Latest from SHAFT

Dear Editor:

Residents throughout the Rockaway community have been asking SHAFT (Surfside Housing Association) for the status of the Alma Realty Corporation’s development. Just to refresh everyone’s memory:

Alma Realty Corporation is seeking approval for zoning changes to develop on the Surfside property located between Beach 105th – Beach 108th Street and Rockaway Beach Blvd. and Shore Front Parkway.  Alma Realty is proposing to add four more 24 story towers, townhouses, mixed use structures to create 2,000 additional housing units right on the Surfside property.  The initial environmental assessment that was done by a third-party company determined 15 out of the 19 environmental categories that were studied would have a significant adverse effect on the community.

The official proposal was presented to the Dept. of City Planning last year on April 4, 2024.  The Zoom meeting was well attended by our electeds, CB14 reps, Rockaway and Belle Harbor/Neponsit Civic organizations as well as SHAFT and tenants with a united “hell no” to the proposal. While the possibility of the development is not dead, CB14 updated SHAFT that no additional movement has happened since the April 4, 2024 Zoom meeting.

We need the Rockaway community to stay united with SHAFT and stay on our toes with a “hell no” to fight any future action.

In the meantime, SHAFT continues to work to keep Alma accountable for health, safety and quality issues for the current residents living at Surfside.

Thank you for your continued support!

Barbara Buffolino
SHAFT