As the MTA finalizes its Capital Improvement Plan for next five years, local leaders are calling on the agency to allow for the creation of “much-needed” temporary green space on the corners of Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood, but redevelopment plans for the site seem to be on hold.
Currently, the location, under the auspices of the Long Island Rail Road (whose parent company is the MTA), is the site of an abandoned newsstand and convenience store that has been neglected for more than 10 years. Plans to develop this area date back to Fiscal Year 2003 and are included in the MTA’s current five-year Capital Plan.
“While we continue to wait for the MTA to finally develop this area, we should be granted the opportunity to beautify this property in the meantime,” said City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley. “The thousands of Queens residents who pass daily through this intersection have had to look at the dilapidated condition of this property for over a decade. As the gateway to Ridgewood, this long-time eyesore hurts the surrounding businesses and stifles the area’s economic growth.”
“I want to thank Councilmember Crowley and other members of the community for bringing this situation at Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road to my attention,” said LIRR President Helena Williams. “While our plans to redevelop the site remain on hold, the LIRR welcomes suggestions for its interim use. We certainly support beautification options and would like to meet with community representatives to hear their suggestions.”
The intersection of Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road is one of the busiest intersections in Queens, with bus lines QM 24, 38, 39, 54, 58 and 67 passing through multiple times a day.
Assemblymember Catherine Nolan has said that the space “has become a center of crime, graffiti and traffic in Ridgewood,” and is urging the transformation of the site into “a safe, green space to help welcome residents and visitors into Ridgewood.”
“This is a reasonably achievable proposal that will benefit the area drastically,” said Crowley. “If there is a question of funding, we will raise the needed monies for a contractor to take down the structure and clear out the debris. If there is a question about who will do the labor, there is a legion of volunteers ready to maintain the upkeep of the green space. As the area’s City Councilmember, I will work with the other local elected officials and community leaders to oversee that the proposed green space is well kept.”
