By Nathan Duke
Astoria community activists and elected officials said they are continuing to fight a plan that would lease a portion of Con Edison's 20th Avenue site to Federal Express and draw more than 200 vehicles daily through neighborhood streets to the facility.
FedEx spokeswoman Allison Sobczak said the lease deal is still being negotiated and that no contract has been reached. Under the plan, Con Ed would sell 21 acres of its Astoria site to developer Steel Equities, which would then lease the site to the shipping giant, she said.
FedEx, currently headquartered in Maspeth, would then construct a one-story building at the site, she said.
The FedEx facility would operate 24 hours a day Monday through Friday and would be closed on weekends. An estimated 146 delivery vans and 55 tractor trailers would visit the facility each day, she said. Trucks will enter the facility at 19th Street.
Astoria leaders said the community was adamantly opposed to the plan.
"We are against having FedEx as our neighbor," said Rose Marie Poveromo, the United Community Civic Association president. "We live every day with a toxic cocktail. We demand the city do something to help this neighborhood, which is under environmental assault."
She said the civic has proposed that Con Ed sell the property to the city, which could turn the site into a waterfront park that included greenery, bicycle paths, a kayaking area, benches, a playground and tables for chess and bingo.
Tony Gigantiello, president of neighborhood group Community Helping Organize a Kleaner Environment, said Astoria was already suffering from pollution and traffic problems, stemming from its proximity to LaGuardia Airport, Rikers Island and power plants, as well as several bridges and highways.
But Sobczak said trucks would enter and exit the site during early morning and evening hours and that all trucks would be required to stay on existing truck routes, such as 21st Street, Ditmars Boulevard and Steinway Street.
She said the new site would create 500 temporary construction jobs and over a period of seven years 300 new permanent positions.
But elected officials said additional traffic and pollution could be the final straw for western Queens residents.
"They shouldn't be forced to bear any more of a burden," City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) said. "It's almost gridlocked every day already and has become dangerous when emergency vehicles can't get through."
State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said he hears trucks rumbling through the neighborhood's streets every night.
"Every new power plant or warehouse is going to end up adding another layer of danger and nuisance to this neighborhood," he said.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
