LIRR properties in Richmond Hill a mess

Local leaders are calling on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to provide better maintenance and security on two of its Richmond Hill properties.
The open, unguarded properties provide direct access to the LIRR train tracks, and pose security threats, said Simcha Waisman, President of the Richmond Hill Block Association.
The first property, an empty lot beside Key Food at 87-25 Lefferts Boulevard, is strewn with trash and waste. The gate separating the lot from the roadway remains open twenty-four hours a day, said Waisman, who was able to drive freely through the lot without being stopped or questioned.
“Not only do you have kids that can come in here and get to the tracks, but it’s an unsightly place,” said Waisman. “When one person starts dumping, everybody thinks it’s a dump, and more and more people start doing it.”
Waisman’s main concern, however, is safety. In addition to the threat of kids being hit by a train along the tracks that run through the lot, Waisman noted that “today’s technology” makes the lot a serious terror target.
“If I can find this place, so can bad guys,” he said. “They have all kinds of bombs that nobody notices. It could happen.”
The unguarded properties were first reported in an article published in our sister paper, The Courier Sun on Wednesday, August 8. LIRR Spokesperson Sam Zambuito said the article persuaded LIRR to clean up its act.
“After the article, we sent a crew out and began cleaning up,” said Zambuito. “We want to be good neighbors.”
Still, trash remains strewn about the lot, and the gate remains open. Zambuito said a portion of the property had been leased, and the current lessee is responsible for the rest of the trash, and for securing the area. He was not sure, however, who the lessee is.
“It’s scary,” said Richmond Hill resident Allejandra Elizarde, who walks her two daughters, Aruna, 5, and Mia, 15 months, past the location each day. “It’s always like this.”
Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn shares the concerns of Waisman and Elizarde.
“I’ve spoken to LIRR in the past few weeks,” said Michael Simanowitz, Mayersohn’s Chief of Staff. “They’ve been very responsive in the past. For some reason, this time, they’re not quite on the ball. They don’t seem to have been responsive, and I’m not sure why.”
Zambuito said LIRR will work to make sure the property is cleaned by the end of September, a job that requires the removal of over 80 cubic yards of debris.
The second property that has raised concern, located at 91st Avenue and 127th Street, is a fuel and maintenance center that has not yet gone into operation, said Zambuito. The Courier Sun’s August 8 article reported that the center would begin operations in September, at which time, security measures would be implemented to make the center safe. As September draws to a close, however, the center shows no signs of change.
“We were anticipating having work completed by September, but now it is expected to continue into October,” said Zambuito. “When the center goes into operation, a motorized gate will be placed at the entrance to secure driveway access from the street.”
The fuel tanks currently accessible from the street are not in service and are therefore completely safe, assured Zambuito.
But Waisman feels the tanks represent only a slice of the problem.
“Right now, anyone can walk in and step on the tracks,” said Waisman.
In addition, the fencing that bounds the center is marked by large holes, while a maintenance shed located on the property is secured only by a broken lock. As with the empty lot, no one approached or questioned Waisman when he entered the maintenance center.
“All of this is a concern,” Waisman said. “If you ask me, it’s criminal. I’m shocked.”
Simanowitz said he was hesitant to be too critical of LIRR, but acknowledged a need for improvement.
“I don’t want to say they haven’t been good neighbors, because historically, they have,” he said. “But they need to focus more on quality of life issues.”