CB 13 hearing to tackle issue of Indian center at Creedmoor

CB 13 hearing to tackle issue of Indian center at Creedmoor

Community Board 13 was set to hold a public hearing this week on plans to build an Indian cultural and community center on Creedmoor grounds.

Civic leaders and concerned residents were expected to attend the hearing at the Bellerose Assembly of God Church, at 240-15 Hillside Ave.

Plans for the Indian Cultural and Community Center involve the building of two nine-story apartment buildings, which Bellerose residents and some CB 13 members oppose, saying the project is out of character for the community.

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) earlier told TimesLedger Newspapers that he had questions about the project, including how the center’s builders can finance the project, citing a $20,000 loss on their most recent publicly available tax returns.

Avella also claimed the planners of the center never informed him of their intention to build the nine-story apartments and he was led to believe plans only included a community center.

Avella and civic leaders said they have no problems with the center but are opposed to the nine-story towers.

“We have big questions as to why this organization, which has a deficit from [2009], is able to get property worth $32 million,” CB 13 Land Use Chairman Richard Hellenbrecht earlier told the newspaper.

— Howard Koplowitz