Jackson Heights Life

 The public forum by the DOT conducted last month said that they were holding a number of these meetings to determine what the thoughts and issues were on both sides. Was that a SHAM? Over 500 people signed on to that meeting with translators and the many commentators were told it was to gather information over several publicized events. People who had issues with traffic on Junction Blvd. received more compassion than those on 78th street, for example. It felt like just the beginning of a dialogue on many aspects. They sent out another community survey request just yesterday -https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/34thAve


 Or is possible that Danny Dromm is speaking out of turn here? It's certainly odd that this would not have been publicized in a bigger way, if it were true. How could anyone believe they are truly interested in hearing both sides if a decision has, in fact, already been made? Maybe the "r" in the survey request is for redundant?

I was just sent an invitation today to respond to a survey regarding the proposed open street and it certainly seems like the DOT is not interested in hearing from anyone who has serious opposition to the changeover. Much like the loading zones that have suddenly been forced upon certain blocks in our neighborhood, the DOT seems to be acting with the full backing of the Mayor's office, and without having an overall master plan for finding a way for passenger cars, delivery trucks, bikes and pedestrians to share the roads safely and efficiently.

Or is possible that Danny Dromm is speaking out of turn here? It's certainly odd that this would not have been publicized in a bigger way, if it were true. How could anyone believe they are truly interested in hearing both sides if a decision has, in fact, already been made? Maybe the "r" in the survey request is for redundant?

I was surprised as well when I saw something in Dromm's newsletter about the change being permanent.  Then I Googled "Permanent 34th Ave Dromm" and found this article from October, which I guess I and a lot of people missed, perhaps due to most of our news feed being about Covid and the election. I, too, don't understand the after-the-fact surveying and community outreach they're doing now, when clearly the decision was made months ago without community input.



Open Street for 34th Ave. to be permanent

I think it's been great for the neighborhood and thoroughly enjoy 34th being pedestrian. this sounds like great news

As you know I totally agree. And so does everyone I ever speak to concerning keeping 34th Ave open. They love it.

In my experience, it's only here on this forum that I have ever heard any opposition.

 The dialogue was great, in my opinion, on the DOT zoom call last month. The first lay person speaking was very articulate about her support of the Open Streets conflicting with a real life need to be able to work online in her home while loud classes were happening on 34th ave outside her window. And there were others on both sides with legit issues which were not necessarily for or against the idea of Open Streets but questioning the strategy of the closures - if there is one - and how it changes after the pandemic.

 The concern here is not whether people are for or against or neutral but what is the status of the 34th Ave Open Streets situation right now. We have a local politician announcing to constituents in his newsletter the closure is permanent (and thanking Polly Trottenberg for her help) while at the same time, the DOT is saying they are still collecting information and the topic is still open for discussion, so NOT PERMANENT? These are contradictory points of view and someone is lying here and the question remains, who is not telling the truth, Danny Dromm or the DOT group?

These are contradictory points of view and someone is lying here and the question remains, who is not telling the truth, Danny Dromm or the DOT group?

You know how we've been talking in this country about the need to not demonize and hate the people we disagree with? One great way to do that would be acknowledge other possibilities. It's entirely possible that instead of someone engaging in an active and willful deception (the definition of a lie), someone could just be mistaken.

Let's see what is going to happen with school buses, sanitation trucks, deliveries and various others that formerly were heavy users of 34th Ave. Maybe the Magic School Bus franchise has a solution and can whisk them all skyward to their destinations? Need something mystical here as the bike and vehicular traffic was intense before the pandemic and is not likely to be much less when we get back to "normalcy." Big questions here long term with city planning.

The current non-mystical solutions seem to be working fine, and the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Come visit and see! While "normalcy" might change things, I don't see any reason for great pessimism. Traffic is approaching pre-pandemic levels currently (and things like deliveries, sanitation etc. are of course no less), and the sky has not yet fallen. Give it a chance.

  No other area in NYC thought this was a wise, well thought out solution to wanting more space in their community by all parties. Not one.

 

Itsit is completely incorrect here. Blatant misinformation.

PRESS RELEASE from the Mayor.

Open Streets, which has allowed many city blocks to entirely close off to traffic to allow dining in the street, will also be made permanent, de Blasio said...

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Please be aware that all other OPEN STREETS are being considered for permanency. In other neighborhoods. Not just 34th Ave in Jackson Heights.