CLEAN UP & TRANSFORM 160TH STREET & ARCHER AVENUE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS
CLEAN UP & TRANSFORM 160TH STREET & ARCHER AVENUE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS
The Issue
CLEAN UP & TRANSFORM 160TH STREET & ARCHER AVENUE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS
Jamaica Deserves Better: Clean Streets, Safe Public Spaces, and a Block We Can Be Proud Of
Petition Summary
We are calling on New York City, our elected officials, city agencies, local businesses, property owners, and community partners to come together to clean up, beautify, and transform the area around 160th Street and Archer Avenue in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.
This is about more than picking up garbage.
We want a long-term plan that makes this important part of Jamaica cleaner, safer, more beautiful, more welcoming, and easier for the community to protect.
We are asking for eight specific improvements:
More garbage cans on both sides of the street.
Positive and friendly anti-littering signs.
Dedicated funding for regular block cleaning.
A safe and sanitary public bathroom.
A mural honoring great people from Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
A redesigned, repaired, or replaced bus stop with humane pigeon protection.
A plan to beautify the area and make the space feel sacred and respected.
A landmark "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" gateway sign.
Jamaica deserves investment. Jamaica deserves cleanliness. Jamaica deserves beauty. Jamaica deserves respect.
Why This Petition Matters
Thousands of residents, workers, students, shoppers, commuters, seniors, families, and visitors travel through Downtown Jamaica.
The condition of our streets sends a message about how much our community is valued.
We should not have to accept litter, overflowing garbage, dirty infrastructure, unsanitary conditions, neglected public spaces, and temporary cleanups that fail to address the underlying problem.
A one-day cleanup is helpful—but we need a sustainable solution.
We are calling for the creation of a 160th Street & Archer Avenue Clean and Beautiful Initiative built around the following eight actions.
1. INSTALL MANY MORE GARBAGE CANS
We need additional, durable public garbage cans placed on both sides of the street and at high-traffic locations around 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
Installing garbage cans must also include a reliable collection and maintenance schedule.
We don't want new garbage cans that simply become new places for trash to overflow.
Give people somewhere to put their garbage—and make sure it gets collected.
2. INSTALL POSITIVE ANTI-LITTERING SIGNS
Let's encourage people to respect Jamaica without making our community feel hostile.
We want attractive, friendly signs with positive messages such as:
"Respect Jamaica. Keep Our Community Clean."
"Jamaica Is Our Home. Help Us Keep It Beautiful."
"Love Jamaica? Don't Litter."
These signs can incorporate artwork and designs created by local artists and young people.
They should become part of the identity and beautification of the neighborhood.
3. FUND REGULAR CLEANING OF THE BLOCK
One cleanup is not enough.
We are asking the city, local businesses, property owners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to identify a dedicated budget for regular cleaning and maintenance of this area.
That could include dedicated sanitation services, a community cleaning team, or paid neighborhood workers responsible for maintaining the block.
This could also create local employment and youth opportunities, allowing money invested in cleaning Jamaica to benefit people from Jamaica.
4. CREATE A PUBLIC BATHROOM SOLUTION
Downtown Jamaica needs greater access to safe, clean, sanitary public restrooms.
We are asking New York City to identify an appropriate location for a permanent, modular, or other properly maintained public restroom serving the Jamaica transportation and commercial district.
Restroom access affects everyone—commuters, seniors, families with children, delivery workers, shoppers, workers, visitors, and people experiencing homelessness.
Public sanitation requires public infrastructure.
5. CREATE A "LEGENDS OF JAMAICA, QUEENS" MURAL
Let's transform an unattractive or underused space into something people want to protect.
We propose commissioning local artists to create a large "Legends of Jamaica, Queens" mural celebrating the extraordinary people, history, music, culture, businesses, institutions, and community leaders connected to Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
The community should have an opportunity to help select the people and stories represented.
The mural could become a neighborhood landmark, educational resource, tourist attraction, and photo destination where residents and visitors can celebrate Jamaica's history.
Instead of walking past neglect, people should walk past something that reminds them:
Greatness comes from Jamaica, Queens.
