New dorm upsets Queens residents
Amanda Morales, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: News
It seems time does not heal all wounds.
The community living near the latest St. John's off-campus residence building, located on 172-14 Henley Road, said they still are unhappy over their incoming college neighbors, nearly two years after the University's first announcement of the dorm's construction.
"This is a residential area of mainly single family homes, a dorm room has no place here," said Beverly Medina, a Henley Road resident for over 20 years. "That building will have about 500 students. Do you imagine the traffic, the water, the electricity, the noise, the partying?"
The Henley Road project has been riddled with controversy and community dissatisfaction since construction broke
ground in 2007. Local newspapers like The Queens Chronicle and The Queens Gazette, along with city-wide newspapers like The Daily News, covered the neighborhood's repeated frustrations on the height of the building and the potential strains on the area's standard of living.
St. John's leased the land the new dormitory is built on from a private developer for a period of 10 years. A university statement by the Office of Media Relations, released soon after the debate on the property began, concluded that St. John's built on the land fairly and legally.
The Henley Road Residence, just a few minutes away from the Queens campus, is scheduled to open in time for the Fall 2009 semester, according to university officials.
The new 7-story building is one of three off-campus choices available for resident upperclassmen during this week's room selection process.
According to Dominic Petruzzelli, director of Residence Life, the building houses over 500 beds, with each suite containing a full kitchen, lounge area and two bathrooms.
Lord Chester So, a resident who lives directly across the street from the new dorm said he has several concerns about the building.
"I have two young kids who play outside; I worry about cars hitting them and the excessive noise that will be in the neighborhood now that people will be coming in at all hours," he said. "I don't see the University really doing anything significant to help with future parking problems or noise concerns."
The community living near the latest St. John's off-campus residence building, located on 172-14 Henley Road, said they still are unhappy over their incoming college neighbors, nearly two years after the University's first announcement of the dorm's construction.
"This is a residential area of mainly single family homes, a dorm room has no place here," said Beverly Medina, a Henley Road resident for over 20 years. "That building will have about 500 students. Do you imagine the traffic, the water, the electricity, the noise, the partying?"
The Henley Road project has been riddled with controversy and community dissatisfaction since construction broke
ground in 2007. Local newspapers like The Queens Chronicle and The Queens Gazette, along with city-wide newspapers like The Daily News, covered the neighborhood's repeated frustrations on the height of the building and the potential strains on the area's standard of living.
St. John's leased the land the new dormitory is built on from a private developer for a period of 10 years. A university statement by the Office of Media Relations, released soon after the debate on the property began, concluded that St. John's built on the land fairly and legally.
The Henley Road Residence, just a few minutes away from the Queens campus, is scheduled to open in time for the Fall 2009 semester, according to university officials.
The new 7-story building is one of three off-campus choices available for resident upperclassmen during this week's room selection process.
According to Dominic Petruzzelli, director of Residence Life, the building houses over 500 beds, with each suite containing a full kitchen, lounge area and two bathrooms.
Lord Chester So, a resident who lives directly across the street from the new dorm said he has several concerns about the building.
"I have two young kids who play outside; I worry about cars hitting them and the excessive noise that will be in the neighborhood now that people will be coming in at all hours," he said. "I don't see the University really doing anything significant to help with future parking problems or noise concerns."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
David Ragusa
posted 4/24/09 @ 6:26 PM NA
First, I agree with the local residents, that a large multi-unit building is inappropriate for an area designed/zoned for one and two family housing.
Also, as a parent of a resident student at St. (Continued…)
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