Avella Says City Denied Request for 9/11 Plaques

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, said the city denied his request to place memorial plaques on street poles in his district to honor victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The senator holds an annual motorcade each year for 9/11 victims during which he places a wreath near the street signs named after first responders. He said he had suggested setting up plaques with brief biographies of the victims on street poles at the sites.

But he said the Department of Transportation told him that the city needed access to the poles.

“I was very disappointed that DOT turned down my request,” he said. “Honoring our fallen heroes with a small plaque is the least we can do to keep their memory alive and the sacrifice they made on 9/11. It is unfortunate that the DOT has taken a bureaucratic position rather than a compassionate approach to this matter.”

The DOT could not be reached for comment.

Avella said he would conduct his motorcade in northeast Queens on Sept. 6.