The meeting discussed old and new business, as well as happenings around Ridgewood, Middle Village, Maspeth and Glendale.

Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5.

The meeting began with a public hearing regarding the FY2028 Capital and Expense Budget of the City of New York as it pertains to the communities of District 5.

Several attendees took part in the public forum. Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5

The first speaker was Bree Mobley of Ridgewood Rides, a community bicycle and advocacy group. The group has submitted several expense and capital budget ideas for the board’s consideration, as well as its support for the transportation committee’s protected bicycle lanes on Rust Street and flooding remediation on Cypress Avenue near the Cypress Hills bike lane.

Brandon Zwagerman followed suit. A member of the QCB5 Board, he discussed capital and expense budget requests. He expressed interest in the protected bike lane along the Rust Street corridor, as well as pedestrianizing the extra slip lane at Korean Square between Forest Avenue and Grand View Avenue. 

Brandon Zwagerman expressed interest in the protected bike lane along the Rust Street corridor. Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5

“Tonight, I’m speaking not as a member of the board, not as a member or chair of a committee, but as a resident of Ridgewood,” Zwagerman said.

A general public forum was then held, beginning with Paul Pogozelski of the Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association. They will be hosting their first meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Hope Church. At the meeting, CPR training will be held in conjunction with State Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s office and the FDNY. After the meeting, a meet-and-greet with district candidates will be held. To conclude, Pogozelski mentioned Middle Village Players Roller Hockey League will begin its eighth season, with 60 kids in the league this year.

Then, Priscilla Ghaznavi, who is running for Congress (District 7), took the floor. She introduced herself and gave out fliers with a QR code that explains more about herself. 

Carol Benovic-Bradley, chair of the library committee, followed. She brought up an event — the third annual community day – hosted by the Friends of the Ridgewood Library on Saturday, Sept. 26. Agencies and organizations from the community will be present, including the FDNY, DSNY and GrowNYC.

Melvin Rivera, a community activist, was next. He introduced himself and discussed some community policies, helping to create legislation and cease-and-assist zones in East New York’s Cypress Hills to protect homeowners from speculators and helped State Sen. Julia Salazar draft the Good Cause eviction bill to protect tenants and market-rate units.

Bree Mobley of Ridgewood Rides then took the floor again, reminding guests about the organization and discussing future events, such as a feeder ride on Sunday, Sept. 20, with Ride Queens and a bike camping trip to Harriman State Park.

Bree Mobley of Ridgewood Rides speaks at the meeting. Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5

The final speaker was Ruben Cruz, a member of Queens Community Board 9 and candidate for the State Assembly. His background specialty is elder abuse, bringing awareness to the fact. He is starting a community initiative, entitled GRROW (Glendale, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, Ozone Park and Woodhaven), to bring funding to support businesses along the corridor. 

In the Chairperson’s Report, Walter Sanchez discussed the Review of Current Applications for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages or Cannabis Locally and Review of Building Demolition and Construction Notices. It included:

New liquor license for La Consentida at 59-60 55th Road in Maspeth.
New liquor license for Cassidy 464 Bar LLC at 464 Onderdonk Ave. 
Liquor license renewals for Andreas Chicken Corp at 56-27 61st St. in Maspeth.
Liquor license renewals for DACA Inc. doing business as Hush at 70-10 Grand Ave. 
Liquor license renewals at Sherwoods Keep, Inc. doing business as Sherwoods Keep at 205 Cypress Ave. 
Liquor license renewals at Lugo Lounge and Restaurant Corp. at 10-89 Cypress Ave.
Liquor license renewals at 1080 Cafe Corp at 10-80 Cypress Ave.
Liquor license renewals at Pajeffca Corp doing business as restaurant Asadero Mis Tierras Colombianas at 60-39 Fresh Pond Road
New wine, beer and cider license at White Rabbit Deli Cafe Corp, doing business as the White Rabbit Deli Cafe at 377 Seneca Ave. 
Wine, beer and cider renewals at Amma Cafe, Inc. at 64-68 Forest Ave. 
Wine, beer and cider renewals at Greenspot Cafe Inc. at 61-05 Madison St.
Wine, beer and cider renewals at Rico’s Chicken Corp. doing business as Rico’s Chicken at 74-27 Metropolitan Ave.

Queens Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano (standing) speaks to other board members. Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5

For more information on QCB5, visit nyc.gov/site/queenscb5/index.page. 

Screenshot courtesy of Queens Community Board 5