6. REDESIGN THE BUS STOP & ADDRESS THE PIGEON PROBLEM
The bus stop and surrounding infrastructure should be thoroughly inspected, cleaned, repaired, painted, redesigned, or replaced where necessary.
We are also requesting safe and humane pigeon-deterrent measures to reduce droppings and unsanitary conditions around areas where people must stand, sit, and wait for transportation.
Our residents should not have to stand in unsanitary conditions simply to catch a bus.
The redesigned space should be:
Clean.
Well-lit.
Comfortable.
Attractive.
Easy to maintain.
Representative of Downtown Jamaica.
7. MAKE THE SPACE SACRED
This may be the most important part of the entire proposal.
We want people to feel that this space belongs to them.
When public spaces appear abandoned and forgotten, people are more likely to treat them as though nobody cares.
We want to reverse that message.
Through public art, lighting, greenery, history, positive signage, community events, regular maintenance, youth involvement, and neighborhood stewardship, we can create a space residents naturally want to respect and protect.
Let's make it a place where people think twice before throwing something on the ground because the environment itself says:
"This place matters."
Make the space beautiful.
Make the space meaningful.
Make the community responsible for helping protect it.
Make the space sacred.
8. INSTALL A LANDMARK "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" GATEWAY SIGN
We want a bold, attractive "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" sign or gateway marker near 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
When people enter our community, they should know where they are—and they should know that we are proud of it.
The sign should be developed with input from local residents, artists, businesses, community organizations, and young people.
It should represent the history, culture, creativity, diversity, resilience, and strength of Southeast Queens.
Imagine a beautifully designed:
WELCOME TO SOUTHEAST QUEENS
landmark surrounded by lighting, landscaping, public art, and other beautification elements.
It could become a recognizable Jamaica landmark and photo destination for residents and visitors.
This isn't just a sign.
It's a statement of community identity.
We are proud of Southeast Queens.
We want people entering our community to feel that pride.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING NEW YORK CITY TO DO
We call for a coordinated response involving the appropriate New York City agencies, elected officials, community organizations, property owners, transportation officials, local businesses, artists, and residents.
We are requesting:
More garbage cans and reliable collection.
Regular street and sidewalk cleaning.
Positive anti-littering signage.
Public restroom access.
A "Legends of Jamaica, Queens" cultural mural.
Bus stop improvements.
Humane pigeon mitigation.
Beautification, greenery, and lighting.
A landmark "Southeast Queens" gateway sign.
Community stewardship and youth participation.
A dedicated funding strategy to maintain these improvements.
Most importantly, we want accountability.
WE ARE REQUESTING A PUBLIC WALKTHROUGH
We are asking the appropriate city agencies and elected officials to join residents, community leaders, property owners, and local businesses for a public walkthrough of 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
Let's stand on the block together.
Let's identify the problems together.
Let's determine which agency or organization is responsible for each issue.
Let's establish a timeline.
And then let's get it done.
THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR JAMAICA
Jamaica, Queens is one of New York City's great transportation, business, cultural, and residential hubs.
Our community has an incredible history and an even greater future.
We refuse to accept the idea that litter, overflowing garbage, dirty infrastructure, unsanitary conditions, and neglected public spaces are simply things Jamaica residents have to live with.
They are not.
Our neighborhoods deserve the same level of attention, creativity, investment, sanitation, and beautification as any other part of New York City.
Jamaica deserves investment.
Jamaica deserves cleanliness.
Jamaica deserves beauty.
Jamaica deserves dignity.
Jamaica deserves respect.
If you live in Jamaica, work here, own a business here, shop here, commute through here, attend school here, worship here, grew up here, or simply believe every New Yorker deserves a clean and dignified neighborhood, please sign this petition and share it.
Let's show New York City how many people believe in the future of Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
CLEAN IT. BEAUTIFY IT. RESPECT IT. PROTECT IT.
MAKE THE SPACE SACRED.
Let's transform 160th Street and Archer Avenue into a gateway to Southeast Queens that our entire community can be proud of.
