Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #16-060
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Scott Gastel/Jose Bayona (212)839-4850

NYC DOT Announces Jamaica Now! Outreach Events for DOT Streetscape Plan & Transportation Study Focusing on Downtown Jamaica

New milestone in the nine-month study designed to prioritize pedestrian, transit and street improvements for Jamaica, Queens

City agencies encourage the community to attend a public workshop on next Tuesday, June 21st at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL)

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announces a week of DOT Street Ambassador outreach and a public workshop for the Downtown Jamaica Streetscape Plan and Transportation Study in coordination with the Jamaica NOW! Neighborhood Action Plan Leadership Council. This is a new milestone in the City’s ambitious efforts to re-imagine the central business district and transit hub.

Residents, visitors, workers and commuters throughout Jamaica are encouraged to stop by one of the following Street Ambassador locations to participate in a survey to inform a sweeping re-envisioning for making Downtown Jamaica a more walkable, dynamic neighborhood. Interpreters in three languages—Spanish, Bengali and Haitian Creole— will be on-site to ensure DOT is collecting feedback from the diverse communities of Downtown Jamaica. All participants receive a free giveaway.

Downtown Jamaica Street Ambassador Schedule:

  • Thursday, June 16th: F Train tation at Sutphin Blvd & Hillside Avenue (2 pm to 5 pm)
  • Friday, June 17th: Jamaica Avenue & 160th St at Jamaica Sidewalk Sales Day (10 am to 5 pm)
  • Saturday, June 18th: Parsons Blvd & 90th Ave at YMCA Block Party (10 am to 3 pm)

The public may also keep up with current DOT Jamaica events, take a survey and provide site-specific comments on the Downtown Jamaica feedback portal, an interactive website http://nycdotfeedbackportals.nyc/DowntownJamaica. Once in the portal, visitors can indicate their comments on a map of Downtown Jamaica. Also, visitors can check all of the feedback submitted from other community members.

All Jamaica residents are encouraged to attend a Public Workshop on June 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL), 161-4 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432. City agencies will be present to provide updates on current initiatives in the downtown area, and attendees can participate in focused conversations on the key corridors of Jamaica: Jamaica Avenue, Archer Avenue, Sutphin Boulevard, Parsons Blvd, Hillside Avenue and Merrick Boulevard.

A critical part of the Jamaica NOW! effort is creating a community- driven streetscape plan that prioritizes locations for potential future Capital investment in Downtown Jamaica. Concurrent with public feedback and comments, DOT will be evaluating existing vehicular and pedestrian conditions, lighting, traffic congestion and transit passenger waiting areas to address issues residents, businesses and visitors face each day. DOT will be developing design concepts based on community feedback and will unveil the visions for a new Downtown Jamaica Streetscape in fall 2016 at a second public event.

 

NYC DOT Street Ambassadors team conducts a survey
DOT Street Ambassadors team stationed at the corner of Archer Avenue and 153rd Street in Jamaica conducting a survey of passersby about Downtown Jamaica.

Archer Avenue and 153rd Street in Jamaica
DOT Street Ambassadors team stationed at the corner of Archer Avenue and 153rd Street in Jamaica conducting a survey of passersby about Downtown Jamaica.

—30—