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Julie Won Secures $4.5 Million in Capital Funding for LaGuardia Community College Updates

 

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

Councilmember Julie Won and Laguardia Community College President Kenneth Adams unveiled major refurbishment plans for the college’s pool made possible by Won securing $4.5 million in funding on Sept 19.

The funding will purchase a new roof for the pool building, air conditioning for the room, and a brand-new chiller to keep the water cool. Those who use the pool will enjoy a much more comfortable experience since many at the press conference were sweating. The pool is a place for exercise, youth and adult swimming lessons, and youth swim team practice. The updates will also increase the building’s energy efficiency by 50%.

“Our students are working hard to complete their certificates and earn their degrees, and we want to make sure they get to do so in facilities that are as safe and up-to-date as possible,” President Adams said.

Won, who completed part of her four-year degree at a local community college, said she was excited to provide funding that would update the hall.

“You have my commitment at LaGuardia Community College to make sure that your students are always amplified and uplifted, that your students are going to be the first in line for workforce development and job opportunities for training, as well as partnerships with unions and everything that we can possibly think of,” Won said.

The pool is part of Shenker Hall, which opened in 1971 as the college’s first building. The building holds classrooms, labs, offices, a cafeteria, a gym, a theater, and three daycare centers. The current cooling tower is prone to mechanical failures, and replacement parts are no longer available for the old equipment.

Construction is expected to begin in April of 2025 and conclude in early 2027.

 

New Public Library Could Be Coming to Court Square

5PointzLIC apartment building. Credit: Jean Brannum

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

The Queens Public Library has reached a tentative agreement with 5PointzLIC in Court Square to build a new location on the building’s second floor, according to a press release.

The new branch will replace the former LIC library at One Court Square, which closed in 2020. The Queens Public Library negotiated a fifteen-year lease with a five-year renewal plan with the development owner, G-M Realty L.P.

The lease is expected to be finalized in the Fall and construction is estimated to be two years starting Summer 2025.

This deal comes after the Mayor’s office and LIC Councilmember Julie Won continue to advance the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, a comprehensive planning process to develop a vision for the future of the area.

“Court Square is a rapidly growing neighborhood and this new library will give our neighbors access to countless books, technology, and vital, free programming,” Won said.

5PointzLIC is an apartment building on Jackson Ave.

 

Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens Hosts Annual Back To School Festival and Backpack Giveaway

The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens hosted their annual free Back to School Festival on Saturday, September 7 sponsored by HydroQuebec, Champlain Hudson Power Express, TD Bank, Heroes Basketball, and the Rite Bite.

Over 2000 backpacks and school supplies were given away to kids present at the event. Mrs. Met was in attendance to give out backpacks to kids. Backpacks and supplies were generously donated by Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Senator Kristin Gonzalez, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, Staples store 1575, The Amazin’ Mets Foundation, New York Cares, Steve Madden, Break a Difference, Public Employees Federation, Queens Center Mall, Kars 4 Kids, Rise Light and Power, Blackstone, Con Edison, Mega Development and ICNA Relief.

At the event, Chip City gave out 1,000 cookies, Sky Farm LIC gave away fresh produce, and additional drinks and snacks were provided.

The festival included a bounce house, inflatable games, tie dye t-shirt station, face painting, balloon animals, and more. Vendors present were BioBus conducting science experiments, Sharing and Careing, NYPA, NYC Administration for Children’s Services and New York Life.

Check out the event recap on Instagram, created by media sponsor, BQE Media.

“Overall, we disseminated over 2000 backpacks to the Western Queens community. The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens’ Development Department looks forward to this event every year. We are honored and humbled by the number of donors that this event yields and we are so thankful to be able to give back to our community to ensure a good start to the school year for all our children,” Leah Carter, Chief Advancement Officer.

Variety was also joined by dozens of volunteers from Disney VoluntEars, Target, New York Life, Variety’s Young Professionals as well as Variety Alums.

