Exclusive: Linneaus Place Getting New Sewers . . . At Least

Following a more than 200-year battle by the beleaguered residents of Linneaus Pl., the City Dept. of Design and Construction (DDC) will finally install street sewers, it was learned by The Queens Courier.
The logjam of inactivity was broken last week when Dept. of Environmental Commissioner Joel Miele authorized the DDC to conduct soil borings in anticipation of the construction of two seepage basins on the block. "When completed," he said, "these basins will provide necessary storm water management for Linneaus Pl."
Following the borings, plans for two seepage basin sewers will be prepared by City engineers. Sewers will be installed later this year.
Triggering the City action on the desolate street have been the long battles by C.B. 7 officials to bring a measure of safety and relief for the 15-house enclave.
While expressing her gratitude, District Manager Marilyn Bitterman said more remained to be done. She called on the Fire Dept. to develop a fire plan for the street, which has no hydrants. She also requested the Transportation Dept. develop a capital street reconstruction project for the bumpy, potholed block. Bitterman recalled that the Board battled nearly a decade to designate Linneaus Pl. as a City street.
DDC spokesman Matt Monahan said the test borings will be made about 30 feet below the street surface to test its permeability. Seepage basin sewers are concrete cylinders with perforated sides that are designed to facilitate water dispersal.
Built during the pre-Revolutionary War era, passage to and from the "U"-shaped street is via Prince St. The street has no sewers, potholes dot the bumpy street, and the sidewalks are in desperate need of repair. Symbolic of the residents’ frustration is a frayed street name sign hanging limply on a rusty corner post.