Jackson Heights Life

A 1930s-era movie theater in Jackson Heights that became a porn palace before showing Bollywood flicks is about to experience its most radical reincarnation.

A large South Asian grocery store and food court is slated to open this spring in the gutted shell of the Eagle Theater in the heart of Queens’ Little India.

But owners of the new Jackson Heights Bazaar — who launched the project before a controversial pedestrian plaza was installed on 37th Rd. and 74th St. — said the plaza could torpedo their best laid plans.

“In this neighborhood, if you open any Indian store you’re guaranteed to make money,” said Razi Ahmed, one of the owners of the Bazaar. “But not anymore.”

And local leaders are unhappy for another reason, saying the last thing the congested community needs is another supermarket.

Ahmed and other South Asian business owners are lobbying the city remove the car-free plaza, which was installed last fall.

They claim it has interrupted the flow of traffic and made it hard for shoppers to find parking.

“It’s in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Shiv Dass, president of the Jackson Heights Indian Merchants Association. “It has just become a place for homeless people, drunk people.”

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) defended the award-winning plaza.

“It gives the community open space in which they can meet, discuss issues and concerns and network with each other in a relaxed atmosphere,” he said.

Efforts were made to work with the disgruntled merchants, he said, by reinstating some parking on 37th Rd. lost to bike lanes. There is also a proposal before Community Board 3 to change the direction of the road to feed into the business district.

But Dromm expressed concerns over the “amount of traffic” the Bazaar is expected to generate.

“The area is already overwhelmingly congested and I just don’t see how it can sustain another supermarket,” he said.

Daniel Karatzas, the author of “Jackson Heights — A Garden in the City,” also bemoaned the loss of the historic, art-deco theater for a grocery store.

The Eagle was shuttered in 2009 due to a lethal combination of a Bollywood strike in India and a high rent increase, the Daily News previously reported.

“It’s unfortunate that the interior was demolished,” said Karatzas, who would have preferred to have seen the theater preserved. But the loss of movie houses has “happened all over the city



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/eagle-theater-south-asian-grocery-store-food-court-article-1.1021804#ixzz1mNyFnXP0

I think Mr. Dass' main concern is making money. Preserving landmarks and quality of life issues don't seem to be on his mind.  I wonder if it occured to the Merchants Association to learn what makes from other pedestrian plazas in NYC (and other places)  successful and then perhaps take some steps on their own?  I haven't heard anything to that effect. Doesn't seem to be a priority.

Back when the Eagle first closed there was a lot of talk about using the space for a community center or cultural hub.

The problem is that no non-profit had/has the money for this.

A brand new one where?

And if the neighborhood can't support Rudy Volcano, then what exactly DO they (and who is they) want.

Right now the 'award-winning' plaza looks skanky.
 

Does anyone know if the Shiv Dass quoted in the article is the same one who is listed as Co-Chair of the Business & Economic Development Committee on Community Board 3's website?


Wow! Now that is a great question!!

There are so many IFs in your comment!

Maybe it is just the weather but the whole topic depresses me.

Sorry, just venting a bit. I apologize.

the brand new 24 hour supermarket is about four doors down from Patel Brothers. and it has a carryout food component that duplicates the intended food court as well.

A brand new one where?

And if the neighborhood can't support Rudy Volcano, then what exactly DO they (and who is they) want.

Right now the 'award-winning' plaza looks skanky.
 

Does anyone know if the Shiv Dass quoted in the article is the same one who is listed as Co-Chair of the Business & Economic Development Committee on Community Board 3's website?


Wow! Now that is a great question!!

Yes, the Shiv Dass from the article is the same Shiv Dass who is on the Community Board.

I have heard many people say that he voted in favor of the plaza when it came up at the Community Board meeting in the summer.