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Arker Fight Goes to Borough Hall



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Daniel Moritz of The Arker Companies took the podium during a recent Borough Hall hearing to present his plans for Edgemere Commons. Also pictured is Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (seated at far right). Photo by Katherine Middleton

Rockaway residents gathered at Queens Borough Hall on Thursday morning to state their cases for or against the Edgemere Commons development. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz presided over the public hearing, listening to representatives for Aker Companies and constituents about their stance on the project.

 

Many of the people who spoke at the last Community Board 14 meeting were there to emphasize their feelings on the matter. Residents of Downtown Rockaway made it known to Katz that they felt that most of the opposition was racially-driven. They see the project as an opportunity to build up the east end of Rockaway the same way the west end has been built. Residents want housing, recreation and restaurants, something Arker is promising they’ll receive in this development. 

 

CB14 member John Cori made sure to clarify that him not supporting the project isn’t based on race, but the idea that residents should be getting more” bang for their buck,” suggesting houses instead of apartments, a community center, bowling alley, or movie theatre, be built there instead.

 

“We’re not trying to be racist or beat down people economically,” said Cori, defending CB14’s decision to vote no with modifications on Edgemere Commons. “ We care about the community. The whole community.”

 

CB14 member Tamera Jacobs, who voted against the board’s decision, suggested that those who don’t live on the lower end of the peninsula shouldn’t have a say in it’s redevelopment, a sentiment that was echoed throughout the meeting.

 

Community organizations such as Seagirt and Friends Block Association, Rockaway Youth Task Force, and Dred Surfer Bar & Grill submitted letters of support for the project to be considered in Katz’s deliberation. 

 

“This is a time for change,” said Brandon Jeffries, a rep for Queens Law Associates. “Resources must be maximized to be able to actually reflect such change.”

 

Cure Violence Initiative program manager Rosalyn Mason vocalized her support of the project while highlighting the importance of rent stabilization and the lack of redevelopment in Edgemere, and offering suggestions to improve education.

 

“Far Rockaway has looked the same for over five decades. We haven’t been able to see our neighborhood flourish,” said Mason. Although she recognizes the need for a new school, she thinks the schools we have should be expanded rather than introducing an entirely new school. 

 

For those worried that Rockaway residents won’t be able to access these new apartments, Katz clarified that by law, 50 percent of the incoming apartments are allotted to residents of CB14.

 

At the end of the meeting Katz interrogated Arker representatives about their plans for adding education and including a medical facility on their property. Arker co-owner Dan Moritz informed Katz that he is open to both of these suggestions and has been working to bring a healthcare center to his property. After stating that he has a meeting with management at the Addabbo Health Center, Katz mentioned former discussions about a freestanding emergency room that would offer care to all people regardless of insurance status. The emergency room would in turn alleviate some of the pressure on St. John’s hospital.

 

Katz ended the hearing with a special thanks to the youth of the community for showing up and making their voices heard.

 

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