Surfside Residents Say No to Alma Plan

Dear Editor:

As a resident of Surfside Housing, I am writing to you today to voice my vehement opposition to Alma Realty’s proposed zoning changes and overdevelopment of the property on which Surfside Housing currently exists.

My husband Richie and I moved to Surfside in 1977 and happily raised our children here.

We joined the Zoom meeting on April 4 and went back to watch it again TWICE, because we just could not believe what we were hearing/seeing from Alma’s representatives!

In the 47 years we have lived here, we have had three different landlords. Never have I seen a landlord more disinterested in the welfare of their property or their tenants than Alma Realty Corp. Their disinterest, perhaps even disdain, for their tenants, as well as the entire Rockaway community is evident in this outrageous, greedy proposal they are presenting for your approval.

Prior to Alma Realty taking over, Surfside was a lovely place to live and raise a family. Since they took over, they have cut services considerably, abolished the Union 32BJ, and the tenants and the property have suffered. If Alma has any interest in improving quality of life for their present tenants, why not start with what they have?

The grounds are poorly maintained, any planting is done by the tenants at their own expense. The lobbies are totally outdated and any decorations are provided by tenants, again at their own expense.  The pool, that they charge a pretty penny for, has never been upgraded and is nothing more than a hole in the ground they fill with water once a year. The elevators are frequently out of service. Windows leak, are excessively drafty and haven’t been washed since Alma took over! I could go on and on…

To approve this abomination would be akin to sentencing the 2,000+ tenants of Surfside to 10 or more years of ongoing construction, noise pollution, air pollution and further disruption of services.

My husband is disabled, imagine the difficulty he, and countless other seniors would have navigating the property. How would we access our car while the lots are being torn apart? And did I hear correctly, all parking will now be underground? You do know we live in a Flood Zone, right?

Please consider the 2,000 + tenants and our surrounding neighbors and VOTE THIS ATROCITY DOWN!

Thank you for your consideration.

MaryLiz & Richie Grosseto
Surfside Residents