By Cynthia Koons
“They want to sell you more expensive (goods),” he said last Thursday. “In Flushing, they get tickets very often.”His worries may be allayed now that three new truck loading and unloading zones have been established on Roosevelt Avenue.Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) announced the creation of these truck loading zones in bus layover areas last Thursday afternoon in front of one of the three spots, just south of Union Street on Roosevelt Avenue in downtown Flushing. He said these are the first of their kind in Queens and mark a unique cooperative effort between the city Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Transit Authority, an agency he consistently slams for their mismanagement of Queens bus service.The stretches of curb that will become a truck loading zone currently serve as a bus layover zone, where drivers can take their breaks. That will not change with the creation of these new zones, said Liu, who also serves as the chairman of the City Council's Transportation Committee. Instead, he said, bus drivers will be encouraged to take breaks on less-commercial streets like 37th and 39th avenues.”We're trying to allow our local businesses to stay competitive by allowing trucks to load and unload,” Liu said. “Back in March I had an announcement with our local community business leaders that we would begin an initiative to help our businesses.”The result were these three zones, which went into effect Dec. 29, where trucks will be allowed to load and unload legally between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. New signs posted at the locations in front of La Bamba clothing store, 136-85 Roosevelt Ave., the Sheraton LaGuardia East, 135-20 39th Ave., and the Greenpoint Bank, 136-21 Roosevelt Ave., explain the new regulations.Liu said the city is currently conducting a traffic study in downtown Flushing, which could create more loading zones. “While that study is being done we have to carefully watch where we put these truck loading zones,” Liu said.The creation of the new zones did not require the city Department of Transportation to remove any metered parking spots, a concern of many business owners and shoppers. Parking is at a premium in downtown Flushing, where there are few spots in the area's vital business district.Flushing Chinese Business Association President Peter Koo, who owns Starside Drugs in downtown Flushing, said as a store owner these new zones will relieve a longstanding headache.”A lot of people complain they can't get deliveries,” Koo said. “Small business owners have to pay a heavy fine when they get tickets.”At one point, he said, one company refused to deliver to Starside Drugs because of the ticketing of trucks in downtown Flushing.Chuang also complained that his herb store suffered financially when delivery trucks got ticketed.The zones, Liu said, will be an innovative way to solve a complicated problem.”These are the first of their kind in Queens where the city is cooperating with the MTA to basically allow more efficient use of scarce street space,” the councilman said.Reach reporter Cynthia Koons by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 141.
