C RY D E R
P O I N T
DECEMBER 13
Whitestone residents voice concerns
with long-abandoned house
WWW.QNS.COM | DECEMBER 2017 | CRYDER POINT COURIER 13
BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI/QNS
Residents of Whitestone say that they’ve
had enough of seeing an abandoned property
that’s become an eyesore in the last
decade. Over a dozen residents met last
month at 14th Avenue and Totten Street
to voice a number of health and safety
concerns stemming from a neglected corner
residential property. During the press
conference organized by state Senator
Tony Avella, residents said the property
has been abandoned for up to 14 years.
The property owner of 14-05 Totten St.
first received a permit for construction in
2005, according to Department of Buildings
records. The permit was renewed
several times and last expired in January
2014. There are currently no active permits
for construction at the property.
The overgrown condition of the property
has created a rodent problem, as well
as issues with mosquitoes in the warmer
months, residents said. The eyesore also
has neighbors concerned about the site’s
potential impact on their property values.
Resident Tom Longstreet said he purchased
a neighboring property in 2011.
Had he been aware of the history of the
zombie house, Longstreet said, he “probably
would have thought twice” about the
purchase. “We all pay an excess of seven
to 10 thousand dollars a year in property
taxes. We respect our properties,” he said.
Longstreet said he frequently cleans the
property of garbage, including beer cans
and used condoms, and has to dump Clorox
in the area to abate the summertime
mosquito situation.
“This is a great neighborhood,” Avella
said. “All you have to do is walk around
to any home to see how well maintained
they are … Nobody should have to live
with these conditions for 12 to 14 years.”
Avella said he was able to get into contact
with the property owner, who claimed he
was trying to put the property up for sale.
“Anybody who knows this neighborhood
knows full well that you could sell this lot
in a day if you’re really motivated,” the
lawmaker said. “If you’re not motivated,
then it’s just an excuse to leave this the
way it is.”
A DOB spokesperson said the city
agency has been investigating the property.
An inspector was most recently at the
site on Oct. 27. The inspector discovered
the site was “secure” but issued two new
violations to the property owner: one for
an illegal fence in poor condition and another
for failure to comply with previously
issued violations.
A violation for illegal storage of vehicles
on the property was also issued earlier this
year.
“DOB will continue to monitor the
property and issue additional enforcement
actions if necessary,” the spokesperson
said. The property owner could not be
reached for comment.
The Dining Diva
Blue Bay Diner
BY HELENE OELERICH If you want a delicious (and quite large) breakfast,
lunch or dinner in a casual diner-style
restaurant, this is where to eat! The Blue Bay
Diner, which has been a local favorite for many years,
has a reputation for excellent food, wonderful service—
and lots of choices.
The mega-menu ranges from “Lox Deluxe,” a
toasted jumbo bagel with cream cheese, Nova Scotia
lox, lettuce, tomato, Bermuda onion, cucumbers and
peppers for $16.49, to every kind of breakfast imaginable
including omelettes, French toast, waffles and
pancakes.
Sandwiches are delicious and giant-size (we take
home half to have the next day!). And, you can make
your own deluxe sandwich by adding French fries,
lettuce, tomato, onion rings, cole slaw and pickle for
$5.00 extra.
There are also salads and diet plates, as well as all
kinds of pastas, burgers and seafood. The diner also
offers full-service bar, homemade desserts and a wide
variety of ice creams and sundaes.
You can choose to eat at the counter, sit in a booth,
or opt for a table in one of the two large dining rooms.
But even though the space is large, it’s often crowded
because customers always return!
Blue Bay is open from 6am to 12midnight seven
days a week. It’s located at 58-50 Francis Lewis Blvd.
at the Long Island Expressway. Go to bluebaydiner.
com or call 718-225-6333 for more information.
Come hungry and enjoy!
The Whitestone residence at 14th Avenue and Totten Street
Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS
The Blue Bay always draws a crowd!
Delicious chocolate mousse cake
Fresh shrimp salad hero (big enough for two!)
Yummy chicken souvlaki
Helene with Managers Raphael (left) and Jimmy