“I highly enjoy volunteering at this annual event,” said John Sanchez, chair of Variety’s Young Professional Committee. “Seeing the smiles of parents as they watch their child have fun is very rewarding,” said Sanchez.

Queens Foundation Supports Workforce Development Amid Gentrification

by Mohamed Farghalhy | mfarghaly@queensledger.com 

The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation, rooted in the American Dream’s promise, aims to empower individuals in Long Island City and Astoria through workforce development, educational attainment, and medical research. Photo courtesy of the Elmezzi Foundation 

The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation, rooted in the American Dream’s promise, aims to equip individuals with the tools and support needed to achieve their potential. This vision, established by Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi, focuses on workforce development, educational attainment, and medical research, particularly benefiting those in the Long Island City and Astoria areas.

“We are all about helping people develop skill sets they can continue to use throughout their life,” Joshi said. “For example, teaching people how to install solar technology not only trains them in specific skills but also helps them develop career pathways.”

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves the chance to pursue their dreams, the Foundation addresses challenges including physical, medical, economic, and educational barriers. It funds programs that directly improve individual lives through innovative program design and development.

“For years, we were funding programs in educational attainment, academic achievement, and youth development,” Joshi said. “Recently, we’ve been focusing on economic mobility for residents who haven’t had that kind of access or support.”

The Foundation’s mission emphasizes measurable impacts on the quality of life, with a commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of Western Queens neighborhoods.

“We’ve been focused on workforce development programs that benefit residents in this community,” said Pooja Joshi, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Our interest is making sure that people who graduate from these programs don’t just get any job, but get family-sustaining jobs.”

In addition to workforce initiatives, the Foundation has two notable endowments: the Jeanne Elmezzi Adult Learning Center at Queens Library in Long Island City and the Elmezzi School of Molecular Medicine at Northwell Health in Great Neck, Long Island. These initiatives reflect the Elmezzis’ dedication to giving back to their roots in Astoria.

“The whole idea of giving back to this community is about coming back to their roots and making a difference here in this space,” Joshi said.

The Foundation’s recent efforts include the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College, offering paid internships and dedicated academic advising to students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. This program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, especially for low-income BIPOC youth in Western Queens and beyond.

“We’ve established the Elmezzi Career Fellows Program at LaGuardia Community College, a paid internship program supporting students, many of whom are first in their family to explore higher education,” Joshi said. “A lot of these young people don’t have the opportunity to be exposed to internships, let alone paid internships. So, we’ve been funding this program to expose students to higher education and connect their education with their work prospects.”

Through annual grants exceeding $3 million, the Foundation continues to support programs that demonstrate clear strategies for serving community needs and achieving measurable outcomes. “We want to ensure that all community members, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to opportunities for self-sufficiency and improved quality of life,” Joshi added.

The Foundation’s commitment to the community remains steadfast amid the rapid changes and gentrification in Astoria and Long Island City. By funding programs in education, job training, and medical research, the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation strives to uphold the founders’ vision of empowering individuals to lead independent and productive lives.

For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at elmezzi.org or explore their
latest updates in the blog section.

Mohamed Farghaly

Community Demands Action for Displaced Residents 6 Months After
Devastating Fire

By Mohamed Farghaly | mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. has secured an extension of temporary
housing agreements for 22 families displaced by a December 2023 fire at 43-09 47th
Avenue in Sunnyside. Initially offered for six months, the agreements were set to expire
on July 2, prompting concerns over housing stability for the affected residents.

Under the new plan announced with A&E Real Estate, these families will now benefit
from an additional six-month extension, allowing them to remain in temporary
accommodations until January 15, 2025. Borough President Richards expressed gratitude
to A&E Real Estate for their cooperation and reiterated his commitment to working with
city partners to ensure continuous support for those displaced by the fire, addressing both
immediate and long-term housing needs.

