By Nathan Duke
The names of six streets in Douglaston and Malba have officially been changed following a 30−year struggle by the communities to correct inconsistencies in the roadways’ names that have caused confusion and life−threatening situations, City Councilman Tony Avella (D−Bayside) said.
Avella had proposed legislation that would complete a project begun in the 1970s that would change the names of a number of street addresses in Douglaston and Malba. But six streets included in the original proposal had never been properly renamed, Avella said.
The City Council passed Avella’s bill in late October and Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed it into law earlier this week.
“The community has been trying to change this for a long, long time,” Avella said.
The city renamed many of the streets in the 1920s in order to put them in line with its street grid.
In the 1970s, many of Douglaston’s local street names were returned to their original, non−numerical names, Avella said. But five streets never received name changes, he said.
Under Avella’s bill, 38th Road between Douglaston Parkway and Douglas Road will become Hillside Avenue, while Douglas Roadâ„Marinette Street between Hillside Avenue and West Drive will become Douglas Road, the councilman said.
In addition, 38th Drive between Circle Road and Cherry Street will become Little Neck Road and 39th Avenue between Douglaston Parkway and Little Neck Road will become Cherry Street, he said. Under the bill, 40th Avenue between Douglaston Parkway and Circle Road will become Willow Street, he said.
In Malba, 141st Street between the intersection of Center Drive and Point Crescent will be changed to 141st Boulevard, Avella said.
The councilman said homes along the roadway have long been listed on 141st Boulevard. But street signs along the road are labeled 141st Street. Avella said this has caused confusion, especially for emergency response vehicles attempting to find homes.
“There have been major problems for residents in emergency services being able to quickly and accurately locate properties in this area,” he said. “Residents believe that this confusion may have been a contributing cause to a tragic death of a neighborhood resident several years ago.”
He said residents along the street had also complained for years that they did not receive mail.
Avella said the name changes would go into effect immediately.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156.
