Median work to begin – Some to be completed within 4 to 8 weeks

Renovations for medians along Woodhaven Boulevard are set to begin shortly with repairs for the first set completed within four to eight weeks, according to New York Parks and Recreation Spokesperson Abby Lootens.
Recently, representatives from Parks and Recreation walked through the first section of the renovations from 97th Avenue South to 101st Avenue with the contractor for the project, TBO Sitescapes. At the meeting, the contractors measured the malls and confirmed the scope of the work.
Along the stretch, the contractor will install new concrete pavers to replace the old ones in a pattern to match what is already there as wall as wrap the existing trees with snow fence for protection during construction. In addition, they will plant new trees and will replace missing ones in empty tree pits, according to Lootens.
For more than a year, Councilmember Joseph Addabbo and Borough President Helen Marshall have allotted $300,000 worth of funding for the renovation of 20 medians, which could cost as much as $20,000 each, along Cross Bay Boulevard stretching from Jamaica Avenue to Woodhaven Boulevard.
However, the plans stalled until last month, when Parks and Recreation signed a contract to begin work on the sites.
&#8220If there needs to be additional funding I will have a conversation with them [Parks Department] about it,” Addabbo said, citing that funds the Port Authority granted to neighborhoods surrounding the two airports could potentially be used for any additional costs.
Before work can begin at the site, officials from TBO Sitscapes met with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in order to finalize construction permits and discuss lane closure permits.
&#8220Of course I am encouraged by the dialogue, but I’ll believe it when I see it,” Addabbo said. &#8220We are waiting with much anticipation regarding this project which has been funded for more than a year now.”
Lootens said that once the contractor receives approval from the DOT they will begin construction on the site immediately, and if the weather cooperates, hopefully finish work on the first site before the end of the calendar year.