'To Us, It Was Common Sense All Along': New Agreement Will Allow 120th Precinct Staff To Park In Former N.Y. Wheel Site Garage

Borough President Vito Fossella joined with the City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to announce an agreement allowing police officers and staff members of the 120th Precinct to park their personal vehicles in the long-vacant garage at the former New York Wheel site. This will open more street parking for residents and visitors to St. George.

Parking in the vicinity of the 120th Precinct has been a persistent problem for decades as employees must park their vehicles on the surrounding streets, taking away spots from the public.

“To us, it was common sense all along,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. “It’s sitting there vacant and it’s right across the street from the police precinct. So, not only will it make it more convenient for the folks who work there, instead of having to scramble looking for a spot every day, but it will also, as you can imagine, free up those spots for the people of the St. George community and the people who are visiting.”

The EDC, which owns the lot, will provide 100 spots for those who work at the precinct. Borough President Fossella praised Mayor Eric Adams and EDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball who have worked diligently for two years to put the plan into action.

“It wouldn’t have happened without teamwork,” he said.

Deputy Inspector Eric J. Waldhelm, commanding officer of the 120th Precinct, echoed Borough President Fossella in calling it an “early Christmas present.”

“This is a nice morale boost for the men and women of the 120 who work tirelessly day in and day out to keep the North Shore safe,” said Deputy Inspector Waldhelm. “It’s also a tremendous quality-of-life win for the residents and employees who work in St. George.”