FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com MARCH 28, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 25 ‘RAIL’ying support for LIRR line BY TERENCE M. CULLEN [email protected] Proposed revival of the Rockaway Beach LIRR Line has gotten some federal backing. Congressmembers Hakeem Jeffries and Gregory Meeks are all-aboard for restoring the 50-year-defunct line in a new form, which would effectively link Rego Park to Ozone Park via mass transit. Together with Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder, they have sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, asking for federal money from Sandy for restoring the line. “What this rail line would do, if completely restored, would intersect on fi ve or six different points, giving people options,” said Goldfeder, who’s pushed rail restoration since coming into offi ce a year-and-a-half ago. “If you try and drive on Woodhaven Boulevard or Cross Bay Boulevard in the morning or afternoon, our streets are jammed.” Meeks, who began representing the Rockaways in January, said this was needed now more than ever as the peninsula and its residents try to rebuild. Jeffries, representing Ozone Park and Howard Beach, said south Queens commuters have one of the longest trips to Manhattan, and LIRR service would reduce the hour-plus commute to Midtown. It is, he noted, one of the longest commutes within NYC, “perhaps rivaled only by some in the southern part of Staten Island.” Because neighborhoods such as Woodhaven have expanded closer to the tracks since train service ended in June 1962, many are concerned about a rail line right next to their home. But offi cials say they’ve explored new ways of silent transportation, such as a monorail, to reduce noise. Trains could stop at the Howard Beach- JFK A train station in Coleman Square if the line is revived. Commuters going to Rockaway would transfer to the A train, which is expected to be up and running later this summer. A rail line, however, is not the only plan on the table for the three-mile strip. The Queensway, a nature walk, has been the counterpart proposal to the plan and would be similar to the Highline in Manhattan. Andrea Crawford, a founding member of “Friends of Queensway,” said she didn’t believe the LIRR would be a practical way of transit – suggesting instead implementing rapid bus transit or improving A train service. Members of the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association are for better north-south transportation in Queens and reducing traffi c on Woodhaven Boulevard, said communications director Alex Blenkinsopp. Because the rail line would run so close to homes, however, they are against this type of development. WRBA hosted a town hall meeting on the LIRR line and the Queensway last September, but ultimately decided to urge the city to clean up the abandoned, overgrown strip of land. “They’re not even trying to convince Woodhaven at this point,” Blenkinsopp said. “They seem to have decided that they need to railroad us, rather than attempting to address our concerns.” THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen Rail advocates John Cori and John Rozankowski with a map of the proposed line. RELIC WILL REMAIN Couple will not demolish historic home BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] The newlywed owners of a historic Douglaston house say they have no plans to harm the 19th century remnant after neighbors rallied outside their home last week, The Courier has learned. Property owner Xiu Jun Zhai and his wife received a partial job permit by the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) on March 4 to change the number of stories in their 38-60 Douglaston Parkway house, according to an application. The proposal angered neighboring residents, who said construction would destroy the character of the community and ruin a relic. Plans were not specifi c but called for “vertical and horizontal enlargement” of the 1,800-square-foot structure and partial demolition that “affects the exterior building envelope,” the application said. The house dates back to the 1860s, according to preservationists. It is located within the proposed Douglaston Historic District Extension, which was calendared for landmark designation in 2008. But the couple, who tied the knot last April and purchased the home in September, said they only plan on demolishing two structures in the backyard that were built without permits after 1952. They include a wood deck with a roof and a separate smaller residence to the rear left of the house. According to a close friend to the property owners, Zhai does not plan on altering the exterior of the main house on the 9,000-square-feet of land. “The owner is not taking down the house,” the source said. “They want to start family there.” The DOB did not confi rm the plans in time for Courtesy photo The new owners of a historic Douglaston house say they only plan to demolish two illegal structures in the rear yard, including this separate smaller residence. �� every �� every with our Instant Product 1Restrictions and conditions apply; see your local representative for details. Cannot be combined with prior purchases, other offers, or coupons. No adjustments to previous orders. Offer not available in all areas, discount applied by retailer Representative at time of contract execution and applies to minimum purchase of 6 or more windows. Discount applied to lowest priced window products in purchase. Offer does not include bay/bow windows or patio doors. 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