Avella and Rozic Protest Proposed Bayside School Site

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, and state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, D-Bayside, joined Bayside Hills residents on Friday to oppose the proposed construction of a new school at the Keil Brothers site on 48th Avenue.

The city’s School Construction Authority has proposed building a 416-seat primary school on 48th Avenue between 210th and 211th Street. Keil Brothers is selling the site to the city to allow for the school’s construction.

Avella and Rozic said they believe a new school in the community would be beneficial, but that the proposed site is situated in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood and P.S. 31 is only a few blocks away.

“Frankly, this proposal makes no sense,” Avella said. “The school will literally be facing the backyards of homes. This is a quiet residential neighborhood that already has an elementary school a few blocks from this site. A school at this location will significantly alter the quality of life of residents, including creating considerable traffic and parking concerns.”

The school would be facing the backyards of 31 homes.

In May, Community Board 11 voted 25-3 against the proposal for the school, which was followed by a terse written exchange between the board’s chairman, Jerry Iannece, and city Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott.

A City Council subcommittee was scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed school on Monday, but the city Department of Education agreed to temporarily postpone it.

“This community has spoken loud and clear,” Rozic said. “We cannot afford to pit neighbor against neighbor, pushing through policies and projects that will have a significant impact on communities without sound educational plans for their long-term success. I urge the city to engage in a serious dialogue with the community and stakeholders to find a better alternative for our neighborhood.”

The City Council will have the final vote on whether the school will be constructed at the site.