Astoria community board approves controversial street plan
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Queens Community Board 1 overwhelmingly approved plans for the expansion of a street redesign along 31st Street in Astoria. Photo via the Department of Transportation
By Ryan Schwach
Queens Community Board 1 voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday night to support a controversial redesign of a busy Astoria strip.
The board voted 35-4 in favor of the redesign of 31st Street, a project that has sparked controversy in the Western Queens neighborhood.
Last year, the plan to bring a protected bike lane to the street was killed in the Queens courts following a lawsuit from local business owners. The project was ultimately resurrected by the area’s former representative in the State Assembly, Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Now, the administration said it plans to not only revive the former plan, but wants to expand it.
The proposed project from the Department of Transportation would include construction of a protected bike lane along the strip, along with traffic calming measures to improve safety on the dangerous roadway that runs under Astoria’s elevated train tracks.
While CB1 was definitive in their vote, the community at-large has been widely split on the redesign and bike lane construction.
Some local business owners and residents don't think the changes will improve safety and could harm local businesses. Last year they sued to stop it from happening.
In December, Queens Judge Cheree Buggs sided with the business owners and halted DOT's work, only for Mamdani to resurrect the plan after he took office.
“My administration is restarting the 31st Street Redesign because New Yorkers shouldn’t be forced to go out of their way because our roads are too dangerous,” Mamdani said in a statement in January.
The same community members who were against the plan then, made their continued opposition known at the packed CB1 meeting on Tuesday.
“[We] are totally and completely opposed, against and livid thinking that once again, DOT has ignored the valid concerns of a bustling, bubbly and successful community, and our local elected officials continue to ignore the valid, often publicly and loudly expressed concerns,” said United Community Civic Association President RoseMarie Poveromo in a note read by another civic member on Tuesday night.
Many local residents and elected officials support the project, and are excited to see it get a second chance at becoming reality.
“I don't want the street to remain in its current state for longer than it has to, because it's a clear hazard to pedestrians, to cyclists, to drivers, to everyone, that street is a chaotic mess,” said Astoria local Dan Miller. “This plan will make it safer and saner, and so I really hope that DOT will not just implement this, but implement it quickly and that the board will provide their full support.”
There have been 502 injuries and three deaths on 31st Street since 2021, making it one of the most dangerous roadways in Queens.
"For too long, New Yorkers have held their breath or said a prayer when crossing underneath the tracks at 31st Street with families and loved ones. When a street strikes fear into the hearts of New Yorkers, it is clear something needs to change," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn in a statement last week. "A redesigned 31st Street will bring better organized traffic patterns, shorter and safer crossings, new bike connections, and more pedestrian space to the heart of Astoria so you can stay safe and stay moving."
The DOT will continue to solicit input and support for the project from Astoria locals as Mamdani’s City Hall hopes to see the redesign through to completion.
