By Alexander Dworkowitz
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall is promoting the idea of constructing an underground bus terminal off Union Street in an attempt to ease traffic in downtown Flushing,
But while many agree that congestion in downtown Flushing is a problem that needs to be addressed, some businessmen have greeted the plan with skepticism.
Marshall has proposed building a bus terminal underneath Flushing’s municipal lot at Union Street and 39th Avenue. Only a block from the end of the No. 7 subway line and the center of downtown Flushing, the proposed bus terminal would serve the 21 bus lines that use downtown Flushing as a transportation hub.
The buses now park on both 39th and Roosevelt avenues.
“It would basically get the buses off the street, and simultaneously it would increase parking on the street,” said Marshall spokesman Dan Andrews. He said the primary goal of the underground terminal would be to reduce congestion, thereby allowing easier access to the downtown area for cars and commercial traffic.
In Flushing, bus drivers agreed that something had to be done to make their jobs easier.
“Nine out of 10 buses can’t get in to pick up or drop off,” said one driver, who did not want to give his name. The driver suggested banning livery cabs on 39th and Roosevelt avenues between Union and Main streets, saying that the cab drivers often got in the way of the buses.
Nevertheless, while commuters and bus drivers stand to gain by the plan, some businessmen are against it.
Wellington Chen, a consultant with the development firm TDC, explained the dilemma for business owners.
“Say you have a store on Main Street. You’re trying to pay a mortgage, you have people lining up in front of your store [waiting for the bus.]”
But he pointed out that if an underground bus terminal were installed, “all of a sudden, they’re not there.”
Still, Chen said he was open to the plan so long as it was architecturally sound.
“It’s so good to have a city official taking an interest in downtown Flushing,” he said.
Fred Fu, president of the Flushing Chinese Business Association, said some merchants thought the plan would bring more business, while others were skeptical.
“Some were saying yes, some were saying no,” said Fu. “It’s the best benefit for the commuter.”
The construction of a bus terminal poses several problems. Five blocks from the Flushing River, the area has a high water table. The Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, located about two blocks west of the proposed terminal, has experienced flooding in its basement parking garage from high water.
While Chen said the water table had to be considered, he added that the water table was not quite as high below Union Street as it is below the Sheraton.
“They have a little room to play with,” he said.
Moreover, one of Flushing’s oldest buildings, the Macedonia AME Church, stands next to the parking lot in question.
Rev. Nicholas Tweed of the church said he would withhold comment on the matter until he saw a more specific proposal from Marshall.
A similar proposal for a bus terminal at the site was made in 1978, but the idea was abandoned.
Because the site is in such a crowded area, Fu said the city should also look into putting a terminal further west on 39th Avenue and College Point Boulevard near the Flushing Mall.
“By the Flushing Mall, you can put anything there,” he said. “But here, it’s already a busy downtown.”
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
