Residents give their input on the QueensWay project. Michael Florio/The Forum Newsgroup
QueensWay, a community-based planning initiative, held a meeting last Wednesday at Emanuel Christ Church in Woodhaven to provide information on their project that aims to transform a former rail line that runs through Forest Hills, Rego Park Woodhaven, Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, into a 3.5-mile green space.
Emotions ran high before the QueensWay representatives even began their presentation, as supporters and opponents traded barbs. One resident against QueensWay even stormed out before the presentation commenced.
“The idea is that there is an opportunity to turn this abandoned three and a half mile railroad into a linear park or a greenway,” said Andy Stone of the Trust for Public Land organization. “Since we have this opportunity we want to get people’s ideas and concerns before our consultants generate any kind of alternative designs or even designs principles.”
“Are we going to have community gardens?” Stone continued. “How many access points are there? What are the sensitivities about safety and security? These are issues we want to get peoples input on.”
Many of the residents in attendance opposed this proposition for various reasons.
“We have a lot that parks 93 cars. If we lose that, there is no way we can accommodate 93 cars,” said Rosemary Hadlow, president of Forest View Crescent, an apartment complex located on Union Turn Pike that is home to about 240 families. “We are 100 percent against this. Not one person in those buildings that are for this [project].”
Residents are also worried about the effect that this park would have on the value and safety of their homes and possessions. A path would overlook some backyards, and residents fear that would
“It’s going to have an adverse impact on my property value. It’s going to have a detrimental effect on my quality of life and it threatens the safety of my family and my possessions,” said Neil Giannelli, who leads the NoWayQueensWay group.
Those in favor of the project believe that it would prove to a boon for the area.
Presenters Adam Lubinsky, with the WXY Planning and Designing firm, and Susannah Drake, with dland studio, speak at a meeting meant to inform residents about the proposed QueensWay project.
“I’ve grown up here and I see changes in the neighborhoods and they aren’t great,” said QueensWay volunteer Ruben Ramales. “I think this would reinvigorate the lifestyle of the neighborhoods.”
A lot of talk about the project involved the opening up of cafes and art shops. Current business owners in the area have a fear that this new project will drive them out of business because they may not fit in.
“This project would put me out of business,” said Cosmo Ferro, a car service owner right along the path of the park. “If they tell us to move, where would I put my business? That is a nice industrial area and it works for our business.”
“It would create more havoc,” said business owner Arthur Incomecta.
Both business owners also worried that it gives other residents, specifically children, easier access to see into their yards.
Some in attendance would support the project, as long as all the concerns of the communities are met.
“A lot of people who are proposing this view the opposition as people who merely don’t want others going through their back yards, but the truth of the matter is there are a lot of very valid concerns,” said Ed Wendell, president of the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association.
“I’d like to see them use the roadway in Forest Park [Brooklyn-Queens Greenway] as their experiment. Show us what you can do, build some trust, then come back to us,” he said.
By Michael Florio
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