Some Kew Gardens residents are unhappy that the owners of the popular Pasta Lovers restaurant have decided to build a 20-story hotel-apartment building on Queens Boulevard at 82nd Road.
The location, the restaurant’s former parking lot which is surrounded by co-op buildings, has brought on much criticism from the residents and local politicians. On Aug. 26, a protest took place near the site where residents expressed concerns about unsafe working conditions, dangerous cranes next to families with children, as well as additional problems once the project is completed. Even Tony Avella, New York City Council Member, who is running for mayor next year, stated his opposition of the proposed building and supported the protest.
In addition to the noise, dust, and dangerous cranes hanging above the residents’ homes, the building would have a garage with only 47 parking spaces to accommodate over 100 rooms, residents contend.
Almost every New Yorker can identify with the difficulty of finding a parking space when coming home and a construction such as this would only add to the trouble.
According to the Department of Buildings, the project received several building code violations during the summer which put a temporary halt to any further work. The construction site has been left untouched ever since.