Mohamed Farghaly

“Through no fault of their own, our neighbors tragically lost their homes and their
possessions in the heart of the holiday season last winter,” Richards said. “I’m thankful to
A&E Real Estate for its partnership and for its support of these families by offering
additional temporary lease agreements. Going forward my office will work tirelessly with
our partners in city government to ensure those displaced by the fire have continuous
access to stable and affordable housing.”

This update on securing new temporary housing agreements for displaced Sunnyside
families comes just days after community leaders, fire victims, and advocates gathered
for a rally demanding urgent action for the affected residents.
The rally outside 43-09 47th Avenue aimed to draw attention to the numerous families
displaced by a fire ignited by an unauthorized blowtorch, which injured fourteen
individuals and displaced nearly 450 tenants.

Following the December 20 blaze, A&E Real Estate offered displaced tenants the option
to rent apartments in other properties owned by the company at their previous rental
rates.

Council-member Julie Won delivered a passionate address at the rally condemning A&E
Real Estate Holdings for their treatment of displaced residents.

“It is unacceptable and shameful that 450 people who were displaced were given an offer
by A&E for temporary leases,” Won said.  “Initially, they offered six months at the same
rent as they were paying here in a new location throughout the city, given their portfolio
of over 100 buildings.”

The council-member highlighted the diverse needs of the affected tenants, including
those with disabilities and families with children in the local school system.
“We have neighbors who are ADA accessible, who don’t have the ability to easily move
into other apartments,” she said. “It’s bad enough you made them homeless once right
before Christmas and New Year’s; you can’t now do the same trauma to them again.”

Won had called for A&E to extend temporary leases until the apartments are fully ready
for habitation and construction is set to begin.

“The Department of Buildings records show that they haven’t even decided to start
construction on the building yet,” she said. “We don’t want them slow-rolling the
construction to make it habitable again.”

Urging A&E to act in good faith and fulfill their responsibilities to the displaced families,
Won emphasized the community’s solidarity in holding the real estate company
accountable for the fire’s devastating consequences.

“You can’t punish these people for having done nothing wrong, and they’re not asking
me to stay for free,”Won said. “They’re saying, I will pay the rent the same way I would
if you didn’t burn my apartment down. Let them stay and they will pay rent at the same
price.”

Mohamed Farghaly

Brett Callaway, a partner at McLaughlin & Stern LLP representing approximately 172
tenants affected by the devastating Sunnyside fire, expressed determination in pursuing
legal action against A&E Real Estate Holdings. Callaway, alongside the displaced
residents, has filed a complaint alleging negligence, gross negligence, breach of contract,
and breach of warranty of habitability.

At the rally, following months of what he described as “good faith negotiations” with
A&E and their legal representatives, Callaway emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“The wheels of justice are just that, sometimes slow,” Callaway said. “It’s my job and our
firm’s job and what we do to expedite the remediation process by any and every means
that we have available to us.”

Addressing concerns over potential eviction threats faced by his clients as temporary
housing agreements near expiration, Callaway indicated their readiness to seek
injunctions and pursue aggressive discovery and expert reports. These measures are
intended to hold A&E accountable and prevent any actions that could jeopardize the
tenants’ rights, including attempts to convert rent-stabilized units to market rent.

“I’ve seen this movie before, I’m not pointing my fingers, but I’m pointing my fingers,”
Callaway said. “We’re not going to let them do that. We will move forward with all the
alacrity that the court system will allow us. But we’re going to war guys, and we’ve got a
big army behind us.”

Acknowledging the critical support from local politicians like Senator Gianaris and
Councilwoman Won, Callaway stressed the importance of legislative efforts and ongoing
pressure on A&E to uphold their responsibilities.

The legal battle ahead remains uncertain in terms of timeline, but Callaway affirmed their
commitment to advocating for the displaced families of Sunnyside until they receive the
justice and housing solutions they deserve.
The community’s support has been crucial in amplifying the voices of these displaced
families and urging A&E Real Estate to act responsibly.

Ruth, a longtime resident of the Sunnyside building ravaged by fire last December, spoke
out about the impact of the disaster on her and her neighbors’ lives during a recent
community rally.

