Repairs and Aqueduct plan still delayed

The arrival of the New Year may finally bring much needed results to two community issues that have been of major concern to the residents of Ozone Park: a much delayed infrastructure reconstruction project and the future of the Aqueduct racetrack.
These issues were discussed at January’s Ozone Park Civic Association (OPCA) meeting, where it was made abundantly clear that the residents of Ozone Park, particularly those that live in the Centreville section, want results and want them now.
Delays continue with the HWQ411B project that will reconstruct streets, sidewalks, sewers, and water mains in Centerville - that was scheduled to start at least 25 years ago. Frustrations continue to mount with every year that passes.
On March 18, the community’s collective voices will be heard for the first time since a visit by concerned New York City agencies back in April 2006.
Officials from the Departments of Design and Construction (DDC), Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection (DEP) will attend the meeting to answer questions and respond to the community’s concerns regarding the latest developments of the project.
Mitch Udowitch, representing Senator Serphin Maltese’s office, stated that the problem is entirely with the DOT.
“The project has been designed. DEP is paying for it. It’s funded,” said Udowitch. “The only problem is the so called acquisition of the properties, which has taken 30 years to do. One of the questions that we may want to ask is who owns the property and can they identify the property owners? Let’s see if they have an answer. Let’s see if they’ve done anything in the last 30 years.”
According to President Howard Kamph, DOT has not been able to find the owners of the private property needed to commence ground breaking. “They were last here in April 2006 and promised us a shovel would be in the ground in 2008 and they just keep postponing it for different reasons,” Kamph continued. “Back in 2001, after 9/11 they [claimed a shortage of] funds; they didn’t have enough money to do it. After they did have the money, now they are saying they don’t have the property that they need to do this whole project completely, which will take two years from start to finish.”
City Councilmember Joseph Addabbo suggested that the OPCA prepare a list of questions beforehand to send to the agencies in February with the hope that by the time the agencies arrive in March, they will come back armed with answers. “This is to prevent the agencies from saying that they do not have the answers right now and then they’ll say ‘we’ll get back to you’,” Addabbo said.
Lew Simon, OPCA member and a Democratic district leader, made it clear that he isn’t going to let the agencies off easy.
“Please don’t let them get away with it here. Make sure they come and do something, even if it’s a temporary paving and doing the sidewalks because it’s an abomination to walk the streets here and see the flooding, the mosquitoes and everything else that exists here,” Simon continued. “It’s unfair to this community and we should not take this. I personally will be here to take them on, because it’s unacceptable. You should not have to wait and be told every year ‘next year we’ll get the property, next year’. It’s got be done now.
The future of gambling at the Aqueduct was also discussed.
Larry Love, representing Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer’s office, reported that the state legislature is currently in active negotiations regarding the fate of the Aqueduct and hopefully something can be resolved in the next few weeks.
There are now two main gaming entities in the mix who are vying to install video lottery terminals, but it has not yet been determined if either entity will also operate the racetrack as well. When asked about the New York Racing Association’s (NYRA) involvement, Love stated that the NYRA issues have not gone away.
NYRA, has been in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since November 3, 2006 and a central issue in the case remains the ownership of the real estate under the three thoroughbred tracks in New York: Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct.
“The ownership of the actual land is still very much in dispute and NYRA has a strong legal argument to claim that they own the land,” said Love.
According to Governor Eliot Spitzer, NYRA would be willing to give up ownership of the land in exchange for a renewed franchise to run the racetrack operations.
While some residents are not happy with the addition of a possible casino, mainly because of the crime element that may develop, they are against any plans that would demolish Aqueduct completely.
Simon feels that more construction, especially of new housing would destroy the community. “The overdevelopment is killing this neighborhood,” said Simon. “We want to see the racetrack stay there. That’s the most important thing. It’s been a good neighbor. And when it works we want to keep it; if its not broken don’t fix it.”
Addabbo was at the meeting to swear in returning board members: President Howard Kamph; vice president Eric Ulrich; second vice president Charlie Gisondi; Treasurer Rose Cresci and recording secretary Millie Herzig.
The civic, chartered in 1928, is celebrating 80 years of service to the community this year. Addabbo praised the group for its commitment to the community.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to be working with not only this board, but of course the residents,” Addabbo said. “Over the years, we’ve gotten bus stops moved for safety’s sake, new stop signs and streetlights, catch basins cleaned; all the quality of life stuff that makes an area a great place to live and raise a family. You could all be home doing something else but we take the time out to be here because we believe in this civic and its people.”