Port Authority To Soundproof Queens Schools

Fourteen Queens schools that have long suffered from aircraft noise from nearby airports will receive soundproofing as part of a $44.5 million grant, the Port Authority (PA) Board of Commissioners announced last week.
John Bowne High School at 63-25 Main Street in Flushing and Beach Channel High School at 100-00 Beach Channel Drive. in Rockaway Park will get the largest grants. John Bowne will receive $8 million and Beach Channel, $12 million.
Other Queens schools include Msgr. McClancy Memorial HS in Jackson Heights and St. Michael School, in Flushing which are getting $25,000 each; PS 180 in Rockaway Park, $4 million; and PS 146 in Howard Beach, $40,000.
An additional six schools in the Bronx and 12 in New Jersey will share the "hush" money, the latest installment from the agencys 20-year-old noise reduction program.
"Soundproofing has been proven to cut classroom noise levels in half and to reduce the schools energy costs through the installation of new ventilation systems and acoustical windows," said Joseph Seymour, agency executive director.
According to the plan, schools near airports and in federally defined "noise-affected areas" will eventually all be soundproofed. The effort will extend to schools in outlying areas, with the agency judging the eligibility of each school on a case-by-case basis.
Each school must first meet eligibility criteria set by the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The program depends upon the continuing availability of federal funds. The initiative is a joint effort by the PA and the FAA, which contributes up to 90% of funding through its Airport Improvement Program. The PA administers the program and provides the rest of the needed money.
Since the program began in 1983, $226.2 million has gone to soundproof 78 schools in New York and New Jersey.
"The Port Authoritys school soundproofing program has continually demonstrated its success in schools in New York and New Jersey," said Jack Sinagra, PA chairman.
The PA has long been active in aviation noise reduction. The agency was one of the first airport operators in the country to lobby successfully for the federal government to require quieter "Stage 3" aircraft on all commercial flights. Last year, the board outlawed the use of "Stage 1" general aviation aircraft the oldest and loudest planes at Teterboro Airport.
"We want to be good neighbors with the communities that surround our airports," Seymour said.