Mohamed Farghaly

“I’ve been in this building since I was 10 years old,” Ruth said. “I grew up here, and I
love this building so much that I got my own apartment here. This can happen to any
New York City resident in a pre-war building. It happened in a vacant apartment, not
because of any fault of the residents.”

Expressing concern over the slow progress in rebuilding efforts, Ruth emphasized the
uncertainty faced by displaced tenants.

We want to return home, and work hasn’t even started yet. All I’m asking is for work to
begin,” she said.

Reflecting on her decision not to accept A&E Real Estate’s temporary housing offer,
Ruth described her search for a more stable solution.

“I did not take the six-month agreement because I couldn’t risk a temporary situation.
They said they would work with tenants after six months on a case-by-case basis,” she
said. “I was fortunate to find something more secure, but many others in my building
took the offer and are now in the same situation six months later. It’s heartbreaking and
wrong.”

Mercedes Morales, another displaced resident deeply affected by the December 20 fire,
shared her story during the community gathering.

“I lived on the fourth floor, and now if you see, it’s all boarded up,” Morales said. “The
story goes that there was a contractor who illegally used a blowtorch. Forty years of my
life, gone in an instant. This is where my child was born and raised.”

Expressing the emotional toll of displacement, Morales described her move to the Bronx
and the challenges of starting over.

Mohamed Farghaly

“It’s a painful experience because now I have to relocate, and everything I had is
damaged or lost due to the fire,” she said.

Morales emphasized the need for concrete actions from those responsible for rebuilding
efforts.

“Words don’t mean anything. Actions do,” she said. “So far, there’s been little progress.
Hopefully, in two or three years, maybe I’ll be back. We’ll be back, all of us.”

A spokesperson of A&E emailed the following statement earlier in June: “We have made
steady progress stabilizing the building, but the damage was severe and there are no
quick fixes here. We have been transparent with tenants about those challenges, and that
the emergency hotel stays and discounted apartments we provided after the fire were a
temporary solution to give everyone breathing room as they made longer-term plans.
Ultimately, the insurance process will determine how to compensate all parties from the
losses in the fire.”

González-Rojas Boosts Senior Transportation with $40,000 Funding in Queens

By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas has allocated $40,000 in district initiative
funding to bolster subsidized transportation services for seniors through the
Selfhelp Community Services Northridge/Brulene/Southridge NORC Program. The
funding, presented on June 20 in Jackson Heights, aims to assist older adults who
struggle with the costs of traveling to crucial medical appointments and other
essential care services.

The initiative stems from community feedback received by González-Rojas, where
residents expressed their challenges in affording transportation for necessary
healthcare visits. This financial support is part of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 New
York State Budget, which allocated $1 million specifically for Naturally Occurring
Retirement Communities (NORC), an advocacy area championed by González-Rojas.

In addition to this targeted funding, the Assembly Member secured $100,000 in
general operating funds for SelfHelp Community Services, underscoring her
commitment to enhancing services for older adults across the state. Her legislative
efforts during the 2024 session also led to the elimination of insulin co-payments for
New Yorkers under state-regulated insurance plans, and initiatives to shield aging
communities from medical debt.

“I am so delighted to bring resources to NORC programs in my district. Aging in
place with grace and dignity is critical to the longevity and vibrancy of our
community,”  Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas said. “As a member of both
the Committee on Health and on Social Services, I recognize the incredible impact
investing in our aging population has on ensuring that our older adults are able to
safely and easily gain access to critical resources to support their independence as
thriving residents of New York. I’m grateful that this year we were able to secure
these funds for important services like these, to strengthen our older adult

population. When we invest in services like these, we are investing in all of our
futures.”

Karen Taylor, Program Director of Selfhelp Northridge/Brulene/Southridge NORC,
expressed gratitude for González-Rojas’ support, highlighting the critical role of
subsidized transportation in ensuring seniors receive necessary medical care.

