From the Queens Gazette: Goldfeder demands resident's input on boardwalk....

Goldfeder Demands Residents’ Input On Boardwalk

Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder (r.) and Danny Ruscillo, president of the 100th Precinct Community Council (l.), join hundreds of residents at a rally hosted by Friends of Rockaway Beach Civic to sign a banner urging city Parks Department Commissioner Veronica White to replace the Sandy-damaged boardwalk.

Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) has urged Parks Commissioner Veronica White to allow local Rockaway residents to weigh-in on final designs for a new boardwalk that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy nearly 10 months ago.

“As we recover from Sandy, we need to ensure that the voices of our community are heard before any final decisions are made,” said Goldfeder. “No one knows the community better than its residents and it is essential that the Parks Department give community input strong consideration in designing our next boardwalk.” Earlier this month, the RFP (Request for Proposals) concluded and the city narrowed down several final designs to replace the 4.7 mile long boardwalk destroyed by Superstorm Sandy last fall. 
The design proposals also include protective measures to reduce flooding and safeguard homes on the beachfront from future disasters.

“The people of the Rockaways demand that New York City Parks Commissioner Veronica White, Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski follow through on their promise to include us, the residents, in the rebuilding process,” said John Cori, co-founder of Friends of Rockaway. “We expect and demand to be the deciding voice in the final design of OUR Boardwalk. Any deviation from their promise will result in an absolute vote of no confidence to the current Parks administration from the people of the Rockaways and to the next mayoral administration.” 
Post-Sandy, as part of a quick-fix, the Parks Department spent close to $30 million on new bathroom and lifeguard facilities without any community input on design or placement of the structures. After only a few months, the structures have already started to rust and leak, leaving many residents disappointed they didn’t have more input on designs.

“We deserve to be a part of the process,” said Goldfeder. “I strongly urge the Parks Department to make sure our local residents are included in the process of rebuilding and have some say in the final designs for the new boardwalk that will be around for many years to come.”
Parks Department is expected to go over final boardwalk designs at the next Community Board 14 meeting.