Jackson Heights Life

Thanks for sharing this. It's discouraging to hear about these changes to the plan that are under discussion. I'm such a huge fan of the 78th street closure and park expansion, that I'd hate to see it modified to accommodate Koeppel. If Northern has gotten a little better over the past few years, it sure wasn't because of the car dealerships.

Some vocal picketing outside the dealership that gets press attention could help.

  Can anyone explain why this complaint is surfacing now? This construction has been going on in full view for many months
on 78th st. What did I miss? Get the feeling that something like a person running for office is behind this and looking for a
agenda item. The cars using that inset for service calls, the people dropping off children and the many Parks staff that use
it seem to be part of why Northern Blvd., in that area, has been safer lately. Can't imagine what would happen if that
inset was removed for traffic on Northern.


  Why not take this question to the actual park users this summer? Have people ask does it help or hurt the park? People
using Travers for sports and birthday parties might be loving this inset to unload. I would be sure it doesn't break down on
any socio economic divides here. Because it feels agenda driven on someone's part here...

let's hear more about this conspiracy you surmise is the reason for anybody raising questions about this issue after it was brought to light and publicized by a local newspaper?   How do you know that people that are raising concerns were aware of the details discussed in the article before reading the article?

That entire area should become part of the park.  The car dealer's land should be taken via eminent domain, as well as the small nursery school, for the betterment of the neighborhood. As far as people dropping their kids off with cars, Travers is a neighborhood park and I would estimate that probably 98% of the people who use the park live within walking distance and walk to the park.  In terms of dropping off and picking people off, if the entire block were taken over, I am sure that a small drop-off/pick-up area could be incorporated. 

i wonder how many of those pushing to re-open the area to traffic are even from the neighborhood. 

i wonder how many of those pushing to re-open the area to traffic are even from the neighborhood.

It's not re-opening anything. That stub of a street is currently open to traffic. I'm not sure people would be thrilled if a park directly abutted Northern Blvd. Maybe having this buffer is not such a bad thing.

does the dealership actually *own* that stub of land/concrete? if so, i agree with JK in opposing eminent domain. i was displaced by it three decades ago and i still have a chip on my shoulder about that. but if the claim is they've "always used" a stretch of public land, well, they can stop using it now. anyone know the details on that?

This is very fishy stuff going on at this late date in many people's opinion.

Since you're so  against "hidden agendas" and want to see "names so they can be referenced in the future" .........list the "many people" who share your opinion.