The pleasant lilt of children’s laughter and the bell of the slowing ice cream truck. The sizzle of the barbecue. The melodic chirps of birds, the rustle of leaves on the branches of stately sycamores.
And the thundering sound of jets, one after the other, flying low overhead in Howard Beach.
For a community that survived the supersonic boom of yesteryear’s Concorde in and out of JFK, the sounds this summer are not unfamiliar and certainly not, for those who made it through Superstorm Sandy, the end of the world. Nonetheless, residents are taking note of the increased noise levels due to the temporary closure of one of JFK’s four runways, and they’re not happy.
“The neighborhood has become unlivable,” said Carolyn McGuire, a broker who’s been in Howard Beach for 40 years. “We always knew we’d have to deal with a certain amount of noise, but with the continued expansion, they are going to have to buy us out.”
Last week, McGuire visited Senator Joe Addabbo Jr.’s office, where she claims that together they clocked a low-flying jet every 60 seconds, and that this had gone on for 72 hours straight. McGuire was also in attendance at last week’s Part 150 Study workshop hosted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The “open house” format provided brochures and other materials at booths manned by PANYNJ personnel. Comment boxes were provided for people to express concerns or ask questions.
A marked increase in noise has been noted in the area since late April, when, according to PANYNJ documents, runway 4L/22R was shut down. Simultaneously, other taxiways that intersect with the runway have also been impacted by the construction. In addition, runway 13R/31 L is being shortened and/or closed for some of this period. Port Authority sources indicate a finish date for most construction in mid-late September.
“Change in patterns and number of flights are all related to the fact that one of the runways is closed for construction. Unfortunately, that means that the other three are getting more use,” said Betty Braton, Chairwoman of Community Board 10. “The last runway job came in on schedule and under budget. Hopefully this runway work can be completely ahead of schedule.”
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) and other local representatives have been active in working with civics to ensure that sufficient noise monitors be placed in the area. Experts like Len Schaier of Quietskies.net maintain that mapping noise exposure areas is the first step toward alleviating the problem. After that data is collected, a noise control plan can be determined.
For McGuire and others bombarded by the incessant plane noise, a mitigation plan can’t come soon enough. It may be a long summer.
“I was showing a house the other day to some people from outside the neighborhood. One plane after the other was flying low overhead, and when I saw the expressions on their faces, I knew I wouldn’t get the sale,” she said.
By Eugénie Bisulco
eugenie@theforumnewsgroup.com
A low-flying plane takes off from JFK Airport above a boat sinking into Hawtree Creek. Construction at the airport has caused many planes to fly over Howard Beach at low altitudes, which has led residents to complain about the increased noise. Forum Photo by Greg Zwiers
