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A Department of Transportation (DOT) regional planning workshop aimed at gathering public input on the far eastern portion of the newly proposed 16-mile Queens Waterfront Greenway project got off to a fairly quiet start, but the final In the end, there was an outpouring of opposition, and half of the participants left without doing anything. I am giving my formal opinion.
More than 100 people packed into a room at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston on Thursday night. Most of the crowd was divided between local residents who loudly opposed the entire project and residents who wanted a safer place to bike and walk. The project’s ultimate goal is to create a seamless connection between Long Island City and Fort Totten.
Much of the opposition was mobilized by District 19 City Councilwoman Vicki Palladino, who in the weeks leading up to the workshop encouraged voters to attend the workshop and voice their concerns. Palladino promoted the event as a public forum that would give individuals an opportunity to speak directly.
However, DOT planning workshops, where liaison officers gather community feedback, are not traditionally set up like public forum hearings. After a short presentation about the project, participants will be divided into small groups of about a dozen people for a workshop. In a typical workshop, participants are given post-its and markers to comment on specific corridors or streets in their area on a zoomed-in map.
A large number of participants attended the workshop held at the Rojiike Environmental Center on October 24th. Photography: Irina Shkurhan
Ten minutes into the workshop portion, the council member sat down in a chair at the front of the room and said, Anyone who isn’t actually interested in this should leave immediately. ”
“I thought everyone here, at least a few of you, could grab a microphone and make your point. I’m outta here,” she added, before dozens of attendees It jumped out.
She later posted a video on social media explaining her position. Her staff also handed out fliers about the project, which said the greenway threatened parking spaces.
Transportation advocates say Palladino misled voters by portraying the workshop as a public space. However, they noted that after her supporters left, the remaining participants were able to participate more peacefully and share their feedback about the project directly with the DOT.
Greenway example
Greenways fall under the category of transportation, but are considered linear parks that serve as areas for recreation and exercise.
In Queens, DOT officials argued that several factors, including highways, airports, and industrial roads, cut residents off from the waterfront. Despite recent investment by the council, more than 20 parks in the area are still not connected by cycle lanes.
“We want to connect these parks and connect residents to existing assets. We want the routes we come up with to be continuous, safe and accessible. DOT project manager Emma Maniere, who led the presentation.
The need for safety was discussed many times during group discussions. In one of the approximately 12-person subcommittees, two people expressed that they too had been victims of car accidents as pedestrians. This inspired them to start campaigning for safer passageways for pedestrians and cyclists.
Participants provided specific suggestions and documented their feedback in a group discussion led by DOT personnel. Photo credit: Iryna Shkurhan
“Our children should be able to ride their bikes safely, without being scared, without having to look back every time, and without having to dodge cars and potholes. I just hope that the roads will be safer for bikers,” said Carla Bautista, who was hit by a careless driver just a few months ago.
She wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t the only one in the group to be hit by a car. But she noted the loud opposition to the project, saying it was “a little shocking to see people not prioritizing safety.”
Others in the group, who have lived in the area for decades and use it for recreation and commuting, say they have been waiting for a safe greenway. Some say it makes commuting easier, while others say it makes weekend recreational rides with family and friends safer.
“Greenways aren’t just for bikes. They’re also for pedestrians. They’re for families teaching their kids how to ride bikes. They’re also for rollerbladers, scooter riders, and people who use mobility aids. ,” Manier added.
politics and tension
One of the main criticisms raised by Councilman Paladino and opponents of the plan is that the decision-makers and many attendees at Thursday’s meeting do not live in the affected eastern Queens boroughs.
A resident of Malva, who was totally against the project but did not want to be named, said: But people who don’t live in these areas are coming here and yelling at the residents. ”
People from nearby areas said they do not live there but often visit the area for work, entertainment, or errands that support the local economy.
“I think it’s ridiculous that Palladino wants to make this a political issue,” said Michael Forcina, a Middle Village resident who heard about the workshop on social media. “It’s important to increase safety and access to green space. Instead, it’s become a political war.”
Tensions rose during the meeting. Photo credit: Iryna Shkurhan
Paul DiBenedetto, chairman of Queens Community Board 11, said he has been working with DOT on bike lane projects for nearly 10 years. But he believes tensions have escalated in recent days with a looming decision on the Yes City Housing Opportunities proposal. He drew parallels with outside forces trying to change the lifestyle of residents on the outskirts of the city, prompting this type of backlash from local residents.
“A lot of people point to different neighborhoods and say where there should be bike lanes and where there shouldn’t be bike lanes. But do they live there?” DiBenedetto he said.
Laura Shepherd, an organizer with Transportation Alternatives and a Woodside resident, has also attended two previous greenway workshops (one in Astoria and one in Flushing earlier this month) and is excited to attend. Although the number of participants was steady, he said he had not experienced this level of disruption in the past two workshops. She also rejected arguments that people who do not live in these areas should not have a say in the planning process.
“People often walk or cycle long distances, and our lives are not confined to the boundaries of our neighborhoods or any council or zoning committee,” Shepherd said. Ta. “Everyone here is from Queens. It definitely means something.”
She was one of several road safety advocates who opposed Palladino’s approach and her assertion that “bike lanes are not currently used here,” which also met with significant opposition.
“This kind of grandstanding, like grabbing a microphone, is a moment where someone says something and gets everyone applauding, but they’re not actually having a dialogue,” said the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Corey Hannigan, who works there, said: .
“People who don’t actually feel safe are scared and want to find solutions. Even if they feel outnumbered, they won’t say anything. “It leads to the belief that there is opposition,” he added.
Thane Terrill, who lives in Forest Hills but visits the area to support local businesses and recreational activities, said: “Vicki left the scene and left the venue with a self-harm device.” I think that’s what saved this conference.”
The final workshop for this phase of the Waterfront Greenway project will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. This workshop will focus on the entire 16 miles of proposed connectivity, not just one region.
