4 THE QUEENS COURIER • MARCH 2, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Photo courtesy of Councilman Costa Constantinides Councilman Costa Constantinides is asking for public input on a new public gathering space on Steinway Street. Astoria councilman: let’s fi x Steinway BY ANGELA MATUA amatua@qns.com @AngelaMatua Bustling Steinway Street in Astoria needs safety improvements and a public gathering space, and one local legislator is asking area residents for their help in achieving these goals. On Feb. 24, Coun cilman Costa Constan tinides announced the new initiative along with state Senator Michael Gianaris and Assembly members Aravella Simotas and Brian Barnwell. Constantinides fi rst proposed changes to the street in his State of the District address in January. Steinway Street is considered Astoria’s main thoroughfare, home to many businesses and eating establishments. It has also been the site of hundreds of traffi c accidents – there have been 249 traffi c-related injuries and 95 pedestrian injuries in the past fi ve years. Th is high number of injuries is due to the confi guration of each block. Th e blocks along the street are long, and many times pedestrians will cross in the middle of the street to reach a store instead of walking to the end to reach a crosswalk. “Th at’s why I am calling for the Department of Transportation to place mid-block crosswalks along Steinway Street,” Constantinides said in his speech. “I also believe that there are other traffi c safety measures, including leading pedestrian intervals or LPIs, which need to be considered. Th ese allow for a few extra seconds for pedestrians to cross before vehicles are cleared to go.” Th e plan also includes curb extensions and a wayfi nding system that would map out public transit routes and points of interest in the neighborhood. Additionally, the councilman outlined plans for a public gathering space, where residents could sit down, enjoy a cup of coff ee or take a break from shopping. Astoria residents are encouraged to submit suggestions for the location and design of the space to Steinway@council.nyc.gov. In the spring, the councilman will form a community working group to discuss specifi cs for the space. “Steinway Street has long been the commercial heart of Astoria,” he said. “Yet, business along the thoroughfare has been in transition for a few years. Many great shopping areas around our city have measures to mitigate traffi c and dedicated spaces for public gathering. We have the opportunity to turn Steinway Street into something similar.” Th e changes, Constan tinides argued, would “improve pedestrian safety, create an anchor space to draw in shoppers, increase economic activity and encourage community togetherness.” TOO MANY ‘SHENANIGANS’ Whitestone bar reopens after license violations BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 An aptly named Whitestone pub has been padlocked for allegedly serving alcohol to minors and allowing for some disorderly behavior. Shenanigan’s Pub, located at 15-07 150th St., was closed by court order on Feb. 23 aft er the Queens Supreme Court approved the NYPD’s application to shut down the location, cops said. Th e bar reopened on Feb. 28. Th e bar had been issued four Alcohol Beverage and Control Law summonses — two for disorderly premise and two for sale of alcohol to a minor — on three separate occasions by the 109th Precinct in October and November of last year, authorities also said. Th e New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) recently fi ned the pub for selling liquor to a minor, Shenanigan’s Pub in Whitestone has been shut down by court order. as well as for allowing two assaults on the premises, an SLA spokesperson said. The owner, listed as “Balla Enterprises LLC,” also faced charges of not conforming with occupancy level regulations and government Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS regulation for employing security guards at the location. Th e owner pleaded “no contest” and was fi ned $10,500 by the SLA on Feb. 15. Following the court-ordered closing, the owner must report to court for a hearing. Northern Queens seeks opt-out on green infrastructure BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 Homeowners in northern Queens are now being off ered options when it comes to the city’s water-trapping bioswales, but they still want the ability to say “no” to the green infrastructure. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it would off er homeowners two additional options if it is determined that a rain garden is appropriate for the sidewalk in front of their home. Th e bioswales, part of the city agency’s Green Infrastructure Program, are large planted areas installed by a street curb designed to trap and absorb rainwater. A “green strip” and a “porous sidewalk” option will now also be made available to homeowners, according to a letter written by Vincent Sapienza, acting commissioner of the DEP. Both structures function as a rain garden below but lack the tree guard and fencing of the initial design — preserving the original surface of the sidewalk. Additionally, any property owner with a disabled license plate or parking placard may “fully opt out” of any type of green infrastructure in front of their home, Sapienza writes. However, the city agency will not grant a full opt-out option for all homeowners. “Working closely with the mayor’s offi ce, we fi rmly believe that these alternatives address the legitimate concerns raised by members of the community,” Sapienza said. “Th erefore, DEP will not be providing a full ‘opt-out’ of green infrastructure in the city’s right-of-way sidewalk.” Sapienza’s letter was distributed to the area’s community groups, according to a DEP spokesperson. Days later, residents and lawmakers continued the call for a full optout at a rally in Bayside. “Queens has spoken: they have spoken fervently, and they have spoken frequently, so I’m not quite sure why DEP and the mayor refuse to listen to us,” state Senator Tony Avella said at a Feb. 17 press conference. Photo via Flickr/ChrisHamby “We’re not asking for a lot: we are simply asking that they give the community options and that they install bioswales in front of the homes of people who would like one.” Th e state senator previously held a press conference — also in Bayside — with the Friends of Fort Totten Park and other residents to urge the mayor and city agencies to seek homeowner authorization before installing the bioswales. Th e lawmaker also wrote to city Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenburg last August, stating some Bayside residents would like the option to opt out of having the units installed in front of their homes due to parking concerns. A photo of a bioswale installed in Elmhurst.
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