On Saturday, the Coalition for a Better Astoria held a rally to protest the sale of a piece of ConEd land in Astoria, Queens, for the development of a FedEx distribution center. There to speak out against the plan were City Councilman Peter Vallone, a staffer in State Sen. George Onorato’s office, State Senate candidate Tom Dooley, and representatives of the coalition.

The Coalition has been leading opposition to the proposed 225,000 square foot facility that will inundate the neighborhood with truck traffic (MTR covered the proposal in June). Speakers highlighted the safety risks posed by vastly increased truck traffic on the neighborhood streets, health hazards posed by diesel emissions and deterioration of the quality of life in the neighborhood. As an alternative to the FedEx center, the Coalition has proposed that the New York City Parks Department acquire the lot and convert it to a waterfront park.

The Queens Gazette has more, including quotes from others who spoke and attended the rally. If you would like to learn more and get involved in the fight against the facility, contact the Coalition at info@coalitionforabetterastoria.org.