180
The Issue
CLEAN UP & TRANSFORM 160TH STREET & ARCHER AVENUE IN JAMAICA, QUEENS
Jamaica Deserves Better: Clean Streets, Safe Public Spaces, and a Block We Can Be Proud Of
Petition Summary
We are calling on New York City, our elected officials, city agencies, local businesses, property owners, and community partners to come together to clean up, beautify, and transform the area around 160th Street and Archer Avenue in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.
This is about more than picking up garbage.
We want a long-term plan that makes this important part of Jamaica cleaner, safer, more beautiful, more welcoming, and easier for the community to protect.
We are asking for eight specific improvements:
More garbage cans on both sides of the street.
Positive and friendly anti-littering signs.
Dedicated funding for regular block cleaning.
A safe and sanitary public bathroom.
A mural honoring great people from Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
A redesigned, repaired, or replaced bus stop with humane pigeon protection.
A plan to beautify the area and make the space feel sacred and respected.
A landmark "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" gateway sign.
Jamaica deserves investment. Jamaica deserves cleanliness. Jamaica deserves beauty. Jamaica deserves respect.
Why This Petition Matters
Thousands of residents, workers, students, shoppers, commuters, seniors, families, and visitors travel through Downtown Jamaica.
The condition of our streets sends a message about how much our community is valued.
We should not have to accept litter, overflowing garbage, dirty infrastructure, unsanitary conditions, neglected public spaces, and temporary cleanups that fail to address the underlying problem.
A one-day cleanup is helpful—but we need a sustainable solution.
We are calling for the creation of a 160th Street & Archer Avenue Clean and Beautiful Initiative built around the following eight actions.
1. INSTALL MANY MORE GARBAGE CANS
We need additional, durable public garbage cans placed on both sides of the street and at high-traffic locations around 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
Installing garbage cans must also include a reliable collection and maintenance schedule.
We don't want new garbage cans that simply become new places for trash to overflow.
Give people somewhere to put their garbage—and make sure it gets collected.
2. INSTALL POSITIVE ANTI-LITTERING SIGNS
Let's encourage people to respect Jamaica without making our community feel hostile.
We want attractive, friendly signs with positive messages such as:
"Respect Jamaica. Keep Our Community Clean."
"Jamaica Is Our Home. Help Us Keep It Beautiful."
"Love Jamaica? Don't Litter."
These signs can incorporate artwork and designs created by local artists and young people.
They should become part of the identity and beautification of the neighborhood.
3. FUND REGULAR CLEANING OF THE BLOCK
One cleanup is not enough.
We are asking the city, local businesses, property owners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to identify a dedicated budget for regular cleaning and maintenance of this area.
That could include dedicated sanitation services, a community cleaning team, or paid neighborhood workers responsible for maintaining the block.
This could also create local employment and youth opportunities, allowing money invested in cleaning Jamaica to benefit people from Jamaica.
4. CREATE A PUBLIC BATHROOM SOLUTION
Downtown Jamaica needs greater access to safe, clean, sanitary public restrooms.
We are asking New York City to identify an appropriate location for a permanent, modular, or other properly maintained public restroom serving the Jamaica transportation and commercial district.
Restroom access affects everyone—commuters, seniors, families with children, delivery workers, shoppers, workers, visitors, and people experiencing homelessness.
Public sanitation requires public infrastructure.
5. CREATE A "LEGENDS OF JAMAICA, QUEENS" MURAL
Let's transform an unattractive or underused space into something people want to protect.
We propose commissioning local artists to create a large "Legends of Jamaica, Queens" mural celebrating the extraordinary people, history, music, culture, businesses, institutions, and community leaders connected to Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
The community should have an opportunity to help select the people and stories represented.
The mural could become a neighborhood landmark, educational resource, tourist attraction, and photo destination where residents and visitors can celebrate Jamaica's history.
Instead of walking past neglect, people should walk past something that reminds them:
Greatness comes from Jamaica, Queens.