“The Selfhelp Northridge/Southridge/Brulene NORC thanks Assemblymember
González-Rojas for support," Taylor said. “One of most frequently used services our
NORC provides is subsidized car service to medical appointments. We arrange over
1,000 trips each year to ensure that NORC members get the care they need to stay
healthy and independent. From cancer treatments to cardiology follow-ups, we
ensure that no older adult is forced to skip an essential medical appointment
because of the rising costs related to transportation.”

González-Rojas’ advocacy underscores a broader commitment to supporting aging
populations and enhancing their quality of life through targeted legislative efforts
and community-focused initiatives.

What to know about the G train summer shutdown

By Ana Borruto

The 11.4-mile long Brooklyn-Queens Crosstown G train subway service will be partially shut down this summer for track reconstruction and modern signal installation. 

Starting Friday, June 28, the G train will undergo the first phase of an extensive multi-week, 24/7 project to replace its 1930s-era legacy signal system with Communications-based train control (CBTC) — a wireless connectivity system that keeps trains in constant contact, and in turn, more reliable. 

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Councilmember Lincoln Restler hosted a town hall on Thursday, May 30 at John Ericsson Middle School in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where representatives of the Metropolitan Transit Authority and New York City Department of Transportation explained how the shutdown will catapult the G train “into the 21st century.” 

The forum allowed for regular G train commuters to ask questions and express their concerns about the shutdown, which was described as a “huge inconvenience” to the Greenpoint community and beyond. 

“When we got this news a few months ago, we pushed and prodded the MTA to consider if there are ways to do just overnight work, are there ways to limit this so we don’t have to endure a six-week full shutdown of this train line,” said Restler. “We haven’t been able to identify an alternative path forward, they are insistent that this is the necessary way to go.” 

Sean Fitzpatrick of the MTA explained exactly why the service outages are needed on the G train, the main reason being the age of the subway line. 

The G train has some of the oldest signals left in the New York City train system, which has caused “below average” performance times, according to Fitzpatrick. The current system is fixed-blocked signaling, which means the trains are divided and registered into fixed blocks with buffers up to 1,000 feet-long installed between them.

“It’s a marvel of early 20th century engineering,” Fitzpatrick said.

However, the drawbacks of this current system include not being able to pinpoint the exact location of a train, so trains run farther apart to create a safety buffer — creating service delays. 

The infrastructure for fixed-block signaling is also expensive to install and maintain. 

CBTC signaling allows trains to transpond to one another: in simple terms, the train’s position on the track is easily located because the section of track around each train moves with the train, rather than being on pre-defined, fixed blocks. 

“We are able to run them more closely together, more quickly, while maintaining safety,” Fitzpatrick said. “We also have a better view of the entire system so we’re able to respond better when there are incidents — it’s the single biggest investment that we can make to improve the reliability of a train.” 

This transition from a fixed-block to CBTC system for the G train requires the installation of new signaling equipment, replacement of 30 miles of track and more than a dozen switches and the integration and testing of the new system. 

Fitzpatrick said replacing the 1930s-period switches and tracks is particularly challenging, especially in the underground tunnels. To create a safe, workable environment for the project, the MTA said it has no choice but to shut down the G train line temporarily. 

With ridership lower in the summertime and school not in session, Fitzpatrick said it is the ideal time for the outage to take place. 

He added the MTA is promising to be finished with the reconstruction by Sept. 2. 

During the outage, shuttle buses will be available at impacted stations every one to four minutes during the weekdays and every five to 10 minutes on the weeknights. 

Shuttle buses can be expected to arrive at stations on weekend mornings and evenings every three to five minutes; every five to 10 minutes on late nights. 

Several tools will be implemented to keep traffic moving and areas clear for the shuttle buses, such as turn restrictions, daylighting, monitoring and automated camera enforcement. 

Here is the timeline of the shutdown and list of alternative shuttle bus transportation options: 

Phase 1: Friday, June 28 to Friday, July 5 

  • G trains won’t run between Court Square and Nassau Avenue 
  • Free B94 shuttle buses will run between Court Square and Nassau Avenue and make all ​ stops.

