FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 • The Courier sun 19 Far Rockaway residents want farm, not housing, for city-owned lot By Joel Wolfram Some residents of Far Rockaway oppose plans to sell a vacant, cityowned lot to developers, saying they would rather turn the land into a community farm. The community members spoke at a recent hearing where the public was invited to comment on the New York Economic Development Corporation’s $91 million plan to revitalize downtown Far Rockaway. “The Far Rockaway community deserves a community farm, a compost site, a park—something that all the people can benefit from,” said Allison Jeffrey, who lives next door to the city-owned lot. Jeffrey, 37, received applause when she said there was a lack of healthy food options in the area. She said a farm would help address this need. Local residents had crammed into a white-walled conference room at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 20, for the public’s first opportunity to comment on the plan since details were released last month. The plan seeks to revitalize downtown Far Rockaway by encouraging the development of new housing, commercial retail space, and community facilities in a roughly 21-block area. The city expects the plan to create a total of 3,027 new units of housing. According to documents prepared by the city, the 0.3-acre lot, located at the corner of Nameoke and Augustina avenues, would contribute a total of eight new affordable apartment units under the current plan. But Jeffrey and at least two others said the lot, owned by the Department of Sanitation, would provide more benefit to the community as a public resource. Alendi Coke, 38, said that he’d rather the lot be used for a community farm “instead of building an 8-unit housing structure.” A farm would “change the culture of nutrition,” Jeffrey said, in a neighborhood Call Now & End Your Tax Nightmare! • Owe the IRS more than $10,000? • Being Audited? • Unfi led Tax Returns? • Wage & Bank Levies? Co-Author of the best selling book “Breaking the Tax Code” (T) 877-TAX-1040 (F) 718-894-4476 Salvatore P. Candela, EA, ATA, ABA Enrolled Agent - Tax Advisor [email protected] www.thetaxadvocategroup.com that struggles with poverty and diet-related illnesses. The City Council member for Far Rockaway, Donovan Richards, said he understood the concerns of residents like Jeffrey, and that their voices would be heard as negotiations about the plan proceeded. “They are right; this is a food desert,” Richards said. He said that the redevelopment plan would address the problem, and that he would work to expand the city’s FRESH program to bring more healthy and affordable food to the neighborhood. Photo: Joel Wolfram A spokesman for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, who noted that the plan includes a new grocery store, said it would take the public’s comments into consideration. But Jeffrey didn’t think any new grocery stores would be affordable for many locals, and said many local residents would take advantage of a farm. The public has until Oct. 3 to make comments on the redevelopment plan that the city will consider as it finalizes the scope of its environmental impact study. CUTLER’S LIGHTING Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES FALL SAVINGS TAKE 20-50% OFF on yellow and red tagged items 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. Excludes Repairs, Refi nishing, Rewiring. Exp. 10/31/2016 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 12 years from now, this LED bulb will still be saving you money. OFF LAMP SHADE SALE
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