Map as of Dec. 2017 (DOT)
Jan. 30, 2018 By Tara Law
A Department of Transportation pilot program that will designate 20 on-street parking spaces in Jackson Heights for the exclusive use of car share vehicles has set off controversy.
The DOT will install the parking spaces at 10 locations across the neighborhood this spring. The program is intended to offer an alternative to car ownership, which the DOT says could reduce the number of cars in use.
Citywide, 300 on-street parking spaces and 300 in municipal parking facilities were designated for the program.
The spaces were selected, in part, on the basis of feedback from an online public forum.
The plan came under fire in Jackson Heights Jan. 18 after the DOT presented it to Community Board 3. Several board members chastised the DOT for reducing parking in the neighborhood.
The board did not vote on the plan. The DOT said it was there to solicit feedback.
Community Board Chair Philip Papas said after the meeting that parking has been a recurring issue in the neighborhood.
“Any time you talk about taking parking away, the community gets very concerned,” Papas said. “People already feel, generally speaking, there’s a lack of parking in the neighborhood.”
One of the designated parking areas, at 91st Street and Northern Boulevard, concerned some community members because it is near the police station at 92-15 Northern Blvd, Papas said.
The map, which shows the designated locations, does not yet reflect community feedback from the DOT’s meeting with the community board, according to DOT spokesperson Alana Morales. Although the map shows 12 locations, only 10 will be implemented.
“DOT will be considering and incorporating community feedback wherever feasible,” Morales said.
Morales also responded to concerns that the parking spots will not be maintained. Unlike other vehicles, the car share cars do not need to be moved during street cleanings.
The private companies—such as car2go and Zipcar–will be responsible for keeping the spaces clean, Morales said. The DOT will inspect the spaces to make sure the companies are keeping to their agreement. Car share companies will also be required to remove snow from the spaces.
For his part, Papas said he has an “open mind” about the program. He said that he is hopeful that the program will eventually reduce the number of cars in the neighborhood and be helpful to families without vehicles.
“I think if it does work it could be a really good thing,” Papas said of the program.
Papas noted that the program could “actually help with parking, to a degree” if people decide they no longer need a car.
The designated parking spots are located near corners, and will likely be occupied less frequently by parked cars. When empty, the parking spots would increase visibility for cars turning at the intersections and protect pedestrians, said Papas.
“If this was a normal parking spot, it’s very unlikely this would be empty,” he said.
Featured Events
36 Comments
I agree!
Don’t just stop with the council members, the state senators and assembly members and community board should have blocked this very bad idea.
dumbest idea ever, whose gonna say on oh lets take a zip car just take a cab and call it a day. 20 spots will change no ones mind on owning a car.
Thanks for pointing out the error and no I do not watch a FOX News. What I do watch is the gentrification of a neighborhood I grew up in and how many people are not concerned about oir beighbors who will be hurt by this move. I do not own a car, but my world is not centered solely on my needs. I do not know or care which network you watch. I unlike you will not try to guess which one you like. What does concern me is your manners and the fact that you like to insult anonymously. It speaks to your character and the fact that you are a coward. Enjoy your day and good luck regarding your self- centered and probably directed writtings. You probably are working for one of the politician’s getting paid off for this bad idea.
@M Yzanaga-Jackson Heights should have never “degentrifed” from its original status as an upper middle class community. You slackers who brought it down are finally getting pushed out.you should have never been allowed in. Good riddance.
My dear neighbor who is afraid to give his/her name and probably burn crosses on people’s lawns shouting white power in your spare time, I feel bad for you. Oh by the way, my family has lived here before the turn of the 19th century.
Please think before you write. Now I understand why you are afraid to post your name. Your words do not bother me and you are entitled to your twisted opinion. I simply think you are a case study in arrested development. You probably write these things to get a rise out of people and really do not believe in what you are writing. Which ever you suffer from please see a doctor and please move some where else. Oh, take the gentrifying car rental companies and politician’s accepting bribes with you!
PS: You are very sick!
Such a racist comment! I’m very triggered!
I own a vehicle and am fortunate enough to have indoor through my coop. Sure, public transportation is fairly good during the week but is horrible on the weekends. The problem with Zip Car & Car2go is that you cannot use for extended time for out of town vacations. Secondly, try renting a vehicle after you are 70. I’ll keep my car as long as my driving is safe because of the reason cited. If they want to increase parking spaces, there should be a limit to oversized vehicles. If you have a large family I can see the point of that but from what I see most are owned by single men and childless couples.
What r they doing about the taxis that park in from our homes and the drivers uranate any through their urine on the street in from of our homes..
How can you state most people in Jackson Heights don’t own cars. We have a major problem in this neighborhood with parking most people need their cars for school and work sure anyone who doesn’t own a car is all for this ridiculous idea. The only people that don’t own cars are the people who are not legal and we have plenty of them!!!!!
Many illegal immigrsnts own cars too…
The deal is bad for everyone.
I think it would be better to work something out with certain businesses in the area that have parking lots and designate a spot or two for this car share program. For example CVS on northern blvd & 91st, the strip mall on 31st Ave by 77th street or the rite aid & or Walgreens on northern or the many banks with parking lots too.
I would have much rather something like you suggested. There’s always a parking spot in these pharmacy parking lots.
