By Jeremy Walsh
The boom of new housing and new residents in Long Island City is sparking calls to renovate yet more of the former industrial area. A group of condominium residents at the new 13−story building at 44−27 Purves St. has started to advocate for the transformation of a long−neglected lot across the street into a dog park.
Speaking at a Community Board 2 meeting in November, building resident Holly Brown said neighbors have been circulating a petition calling for the renovation of the land, currently listed as a parking lot for the NYPD’s school safety division, according to city Department of Buildings records.
Joe Conley, chairman of CB 2, said the land is owned by the city Department of Transportation, which occasionally uses the area to store construction equipment.
But Brown said the poorly lit area too frequently is used to dump derelict vehicles.
“Right now it is a space for people to go and ‘be in the dark’ and do whatever they want,” Brown said.
Conley said not much progress has been made on the dog park since November’s meeting.
“We’re looking to DOT and the [city] Parks Department, but we haven’t had a response yet,” he said, noting the board was enthusiastic about Brown’s suggestion. “Any time we can capture open space for community space, we’re very much in favor of that.”
The area has at least two other informal dog parks, one adjacent to the Avalon Bay Riverview high−rise condominium along the waterfront and one a few blocks away on 48th Avenue.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e−mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 154.
