WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 12, 2020 13
Planning the future together at Sunnyside Yards
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GRABBING A BITE AT SABRY’S IN LITTLE EGYPT ON STEINWAY
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BY ELIZABETH LUSSKIN
AND SHARON GREENBERGER
With public land an increasingly
scarce proposition,
and the demands of a
rapidly growing population placing
undue strain on our existing
infrastructure, smart planning that
safeguards the long-term future of
New York City and Queens is more
important than ever. But any plans
for the future should be borne out
of a collaborative conversation with
the community.
That’s why when New York City
and Amtrak embarked on one of the
largest possible public planning opportunities
in the city, they chose to
create an advisory committee comprised
of a broad base of stakeholders.
The group’s mandate was not to
rubber stamp or own the plan, but
to advise on an inclusive process
and to give honest, sometimes very
challenging feedback. We had the
honor of co-chairing this committee
of 40 New Yorkers and watching the
process of public engagement shape
the plan being released today.
This 18-month public process
was designed to do three things: 1)
engage the community in thinking
holistically about their immediate
needs for the area; 2) look ahead to
the next generation of New Yorkers;
and 3) maintain and protect critical
rail operations. Planning efforts included
regular Steering Committee
meetings, well-attended public meetings,
four community workshops, a
digital town hall, group interviews
with more than 145 organizations,
and more than 100 in-person interviews
with community stakeholders.
We were inspired to see the high level
of civic engagement throughout the
process in this variety of forums.
The Sunnyside Yard Master Plan
Steering Committee gave important
advice on this process, to facilitate a
broad based and direct approach to
assessing the best solutions for our
community. Together, this group of
community leaders, advocates, policy
experts, and elected officials began
by drafting Guiding Principles for
the project, which were then refined
through the public engagement
process. We have watched as those
principles, the subsequent feedback
from the Steering Committee and
the robust public engagement, have
shaped the framework for growth
for the neighborhood, city and
region.
We see the public input reflected
in the reality that this plan is not
about maximum density, but rather
about enhanced livability and a balance
of uses in a sustainable community.
It’s worth noting that the
proposed first investment is for a
new regional transit hub, Sunnyside
Station, a civic central hub and major
new open space, in response to the
priorities clearly articulated in the
public process.
This long-term framework is a
starting point to guide future decisions
and projects that will deliver
public goods to strengthen Western
Queens and the city. The work is far
from done. The City and Amtrak are
now forming a nonprofit governance
entity in partnership with elected officials,
community representatives,
and other key stakeholders to ensure
that the master plan priorities are
followed, and that the public will
always have a seat at the table.
As the largest remaining undeveloped
public space in New York City,
both centrally located and sitting
within the heart of Western Queens,
Sunnyside Yard presents a unique
opportunity to build a stronger New
York, and responsible, ambitious, inclusive
planning must continue to be
at the heart of that process.
We encourage residents and
stakeholders to continue engaging at
every stage to help create a brighter
future for Western Queens and New
York City.
By Co-Chairs of the Sunnyside Yard
Master Plan Steering Committee
Elizabeth Lusskin, president of the LIC
Partnership and Sharon Greenberger,
president and CEO of the YMCA of
Greater New York.
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