Great idea.
I was getting tired of looking for street parking in Jackson Heights. I am responsible for my own myself rather than depending on scarce street parking. So, I found myself a garage.
garages are very expensive and most people can’t afford them our taxes are paying for parking on the street it is legal – the TLC limos and box trucks and gypsy cabs are taking up spots and that is illegal — they should be ticketed and tow this is what you
counselman should be doing –
I blame Bloomberg for all the parking issues in all the 5 boroughs. Remember he’s the one that wanted development throughout the city but as an incentive for residents to get rid of their cars he didn’t mandate parking spots per building.
So for all those if you that voted for his 3rd term because you fell for his line that the city needed him to turn it right side up….I blame you!
In his last 2 years in office he sold almost every municipal parking lot. Prime example is downtown Flushing. There used to be 4 Muni lots are varied sizes, today only 1 small Muni lot exists today.
I know of several other Muni lots throughout Northern Queens that were sold and now have apartment buildings in place or under construction.
For those of you that think I’m a Democrat bashing a Republican…NOT…been a life long registered Republican but I didn’t vote for Bloomberg his 3rd term nor did I vote for Trump. Something about them I didn’t like.
In flushing Asians bought the property and developed. Get your facts right. They want the Asian feel, hence people call it Chinatown 2 in ny
I came to Jackson Heights with a car in 1995. Sold it in 2001 and great public transportation keeps us going. My vote would be to close every other residential street, ban cars, and create more parks.
So losing 20 spaces is a mild alternative ?
Really?
I live in Jackson Heights too, and I don’t have a car, either, but public infrastructure, for which, we ordinary citizens pay taxes to maintain, does not belong to private companies that make business for profits. They should pay for their own space. I imagine UPS will be parking their tracks on the streets, soon.
Good answer.
You really out of your mind.Yoy don’t need a car ,good for you.But some people do.This is just another way for city to get more money from parking tickets.That is what pushing people out of NYC
I agree, Ron. I recently decided to give up my car as well. With climate change already a crisis, we need to stop driving cars while they are guzzling fossil fuels. We can’t be in denial anymore that when we drive, we are part of the problem.
This is a very bad idea and it doesn’t surprise me that Danny Drum and the other politician’s covering Jackson Heights went along with this garbage. My question is did they ever give a thought about the residents in the area who have to park their vehicles in street because they cannot afford to pay for a garage? Did they ever give a thought about the fact that this move is simply more gentrification for our neighborhood? Did they ever give a thought about there is not enough parking here in the first place? No one is going to get rid of their vehicles and use those rental vehicles instead. Our neighbors who park on neighborhood streets cannot afford the expensive garages in the area. What makes anyone thing they can afford short or long trips in a rental vehicle? The fact that our neighborhood political representatives are not holding a rally in the area letting the mayor know we do not want this program, makes one wonder whether or not someone is getting a financial kickback for keeping their mouths shut over this deal. Why didn’t Councilman Danny Drumm, Senator Peralta, Council Member Moya, Assemblyman Dendekker and Representative Crowley should all be yelling no to this idea. Neighbors, this is poor representation and a perfect example of there is something sneaky and corrupt going on regarding this deal. Stop this move now or pay the consequences at the polls the next time each of you run.
they are all on the take that is a fact – money in their pockets you can take that to the bank —
This is unacceptable. As a resident of J.H. we already suffer from lack of parking. Terrible idea.
I understand why people are upset at losing parking spots paid for by the city. Life is expensive, and it’s hard to lose something valuable that you’re counting on. But in this case, that reaction is misguided.
Car-share parking spots turn over often and are used by more people. That means more shoppers, more visitors, more opportunity for people to live without owning a private car.
For a long time, it’s been very nice of the city to give people free street parking. That worked when the city had hundreds of thousands fewer people, in the 1970s and 80s. But now, there are new ways of using parking spots that are more economically important than just leaving a private car there all day. You probably know the polite thing to do when someone decides they can’t lend you something valuable anymore and wants it back. You don’t throw a tantrum. You say “thanks, that was nice of you.” And you hand it back to them.
In this case, you then either find a new place to put your car (maybe renting a parking spot) or you sell the car and join the new car-share program. No need for alarm.
our taxes are paying for us to park in the street –
How about these car share companies find a lot where they can rent spots? Seeing as how I’m a tax payer, parking on the street is something that my taxes pay for.
The street is public it is owned by everyone. It is not under the ownership of a private organization..you the whole “FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE”…
Great Answer.
Dear Steve,
I paid for those parking spots and their maintenance. It’s called taxes my friend and I would like like to reap the fruits of my labor. You ever hear the Phrase, By the people, and for the people?
That sounds amazing. Great news! I’ve been waiting for something like this to come to the neighborhood. I much rather charsharing than owning.
I am sure Danny Dromm is all for this — good luck Jackson Heights your done –
It’s “you’re” the contraction you are not “your” possessive. Let us guess, Fox educated and informed.
Most people in Jackson Heights don’t own cars, so this is certainly a plus for us who don’t. It will make street parking harder but street parking isn’t a birthright. If someone wants reliable parking for their personal car, they should pay for a private one, and stop monopolizing a public good.
how are you certain that most people in Jackson Heights don’t own cars — did you do a major survey on this?