By Matthew Monks
“We're gonna keep holding these things till the city backs off,” Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) told the crowd of about 150. “This is to demonstrate to the city that we are fed up with the traffic here. We've got a bunch of people just crossing the street and we're creating a traffic nightmare.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the plan in February to bring 180 wholesale businesses to the 20th Avenue site that abuts the College Point Corporate Park. Several buildings would be erected on the 26-acre lot, each housing up to 75 wholesalers.
Area legislators Avella, state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Whitestone) and state Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Fresh Meadows) firmly oppose the project and said they would back its rejection when it faces the community and borough boards for approval in coming months.
The legislators and other critics contend the businesses would spike truck traffic, crippling the area.
“It's going to create more congestion than there is now,” Whitestone resident David Marra said. “You're going to have tractor trailers coming and going.”
He said the site, which is designated for light industrial or recreational use, should be turned into a baseball field or park where children can play.
Val Schiano, also of Whitestone, said he fled Woodside to escape overdevelopment. Now it has chased him north, he said.
“We no like it because there's too much traffic now,” he said. “We just want it peace and quiet. We don't want no more stores.”
The two residents joined the crowd of demonstrators in an hourlong march around the intersection at 20th Avenue and the southbound Whitestone Expressway service road.
Husbands and wives, children, senior citizens and even someone in a wheelchair proceeded clockwise across street, carrying brightly colored signs, some of which read: “We don't want the pollution,” and “Why should Bloomberg care? He doesn't live here!”
The pack backed up traffic four blocks on 20th Avenue and clogged up a nearby Whitestone Expressway exit.
Four police officers herded the group across the street and directed traffic as a chorus of car horns ceaselessly blared.
“I hope they put up 350 businesses,” shouted one angry driver, stalled on the Whitestone Expressway service road.
“It's obstructing traffic. Go to the mayor's house,” said a woman behind the wheel of a white Chrysler sedan.
Both were jeered by the crowd, who waved at them and other angry drivers, encouraging them to beep some more.
Some drivers, however, empathized with the protesters even though it put a kink in their commutes.
“We support what you're doing,” said Alex Nissatidis, driving his daughter, Rebecca, to gymnastics practice in Jamaica. Even though he was going to be late, he said he respected the protesters' right to assemble and understood their concerns.
Avella said he would hold monthly protests at the same intersection until the city abandons the development. State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) said earlier this month that the project has been delayed while the city Department of Transportation conducts a traffic study of the area around the airport.
Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
