By Anthony Bottan
The reconstruction of a parking lot on Rockaway Avenue began on May 21 and was originally projected to last five months, according to Tom Cheliotis, owner of the Concord Diner. The construction forced the closure of the Rockway Avenue entrance, one of only two points of access to the diner. Employees and customers say this has caused a grave inconvenience.
Customers can now only enter the diner when traveling west on Sunrise Highway. If they were to travel east, customers, as well as employees, have to park three blocks away and walk.
Sharon Rossano of Woodmere, who has been going to the Concord Diner for 15 years, says it is unfortunate to see the diner she goes to three to four times a week suffer.
"I just hate to see them going through these tough times because of this inconvenience," Rossano said. "How would they (the construction company) feel if they got cut down to part time...maybe they can understand what these people are going through."
Rossano is alluding is not only the profits of the diner, but the lost wages for waiters, waitresses and bus boys. Andrew Hendricks, 24, of Inwood, has been working at the Concord Diner for three months and admits with all the construction, there rarely is a busy time or "rush."
"I've worked up and down Rockaway Avenue and this isn't busy...you don't even break a sweat," Hendricks said.
Hendricks also said that customers have been complaining about the dearth of parking because of the construction. They often have to drive around in circles looking for a parking spot, and sometimes are forced to go to another diner.
"This could kill the business in the future," Hendricks said.
Angelica Shavedra, of Jamaica, Queens has been working at the Concord Diner for four years and said that if it were not for their loyal customers, business would be terrible. Shavedra averaged about $100 per morning shift during the weekdays since she started at the diner. Now, Shavedra said, she's lucky if she makes $60 on a morning shift.
"If it weren't for the people and my employers," Shavedra said, "it's not worth working here anymore."
Pioneer Asphalt, the independant construction firm hired by the Long Island Railroad to refurbish the lot on Rockaway Avenue, has been working in phases to complete the construction which includes putting in above ground drainage, paving the parking lot, and installing new lighting.
The ongoing construction has tremendously updgraded the surrounding area on Rockaway Avenue, though construction efforts have slowed over the months. Cheliotis said he sees workers at the site only twice a week, and rarely do they work past noon.
The supervisor at the site, who asked to be referred to only as John, said it is the LIRR that dictates what he can and cannot do. According to Cheliotis, he was told the work would be done by Aug. 1, but John said the construction is actually four months ahead of schedule and the workers have already expedited the process.
Long Island Railroad representatives could not be reach for comment.
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