Donovan Richards Meets Jamaica Leaders

NYN Special Correspondent :
Community leaders and city officials came together in Jamaica, Queens, for a town hall focused on some of the neighborhood’s most persistent concerns, from traffic congestion and parking shortages to sanitation, public safety, recreation, and the long-standing call for a permanent Shaheed Minar.
The meeting, organized by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., was held on Tuesday, August 11, at the Queens Public Library Central auditorium. It brought together local community and business leaders with officials from several New York City agencies, including Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, and the NYPD.
The program was coordinated by Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Delwar, a member of Community Board 8 and president of the Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society. Mohammad Sadeq, chief engineer from the Borough President’s Office, moderated the discussion.
Participants raised concerns about traffic congestion along Hillside Avenue and Jamaica Avenue, limited parking, and ticketing connected with bus lanes. Sanitation issues and concerns about safety in certain areas were also discussed. Community members also called for more recreational space, while noting that expansion work at Captain Tilly Park is already underway.
One of the most significant issues raised was the long-standing request from the Bangladeshi American community for a permanent Shaheed Minar in Jamaica. The monument would serve as a cultural and historical symbol for the community. After hearing the concerns, Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said he would speak with the NYC Parks and Recreation Department regarding the proposal.
Richards also directed attention toward the other neighborhood issues raised during the meeting and assured participants that relevant city agencies would work toward solutions.
The gathering included prominent community figures and professionals, including Mohammad Ali, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Society, who joined others in presenting concerns and recommendations.
The town hall gave Jamaica residents and community leaders a direct forum to raise local issues before city officials. It also placed the proposed Shaheed Minar firmly within the broader discussion about public space, cultural recognition, and community development in Queens.