EDGEMERE COMMUNITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

Greetings Neighbor,

Hopefully you and your family are staying safe and warm during this snowstorm!

The NYC Emergency Management Department advises New Yorkers to prepare for potential winter weather from now into Sunday morning, 2/9. The National Weather Service has forecast 3 to 5 inches of snow with sleet and freezing rain possible. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from 7PM on 2/8 to 1PM on 2/9.

City agencies are preparing for the storm, as periods of snow, sleet, and freezing rain may cause difficult travel conditions and power outages. New Yorkers are advised to limit travel and stay inside during periods of severe weather. If you must travel, exercise caution. Roads and surfaces may be slippery. Use mass transit if possible. If you must go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may need help in cold weather – especially older adults or people with disabilities.

A Note from DSNY

When a plowable depth of 2” or more is reached, residents will be able to track the progress of DSNY snow removal vehicles at nyc.gov/PlowNYC. Remember, a plowed or salted street will not show blacktop right away.

Response from Arverne East Development

Response from Arverne East when ECCA inquired about a statement made on their current newsletter…….

“Soil Transfer Operations: This operation is currently paused. The Arverne East site will import soil from a site located at Beach 41st Street.   The soil will be used to protect the development portion of the Arverne East site between Beach 32nd and Beach 41st against sea surge, bay surge, and groundwater flooding by elevating portions of the development area from three to eight feet above the existing elevation, exceeding the level of the last catastrophic storm and current New York City requirements.”  

Here is Arverne East’s response:

Hi Sonia,

There are currently no soil movement activities occurring on site. The material that was transported is currently secured and stabilized per NYC DEP regulations inside two fenced areas between Beach 41st Street and Beach 35th Street. The soil that has been stored is routinely inspected and should not affect residents.

Here is more background information on the soil protocols:

The development team received approval from the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation (OEM) through the NYC Clean Soil Bank program to truck the soil to the receiving site, Arverne East, and stockpile it within the project boundaries - the fenced areas between Beach 41st and Beach 35th. The standard best management practices for dust control and an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) have been and continue to be implemented. The development team has hired an environmental consultant to oversee all regulatory approvals and movement of the materials as needed and regularly inspects the fenced stockpile sites.

In the future, the soil will be used to protect the development portion of the Arverne East site between Beach 32nd and Beach 41st against sea surge, bay surge, and groundwater flooding by elevating portions of the development area from three to eight feet above the existing elevation, exceeding the level of the last catastrophic storm and current New York City requirements.

Update on Old Covid Site Owned by School Construction Authority

In case you were wondering about the activity going on at the old covid site, located on Rockaway Beach Blvd., between Beach 39th and Beach 40th Streets. Here’s the response we received from the Councilmembers office, where they received the below statement from Queensborough Donovan Richards office:

"The SCA is not actively performing construction at the new building site. There may have been testing performed this week. The location is in the infancy of the project as we are just beginning to look into the scope of the site.

We are projecting an opening date of Sept 2029 to be used as a primary school."

We will continue to keep the community updated as soon as more information is obtained.

ECCA attended the New Economy Project presentation on Thursday, February 6, 2025. It was a great presentation with useful information on banking and resources to assist homeowners, potential homeowners and renters. Below are a few flyers with services they provide. For those who are searching for Homeowners Insurance, call the Department of Financial Services (212) 480-6400 or call the Center for NYC Neighborhoods (212) 566-3050.