COMMUNITY WINS!
Dromm & Jackson Heights Community Force Trade Fair to be Responsible Neighbor and Cease Unsafe Practices
Trade Fair complies with vacate order for illegal sidewalk enclosure!
BEFORE: Council Member Daniel Dromm and community members protest Trade Fair in January. Illegal shed can be seen in the left part of photo.
AFTER: Community Wins! Shed gone.
The Jackson Heights community proved today that you can't break the law and get away with. Just hours ago, the Trade Fair Supermarket demolished the illegal sidewalk enclosure that was blocking pedestrian access on 75th Street. Many residents had feared that the enclosure was a fire hazard.
"I am glad that Trade Fair has finally complied with the law. I know that many in the community will be relieved that their calls, letters, and emails have been successful in forcing Trade Fair to be a responsible neighbor," said Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Queens). "Sidewalks are public property. And no one person or business can take advantage and just take for their own use what is owned by the people of our community. Let this be a warning to other businesses in the neighborhood who might think they can break the law and get away with it. A new day has come."
In August of 2011 a partial vacate order was issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) to Trade Fair for the illegal extension citing dangerous conditions and improper construction. When Trade Fair management failed to comply with DOB order, the Environment Control Board issued a violation.
After scores of complaints from community members, Council Member Dromm held a rally with neighborhood residents in January of this year to highlight Trade Fair's outrageous behavior. The rally was widely covered in the press.
Click here to see the coverage on NY1 News.
"We have a process for getting a sidewalk enclosure. We have a system of rules and regulations that everyone must follow - including businesses," Dromm continued. "I hope that Trade Fair will take this opportunity to start a new relationship with the community - one that is based on respect and cooperation."
Dromm also thanked the Department of Buildings (DOB) for doing a great job and looks forward to working closely with DOB on correcting other violations in the community.