By Rebecca Henely
A brand new reference library and a new home for the 110th Precinct tops the wish list for Community Board 4, which approved its fiscal year 2013 capital and expense priorities last week.
“Everything passed the way I presented it,” CB 4 District Manager Richard Italiano said.
The board, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Elmhurst and Corona, chose 39 capital projects and 25 expense priorities in its list of budget recommendations at its monthly meeting Sept. 13. Consistent with the community board’s role as a recommending body, the list represents and ranks what the board wants to see happen.
“It’s a tough fiscal time, so we’ll see what we’re going to get out of it,” Italiano said.
The first priority for CB 4’s capital budget, which includes specific projects meant for infrastructure and public-facility use, is a new reference library to be located around 108th Street and Corona Avenue, a commercial spot in a dense residential area.
Next, the board wants to construct a new facility for the 110th Precinct. The NYPD office is currently at 94-41 43rd Ave. in Elmhurst.
Some of the capital projects requested by the board are less flashy, like repairing the sewers in the district. CB 4 wants the sewer system to be upgraded and reconstructed along Queens Boulevard from the Long Island Expressway to the CSX railroad line near 74th Street.
Other areas identified for sewer rehabilitation are Junction Boulevard from the Long Island Expressway to Roosevelt Avenue, 57th Avenue from Queens Boulevard to 99th Street, Horace Harding Expressway from 108th Street to Queens Boulevard and 111th Street from Corona Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue.
The other 34 projects encompass a multitude of rehabilitation efforts, such as reconstructing Louis Simione Park on Lewis Avenue between 101st and 102nd streets and various streets and triangles in the area. The board also has requests far down the line for additional police resources and a new police precinct dedicated solely to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
CB 4 also itemized 25 expense budget requests, which are for services the district needs. The highest priorities include expanding and enhancing the board’s tree pruning contract, hiring additional building inspectors and a study of the current zoning regulations within the district.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
