48th Avenue
March 4, 2014 By Christian Murray
The community board is urging the Department of Transportation to free up about a dozen parking spaces along 48th Avenue—between Vernon Blvd and 11th Street—that are currently deemed “no parking” zones between 8 am and 6 pm (M-Friday).
Joe Conley, chairman of Community Board 2, who spoke at a recent transportation meeting, said that these spaces should be available for parking.
He said that the no-parking signs were erected several years ago when the adjacent section of land—which was once a big pit (and went all the way down to the dog run on Vernon Blvd)—was being filled by the Long Island Rail Road. He said trucks would be constantly going up and down the street to drop off loads so the signs went up.
However, that work was completed years ago and so the “no parking” signs should come down, Conley said.
Queens DOT Commissioner Dalila Hall, however, wasn’t so sure. She said that the “no parking” signs were there because trucks need to make deliveries to businesses on that section of roadway and need room to turn.
However, Sheila Lewandowski, a board member, said that 48th Avenue (between Vernon and 11th Street) is largely residential, except for a dry cleaning store and one other business. Therefore, she argued, the parking spaces should be made available.
The board urged Hall to reassess that section of 48th Avenue, arguing that parking is in short supply in Hunters Point.
Hall said she would review it.
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8 Comments
You assume wrong.
Those out-of-state tags are used by residents, but I think most are part-time residents. Tons of Florida plates here. I assume they’re retirees.
Locals? Maybe.
Check out all the out-of-state tags.
Jonathan – your points are very valid.
Unfortunately, the people who want these spots are locals who want free long-term parking.
As a daily commuter, the 8AM-6PM No Parking rule is actually very beneficial because it makes sure that I have a spot to park in when I drive home from work. It can be difficult finding a parking space where there are no parking rules because people tend to just leave there cars in the same space all week long instead of paying to put their car in a lot. I feel that expanding the amount of free parking will just attract more people not to pay for lot spaces. If they REALLY wanted to help us out, they would alter the signs so they read: NO PARKING 5PM-6PM… this way you would give free parking all day to people who drove to the area to work (as long as they returned to their cars at 5PM,) increased the incentive for people not to park their cars for weeks at a time, and daily commuters wouldn’t be running to their cars to avoid a ticket at 8AM.
The DOT needs to crack down on the guy on my block that has two cars and makes it impossible for anyone else to get a chance to park outside my restaurant. He has his kid or wife immediately move the car whenever they go to work or out shopping. These people should be fined they are not fair to anyone else on 37th street.
If the spaces come back it would be meters
Keep the free parking flowing!
Open up the spaces, and They will come, i.e., the long term parkers.