Queens Gazette: DEVELOPERS SCRAP 82ND STREET REZONING PLAN IN ELMHURST | By John Toscano

Catalina Cruz, Democrat for State Assembly (39th District), released the statement below on the withdrawal of the 40-31 82nd Street rezoning plan proposed by developers Sun Equity Partners and Heskel Group.

“Our community came together to fight against a rezoning proposal that would have put our safety at risk and compromised the essence of what makes Elmhurst and Jackson Heights a great place to live. The developers proposed a plan that clearly did not include community input. As proposed, the new construction would have endangered the lives of the people in our community by blocking ambulances from getting to Elmhurst Hospital, jeopardized small businesses, and potentially raised the rent on tenants in the surrounding area. I am proud to have fought alongside Queens Neighborhoods United, local residents, small business owners, and medical professionals. The people spoke loud and clear and we prevailed. Our community remains in dire need of affordable housing, but it should never come at the expense of our safety. The developer now has the responsibility of engaging the community moving forward. We must ensure that the voices of our neighbors and small business owners are heard.”

For months, Cruz has been outspoken in her opposition to the proposal and she was the first candidate to do so. In March, she led a coalition of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights residents at a press conference to urge Queens Community Board 4 to vote down the rezoning. Most recently, she co-organized a rally with Queens Neighborhoods United in front of the Elmhurst Hospital ambulance dispatch bay to highlight the public safety hazards of the project including the blockage of ambulances and emergency vehicle access to the hospital.