No fast fix for these Ozone Park streets

It isn’t the first time Howard Kamph has heard the good news.
In late October, Kamph received a letter from the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) notifying him that HWQ411B - a $35 million project to reconstruct the streets in the Centerville area of Ozone Park - would be getting underway by early 2010.
To Kamph, the Ozone Park Civic Association President who has spent years lobbying city agencies to break ground on 411B, the news couldn’t be better - that is, assuming it’s true.
Unfortunately, Kamph said he has no reason to believe it is.
“Look at all the letters I’ve got in front of me,” said Kamph Friday, November 30 from his home office, thumbing through a pile of papers dating back over 20 years. Most letters are from DDC. One, dated October 23, 2002, promises to break ground in 2005. Another, from August 5, 2003, claims construction will begin in 2007. Two more letters list 2008 and 2009, respectively, as start dates.
Now, said Kamph, DDC is telling him 2010.
“The condition of some of these streets is very unacceptable,” Kamph said. “People can get hurt. How long is it going to take to iron out all the details and begin working?”
HWQ411B was first introduced in 1984, after severe thunderstorms damaged parts of southern Queens and Brooklyn. DDC, along with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will collaborate on the project, which stretches between Linden Boulevard to the north and Cohancy Street to the south. The plan calls for the reconstruction of all streets, installation of new water mains, new sewers, and improved sidewalks.
Matthew Monahan, Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs at DDC, said the latest issues being worked out center around property acquisitions. Over 200 privately-owned properties exist on the land slated to be renovated.
“There are nine detailed steps that have to take place in order for the city to acquire a piece of property, and we have to perform those nine steps over 200 times,” said Monahan. “The last thing we want is to begin a project and then be interrupted with disputes or lawsuits. When we begin, we want to be able to go straight through to the end.”
Monahan said DDC was “right on the money” with its 2010 estimate.
Unlike past years, he said, when funding issues slowed the advancement of the project, all that stands in the way this time around are the property acquisitions. And, while Monahan called it “a bit unusual” for one project to include so many acquisitions, he assured that 2010 is an accurate estimate of how long the acquisition process should take.
Councilmember Joseph Addabbo acknowledged frustration for the delays, but was hesitant to scorn city agencies.
“Being on this side of the fence and working with the city, I know what this process is like,” said Addabbo. “I’m not happy that it’s taking this long, but if the system isn’t going to change, we can either yell and scream and have nothing get done, or we can roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
Betty Braton, Chair of Community Board 10, which covers much of the area affected by 411B, said the process has been “extremely frustrating.”
Still, Braton echoed Addabbo’s sentiment that 411B is not unique in its many delays.
“That type of project takes forever,” said Braton. “These are complicated projects and there are a lot of issues that need to be worked out. It’s the way of the world.”
But citizens who live on the streets included in the 411B plans say they are running out of patience.
John Laurenzano, of 94th Street in Ozone Park, has put a cone on the street in front of his property.
“My daughter’s blind,” said Laurenzano. “She fell once trying to get out of the car. This is very unsafe.”
Monahan said he can understand residents’ concern.
“It is very frustrating, because everyone knows of the absolute necessity of this project,” he said. “People don’t see the work, but there is much work going on behind the scenes. We look forward to the day when we’re out in the street, and our work can be seen.”
Last April, the Ozone Park Civic held an open meeting, inviting representatives from all three city agencies to discuss the process. Kamph said he plans to hold another meeting in March of 2008.
Monahan assured that DDC would accept such an invitation.
“People have every right to want to know what’s going on,” he said.
In the meantime, Kamph said all he can do is hope for the best.
“We can’t wait on these streets anymore,” he said.