By Betsy Scheinbart
Millions of dollars in major improvements to sewers, water mains, highways and other renovations are slated for the southeast Queens communities represented by City Council Deputy Majority Leader Archie Spigner (D-St. Albans) .
Spigner represents Council District 27, which includes Jamaica, St. Albans, Hollis, Cambria Heights, Baisley Park, Addisleigh Park, Locust Manor, parts of Queens Village, Springfield Gardens and Rosedale.
Spigner, who has been in the City Council since 1974 and is barred from re-election due to term limits, said the most significant thing he accomplished was initiating an ongoing study by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection for the siting of a large sewer line.
Spigner also worked with Community Boards 12 and 13 to develop a list of the most-needed projects in the area. He took advice from them and local civic groups and made those requests to the City Council.
The fund will finance the building of lateral sewers, which will connect smaller sewers from neighborhoods like Hollis and St. Albans to the massive trunk line sewer that runs through Laurelton to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
“We have fought for these laterals for a long time,” Spigner said. “They will allow the community to withstand heavy rainfalls without flooding.”
Spigner secured more than $30 million for major highway and sewer projects on streets, including Guy R. Brewer, Baisley, Francis Lewis, Linden and Hook Creek boulevards.
Work is now under way at several other sites, including the replacement of sewers on 104th Avenue and Dunkirk Street and work on storm and sanitary sewers on Bedell Street, Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue.
Spigner also secured funds for a new Cambria Heights Library and computer equipment for the St. Albans Library.
“I was delighted to obtain $900,000 to ensure that the construction of the new Cambria Heights Library will be able to go forward,” Spigner said. “The community has been waiting a long time for this facility.”
Four day-care centers in Spigner’s district will receive funds for repairs. Money will also go to the Law, Government and Community Service Magnet School for a forensic science lab, to the Business Computer Application and Entrepreneurship Magnet School for laptops and to the Humanities and the Arts Magnet School for a video studio. All of the magnet high schools are in Cambria Heights.
Several schools in School Districts 28 and 29 will receive funds for computers, and York College will be able to update the student labs.
The Black Spectrum Theatre will get needed improvements and the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning will receive funds for a proposed theater at the Dutch Reformed Church. The Jamaica Parking Garage will also get funds and lamp posts on Jamaica Avenue will get replaced.
Site work of $386,000 for pavements, paths and greening has already been completed at St. Albans Park.
“We were successful,” Spigner said of helping to get $800,000 designated for rehabilitation of basketball, handball and tennis courts as well as drainage and grading at St. Albans Park.
The $550,000 rehabilitation of the ballfields at Peters Field can now begin, as well as the design process for a new track at Keith Williams Park.
The $617,000 partial reconstruction of Haggerty Park was completed in May. Design is under way for the $850,000 rehabilitation of the playground at Locust Manor, PS 15 in Springfield Gardens.
“The object of these community improvements is to enhance significantly the quality of life for the residents of the 27th Council District,” Spigner said. “These projects were funded in spite of a tight capital budget.”
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300 Ext. 138.
