Station Square prior to Upgrade (QP)
June 13, 2019 By Meghan Sackman
Cars will be able to use Station Square in Forest Hills once again at the end of the month.
The square, which was closed for 17 months in order for the roadway to be repaired, reopened May 5 to pedestrians.
The historic area was slated to reopen to vehicular traffic at the end of May, but the Forest Hills Garden Corporation (FHGC) waited while it considered the option of keeping the square permanently car free.
The plan that was floated involved closing Burns Street and Greenway Terrace off to through traffic—although keeping 71st Street/ Continental Avenue open.
The FHGC board decided to reopen the space to cars after its May meeting when residents spoke in favor of doing so.
The board, however, hasn’t ruled out making the square a car-free area. It plans to observe the effects that traffic will have on the station and make a decision later, according to board member Tony Barsamian.
Barsamian said the FHGC is continuing to gather information and feedback. The board is still contemplating hiring a traffic consultant and is looking at ways to compile traffic data when it reopens.
FHGC will send out a survey to Forest Hills Gardens homeowners to gather their opinions before a final decision is made.
The board has no set date as to when a decision would be made.
“The Board will assess the best path for the community, using tools such as the survey, and make a final decision based on what is best for everyone,” Barsamian said.
