Council Member Joann Ariola is staying true to her promise in keeping her district clean. With the help of the New York City Department of Sanitation, another series of illegal graffiti clean-ups this took place this week.
Ariola, who represents District 32 in the city council, spearheaded a graffiti clean-up effort with DSNY on Monday, March 4, that removed unwanted graffiti from six businesses along Atlantic Avenue in Ozone Park.
The council member says the importance of keeping areas in her district clear of unwanted graffiti helps give residents a sense of pride to the community. “When we get rid of graffiti from a building, we aren’t just removing a layer of paint,” Ariola said. “We’re preserving the beauty of our communities, and instilling a sense of pride in where we live.”
Ariola’s team has taken photos that show the before and after of building surfaces that had graffiti removed. Several surfaces within the Clocktower Plaza shopping center in Ozone Park underwent power washing, including the walls and gate of the Queens Buffet restaurant, located on 90-10 Atlantic Avenue.
Additional locations where surfaces were sprayed and repainted by the DSNY included businesses at 78-02 Atlantic Ave, 81-20 Atlantic Ave, 89-18 Atlantic Ave, and 90-02 Atlantic Ave.
Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo applauded Ariola’s work and the participation of DSNY for their clean-up efforts.
“We applaud the excellent work of our Councilwoman and the DSNY in getting this accomplished,” said Algredo. “It is great to have community partners who really care about our neighborhoods.”
Ariola also worked to rid streets of graffiti last year in a series of clean-up events in collaboration with the Queens Economic Development Corporation, the 106th Precinct and the Center for Employment Opportunities.
Additional sites are anticipated to undergo graffiti removal as the DSNY awaits approval from business owners to move forward.
