School, Sr. Housing Projects On ONCA Radar
Construction of a new public school and a senior housing facility, as well as highlights of the recentlypassed state budget, were hot topics addressed by two local lawmakers who stopped by last Tuesday’s (Apr. 3) meeting of the Our Neighbors Civic Association of Ozone Park (ONCA).
Leading off the session at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish Center was City Council Member Eric Ulrich, who updated residents about the project to create a new public school on the site of the defunct St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School, located at the corner of 101st Avenue and 90th Street.
The School Construction Authority (SCA) will demolish the former parochial school-which merged in 2007 with nearby Nativity BVM School to become the Divine Mercy Catholic Academy-as well as the adjacent convent to build a brand new primary school for students from kindergarten to sixth grade, the legislator noted.
While the demise of the former St. Stanislaus schoolhouse is “unfortunate,” Ulrich remarked that the school deal is “a win-win for a lot of people.”
“The parish had some debt, and rather than lease it or rent it out to a social service agency, they sold the property,” he said. “St. Stan’s and Nativity
[BVM churches], which are now merged, were able to pay off their debt to the diocese, and they now have money in the bank to pay off their bills.”
“And we’re getting a brand new school out of it,” Ulrich added, pointing out that the new public school is scheduled to open its doors in September 2014. “We need a new school. … I’ve seen the architectural render- ings. It looks very good. I think it’s a plus for the neighborhood.”
The Council member stated that the actual construction of the new school will likely start in “four to five months.” He did warn residents living near the site that some of them “will be inconvenienced” as a result of the noise associated with the demolition and construction activities.
Ulrich also noted that work has begun on renovations to the Bernard Fineson Center in Howard Beach to convert the former hospital into an affordable housing complex for senior citizens and adults with developmental disabilities.
In all, the $30 million renovation will result in the creation of 80 new apartments, 40 of which are designated for seniors living within the confines of Community Board 10. Prospective residents must first submit an application for a public lottery from which tenants will be selected, Ulrich noted.
“They’re gutting that facility from floor to ceiling, and it is going to be like a brand new building,” he said, adding that the facility will feature new appliances, ADA accessibility and a recreational room.
“This is right here in the community,” Ulrich added. “You don’t have to give up your independent living. This is not assisted living. This is not a nursing home. This is like an apartment building for senior citizens that is really affordable.”
Turning to other projects, Ulrich stated that the city Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun making sidewalk repairs around the district, beginning in the Tudor Vil- lage section of Ozone Park. Over 300 locations, in all, will have defective sidewalks repaired; 81 have already been completed, he noted.
The repairs are being made at no additional cost to homeowners since the damage was caused by uprooted street trees, the legislator explained. He also pointed out that numerous streets around Ozone Park are also slated to be repaved in May and June, including portions of 81st Street and 95th Avenue.
“We’re trying to clean up all the loose ends and all the little things we couldn’t get to,” Ulrich added, noting that he has provided a grant for graffiti cleanups in the area. “The truck was on Liberty Avenue the other night. They cleaned up 91st Street, 93rd Street, by the [Bayside Cemetery] on 84th Street.”
Finally, Ulrich noted that the Parks Department will soon begin reconstruction of the London Planetree Playground at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street.
Budget and bills
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo provided residents with a “snapshot” of items passed by the state legislature on Mar. 30.
“Education is one of the largest parts of our state budget. There was a four percent increase in our education portion of the state budget,” he said. “So our public schools got an extra $292 million.”
Addabbo also noted that private schools also got financial assistance through the state’s Comprehensive Attendance Program. Funding for public libraries also increased by $4 million and community colleges throughout the state are slated to receive an additional $31.3 million in funding, he noted.
Addabbo added that the new state budget also includes a $770 million boost to provide full funding for the MTA’s Capital Plan and merges the New York State Lottery Division and Racing and Wagering Board into a single entity known as the New York Gaming Commission. This panel, according to a handout distributed by the senator, “is intended to take a comprehensive, responsible approach to the potential expansion of casino gaming.”
An amendment to the state constitution to allow for table games at New York casinos was approved by the current legislative session. It must be approved again by the legislature next year, then passed by voters through a ballot referendum, in order to be ratified.
“The best part of this process is next year, when everybody-all registered voters-can vote on this in a form of a referendum,” Addabbo said. “We cannot have full gaming in New York state unless the voters approve it.”
The senator also called on the Assembly to pass two bills which he introduced and were approved by the State Senate. One piece of legislation would outlaw residents from using city and state agencies as a form of harassment on another individual.
“We have some serious issues, constituent wise, where ACS (the city’s Administration for Children’s Services) was called as a form of harassment,” Addabbo said. “The parent did not abuse their child, but yet ACS was called. And that starts a full investigation that may plague that family for the rest of their lives.”
The other bill awaiting Assembly action would increase penalties for drivers who “knowingly” get behind the wheel with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
Addabbo also noted that he has introduced several other pieces of legislation into the State Senate for its consideration which would:
– mandate city agencies to provide advance notice to homeowners regarding scheduled water service disruptions due to construction;
– eliminates state funding for companies which outsource jobs to other parts of the world;
– increases the penalty for vehicular manslaughter convictions if the case involves a drunk driver;
– restores benefits for retirees of the defunct New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYCOTB); and
– mandates that all schools educate students on the American flag, its history and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hydrofracking
Asked by a resident about the ongoing “hydrofracking” controversy, the senator reiterated that the state should wait until further studies on the drilling method are concluded before the state issues permits. Hydrofracking, as previously reported, involves the injection of chemicals into the earth in order to release natural gas from underground shales.
“If we’re not sure about hydrofracking, if there is a mere hint of question whether this is good for our environment or our drinking water, then stop it,” he said. “Don’t issue a permit until we’re sure it’s safe-100 percent sure.”
“We’re not going to solve the budgetary problems we have in the state based on the permit money we get from the oil companies that are going to do the drilling,” Addabbo added, pointing out that proponents of hydrofracking argue that the method will bring much-needed jobs to upstate areas. “What good are these temporary jobs upstate if we’re going to ruin our drinking water here in New York City? I’m all for job creation but I’m also for saving our water.”
Crime prevention
P.O. Brendan Noonan of the 102nd Precinct’s Crime Prevention Unit encouraged residents to take part in the various programs offered by the NYPD to help safeguard their homes and property. He also noted that the Crime Prevention Unit will be offering a free safety event at the Woodhaven Residents Block Association party on June 23 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Forest Park picnic area.
Noonan and P.O. Jose Severino of the 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Unit encouraged those with iPhones or iPads to use the “Find my iPhone/iPad” application to help retrieve lost or stolen devices. Severino pointed out that the use of the mobile tracking program has helped police make a litany of arrests of suspects charged with stealing the devices from residents in the area.
The next meeting of the Our Neighbors Civic Association is scheduled to take place on Tuesday night, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish Center, located at the corner of 101st Avenue and 87th Street in Ozone Park.
