We, the Community Members of Far Rockaway want Queens Block 15534, Lot 70 to remain public.

To share this petition, here's a shortened URL:

www.tinyurl.com/farrockgarden

As part of the current redevelopment plans for Downtown Far Rockaway, the City is requesting approval to dispose (sell or give away) the City-owned lot at Queens Block 15534, Lot 70. This lot is currently not being used and is owned by DSNY, the Sanitation department. The lot is zoned for 1 and 2 family homes; so, the City is seeking approval to sell it to a private developer so that more houses can be built. HOWEVER, We, the residents of Downtown Far Rockaway, want to keep this land public so that the Community can benefit from a green space.

We want the City to remove the disposition of Queens Block 15534, Lot 70 from the current DOWNTOWN FAR ROCKAWAY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CEQR NO. 16DME010Q document found here:

http://livinglotsnyc.org/media/files/16DME010Q_Draft_Scope_Of_Work_08192016_1.pdf under sub-heading DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY

or here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/16DME010Q.shtml

This 14,000 square feet of land can be best served by creating a public-use space such as a community garden and compost. Far Rockaway is a notorious food desert. The substandard local groery stores and supermarkets have lackluster produce offerings. The more than 20 fast food restaurants also do not serve the community's best interest. The Downtown Far Rockaway area has a significant empoverished population - 43% of the families make $30,000 or less per year. A community garden would offer all residents a healthy and organic food resource. A community garden would be a vested asset to community youth who can learn how to grow their own food. Community schools can also participate in said green space.

Once this publicly owned land is transferred to private hands, the people can never benefit from it again. We thank you for your continued support.