Special Editorial: ALMA’s Antics Arise Again
It is exactly one year that the Surfside Tenant Association (SHAFT) wrote the first editorial to raise awareness of the potential Alma Development proposal. Well, it is a reality now with Alma presenting the details involved in the development proposal to small meeting groups. It is projected to engulf the current Surfside property and the homes of the 2,000+ residents by building on the property along Beach 105th Street, Rockaway Beach Blvd., up along Beach 108th Street and all the space between the existing three Surfside buildings.
It is even more enormous and dense than shown on this rendering which has been floating around since last year.
It is comprised of multi-level buildings – townhouses, towers, a new hotel, parking garages, retail and community facilities. It includes 2,000+ housing units, which will bring an estimated 6,000 more people and their cars to the area. Of course, this is in addition to the already existing residents.
Not only will this project immediately impact the quality of life for the Surfside residents, but it will also be the demise of the existing Rockaway community.
We all know that the roadways on the peninsula are limited and already taxed. We saw what happens to the roads when a rising tide and storm meet. So commuting is generally a horror but what about during an emergency? How is everyone safely evacuating? The infrastructure is already compromised. Where is the hospital? Schools? Electric, water, sewage utilities?
Alma is trying to divide and conquer the community with small meeting groups with exclusive invites, but I say we need to Unite and Fight!
We need the Rockaway community to stand with us to oppose this development. The proposal is following the City Planning ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) process for approval. Now is the time to voice your opposition. In the next few months, the proposal will be presented at Community Board and Land Use Committee meetings. The Rockaway community needs to show up. But for now we need you to take a moment to call or write our local electeds so they hear from the community.
Below is the elected officials information:
Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards
info@queensbp.org
718-286-3000
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City Councilwoman, District 32,
Joann Ariola
district32@council.nyc.gov
718-318-6411
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Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato
amatos@nyassembly.gov
718-945-9550
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State Senator
J.Sanders Jr.
By Barbara Buffolino,
President of SHAFT