aubergine Cafe
Grumpy old people?? Not all old people are grumpy. You should listen to us. We have vast experience and have seen a lot
So “businesses” that people were talking about all this time were all Churches, Synagogues and Mosques? While it’s nice to have safer roads, the picture above is making me very nervous. The pedestrian islands must be raised.
Seems like Claret Wine Bar, owned by Jean Clancy a member of Queens Streets For All, is also a supporter of the rally. I wonder why. Is it because they’re concerned with neighborhood safety for all or with patrons parking in front of their bar? Glad to know where they stand on this.
Usually the implement the safety improvements with paint and then switch to concrete a few years later.
Not one business is in favor of the plan. Count them all.
What a bunch of losers.
Only a small minority of neighborhood residents own vehicles and most of them have dedicated parking spots. I imagine only 5% of Sunnyside residents park their car in the street.
Do you even live here? Most have garages? No but anyway it’s not the parking, it’s so much more. Such as FDNY saying it will affect response times. So if you do live here, if you ever need an emergency vehicle, thanks to this it will now take them longer, hope it’s not life or death.
FDNY now supports the bike lanes after adjustments were made.
Yeah adjustments, like STFU or you’re transferred.
NO photo op for JVB!
Send a message to that communist tyrant DeBlasio that the bike lane is a special interests job and not the will the People. Also, to his little pet weasel, Van Brammer.
Ah! A comprehensive list of businesses and organizations I should avoid – thank you! :-*
You will not be missed as you’ve never been in any of these businesses anyway!
Exactly!
Exactly the list of businesses that we should avoid. They don’t care about us anyway. Too busy catering to their “real” customers.
I live in Jackson Heights and support the DOT plan. I hope it continues around the city.
Parking spaces took over our streets and it’s time to repurpose them all into bike lanes and green spaces.
She doesn’t even go here!
Yes. The city is slowly but surely reconfiguring the streets so that people can safely walk and bike. This is a good trend, a global trend, and one that will help with mobility.
The whataboutism by this group – especially related to lanes on Northern Blvd – is outrageous. Not one of them has attended a single rally related to safety on Northern. Now they suddenly name drop the deceased like they care? Despicable.
get your counsel person in your neighborhood to do something along with business owners and people that live there.
Our council person is an feckless imbecile. He at this very moment is in search of a way to support both sides of this issue. and not have to sleep on the couch.
The forecast calls for rain, sour grapes, and 100% chance of protected bike lanes.
This is getting pathetic already! Very ugly campaign by completely inept organizers.
Wait till construction starts, you’ll be surprised how many safety experts live around here. 311 will be on speed dial and construction will be recorded to keep a record of federal, state and city safety violations. After all, safety is what we are all concerned about. Right?
Construction noise like *checks notes* p-painting the asphalt..?
Noise was never mentioned, and it ain’t just paint moron.
You do realize the permitting agency is the NYC DOT, right?
The work is being performed by vendors not the DOT. NYC DEP has oversight if there is any chance of spillage into storm drains etc… The alphabet list of agencies goes on and on. I have seen the DOT contractors at work, the lack of sight safety and environmental oversight is egregious to say the least. The state currently might be a favorable place to lodge complaints about reckless activity by city agencies. Make it cost, make it hurt. Remember all we care about is the safety of our friends and neighbors and of course the environment.
Tough talker! Help! Im triggered! They’re moving a bike lane.
Your energy would be better spent on figuring out the best way to swap your pollution & diabetes machine for a bicycle.
Diabetes machine? You’re a nut job, ain’t ya?