I could not help but notice the article about Community Board 7 voting and approving the one-way street near PS 209 (“One-way street OK’d by CB 7 near PS 209,” Flushing Times Nov. 17-23). Now it goes to the city Department of Transportation.
Once the DOT gives its approval, good luck. PS 193 in Whitestone has been waiting for the installation of one-way streets since 2010. This is after the DOT had deemed the streets were in an unsafe condition for the children who attend school there.
Petitions were filed, both pro and con, and the DOT, not being concerned about petitions, said it had the final say in changing streets to one way. We were originally told that the one-ways would be changed during the summer of 2011. That did not happen.
Then we were told they would be changed during the fall, after school started, because after deeming the streets were in an unsafe condition, the status had to be re-evaluated because a restaurant complained about its trucks having to make deliveries.
Please remember that the DOT had already deemed them an unsafe condition. We are trying to figure out who is putting the pressure on the DOT, causing it to drag its feet with the installation. I was assured in an e-mail from the DOT that the one-ways would be installed and this would not drag on into the winter.
I then attended a town hall meeting hosted by City Councilman Halloran (R-Whitestone). At that time, I spoke with a representative of the DOT, Nathan Grey. I asked him why the one-ways were being delayed and asked for a firm date for installation.
His response was, “Mr. Cody, you are not going to be happy.” He then informed me that the installation was now being put off until spring 2012.
This is unacceptable. They seemed to have deemed it safe until spring 2012. What has changed? What is it that has caused them to believe it is safe until 2012. Let’s see what kind of run-around parents, students, teachers and the principal of PS 209 get from the DOT.
I wish them the best of luck.
Kim F. Cody
President
Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association
Whitestone