6. REDESIGN THE BUS STOP & ADDRESS THE PIGEON PROBLEM
The bus stop and surrounding infrastructure should be thoroughly inspected, cleaned, repaired, painted, redesigned, or replaced where necessary.
We are also requesting safe and humane pigeon-deterrent measures to reduce droppings and unsanitary conditions around areas where people must stand, sit, and wait for transportation.
Our residents should not have to stand in unsanitary conditions simply to catch a bus.
The redesigned space should be:
Clean.
Well-lit.
Comfortable.
Attractive.
Easy to maintain.
Representative of Downtown Jamaica.
7. MAKE THE SPACE SACRED
This may be the most important part of the entire proposal.
We want people to feel that this space belongs to them.
When public spaces appear abandoned and forgotten, people are more likely to treat them as though nobody cares.
We want to reverse that message.
Through public art, lighting, greenery, history, positive signage, community events, regular maintenance, youth involvement, and neighborhood stewardship, we can create a space residents naturally want to respect and protect.
Let's make it a place where people think twice before throwing something on the ground because the environment itself says:
"This place matters."
Make the space beautiful.
Make the space meaningful.
Make the community responsible for helping protect it.
Make the space sacred.
8. INSTALL A LANDMARK "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" GATEWAY SIGN
We want a bold, attractive "SOUTHEAST QUEENS" sign or gateway marker near 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
When people enter our community, they should know where they are—and they should know that we are proud of it.
The sign should be developed with input from local residents, artists, businesses, community organizations, and young people.
It should represent the history, culture, creativity, diversity, resilience, and strength of Southeast Queens.
Imagine a beautifully designed:
WELCOME TO SOUTHEAST QUEENS
landmark surrounded by lighting, landscaping, public art, and other beautification elements.
It could become a recognizable Jamaica landmark and photo destination for residents and visitors.
This isn't just a sign.
It's a statement of community identity.
We are proud of Southeast Queens.
We want people entering our community to feel that pride.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING NEW YORK CITY TO DO
We call for a coordinated response involving the appropriate New York City agencies, elected officials, community organizations, property owners, transportation officials, local businesses, artists, and residents.
We are requesting:
More garbage cans and reliable collection.
Regular street and sidewalk cleaning.
Positive anti-littering signage.
Public restroom access.
A "Legends of Jamaica, Queens" cultural mural.
Bus stop improvements.
Humane pigeon mitigation.
Beautification, greenery, and lighting.
A landmark "Southeast Queens" gateway sign.
Community stewardship and youth participation.
A dedicated funding strategy to maintain these improvements.
Most importantly, we want accountability.
WE ARE REQUESTING A PUBLIC WALKTHROUGH
We are asking the appropriate city agencies and elected officials to join residents, community leaders, property owners, and local businesses for a public walkthrough of 160th Street and Archer Avenue.
Let's stand on the block together.
Let's identify the problems together.
Let's determine which agency or organization is responsible for each issue.
Let's establish a timeline.
And then let's get it done.
THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR JAMAICA
Jamaica, Queens is one of New York City's great transportation, business, cultural, and residential hubs.
Our community has an incredible history and an even greater future.
We refuse to accept the idea that litter, overflowing garbage, dirty infrastructure, unsanitary conditions, and neglected public spaces are simply things Jamaica residents have to live with.
They are not.
Our neighborhoods deserve the same level of attention, creativity, investment, sanitation, and beautification as any other part of New York City.
Jamaica deserves investment.
Jamaica deserves cleanliness.
Jamaica deserves beauty.
Jamaica deserves dignity.
Jamaica deserves respect.
If you live in Jamaica, work here, own a business here, shop here, commute through here, attend school here, worship here, grew up here, or simply believe every New Yorker deserves a clean and dignified neighborhood, please sign this petition and share it.
Let's show New York City how many people believe in the future of Jamaica and Southeast Queens.
CLEAN IT. BEAUTIFY IT. RESPECT IT. PROTECT IT.
MAKE THE SPACE SACRED.
Let's transform 160th Street and Archer Avenue into a gateway to Southeast Queens that our entire community can be proud of.
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Petition created on August 23, 2026