$32M Mall Sale Spurs Baysiders' Hopes For Wider Parking Spaces

QUEENS, NY — A shopping center on the edge of Bayside is changing ownership, and some locals hope this means the parking spaces will get bigger.

Early this month, Alfredo Li sold his shopping center on the corner of Springfield Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway for $32 million to reported building investor Hye Chun Lee, property records show.

In addition to a host of businesses, the shopping center includes a 100-space parking lot, which some Baysiders say leaves a lot to be desired and hope might change under new ownership.

"Maybe they can widen some of those parking spots," one neighbor quipped in response to news of the sale posted in a local Facebook group. "Cars fit [there's] just no space to open your door and get out without dinging the car next to you."

A couple other neighbors shared a similar sentiment."I have a hard time with my SUV," said one. "My pickup never fits," echoed another.

Parking space regulations, though, are determined by a variety of Department of Building code, meaning the spots at the Springfield Boulevard shopping center are unlikely to change size despite the sale.

What could eventually change under new ownership, though, is the shopping center's tenants, which currently include Starbucks, Walgreens, Springfield Wine & Spirits, New Mart grocery store and several others.

Patch was unable to find contact information for the previous or current shopping center owner to discuss any changes that the sale might entail.