14 The QUEE NS Courier • MARCH 10, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Photo courtesy of Jennifer Johnson Flushing affordable housing plagued by rats from nearby construction site By Courtney Obeng editorial@qns.com/@QueensCourier Oh rats! Residents of the James A. Bland Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) building complex, claim they’re suffering from a rat infestation caused by construction of the luxury condo complex SkyView Parc directly across from them on College Point Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. Rats, rumored to be in the thousands, created burrows under Bland Houses after the construction on the SkyView Parc began. Entrances to these burrows are easily seen and populate the main entrance next to the sidewalk. Jennifer Johnson, vice president of the Bland Houses Residents Association, said SkyView decreased the quality of life in Flushing. “The state of health in Flushing declined when SkyView Mall was constructed because rats were released into the neighborhood,” Johnson said. “And SkyView didn’t want to take responsibility in putting out rat poison.” But residents did. A woman decided to lay rat poison down, but that became a problem because of pets, Johnson said. She also said that she reached out to the Queens Borough President’s office for help last summer, but didn’t have any calls or emails returned. “We have no record of complaints from Ms. Johnson,” a spokesperson for Queens Borough President Melinda Katz told QNS on Wednesday afternoon. Bland Houses also suffers from an illegal dumping issue, which worsens the rat infestation. Johnson said videos and pictures of illegal dumping at Bland have been recorded. Among the items dumped are industrial printers and large quantities of papers and magazines. “When you look at the garbage you can tell it’s not from someone’s home. We have video pictures of people coming out and dumping garbage by us. We don’t get garbage picked up every week. We’re lucky if someone cleans up,” Johnson said. NYCHA is aware of the rat infestation and illegal dumping, according to representative Aja Worthy-Davis. “NYCHA previously removed bulk containers as raw garbage that had been accumulating. This undertaking assisted in our efforts in reducing the rodent population,” Worthy-Davis said in an email. “We are continuing the strategic placement of bait stations, treatment of rodents burrows and resident education.” QNS reached out to Blackstone Group, which owns SkyView Parc, and is awaiting a response. Rat holes in the garden of the Bland Houses in Flushing. WHO DO YOU THINK DESERVES TO BE CROWNED A “KING” OF LONG ISLAND? NOMINATE TODAY! This spring, New York City’s premier business the business, technology, banking, real estate, medical other event brings together so many elite business event is coming to Long Island. On Tuesday, April industries and more, in Queens, Brooklyn and professionals and leaders at one time. It is not to 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Leonard’s Palazzo, 555 Staten Island. This will be the first to recognize the be missed. Northern Blvd. in Great Neck, the Star Network elite businessmen of Nassau and Suffolk counties. To nominate someone as a King of Long Island, will host its inaugural “Kings of Long Island” Along with dinner and the awards ceremony, visit www.qns.com/nominations. awards ceremony and networking expo. the “Kings” (and sister “Queens”) events have For tickets, visit www.qns.com/upcoming-starnetworking For more than a decade, Star Network, along become known for providing a unique opportunity events. with Schneps Communications (publishers of The for business professionals and community For info on sponsorship opportunities, call Queens Courier), have successfully held similar leaders in all sectors to mingle, share their accomplishments LaurenCremer at 718-224-5863, ext. 227, or email events, honoring the powerful and prominent of and make important connections. No lcremer@starnetwork.com.
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