By Ivan Pereira
City Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) and a group of angry southeast Queens residents took their frustration over a proposed motel near Springfield Gardens High School right to the doorstep of the lodge's developer Monday night.
Sanders and eight parents and concerned community members traveled from the motel, at 143-10 Springfield Blvd., to the home of Saliesh Gandhi in Great Neck, L.I. The councilman said that the businessman refused offers to buy the land for community purposes and instead decided to open a motel that would charge hourly rates.
“We are not here to inconvenience anyone, we are here to tell the truth,” he said outside Gandhi's home, which overlooks Little Neck Bay.
Gandhi was not at his home when the group protested and could not be reached for comment.
Residents expressed great worry over the proposed motel because they said they feared that it would bring prostitution and illicit activities to the neighborhood.
Andrea Dacres, 45, of Rosedale, who has a son at Springfield Gardens HS, said she was concerned that students might get the wrong message to take the “easy” life instead of staying in school.
“We have to think about the younger kids who are going to have to come through here and see that stuff,” she said.
Sanders, joined by his wife Andrea, placed fliers around Gandhi's property and put some in his neighbors' doors. The councilman said he will try to stop the construction of the motel as soon as possible so that it is not grandfathered into the neighborhood.
The proposed rezoning of Laurelton and Springfield Gardens would prohibit the motel from being built.
Gandhi's neighbors were surprised when Sanders told them of the developer's plans and one supported the protest.
“I wouldn't want that place to open myself,” said the neighborm who asked not to be identified.
Residents said they plan to continue to come to Gandhi's house until he drops plans for the motel.
“Why doesn't he open a motel around here?” asked Jacqueline Kellum-Foster, who lives near the proposed site. “People would like a good motel with an ocean view.”
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
