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FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com NOVEMBER 20, 2014 • THE COURIER SUN 11 CHANGES COMING TO CONTROVERSIAL OZONE PARK PEDESTRIAN PLAZA BY SALVATORE LICATA slicata@queenscourier.com @Sal_Licata1 A controversial pedestrian plaza in Ozone Park will be downsized following complaints from local business owners. Due to community outreach programs to address the concerns of the plaza, which is located on Drew Street and 101st Avenue, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is removing a portion of the plaza to restore metered parking along the block, a DOT spokeswoman said. The plaza was installed about a year ago and is run and maintained by the Brooklyn based nonprofi t Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS). Once in place, it took up about nine parking spaces and cut off twoway traffi c on 101st Avenue. But giving back the parking spots is fi ne with Darma Diaz, the chief operating offi cer at BACDYS, if it makes for a more positive working relationship with the store merchants. “We want this to be a positive part of the community,” Diaz said. “Of course you want more space, but we are more about having peace with the community.” Business owners have complained that since it was installed, their businesses have had one of the worst years ever. “This plaza has totally crippled my business,” said Ahmad Ubayda, owner of the 99 Cent Ozone Park Discount Hardware store on the corner of the block, back in July when The Courier fi rst reported on it. “This has been my worst year of business because they took away parking spaces for my customers but aren’t even using that area of the plaza.” The portion of the plaza along 101st Avenue that the DOT will be removing is the least used part of it. Most of the tables, chairs and umbrellas are not put in that area, but are placed on Drew Street, where it once crossed over from 101st Avenue to Liberty Avenue. But some stores still want the whole plaza removed because they feel the two-way traffi c is necessary. “I won’t be happy unless the whole thing is gone,” said one worker at the 99 cent store. “We need two-way traffi c again.” The removal of the portion of the plaza along 101st Avenue will take place by the end of the year, weather permitting, according to the DOT spokeswoman. THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata Great rates like ours don’t grow on trees. 24-Month CD 1.30%APY* $5,000 minimum deposit At Flushing Bank, we’re small enough to know you and large enough to provide you with the great rates you’re looking for. Hurry, an offer like this can’t last forever. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. 60-Month CD 2..05%APY* $5,000 minimum deposit *New money only. APY effective November 7, 2014. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark


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