By Bill Parry
He has introduced legislation to combat sex trafficking, tackle fake Ids, curb gang violence and take drugs off the street in an ongoing effort to make Roosevelt Avenue a better place to walk, shop and eat, and now state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) wants to literally clean up the business corridor shared by Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona.
Peralta secured a $164,000 state allocation to purchase and install 170 high-end garbage baskets along Roosevelt Avenue from 74th Street to 104th Street as well as a number of side streets.
“With additional garbage bins installed along these congested areas in the district, especially along Roosevelt Avenue, residents and visitors will have it much easier to keep the streets clean and put the trash into garbage baskets,” Peralta said. “By bringing better services to our communities, we are increasing the quality of life. The more garbage baskets we have in place, the cleaner our streets will be.”
He was joined by members of the Department of Sanitation for the announcement in Elmhurst Monday.
“When used correctly, these high end litter baskets can help keep communities clean and corners clear of pedestrian litter,” DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said. “These baskets, just like the wire baskets, are not intended for household or commercial garbage. Anyone caught abusing a DSNY litter basket faces a fine of up to $300. We urge all citizens to use them properly.”
Peralta will be looking to fund extra trash pickups by DSNY.
“If they can do it in Manhattan, they can do it here on Roosevelt Avenue,” he said.
Leslie Ramos, the executive director of the 82nd Street Partnership, said the neighborhoods were in dire need of larger trash receptacles for years.
“One of the main complaints of the community has been overflowing garbage cans,” Ramos said. “This will help meet the community’s desire for a cleaner Roosevelt Avenue, a high traffic area with many take-out restaurants. The old garbage baskets are too small to meet the demand. I’m delighted that this project will help the community achieve their goal of a cleaner Roosevelt Avenue.”
Peralta said he is working on a 10-point plan to beautify Roosevelt Avenue “to bring it into the 21st century and make it a destination” and help the “unique mom-and-pop shops” do business.
“Some of the projects we’ll be working on is the repainting of the elevated tracks, trestle and stations of the 7 line,” Peralta said. “We will also be looking to get public lighting to make the streets safer and more pedestrian friendly.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
