transit trainPAIN No. 7 train weekend suspension causes headaches for residents and businesses BY MAGGIE HAYES dowski, who fears that without the subway line, art- “If I seem a little angry, I am,” said Van Bramer. ists will have a diffi cult time getting to the theater, “Year after year this is too much to bear.” Once more, western Queens business owners or that the number of attendees will signifi cantly In 2010, the No. 7 line was suspended for 12 week- could potentially say goodbye to a profi table winter. decrease. ends, and again for fi ve weekends this past fall. www.queenscourier.com The No. 7 line weekend service between Queens Lewandowski also said that, had they been On December 8, Community Board 2 received a and Manhattan is being suspended until the end of informed of the closures a month or two ago, letter from the MTA, detailing the weekend closures. March, and many area business owners fear that this shows could have been rescheduled. But, with According to Van Bramer, there was no discussion or will aff ect the infl ux of customers they usually get. the two weeks’ notice that the MTA gave, noth- opportunity for input, simply a: “this is how it is, so The award-winning Chocolate Factory Theater in ing can be done. deal with it.” Long Island City is just one of the many organiza- “Millions of people are disadvantaged and incon- Going forward, the councilmember intends to work tions expecting a severe blow to their business this venienced,” said Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the season. “The people of Queens are being disrespected.” rest of the Council to urge the MTA to change course, “We will be unable to commission work, to pres- Until March 25, the MTA will be working on tun- and also advises that residents sign an online peti- • january 2013 • ent work,” said Sheila Lewandowski of the theater nel, signal and track maintenance in the Steinway tion, on the City Council website, and also protest via company. “If our audience can’t get here, what are Tunnel, which connects Queens to Manhattan, and social media. we saying to our artists?” will replace tracks between the Court Square and For alternate service, straphangers can use the The Chocolate Factory planned four shows for Queensboro Plaza stations. E, F, N and Q lines. On Saturdays and Sundays from the coming winter months, and is expecting around Van Bramer held a press conference on Friday, De- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Q will be extended to Astoria- 5,000 people to attend. They have artists coming cember 28, the day that marked the beginning of the Ditmars Boulevard. Additionally, free shuttle buses 24 lic courier in from all over the world, and, according to Lewan- closures, in front of the bustling Vernon Boulevard– will operate between the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson dowski, artists who have been preparing for these Jackson Avenue train stop. He was joined by fellow Avenue and Queensboro Plaza stations during those shows for years. Councilmember Peter Koo and area business own- weekends. “The No. 7 train is part of the ticket,” said Lewan- ers, all protesting the MTA changes. With additional reporting by Cristabelle Tumola
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