Split Opinions On QueensWay Proposal At Ozone Park Meeting Cops Seek Answers In Ridgewood Murders DOT Eyes One-Way Switch For Maspeth Street makes it difficult for two opposing vehicles to pass each other.” “We have been informed, as has the NYC DOT, that vehicles parking along 70th Street north of 54th Avenue have been sideswiped and had their mirrors knocked off by school bus drivers and others,” Giordano added. Reportedly, the block has proven to be a safety hazard for pedestrians due to speeding traffic. At times when there is congestion, long delays have also resulted, he noted. The district manager also indicated that “some homeowners have also had water or sewer line breaks due to heavy vehicles rushing along 70th Street.” Giordano stated DOT officials believe the proposed conversion “will ease traffic congestion during morning and evening rush hours.” The change is scheduled to be implemented during the week ofApr. 14 while public schools are in recess, he wrote. In addition to the conversion, the DOT is also considering installing a traffic signal at the intersection of 52nd Drive and 69th Street, he added. TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 • 26 -CONTINUED FROM PG. 2- points, ballfields, bike paths and dog parks receiving special mention. Also depicted were proposed improvements the park would enable, including upgrades to existing spaces such as the Forest Hills Little League. On consecutive pages were a photo of the little league park currently, with potential conditions in a rendering opposite. Many more community resources are provided in presentation of the project, including an art path and outdoor gathering space, but many are not convinced it’s an appropriate use of the land. Advocacy groups No Way QueensWay and the Queens Public Transit Committee attended Wednesday night and oppose the park plan. The No Way group opposes “any development along the abandoned Rockaway branch of the Long Island Rail Road,” according to a flier distributed at the meeting. Co-founder Neil Giannelli lives on 98th Street in Woodhaven and his house borders the abandoned property. He attended last Wednesday night’s meeting, but abruptly stormed out when he was introduced as representing State Sen. Joseph Addabbo. “I’m here as a homeowner and a taxpayer,” Giannelli, who is employed by Addabbo but not at the meeting in any official capacity, said before exiting after less than five minutes. Phil McManus, chairman of the Queens Public Transit Committee wants the tracks restored for light rail or subway use to shorten the commute into Manhattan and relieve some of the overcrowding on other transit in the borough. Instead of a park, McManus believes the unused tracks should be rehabilitated for light rail or subway extension service. The tracks run north to south, nearly parallel to Woodhaven Boulevard and Cross Bay Boulevard from Howard Beach to Richmond Hill, one of the busiest and only reliable such routes in Queens. The LIRR operated the Rockaway Beach Line from Rego Park to Ozone Park until 1962, when it was taken out of service. Part of the line south of Liberty Avenue was added to the subway system, while the majority of the branch was left unused—and became naturally reforested in the decades since. Fliers from Friends of the QueensWay and No Way Queens Way argue that rail reactivation is not feasible due to cost, environmental damage, reduced privacy, quality of life issues and safety. Explaining his position, McManus said, “We’re the train people,” though his group is advocating for better public transit on all fronts He expressed frustration over long commute times, both within the borough and to Manhattan. He believes reinvesting in the line would be a first-step towards the long-term goals of alleviating overcrowding, reducing wait-times and shortening commutes. “Do we want a small exclusive park that will further divide the people of Queens?” he asked during a Phil McManus and Ronaldo Carroll of the Queens Public Transit Committee stand at the entrance to the QueensWay Workshop in Richmond Hill with posters supporting the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line. They oppose the proposed park, advocating the unused tracks should be used for transportation. Residents are pictured at right talking about the QueensWay. (photos: Noah Zuss) phone conversation. McManus, through his advocacy work, has come to realize, “a lot of people still don’t understand there’s an issue” he said, and explained “our concern is to keep trains on line even though it’s been down for years.” Two other transportation advocacy groups also support the idea of restoring the line for transportation. These include Move NY, created in part by “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz and the Regional Planning Association. The MTA’s 20-year capital needs assessment plan, released in 2013 also mentions revitalizing the unused tracks which remains available as a right-of-way rail. The report specifically mentions the Rockaway Beach Line as a possible route “linking Howard Beach and Ozone Park with Woodhaven as transverse routes linking radial subway lines.” One vocal resident in favor of the park plan, Anne Green, of 102nd Street in Richmond Hill attended Wednesday night’s meeting and told the crowd of herself and others that, “we are residents and we are highly supportive of this project.” She believes it will provide much needed park space, reduce car travel to Forest Park, encourage the city to invest more in Forest Park and support business growth along Jamaica Avenue. Both Green and her husband support the project and think it could help boost property values and wold be “a chance for new businesses to flourish on avenues like Jamaica that currently struggle,” she said in an email. Green believes the QueensWay would provide “a direct connection between southern neighborhoods to the many businesses in Forest Hills, Glendale and Rego Park. And added, “It would be wonderful to be able to walk or bike to stores that we currently have to drive to reach safely.” After this latest workshop, Friends of the QueensWay plans to develop a final report during the summer and then begin building political support for the project by the fall. A ll of the competing proposals are currently being studied by a group of academics that includes Queens College geography Professor Scott Larson. It is titled “A Community Impact Study of Queens’ Forgotten Spur.” The group hopes to release their report by the end of the summer. The study will not be strictly focused on the feasibility of restoring transit lines or project costs associated, but will take a global approach to evaluating the options based on impact to Queens. More information on the QueensWay plan can be found online at www.thequeensway.org. Paramedics pronounced both victims dead at the scene. According to published reports, the two victims recently moved into the Summerfield Street apartment. No weapons were found at the crime scene, it was reported. An investigation by the 104th Precinct Detective Squad and the NYPD Queens Homicide Squad is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information regarding the double homicide that could prove helpful is asked to call the 104th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-386-2735 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Information may also be sent to Crime Stoppers via text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- Glendale Man Busted For Having Guns & Heroin penetrate bulletproof vests. Additional bullets were found in an open bag located five feet from where Cruz was searched, law enforcement sources added. Police also found in Cruz’s pants over $8,000 in cash—believed to be the proceeds of recent drug sales— and 15 glassine bags of heroin. In executing a full search of Cruz’s residence later that day, authorities noted, officers located a .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun from a jacket hung in a closet. The weapon was reportedly located with four rounds in a magazine. Three methadone bottles were also located inside a refrigerator, the criminal complaint noted. According to the criminal complaint, Cruz allegedly admitted to acting as a drug runner. Cruz was taken into custody by P.O. Edwin Diaz of the 104th Precinct on charges of second- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-, fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, prosecutors noted. During last Thursday’s arraignment hearing, as noted in court records, Queens Criminal Court Judge Donna M. Golia ordered Cruz held on $75,000 bond or $37,500 cash bail, which was not posted as this paper went to press Wednesday, Apr. 2. The suspect is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 9. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- If You See Breaking News On Your Block... Contact The Times Newsweekly Call 1-718-821-7500 • Email info@timesnewsweekly.com
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