Fights and sirens: Battle over planned ambulance depot rocks sleepy NYC block

A number of Kew Gardens Hills residents have expressed outrage over a plan to construct a large ambulance depot on a neighborhood block.

The Kew Backyard Hills block is one thing out of a bygone period, with lots of its largely Jewish residents dwelling on the identical avenue for half a century, treating one another like household.

However a few of the Queens householders say they're now dwelling in concern of the “800-pound gorilla” haunting the group — a proposed Hatzolah ambulance depot on their block.

Opposition to the challenge on 68th Street at Important Avenue has introduced alleged threats and different types of intimidation, with protesters noting that a key opponent was left in a burn ICU after a mysterious hearth began in his automobile.

“We [are being] blackmailed into being silenced,” stated a resident, too afraid to publicly share his title, to the Put up.

Locals against the plans by the Queens Hatzolah — an area Jewish ambulance service that goals to offer extra culturally delicate providers — have fashioned a block affiliation to combat the challenge. The proposed depot would have 5 ambulance garages and be taller than the homes on the block.

The residents say they're apprehensive in regards to the quality-of-life ramifications to their idyllic block if an outpost of Hatzolah, which responds to 7,000 emergency calls a yr, is situated there. And that’s to not point out the impact it might need on their house values.

Ari Koenigsberg, president of the 68th Street Block Affiliation, stated he used to volunteer for Hatzolah and is aware of how helpful the service will be to the Jewish group.

Residents on the block say they’re at struggle with Queens Hatzolah’s proposal to construct an ambulance division on their block.

However he stated his group’s opposition to the brand new constructing is fairly easy: Ambulance depots are noisy locations that deliver autos driving at horrifying speeds; Hatzolah makes use of autos with diesel engines that its members are allowed to idle, polluting the air; when responding to a name at any time of evening or day, the ambulances activate sirens and flashing lights; at 4 tales, and the constructing will tower over everybody’s house.

In different phrases, the panorama of the bucolic block shall be modified eternally.

“There are different locations you may construct which can be zoned for industrial use,” stated Mordecai Koenigsberg, Avi’s father who lives in the identical house as his son, to the Put up.

Opposition to the challenge on 68th Street at Important Avenue has introduced alleged threats and different types of intimidation, with protesters noting that a key opponent was left in a burn ICU after a hearth began in his automobile.

The elder Koenigsberg stated the plan was made with “no consideration for the neighborhood” and that he and lots of different residents have been by no means requested for his or her ideas.

“Persons are usually in favor of the operation of this Hatzolah group  as a result of they're useful to the group,’’ Mordecai stated.

“We stated it could be true that you're doing numerous helpful issues for the group, however there must be some oversight,” he recalled of conversations with backers of the plans.

Rendering of a proposed Hatzolah depot on 68th Street in Kew Gardens Hills.

Then the threats got here, he and different challenge opponents stated.

Backers of the plan reportedly instructed those that oppose the constructing that the protests might make volunteers not as keen to assist these within the space, Mordecai Koenigsberg stated.

“That’s a nasty factor to say,” Mordecai stated.

The hearth broken the house of the block affiliation president in Kew Gardens HIlls, Queens.

The block is house to many spiritual Jews who typically use matchmakers to assist their kids discover spouses.

A supporter of the challenge allegedly “goes over to a neighbor and says, ‘You've got a daughter that’s 21 or 22. Should you combat us, your daughter is not going to get married,’ ” stated one other block resident, who requested to not be named. “A widow was approached and instructed, ‘What do you care if your own home goes down in worth? You'll go away it to your kids.’

“Our high quality of life is being destroyed,” the neighbor stated. “I don’t must stay the place individuals are intimidating me, intimidating my kids.”

The residents say they're apprehensive in regards to the quality-of-life ramifications to their idyllic block if an outpost of Hatzolah, which responds to 7,000 emergency calls a yr, is situated there.

These sentiments have been felt even earlier than hearth broke out at Avi Koenigsberg’s home within the early morning on March 3. The blaze began in his automobile, which had been turned off about 4 hours earlier when he obtained house and parked it within the driveway.

The smoke traveled upward from the automobile to the storage after which to Avi’s room above. Firefighters pulled him out of the home unconscious.

“If I had been upstairs for even a number of extra minutes, I wouldn’t be right here anymore,” Avi stated.

Fireplace and insurance coverage authorities are nonetheless investigating the character of the fireplace which began in his vehicles’ backseat.

His insurance coverage firm and metropolis hearth marshals are nonetheless investigating how the fireplace began, he stated. It seems the fireplace began within the trunk or in his backseat, Avi stated, including that there isn't a proof it was arson however it additionally hasn’t been dominated out. The FDNY didn't reply to a request for remark from The Put up.

Some residents famous that the fireplace occurred on the deal with to which the block affiliation is registered and stated they have been apprehensive an overzealous supporter of the depot is on the market.

There isn't a indication Hatzolah was concerned within the blaze. 

Hatzolah didn't reply to a number of requests for feedback from The Put up.

Whereas the block affiliation is attempting to cease them in court docket, it's seemingly the depot shall be constructed, foes stated.

“The irony of that is that no one [at the top] at Hatzolah — the coordinators, the president — would even suppose or permit this to occur to their block,” a home-owner stated. 

One other resident who spoke on situation of anonymity added, “We now have the very best neighborhood anybody might ask for.

“They put a pall over the block.”