QUEENS — As the busy and often congested streets of Jamaica are on track to get a makeover, the Department of Transportation wants local residents to help in the process.
The goal is to make “Downtown Jamaica a more walkable, dynamic neighborhood,” the DOT said.
The agency has dispatched its “street ambassadors” to the neighborhood this week where they help locals participate in a survey about changes they would like to see in the area, such as adding new bike lanes or curb extensions.
The DOT will also host a workshop for residents next Tuesday, where various city agencies will provide updates on current initiatives in the downtown area. Locals will also get a chance to participate in discussions about several key areas in the neighborhood which are expected to attract new investments in the future, such as Jamaica, Archer and Hillside avenues and Sutphin, Parsons and Merrick boulevards.
In the upcoming months, the DOT is also planning to evaluate current traffic conditions in the neighborhood, including lighting, pedestrian safety and congestion.
Based on feedback from residents, the DOT will develop design concepts for each focus area in Downtown Jamaica, which will be unveiled this fall.
The outreach is conducted as part of the Jamaica Now action plan, which kicked off last April and seeks to revitalize Jamaica and develop it as a destination for shopping and culture.
How to give the city your feedback about changes in Jamaica streetscape:
► Meet Street Ambassadors
• On Friday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jamaica Sidewalk Sales Day at Jamaica Avenue and 160th Street.
• On Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the YMCA Block Party at Parsons Boulevard and 90th Avenue.
• Spanish, Bengali and Haitian Creole interpreters will be on-site.
► Participate in a Public Workshop
• On Tuesday, June 21 from 6:30 p.m. at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) at 161-4 Jamaica Ave.
► Take an Online Survey
• Residents can take a survey and submit their comments on the interactive Downtown Jamaica feedback portal.
