The city has proposed eliminating as many as 14 parking spots at the intersection of Metropolitan and 71st avenues. Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
A city proposal to wipe out as many as 14 parking spots around the intersection of Metropolitan and 71st avenues in Forest Hills has landed harsh words from area residents, who said they would rather see a turning signal installed to alleviate traffic and safety concerns.
Ann Marie Doherty, a representative of the city Department of Transportation, said at a Community Board 6 meeting last Thursday that the proposal aims to improve an intersection where a pedestrian was fatally hit in 2011 and where 17 people have been injured between 2007 and 2011. The pedestrian was killed by a car turning left onto 71st Avenue from Metropolitan.
As part of the plan, the city would remove up to 14 parking spots in the area – primarily from around TD Bank and 7-11. City representatives said that the spots are not used 86 percent of the time.
Officials said they want to also move a Q54 bus stop, as part of the same proposal, in order to create two left turn bays on Metropolitan Avenue.
However, area residents said removing the parking spots could seriously hamper business – especially for stores with an older clientele who want to leave their cars closer to the shops to which they are going. Instead, Community Board 6 members and other area leaders are urging the DOT to implement a turning signal at the intersection.
“The board has a problem with it,” Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio said of the proposal. “And they have a problem that the city doesn’t want to put a turning signal at that intersection. The board really wants a turning signal – they’re concerned about losing spots because of the stores there.”
The plan has also been panned by Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) and Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp. member Ron Cohen, among others.
The board’s transportation committee will make a recommendation as to whether or not to support the plan prior to CB 6’s October meeting – when the full board is expected to vote on the proposal.
By Anna Gustafson
