Historic Street Signs to Debut in Douglaston on June 24

Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, and Douglaston community leaders will unveil renamed signs that celebrate the historic names of the community’s streets on June 24.

The first sign will make its debut at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Poplar Street and Prospect Avenue, a spokesman for the councilman said.

In March, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed Halloran’s bill into law that would change six Douglaston streets back to their original names.

Community groups, such as the Douglaston-Little Neck Historical Society and the Douglaston Civic Association, have been calling for the street name changes for years.

The community’s streets were changed from their original names to numbered names in the 1920s to keep them in line with the city’s grid.

In the 1970s, a majority of them were returned to their original names, but several roads remained numbered.

Addresses for residents living on the streets will automatically be updated with their local post offices.

And emergency responders will recognize both the numbered street addresses as well as the new ones once they take effect.

Under the plan, a section of 243rd Street between 44th Avenue and Depew Street will be renamed as .

In addition, a portion of 240th Street between 43rd Avenue and Depew Avenue will be renamed as Prospect Avenue, while a section of 242nd Street between 43rd and 44th avenues will be switched to Hamilton Avenue.

Part of 44th Avenue between Douglaston Parkway and 244th Street will be changed to Church Street and 43rd Avenue between the intersection of Douglaston Parkway as well as 240th and 243rd streets will be renamed as Pine Street.

Also, 42nd Avenue between the LIRR's dead end and 243d Street will change to Poplar Street.

Members of Community Board 11, the Douglaston Civic Association and the historical society are expected to attend the June 24 ceremony.