Parking is price of progress

A month after an Astoria municipal lot closed so that low-income senior housing could be built, local business owners have begun feeling a crunch at their registers. The lot had room for 134 cars in an area where available spots can now best be described as scarce.
“One of the positives of moving into this area was the parking lot,” said Gladys Fabara, who opened Joseph’s Hair Place three storefronts down from the lot in January. “The other day I saw a sign that said, ‘Private Property,’ and the lot was no longer open.”
Although Fabara believed that her landlord had been made aware of the impending construction, he had not passed on this information to her, his new tenant.
“My customers, they really liked having the space right there,” she said, estimating that business is down 25 percent in part from the closure.
In the past, the lot provided a location where customers and patients of local doctor’s offices could park briefly, to visit local shops on Astoria Boulevard and nearby 31st Street. In addition, about 30 spaces had been reserved for long-term parking for shop owners and teachers.
Fernando Osorno, who owns the local furniture re-upholstering shop, said that customers travel from Manhattan and Long Island to drop off their pieces at his store, but he is not worried about the lot closure affecting business.
“For me, I’m here 26 years, and nothing happens,” he said. If in eight years, when his lease is up, business isn’t doing so well, he will reconsider whether Astoria is right location for his store.
Still Osorno said that he supports any residence for low-income families and seniors. “Everybody needs shelter; why would you deny someone that?” he said.
Although plans for the 184-unit senior residence include a 69-space garage - with both short-term and long-term public parking, the spots won’t be open until construction is complete in 2008. The Department of Transportation (DOT) currently has no plans to make more municipal parking spaces available, according to spokesperson Ted Timbers.
The residence, which is owned and will be operated by H.A.N.A.C., will also create 41 parking spaces as required by the City for residents and visitors, said John Kaiteris, the Executive Director of H.A.N.A.C., who said he believes that businesses will reap the benefits of the seniors who will be moving there.
“These are seniors who are going to want to go to the local vendors; they are going to want to walk to whoever is present in that area, not travel 10 or more blocks to buy something,” Kaiteris said.