City Planner Emily Weidenhof speaks in support of the city’s proposal to implement a pedestrian plaza in Ozone Park. Every board member voted in support of the plaza, except for one individual who abstained. Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
A pedestrian plaza in Ozone Park, along the Queens-Brooklyn border, is expected to be built and open to the public by the end of next week following Community Board 9’s vote to approve the spot that was first proposed by members of the growing Bangladeshi-American community in the area.
Every board member at Tuesday night’s meeting approved the pedestrian plaza, except for one individual who abstained. The Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth Service originally applied for the plaza at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 101st Avenue near Drew Street – just along the border of Queens and Brooklyn.
“I think this is going to have a very positive influence on the community,” Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) told board members prior to the vote. “That part of Ozone Park has changed over the last 10, 20 years, and there’s a very large and growing Bengali community. I’m proud they are taking an active part of that community. Seeing that type of grassroots activism coming directly from the community is wonderful and shows people are assimilating.”
The plaza, which will first be temporary in the case that there are problems with it, will include sitting benches and planters separating the space from the vehicles.
Following a presentation by the city Planning Department at the previous CB 9 meeting, City Planner Emily Weidenhof said she and other officials addressed concerns that arose during that meeting.
“We heard concerns as to whether Drew Street residents knew about the plaza, so we have over 39 signatures of residents on Drew Street,” said Weidenhof, who also noted that city officials and police looked at any safety issues in the area.
The 102nd Precinct’s commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner, said he had concerns about the plaza – but they were alleviated after speaking to planning officials.
“I don’t think it will have that much of an adverse impact on crime,” Sautner said. “Anything that will help with local businesses and beautiful, I support…If it does pass, it will certainly be on our radar.”
Weidenhof also noted that the plan received a number of letters of support from area businesses on both the Brooklyn and Queens side. Prior to the CB 9 meeting, the plan had already landed the support of Brooklyn’s Community Board 5.
Still, not everyone was convinced, and resident Steven Melmick said he remains worried about safety issues.
“There’s a lot of traffic coming from Liberty Avenue,” Melmick told board members. “And what about sanitation issues? …Who will monitor the vendors that will probably pop up?”
CB 9 member David Adorno, however, said he believes the spot will be a great spot for area residents to relax and build community.
“There’s absolutely no reason that we should not be going through with this,” Adorno said.
By Anna Gustafson
