Photo Courtesy of Google
The new 116th Precinct’s stationhouse will be located on North Conduit Avenue in Rosedale.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Southeast Queens civic leaders and elected officials on Thursday celebrated the City Council’s vote to approve a zoning amendment to secure the site of the stationhouse for the new 116th Precinct.
“It’s a big day for Southeast Queens,” said City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), chairman of the Public Safety Committee.
According to Richards, the amendment establishes a C1-3 district within the existing R3-2 district, allowing the new precinct’s stationhouse to be located at 242-20 North Conduit Ave. in Rosedale. The 105th Precinct Satellite currently operates out of that address.
Two years ago, the City secured a $70 million capital plan allocation to create a new precinct in order to reduce 105th Precinct response times and expand coverage for the growing neighborhoods of Southeast Queens. The new command will be crafted out of the southern portions of the 105, and serve the communities of Laurelton, Rosedale, Brookville and Springfield Gardens. According to the administration, the precinct will address an increase in the area’s population and requests for law enforcement services.
According to the NYPD, of the 77 precincts that cover the five boroughs, the 105 ranks fifth in both square mileage and population. It boasts more than 350 miles of roadway.
“People in this community worked for a long, long time for this change—30 to 40 years, in fact. And it is a credit to them,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “I always say that real change comes from the grassroots. It is a credit to them that they believed this could and should happen and this day has come.”
