By Bill Parry
The Bravest backed off.
The FDNY has shelved a plan to acquire a building on 43rd Street in Sunnyside to house its spare and reserve fire engine fleet and will begin its search for another location.
The building, at 39-34 43rd St., would have been used as a warehouse to store nearly 100 trucks and vehicles as well as an administrative office for the Bureau of Fleet Services.
The proposal was approved by Community Board 2 in June, but residents in the surrounding area continued to be against the plan because of its location just north of popular Lou Lodati Playground, at Skillman Avenue and 43rd Street.
Residents feared that truck traffic coming and going from the facility would endanger children and seniors who use the park.
“I am pleased that the FDNY has decided to withdraw its application for the proposed 43rd Street facility,” City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. “While I support the FDNY and the brave men and women who serve it, this site is not appropriate for this use.
“I want to thank FDNY Commissioner Nigro for meeting with me and listening to the community’s concerns. And I pledge to work with the commissioner to find a more appropriate site in the future.”
The FDNY is looking for a new storage site for the reserve vehicles after its facility in Greenpoint, near Newtown Creek, was flooded during Hurricane Sandy.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