Phase 2: Friday, July 5 to Friday, August 12

  • G trains won’t run between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues.
  • Free B98 shuttle buses will run between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and make all stops.

Phase 3: Friday, August 12 to Tuesday, September 3

  • G trains won’t run between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue. 
  • Free B93 shuttle buses will run between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Jay Street-MetroTech, making all stops between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Hoyt-Schermerhorn. 

The overall long term work of the G train will continue into 2027. With this specific line becoming the go-to transportation option in some of the fastest growing communities in the state, elected officials are urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA to further invest in the G train’s future. 

This includes extending the G train back to Forest Hills, Queens. According to Gallagher’s public campaign in favor of a full G train upgrade, the petition mentioned how up until 2010, the G train served parts of Astoria, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Rego Park and Forest Hills.

“The G is our lifeline in this community,” said Gallagher. “It’s going to be a very long summer.” 

To find out more information about the G train shutdown this summer, visit tinyurl.com/ymv5b99c.

Affordable Housing and the City of Yes At The Center of Community Board 1 Meeting

City Council Member Tiffany Caban addresses Community Board One

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

Members of Community Board One in Astoria heard another proposal for the City of Yes campaign and a short speech from City Council Member Tiffany Caban on May 21 on Astoria Blvd. 

Colin Ryan, from the Department of City Planning, gave a presentation outlining the mayor’s proposed ‘City of Yes’ amendments that will loosen zoning restrictions to allow the building of more housing in the city. 

According to the department’s statistics, Queens has a vacancy rate of just 0.88 percent, meaning there is significantly less housing inventory for people in the city. With a tighter housing market, the rent prices rise. Fifty-three percent of Queens residents are rent-burdened. While the community district has had more housing development, other districts have significantly fewer new apartments.

Community board member Richard Khuzani commented that the district has “shouldered the burden” of new developments. The presentation showed that the Astoria and Long Island City area had over 12,000 new units built between 2010 and 2023. 

The amendments would allow the building of more shared apartments, meaning more units where multiple people would have private bedrooms, but share one kitchen or bathroom. The proposal also strips the requirement for parking spaces to allow for more units and allows some buildings to expand their square footage by up to 20 percent. The new amendment would also allow housing to be built on top of businesses in low-density neighborhoods. 

Ryan asked the board to consider voting on the zoning changes in June. 

Meanwhile, two zoning change proposals for new housing developments were approved, including one new apartment building near Astoria Park. Astoria Park Warehouse LLC owns the lots and proposed to rezone tax lots to build the complex. Astoria natives 

The board was concerned about the true affordability of the units but ultimately voted to approve the project. Board member Doreen Mohammed disclosed that as a city government employee, she would not be able to afford the proposed complex. Northwest Queens is also a historically low-income housing area. 

“Who is this affordable for?” Mohammed said. 

Jaclyn Scarinci, the land use and zoning lawyer for the project, acknowledged Mohammed’s concern and said that while it may not be affordable for everyone, the project would serve a need for affordable housing in the city. 

The Borough President’s office will be next to review the proposed zoning changes. The development is on 24th Avenue and 21st Street and is two buildings. 

City Council Member Tiffany Caban visited the board for the first fifteen minutes and gave an update on the affairs of the City Council. The Council is reintroducing the Secure Jobs Bill which would protect workers from being fired for nonlegitimate reasons. The same protection exists in other countries, according to Caban. 

The bill was introduced in the previous legislative session but failed to pass due to the two-year terms some city council members served when elected in 2021. 

 

New Rooftop Farm Opens in LIC

Students, sponsors, and Boys and Girls Club cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the Sky farm. Credit: Jean Brannum

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

Kids, the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens, and company executives cut a ribbon marking the official opening of Sky Farm LIC on May 21. 

