By Phil Corso
Nearby neighbors in Bayside have made their opposition to a new elementary school on 48th Avenue loud and clear, but that did not stop the City Council from passing it with flying colors.
Only two Council members — not including the one who directly represents the region — stood against a proposal to build a 416-seat primary school in the footprint of a Bayside mainstay, Keil Bros. Garden Center at 210-11 48th Ave. The Council’s approval was all the city School Construction Authority needed to move ahead with the plans after purchasing the property earlier this year.
The Council approved the construction of the elementary school last week with a favorable vote coming from outgoing Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone), who did not seek re-election after he was indicted on federal corruption charges. Only Councilmen Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) voted against the plan.
But residents who live around the property were more than vocal in their opposition to the proposal, arguing it would add to traffic congestion and become a dangerous area for pedestrians. Nearby neighbors said the school would face the backyards of 31 total homes and make matters worse for other schools in the immediate area, including PS 31.
They turned out in droves for a Community Board 11 public comment period with the SCA earlier this year and made for a contentious evening ending with a strongly-worded letter from city Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott scolding them for their rowdiness.
Educators in favor of the plan also spoke at the CB 11 meeting, contending that a new building would alleviate overcrowding at other schools in northeast Queens.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) was one of several area lawmakers to publicly oppose the school, alongside Weprin and state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows). The senator was dismayed at the approval and pointed a finger at Halloran and his soon-to-be-successor, Councilman-elect Paul Vallone, for giving their blessings when approached by the Council Land Use Committee.
“I simply do not understand why Council member Daniel Halloran’s opinion was even taken into account in this situation, seeing as he is busy fighting disturbing corruption charges and is obviously out of touch,” Avella said. “It is even more saddening to see a newly elected City Council member going against the local community before even taking office. I am afraid this just sets an extremely bad precedent for the duration of Paul Vallone’s tenure in public office.”
A Vallone spokesman, however, denied the councilman-elect ever came out in support of the proposal despite Avella’s accusations.
“Paul Vallone has never once voiced his support for the proposed school nor has he even been formally sworn into office,” said Vallone spokesman Austin Finan in a statement. “Tony must not have gotten the memo — he’s not the councilman anymore. Moving forward, Paul Vallone will not be responding to the lies perpetuated by Sen. Avella, who has clearly demonstrated he is more focused on personal vendettas than he is the future of northeast Queens.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
