Sunset Park residents say they are frustrated by the Department Of Transportation's plans to make two of the busiest streets one-ways, and some are alleging that the Asian community in the area is being silenced.
Residents rallied Monday afternoon over the DOT's plans to make Seventh Avenue South and Eighth Avenue North one way between 66th Street to 39th Street, in the commercial area of Sunset Park's Chinatown.
Meetings to change the streets began back in March, but residents say their community boards were not included in those meetings and claim DOT had their own community board composed of people not from the area.
DOT officials released a plan about the changes in May which says that double parking and commercial loading is frequent on the two streets. However, residents say this will just make the already busy street more congested.
“We're part of this community. We need to be involved in all of these decisions that they're making. How are you going to exclude us in this plan and they're taking away,” said resident Xiu Yulin.
Neighbors want the DOT to rethink the plan and include the neighborhood's community boards.
Residents say if the plan isn't rectified, they're considering a lawsuit against the city.