10 THE COURIER SUN • AUGUST 15, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com GLENDALE ON HOMELESS SHELTER: NOT IN MY BACKYARD BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] Not in my backyard. That’s the sentiment of residents, business owners, politicians and civic leaders about a proposed homeless shelter in an empty, rundown Glendale factory. The community is planning to prevent nonprofi t Samaritan Village from buying the property at 78-16 Cooper Avenue and transforming it into transitional housing if the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) gives its approval. “They Samaritan Village need to be reasonable about it and do what is in the best interest of the community and the people that would reside there,” said Kathy Masi, president of the Glendale Civic Association. “It wouldn’t make sense to put them in area where there is no transportation.” Last week, Samaritan Village told Community Board 5 in a letter that the nonprofi t has submitted a proposal to DHS requesting to convert the site in question. There are no shelters in CB 5, according to DHS, so it would be the fi rst in the area if the plan comes to fruition. The nonprofi t wants to house 125 families on the property, but opponents of the homeless shelter believe that would overwhelm the schools in Glendale, which many say are already overcrowded. The site, which was a factory devoted to making airplane parts more than a decade ago, rests on toxic and contaminated land, according to Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, who has toured the area a number of times. Crowley, who also plans to fi ght the proposal, said the building is in dire need of repairs that would cost taxpayers “tens of millions of dollars.” “It looks like the plan is not economically feasible and would be a waste,” she said. Last year, when rumors surfaced that Samaritan Village wanted to buy the property from owner Michael Wilner of Wilner Realty Management LLC., the Glendale Civic Association quickly voiced its opposition. Masi conceded the shelter is a good cause, but said it would be better for Samaritan Village to pick a different location. She suggested the shuttered Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica or St. John’s Hospital in Elmhurst. Samaritan Village declined to comment on the pressure from the community against its proposal and why it choose that site. “Our proposal is under review,” a spokesperson for the organization said. For the moment, no meetings have been scheduled with CB 5. The board is waiting to see the full proposal and the Department of Homeless Services’ assessment, which will be “carefully reviewed,” according to a DHS offi cial. “What we need to do right now is to communicate that this is an inappropriate site to the applicant and to the Department of Homeless Services,” said Gary Giordano, district manager of CB 5. THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre Glendale residents are opposed to a plan to transform the rundown factory on Cooper Avenue into a homeless shelter. A Summer Tour Of Tunes & Laughs Catch our NYC-Caliber Summer Show featuring the musical talents of: Amy Leo, Courtney O., Danny Hsu & JP Palace And the comedic stylings of: Narlinder Singh, Jonesy & Dan Warfel EDUCATION & ENTERTAINMENT CO. PRESENTS FOOD PROVIDED hope for the children FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD • 8PM-9:30PM THE VAULT - 90-21 Springfi eld Blvd, Queens Village Tickets can be purchased online-www.amyleo.ticketleap.com $25 for Adult (30+) $12.50 for Children/Young Adults/Seniors Tickets will also be available at the door: $30 for Adults $15 for Children/Young Adults/Seniors AFFORDABLE ACCENT LIGHTING 718-799-4199 Michael Vangi for a FREE Estimate Servicing all of New York Call 154-13 Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone, NY 11357 Five Towns College Enrollment Week August 19 - 23 Hurry! Classes Start September 3 9 am - 4 pm • Bring your transcripts • Same day decision in most cases • Application fee waived on these days • Scholarships are still available • A U D I O R E C O R D I N G T E C H N O L O G Y • B R O A D C A S T I N G • B U S I N E S S • E L E M E N T A R Y T E A C H E R E D U C A T I O N • F I L M / V I D E O • J O U R N A L I S M • M A S S C O M M U N I C A T I O N • M U S I C T E A C H E R E D U C A T I O N • M U S I C B U S I N E S S • M U S I C P E R F O R M A N C E • T H E A T R E A R T S 631.656.2110 305 N. Service Road Dix Hills, NY 117 46 [email protected] www.ftc.edu
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