The one-acre rooftop farm, once owned by Brooklyn Grange, received a makeover after the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens acquired the rooftop property in 2023. The once abandoned rooftop now has a solid footpath, rows of produce growing, and bee hives maintained by Honey House in Astoria. 

IS10 students plant tomatoes. Sky Farm LIC opens. Credit: Jean Brannum

To celebrate the opening, children from Horace Greely Middle School visited to receive a VIP tour of the farm, eat watermelon, and plant tomatoes with farmers Alexis Curnutte and Abby Avital. Before planting the tomatoes, the students got the chance to take a whiff of the fishy water that provides nutrients to the plants. 

Among the students were Sherronice Robinson and Alicia Andrews, both 5th graders. 

“That was fun because we got to like, really get inside the dirt,” Robinson said referring to what it was like to plant the tomatoes. 

Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides thanked the project’s sponsors at the opening, including the New York Power Authority, Hydro Quebec, and building owner RXR. The New York Power Authority designed and financed the project. 

“This space is a haven, an oasis in an urban jungle. We have a bonafide farm right here in the middle of Long Island City,” Constantinides said. 

Middle Schoolers received watermelon during their tour of the farm. Sky Farm LIC opens. Credit: Jean Brannum

The farm will educate visitors on the practice of growing, preparing, and eating fruits and vegetables. NYPA is sponsoring educational sessions to teach children about climate change and sustainable solutions. LaGuardia Community College, also a partner of the project, will help develop a curriculum for sustainable agriculture. 

This summer, the farm will host summer camp sessions until September which is when school programs start again. Before the opening, the farm was already hosting field trips for local schools. 

Farmer Alexis Curnutte said in a previous interview that she was excited about the opportunity to get kids into farming, especially in the concrete-laden city. 

“I think that giving kids the opportunity to understand where their food comes from, especially in a place like New York is just so exciting,” Curnutte said.” And I certainly wish that I had had something like this when I was their age.”

The next phase of the project will refurbish the western side of the rooftop where the bee hives are currently located. A new greenhouse is being built to replace the old one, according to landscape architect Michael White. 



Queens Residents Share Feedback at Queens Bus Redesign Open House

By Britney Trachtenberg britt@queensledger.com

Staff members from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hosted a Bus Redesign Open House on Thurs., May 16 at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria. The transportation agency invited Queens residents to give feedback on the proposed plan to change bus routes across the borough. This open house occurred in the final stages of the redesign timeline. 

The Queens Bus Network Redesign is the biggest bus network redesign project in the United States. After implementation, the redesign will change travel for the borough’s estimated 800,000 bus riders.

The MTA launched the Queens Bus Network Redesign initiative in Apr. 2019 and published the Queens Existing Conditions Report in Aug. 2019. The organization published the Original Queens Draft Plan in Dec. 2019. The project paused for 18 months due to Covid-19. The initiative resumed in Aug. 2021. The MTA withdrew the Original Queens Draft Plan in Dec. 2021 and published the Queens New Draft Plan in Mar. 2022. The transportation agency conducted outreach for the Queens New Draft Plan during the spring and fall of 2022. During the winter and fall of 2023, the MTA reviewed New Draft Plan feedback while developing the Proposed Final Plan. They released the Queens Proposed Final Plan in Dec. 2023. Throughout the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, the MTA has conducted outreach for the Queens Proposed Final Plan.

MTA Spokesperson Lucas Bejarano said, “The MTA is redesigning all the boroughs’ bus networks by streamlining routes to deliver more efficient service, better match current travel patterns, reduce travel times, increase off-peak service, improve connections to the subway and commuter rail, and improve interborough connections. We continue to receive feedback from Queens bus customers on the Proposed Final Plan, which will be critical in crafting a bus network that delivers on those priorities.”

Members of the public asked the MTA questions about the bus route changes from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Carol Wilkins of Ravenswood asked about the bus stop on 36th Ave. and 21st St. on both sides. She said, “I think they need to put the bus stop back. There’s nothing on 35th Ave. [and] nothing on 36th. That’s where all the stores [are] that everyone wants to go to [and] shop at before they go home from work. Now, they have to walk back a block [or] two blocks.”

