NEW YORK — A months-long dispute that galvanized Jackson Heights residents and a city councilman ended Saturday, when Trade Fair Supermarket demolished an illegal sidewalk enclosure on 75th Street. The structure, which held machines for recycling plastic and glass, was surrounded by broken glass and created a fire hazard by obstructing pedestrian traffic, critics alleged.
"I am glad that Trade Fair has finally complied with the law," Councilman Daniel Dromm said in a statement. "Sidewalks are public property. And no one person or business can take advantage and just take for their own use what is owned by the people of our community."
In August 2011, the Department of Buildings ordered Trade Fair to take down the enclosure, the press release states. The structure, however, remained standing, and "after scores of complaints from community members," Dromm held a rally outside the supermarket on Jan. 17, calling for the enclosure to be removed.
"We have a process for getting a sidewalk enclosure," Dromm said. "We have a system of rules and regulations that everyone must follow. I hope that Trade Fair will take this opportunity to start a new relationship with the community – one that is based on respect and cooperation."
