Response to Richards Endorsing City Of Yes

Dear Editor:

BP Donovan Richards has formally endorsed the Mayor’s City of Yes plan. The City Council must still vote on the plan.

I am urging Surfside tenants and all Rockaway residents to start sending emails TODAY to BP Donovan Richards’ office. Lisa Atkins is his Housing contact and her email address is Latkins@queensbp.org, and copy Jariola@council.nyc.gov, Sbrooks-powers@council.nyc.gov, and 105SHAFT@GMAIL.COM

Here are some thoughts to include in your email. Don’t be afraid to include additional bullets that you may be concerned about.

1) The Rockaway community is a vulnerable coastal community built on a sand barrier peninsula.

2) The Rockaway community is already dealing with flooding and increased storms which impact the current residents.

3) More development under the City of Yes will only add more concrete and asphalt eliminating the land and green space that is used to absorb and drain water.

4) The infrastructure on the peninsula is already stressed. We are already feeling the change in traffic and density with no change to the infrastructure to support the additional people. No room in schools, healthcare, hospital, roadways, transportation, emergency services like NYPD, FDNY, EMT.

5) There are already 11 development projects either underway or planned that will already increase the number of people on the peninsula. This increase will only endanger the lives of the residents. In the event of an emergency, there are only three ways to get off the peninsula and two of those are bridges with no evacuation plan.

6) Due to its vulnerability as a coastal community with limited infrastructure, Rockaway should be excluded from the City of Yes Housing initiative.

Barbara Buffolino
Concerned Rockaway Resident