Andrew Gallin of Astoria mentioned the Q69, which he took from his neighborhood to Queensbridge. He said, “The Q69 is really slow because it has so many stops, especially right before the transfer to the subway. There’s two stops on the same block, which I never understood.”

Residents from Manhattan also attended the open house. Louis Moore attended the event due to his interest in urban planning. Khyber Sen said, “I’m excited for a faster bus route. I often don’t take the bus because walking is just faster.” David Kupferburg said that he lived in Manhattan, but worked in Long Island City. He did not want the MTA to discontinue the Q100 bus route. He said, “I don’t take the Q100 per se, but I know how this neighborhood depends on it.” 

Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, New York State Assembly member for District 34, attended the event. She said, “As a state-elected official, one of my biggest platform issues has been public transportation. I used to be on the New York City Transit Riders Council and was appointed Rider Advocate, so public transit is a kind of passion of mine.” When asked about specific bus routes in District 34, Gonzalez-Rojas said, “I am looking very closely at the Q66 line. Most concerns I’ve heard from community members have been the removal of certain stops.”

Residents left comments about the MTA on comment cards. They received pamphlets about OMNY, the Open Stroller Pilot Program, the Fair Fares NYC initiative, and the MTA Reduced Fare Program.

Boards stationed around the room shared the MTA’s priorities, introduced the new bus network, and discussed the NYC DOT Better Buses program. 

The MTA hoped to provide Queens residents with reliable service and improved intra- and inter-borough transfers. The agency hoped to create more connections to ADA-accessible subway stations as well.

The board about the new bus network talked about increased bus stop spacing to make the bus service faster and make the bus network more reliable. 

Two other boards displayed the Proposed Local Bus Network map and the Proposed Network Frequency map.

Queens elected officials and the Long Island City partnership petitioned the MTA for a local bus route between Long Island City and Hunters Point through the Queens Midtown Tunnel as part of the Queens Bus Network Redesign. New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, New York City Council Member Julie Won, and Laura Rothrock, President of the Long Island City Partnership, wrote letters of support. 

In her letter, Senator Gonalez wrote, “This route will benefit seniors, people with disabilities and parents with strollers unable to navigate the stairs at Vernon/Jackson station. We understand the MTA has plans to make ADA improvements to the Queensboro Plaza and Broadway subway stations. While these future improvements are welcomed, we cannot leave those with disabilities and accessibility needs without access to Manhattan until they are completed.”

Congresswoman Velázquez wrote in her letter that “Hunters Point is among the fastest growing neighborhoods in New York City, yet inadequately served by one subway station – Vernon/Jackson Boulevard on the 7-line – a station that lacks ADA accessibility and a train that is often crowded and experiences frequent delays. Providing an alternative to Manhattan that is accessible, especially with the implementation of New York City congestion pricing is needed now and more important than ever.”

NYC Council Member Won wrote in her letter, “My constituents have consistently called for increased public transportation options from our district in Western Queens to Manhattan, especially with the introduction of congestion pricing. We must have safe, fast, and reliable public transportation options that will allow our seniors, people with disabilities, and parents with strollers to commute to and from the city.” 

Rothrock wrote in her letter “I’m writing on behalf of the small business community of Long Island City, specifically Hunters Point, one of the New York City’s fastest growing neighborhoods; home to numerous restaurants & bars, retail shops, service businesses and cultural institutions. Reliable, accessible and safe public transit is essential for small businesses & cultural institutions to thrive. Hunters Point is served by just one small non-ADA accessible subway station (Vernon/Jackson 7 line). When 7 trains are delayed or shut down, the neighborhood is cut off from the center of Manhattan.”

Long Island City resident Beverly Brown started an organization called LICBUS in 2022 to advocate for the Hunters Point/LIC-Midtown Tunnel bus line. 

The Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign will come after Queens with the release of its Final Plan.

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