Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) met this past week with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), along with State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., NYC Councilmember Eric Ulrich, the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association, and a representative of Borough President Melinda Katz, to discuss the ongoing state of danger in the intersection commonly called the Lindenwood Triangle. The Triangle, which forms where 153rd St and 155th St intersect 88th Ave, has been implicated in poor visibility, confusing signage and a string of accidents. In 2015, a high-profile hit-and-run accident in the Triangle injured a pedestrian.

"After years of pressure, the DOT changed some signs from No Parking to No Standing Anytime, and so far that's about it," said Pheffer Amato. "While we appreciate inching forward, we really have to step in and completely reevaluate this intersection. I think all of the elected officials at the meeting were in accord on this point, because we've all been hearing complaints in our office for years. This intersection has been identified by the Civic Association and other residents as a menace, it's a clear project for the DOT to move forward on, and we're calling for an end to the foot-dragging, right now.

"It's time to make this area safe for its residents," Pheffer Amato continued, "for people who work and go to school there - I took my own children to PS 232 in that area not long ago - and for everyone who uses it. The more an unsafe street lingers, the greater the probability of something tragic happening. The intersection needs to be re-thought and re-shaped now, before the unthinkable happens."

"Pedestrian safety is a high priority for me and should be for the city as well," said Senator Addabbo. "I look forward to working with elected officials, like Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato, and community leaders, like Betty Braton and Joann Ariola, to urge the city in using its resources to create a safer Lindenwood for its residents."

"It is imperative that the City makes safety at Lindenwood Triangle a priority. While there have been some minor improvements, pedestrians and motorists are still subjected to dangerous conditions at the intersection,” Councilman Ulrich said. “I’d like to thank my colleague, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, for bringing community leaders together with the Dept. of Transportation, so that we can work together to find a real solution."

"The Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association and our business owners are so happy we have such support from elected officials in our district," said Joanne Ariola, President of the HBLC. "Without their help, we realize that none of the current or future improvements could happen, and we appreciate their steadfast work on this issue."