4 The Queens Courier • august 29, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com FAMILY TO SUE IN KISENA PARK TRE DEATH BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] The family of the pregnant woman killed by a felled tree in Kissena Park plans to sue the city, their lawyers said. Ying Yi Li-Dikov, 30, who was six months pregnant with a baby girl, was sitting on a bench on August 4 when a 50-foot oak tree snapped eight feet from the ground and struck her from behind, city officials said. Lawyers said an investigation is ongoing, but they anticipate a lawsuit. “It boils down to negligent maintenance of the trees in the park,” said attorney Stefano Filippazzo. The family released a statement through their lawyers saying Ying Yi and her unborn daughter “are now peacefully at rest.” “The family of Mrs. Dikov wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said. “Please continue to keep them in their prayers as they now begin the long journey of healing.” Pols say parking fees mean center is . . . These 10 visitor spaces outside the Pomonok Community Center, which used to be free, now cost about $2,700. TAKEN FOR A RIDE BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] Visitor parking spots that were once free will now cost a Pomonok community center roughly $2,700 a year, officials said. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), since partnering up in March with Greystone Parking Services, has come under fire for spiking some annual parking rates at 43 citywide developments. Now it is facing more heat for billing the Pomonok Community Center $272 for 10 visitor spaces that used to be complimentary. “The new parking fees at the Pomonok Community Center are outrageous and unacceptable, and NYCHA must repeal them immediately,” said Congressmember Grace Meng. “They’re treating this parking lot like it’s their own business, and it’s a business gone bad.” The Pomonok Community Center at the Queens Community House provides meals, activities and cooling stations during hot weather to more than 50 seniors who visit daily, officials said. “It’s unconscionable that NYCHA and Greystone are extorting money from senior citizens,” said State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Resident Association, said the center is a second home to residents even outside the neighborhood. Parking is already limited, she said, since Queens College and P.S. 201 are around the corner. “The nearest senior center is not close nor is there an after-school center that serves children from K-5 grade,” Corbett said. “To ask staff and participants to pay for parking is asinine.” Local leaders said hundreds of residents have complained to Greystone about a slew of issues — including months-long waits for parking permits and multiple cars being assigned to one spot — to no avail. “The current policy is extremely shortsighted and threatens the operation of the center,” said Assemblymember Mike Simanowitz. NYCHA said the 10 spots “were agreed upon by all involved parties and are paid for by the community center,” which received a discounted rate for the spaces. “NYCHA will continue to work with residents, elected officials and all stakeholders, as well as with Greystone to improve customer service,” a spokesperson said. THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan Approve $18M QMA expansion Millions of dollars are coming to the Queens Museum of Art. The city’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Tuesday, August 27 approved more than $18 million in capital funds that Borough President Helen Marshall has allocated to help pay for the expansion of the museum. The OMB also okayed around $19.8 million for the expansions from the mayor’s office and an additional $6.7 million from the City Council. When added to the approximately $13 million in private funds that have been raised, there is now around $57.5 million authorized for the project, according to the borough president’s office. If needed, Marshall has allocated another $5.7 million in funds that could be approved. “The Queens Museum of Art has been a crown jewel among our borough’s cultural offerings and this expansion project will allow it to become an even more stunning and engaging facility,” Marshall said. “The doubling of the museum’s size, coupled with the other improvements that are part of the project, will make the museum an even more attractive place for both local residents and out-of-town visitors to explore.” Once the museum’s expansion into the southern half of the New York City Building in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is completed, the institution will have 100,000 square feet of floor space. The project will also add a new 220-foot long illuminated glass façade and entry plaza on the Grand Central Parkway side of the building, a new entrance and expanded outdoor space on the Flushing Meadows- Corona Park side of the building and a new skylit atrium. If You’re Ready to Buy a Home,We are Ready to Help. The State of New York M ortgage Agency offers: Up to $15,000 Down Payment Assistance 1-800-382-HOME(4663) for Housing www.sonyma.org PARKING PERMIT DOT lifts restrictions along Northern Boulevard BY JOHAN HAMILTON [email protected] The community has spoken, and they have been answered. There have been increasing complaints from business owners as well as neighborhood residents that the parking restrictions on certain blocks along Northern Boulevard are more of a hindrance than a benefit. Because of this, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will be removing the 4-7 p.m. parking restrictions along the south curb of Northern Boulevard between Parsons Boulevard and Utopia Parkway. “As part of our ongoing efforts to provide safety and transportation enhancements to the Flushing community, DOT recently removed the evening rush-hour regulation from the south side of eastbound Northern Boulevard between Parsons Boulevard and Utopia Parkway,” said Nicholas Mosquera, a DOT spokesperson. “This change, which was requested by Councilmember Peter Koo and also supported by the Community Board 7 Transportation Committee, will provide additional parking for the community and customers of nearby businesses during these hours, while retaining loading areas for local deliveries.” The current regulations have become an issue because they prohibit parking during prime shopping hours, making it more difficult for residents to find spots. “It was frustrating for me personally because I could never park my car in that area while I was at work,” said Malik Johnson. “The parking restrictions started at 4 and most people get off at 5, so we’d wind up having to park much farther away.” The actual process of changing the parking regulations, which will take about two weeks, began on August 26. In addition to these changes, there will be spaces to accommodate commercial vehicles so that businesses can still receive and send out their deliveries.
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