CPC_p007

CP012015

C R Y D E R P O I N T JANUARY 7 Truckloads of gravel arrive to fill the area Smaller construction vehicles spread the gravel without endangering trees Barricades serve to protect older trees in the temporary parking zone www.queenscourier.com | JANUARY 2015 | CRYDER POINT Courier 7 surprised. This is New York. People don’t just want…they NEED offstreet parking!” says Davis. Valet parking was another idea. Much like the busy parking facilities in Manhattan, which combine limited stay and long-term resident parking, around-the-clock attendants would maneuver vehicles within the unaffected underground garages of Cryder Point as needed. This potential solution would ensure all residents secure and accessible parking on the property throughout the winter. A valet company was called in to assess feasibility but unfortunately, the layout, design and the tight spacing of the underground garages made this option a dead end. “That was too bad,” Davis said. “It was the option we had been most hoping would work.” So the Board explored another idea: A proposal to temporarily lease an area of the nearby 154th Street Waldbaum’s parking lot and provide a shuttle service to transport residents to and from Cryder Point. It was rejected. “We contacted Waldbaum’s headquarters, but they had liability concerns,” explains Davis. “It would have been a last resort anyway since it would have been extremely inconvenient.” The only option left was to see if there was any space on Cryder Point grounds to create a temporary parking lot in an area safe from the hazards of the construction zone. The space had to be large enough to handle as many cars as possible and not interfere with construction. Members of the board and Bill Newell surveyed the grounds, and the only space that met these criteria was the common area between the #162-21 and #162-41 buildings. Construction of the temporary parking area began on Monday, December 8 with the clearing of the grounds. The area will be covered with gravel and demarcations will be made to indicate spaces. As part of the preparation, a pair of saplings, which had been replanted from another section of the property about a year ago, had to be removed. “No one on the board was happy about having to cut down trees,” says Davis. “But we needed the space.” Fortrunately, the older, mature trees were spared and wooden scaffolding was built around their trunks to protect them during the lot’s completion and while it’s being used. “Those residents who are affected will be notified and informed when their temporary spots are ready and when they must move their vehicles,” says Davis. It’s anticipated that the temporary lot will be in use for approximately six months, after which the grounds will be restored. Brickman Landscaping, which oversees all of Cryder Point’s landscaping projects and improvements, will submit a plan for the restoration and fresh landscaping of the area. “Let’s face it, the parking lot is going to make things look pretty weird and ugly for a while,” Davis commented. “The key thing to remember is that it’s temporary.” “I know most people appreciate that there was careful and thoughtful consideration taken throughout the process,” Davis added. “The board hopes that this solution eases the minds of those whose parking is displaced, and we appreciate the understanding of those who are not affected as to why this was done.”


CP012015
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