April 16, 2011 By Christian Murray
New parking rules took effect on Queens Boulevard yesterday that have extended the duration of parking from 1 to 2 hours.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Maura McCarthy united with local small business owners and Community Board 2 members to announce the new rule.
The parking rule will extend the duration of 104 parking meters on the north and south side of Queens Boulevard from 1 to 2 hours. On the south side of Queens Boulevard the new meters will span from 39th Street to Greenpoint Ave. and on the north side from 39th Place to 48th Street. This new rule will phase into effect beginning April 15th and is expected to be completed by the first week of May.
“Since taking office I have advocated on behalf of the small business community to change the parking rules,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “I have met with the Department of Transportation on this issue and I am pleased that they heard my concerns and have agreed to this change.”
“Parking meters are an important tool to manage curb space for the community and businesses,” said Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Maura McCarthy. “We were happy to work with them to extend the meter durations to 2 hours along this section of Queens Boulevard.”
“As a longtime business owner in Sunnyside, we are indebted to Council Member Van Bramer, Assemblywoman Nolan and the Department of Transportation for hearing our pleas and successfully making extended parking meters finally become a reality on Queens Boulevard,” said Lily Gavin, the owner of Dazies Restaurant. “With extended time for our meters, people can relax and enjoy all of the amenities that Sunnyside has to offer without rushing to feed hourly meters.”
“This has been a long standing complaint of businesses in Sunnyside and we are pleased that DOT has seen the light,” said Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley. “This change in parking regulations will go a long way to help improve the economics of businesses in this community.”
