14 The QUEE NS Courier • SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Developer backs out of Sunnyside affordable housing project after opposition from community By Angela Matua amatua@qns.com/@AngelaMatua An affordable housing project in Sunnyside that would have added about 200 affordable units to the neighborhood has been squashed after developer Phipps Houses decided to back out. The project, which would be located at 50-25 Barnett Ave. was met with opposition from the community since it was first proposed. In October, Phipps Houses held a public forum in neighboring Sunnyside Gardens and almost everyone who attended expressed concerns. Residents even created an online petition asking Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and Community Board 2 to oppose it. The project was in the six-month public approval process when, on Sept. 19, developers announced to Van Bramer that they canceled their plans. “This morning, Phipps informed me that they have withdrawn their application to build an apartment building on Barnett Avenue in Sunnyside,” Van Bramer said. “I welcome this decision.” Van Bramer, who ultimately had the final say on whether the project could continue, argued that the already congested 7 train and lack of schools and other infrastructure would make the area less than ideal for an influx of new residents. He also said that the project was too tall and would create traffic. He, along with Community Board 2 asked Phipps Houses to come back with a scaled-down version of the project, but the developer never altered the plans. In June, Van Bramer announced that he would not support the 10-story project and would vote it down when it came to his desk. City Council makes the final decision for these projects and council usually defers to the local official whose district the project is in. Currently, the lot is a 200-space parking lot owned by Phipps Houses. About 20 percent of the units would have been reserved for households making less than 50 percent Area Median Income (AMI). Approximately Developers pulled out of an affordable housing project in Sunnyside after facing opposition from the community and elected officials. 30 percent of units would be set aside for households earning 80 percent AMI or $62,120 for a family of three. A maximum of 50 percent would be rented out to households earning up to 130 percent AMI or $101,010 for a family of three. Plans also included a pre-K center and 101 parking spots. The project would have generated 570 new residents. Van Bramer had a public spat with Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said the project would be a “blessing for the community,” according to The Wall Street Journal. De Blasio told reporters in August that he plans to have a “polite but firm” conversation with Van Bramer about his opposition to Rendering by MHG Architects/via Department of City Planning the project, which angered the councilman. “I don’t work for the mayor,” Van Bramer told The Wall Street Journal. “And I do not appreciate the tone that I will be spoken to in a firm manner.” Sunnyside is not the only neighborhood that has opposed an affordable housing project touted by the mayor. An apartment building in Inwood that would include 335 units, half of which would be affordable, was voted down by councilman Ydanis Rodriguez after opponents argued that the project should have no luxury units. A spokesperson for Phipps Houses declined to comment. Flushing’s ‘Restaurant Row’ gets new gear to combat hoards of trash By Suzanne Monteverdi smonteverdi@qns.com/@smont76 Keeping a notoriously grimy section of city sidewalk in Flushing clean was just made a little easier for restaurant owners thanks to a local lawmaker and community leaders. Councilman Peter Koo and Crown Container, a local garbage removal company, announced the distribution of 150 45-gallon pails to food establishments on 40th Road, called Flushing’s “Restaurant Row,” a 0.1-mile block stretch between Prince and Main Streets. Despite its nickname, the small block — which houses 20 different restaurants — has unfortunately become associated more with its sanitation issues than its selection of food. In purchasing $300,000 in new equipment for 40th Road and other Flushing streets, Crown Container hopes to help resolve the issue. “We’re here today to announce what we hope will finally become a solution to the perpetual garbage problem on 40th Road,” said Koo. “This street is a unique part of Flushing that is widely known both for its variety of restaurants and its mountains of garbage. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with all of us to ensure the sanitation of our community. At the end of the day, this comes down to acting as a responsible neighbor.” Jerry Antonacci, president of Crown Container, stated that this is only the beginning of the company’s efforts to help make Flushing cleaner. “Crown Container is thrilled to supply our 40th Road restaurant customers with new ‘toter’ pails in order to help the downtown Flushing community with keeping 40th Road clean,” he said. “After the 40th Road pilot is complete, we will then offer this new sanitation program to other downtown Flushing restaurants. This effort along with our new composting program in downtown Flushing will not only make Flushing green, but also clean.” Photo courtesy of Councilman Koo’s office
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