Mary Anderson

Borough President Claire Shulman, Paula Scharf, Executive Director of the Pride Judea Mental Center in Douglaston, Lucile Helfat, Chairperson of the Northeast Queens Nature and Historical Preserve Commission, Mary Anderson, President of the East Flushing Civic Association; Susan K. Brustmann, Executive Director of College Point's Poppenhusen Institute; Sabina Rosemary Cardali, President of the College Point Civic/Taxpayers Association; Dr. Aline

"I went around there the other day, and I could not believe it is down - all of it," said Mary Anderson, president of the East Flushing Civic Association.

It is a big empty lot now.

"We had to look at that concrete wall and the dilapidated house next door for over 15 years, and now it is all down," Anderson said.

Two years ago, it appeared the neighborhood would get its wish.

In June 2000, the city's Buildings Department found that the New Modern Wet Wash Inc. building on 161st St. was "vacant, open and unguarded."Calling it a "structural, fire and health hazard," the agency ordered the building demolished.

A second inspection of the laundry and the Victorian house next door determined that the building was not in imminent danger of collapse, and the Buildings Department ordered it sealed.
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Pressure put on city agencies by the civic association and local politicians was what finally got the commercial laundry demolished, Anderson said.

The Sanitation Department, Health Department, Buildings Department and Housing Preservation Departments all hit the owners with violations, she said.

The Health Department baited the lots with rat poison and cleared the property of health violations.

Housing Preservation and Development cleared the lot of rotting dryers, washers and other equipment.

Neighborhood fixture

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"This was an issue that would not go away," Anderson said."It is a night-and-day difference.It was owed us, because the neighbors and the civic association fought for something to be done with it and now finally it is gone."

The new owners of the property, Skyway 2000, plan to put up four to six three-family homes on the site, the company's secretary said.

Past honorees selected by Senator Padavan, include: Borough President Claire Shulman, Paula Scharf, Executive Director of the Pride Judea Mental Center in Douglaston, Lucile Helfat, Chairperson of the Northeast Queens Nature and Historical Preserve Commission, Mary Anderson, President of the East Flushing Civic Association; Susan K. Brustmann, Executive Director of College Point's Poppenhusen Institute; Sabina Rosemary Cardali, President of the College Point Civic/Taxpayers Association; Dr. Aline Euler, Education Director at Alley Pond Environmental Center; Dr. Linda Leest, Executive Director of SNAP (Services Now for Adult Persons) and Geraldine Spinella, President of the Bayside Historical Society.

Northeast Queens women previously honored by the Senate as Women of Distinction have been: Mary Anderson, president of the East Flushing Civic Association; Susan K. Brustmann, executive director of College Point's Poppenhusen Institute; Sabina Rosemary Cardali, president of the College Point Civic/Taxpayers Association; Dr. Aline Euler, education director at Alley Pond Environmental Center; Dr. Linda Leest, executive director of SNAP (Services Now for Adult Persons) and Geraldine Spinella, president of the Bayside Historical Societyl.

City Councilmembers John Liu and Tracy Boyland (l.) presented the City Council Pacesetters Award to Mary Anderson (c.) president of the East Flushing Civic Association, for her service and dedication to the community and in celebration of Woman's History Month March 20 at City Hall.

"It's good news that it's closed," said Mary Anderson, president of the East Flushing Civic Association."It was a pit ... breeding problems.It had so many deaths and fights it ruined the community."

Police last night padlocked Metropolis, which is on an industrial stretch of 123rd St. and is capable of holding up to 1,000 people.Last August, a gunman riddled a van in the club's parking lot with bullets.A 29-year-old man was killed and three others were wounded.
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Anderson hopes the days of bloodshed at Metropolis are gone, adding that ideally, it could be converted for use as a community center or a place for after-school activities.

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"That started most calls to John Liu's office," task force member and East Flushing Civic Association representative Mary Anderson said.

But Liu said he wanted to approach the situation from a different angle.

"I ride this frequently," said Mary Anderson, president of the East Flushing Civic Association."And I can't believe the difference.We are going to get more ridership.We have a beautiful waiting room."

Anderson said graffiti had plagued the station in the past, and she hoped the LIRR would make sure to paint over graffiti at the renovated station in the future.