26th Annual Celebration of Queens 06-22-23 Queens Chronicle

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26TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF QUEENS • 2023

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Airports transformed before our eyes LaGuardia’s future has arrived; Kennedy has 2030 ETA

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The gem at LaGuardia, Parekh said, is evident immediately.

“I think it’s when customers President Harry Truman was at first walk into the new terminals,” the opening ceremony of Idlewild he said. “How spacious they are, Airport back in 1948. In 2014, the amount of light that flows in. then-Vice President Joe Biden was It’s the first place you see when the impet us for what would you come into the airport and the last place you see before you leave become a new LaGuardia Airport.

In the last seven years, LaGuar- the airport. And, probably more dia, which opened in 1939, has importantly, a lot of the artwork pretty much completed its trans- that now is across the entire termiformation from the “third-world nal ... It’s not just transportation. airport” that Biden had passed It’s not just an aviation building.

It’s also a place to feel a piece of through.

And within the next seven, the New York pride, because a lot of the art reflects the culture of Port Authority of New York diversity of the people of and New Jersey is promNew York and the peoising similar if not betple of Queens.” ter results at what is FUTURE According to the now John F. Kennedy PA, LaGuardia is subInternational Airport.

MODERNIZATION stantially complete.

“It is our goal to Pa r ek h s a id t he have world-class airwork that still needs to ports, to be a worldbe done includes two of cla ss oper at or,” said the Terminal C concourses.

Hersh Parekh, director of “That deals with the additional government and community relations for the Port Authority of New concourses,” Parekh said. “TerYork and New Jersey, which oper- minal C will have four concoursates both JFK and LaGuardia. “It is es, two of which we will have our goal to have the best facilities completed in the next 12 to 18 not just in the country, but in the months. Two are completed. Half world. We’ve proven we can do of the third is open. The fourth, that with LaGuardia. And we want one of the Delta concourses, will be a gut renovation. We’re not to make JFK even better.”

Being New York City, of course, going to knock it down like the other concourses.” there was a catch — a big one.

T he passenger exper ience, “We built LaGuardia and we’re building JFK while we’re main- Parek h said, is a 180 -deg ree taining full flight operations,” said turnaround.

“It’s night and day,” he said.

Thomas Topousis of the PA’s media office. “And at LaGuardia we had “LaGuardia literally has gone record numbers of passengers from the worst airport to the best while rebuilding the airport. You airport. And that’s not just the build something new and you take Por t Authority’s opinion. It’s something down ... It’s never really been the opinion of the determination of independent panels, avibeen done at an airport.”

The new Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport will be the gem RENDERING COURTESY PANYNJ of a $19 billion rebuild.

A traveler makes his way through one of the new terminals at the new, brighter and far more passenger-friendly PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN LaGuardia Airport near the end of an $8 billion renovation and rebuild. ation experts.”

The new Terminal B back in March was designated as the best new terminal in the world by Skytrax, an international airport rating organization. It also was the first Nor th A mer ica n ter m i nal to receive the group’s five-star-rating. “[Skytrax] is kind of inside baseball,” Parekh said. “But it’s very much the Oscars of the aviation industry.”

For traditionalists, two of the old American Airlines terminals from 1939 not only have been saved from the wrecking ball but have been renovated and are still being used

by American [Airlines].

Topousis said the remainder of the buildings recently earned an award from the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

The classic Marine Air Terminal, which is both an official New York City landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, was not touched and serves Spirit Airlines.

Parekh believes the PA has far exceeded the traveling public’s expectations from 2014-15.

“I don’t think anyone thought LaGuardia would turn out as beautifully as it did,” he said. “And the results speak for themselves.

“You’ll see it if you look at those independent ratings. We see it on social media all the time, where people tweet that it is their first trip back to LaGuardia since Covid, and they are amazed at the difference They think they’re at the wrong airport ... You’re no longer just trying to get to your flight.

You’re going to enjoy the airport, the art installations, the concessions, just the overall experience.”

The work at JFK, by comparison, is in its infancy.

“Kennedy is a much larger, much more complicated and much more expensive development program,” Parekh said. “LaGuardia was an $8 billion project. This is a $19 billion project at Kennedy.”

At JFK some terminals are being expanded while others will be demolished and replaced.

Terminal 8, which houses American Airlines, underwent a $400 million expansion to allow British Airways to relocate in from Terminal 7 back in December.

Parekh said the building also has artwork that pays homage to the massive stained-glass window that for decades was a prominent feat u re of J FK’s old A mer ica n terminal.

“That window went out a very long time go,” Topousis said. “You can buy pieces of it on the internet.”

The next project expected to come online will be the expansion of Terminal 4, which is expected to be completed in the third or fourth quarter of this year. The project will allow Delta, now operating out of Terminals 2 and 4, to consolidate in one place.

The PA has pointed out that there has been massive private investment in the airports. American has invested $400 million.

Delta has put up $1.5 billion of its own money. The Port Authority also has committed $3 billion.

Still in its preliminary stages is

what will be the $9.5 billion Terminal 1, the largest at the new JFK. “That will be the gem on the south side of the airport,” Parekh said. Terminal 1 will be built on land presently occupied by Terminal 1, Terminal 2, which has been closed and will be demolished, and the vacant lot that used to have Terminal 3. The first phase will be completed around 2026.

Completion is expected around 2029 or 2030.”

Finally, a new Terminal 6 will be built on the site of the old Terminal 6 and the existing Terminal 7, which will be demolished. It will be connected to Terminal 5, which houses JetBlue.

Parekh also said the PA is proud of the benefits that have been accrued by the communities around LaGuardia and those coming to the area around JFK. Topousis said area businesses were awarded more than $850 million in contracts from the LaGuardia project alone, and a record $2 billion in contracts for minority and women-owned businesses.

“More than 1,000 residents have gotten jobs,” Parekh said. The $850 million for local businesses has been a source of pride for us. We’ve set up aviation [science, technology engineering and math] programs [in area schools]. We’ve awarded a dozen full scholarships to Vaughn College for high school students.

We’re rebuilding airports, but we’re also bringing economic, educational and business opportunities. It’s a humongous point of pride for the Q Port Authority.”

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 6

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The expanded joys of cycling New, safer lanes abound — for pleasure, commuting, shopping and more

by Deirdre Bardolf Chronicle Contributor

love for cycling as well as the adventures they have embarked upon here. The goal is “to form a stronger and more supportive cycling “Life is like riding a bicycle,” Albert Ein- community within our great Queens borstein said, “To keep your balance you must ough,” according to the page.

Though there is still room for improvekeep moving.”

And that is evident here in Queens, where ment, like more accessible paths in undercycling is on the rise and the infrastructure to served parts of the borough and safer conditions on the existing routes, many acknowlsupport it is keeping up the pace.

Nabil Ahmed Khatari, a 27-year-old soft- edge how far biking in the borough has come ware engineer from Flushing, has replaced — even those from neighboring boroughs.

“Queens has come such a long way in the most of his car trips with bike rides.

“It’s both recreation and primarily how I bike infrastructure arena,” said Allison Cline, a Brooklynite who is part of the Queens get around,” said Khatari.

“Commuting to work, doctor’s appoint- Cycling Club.

“I remember hurtling down the Queensments, grocery runs, even dropping off my younger sister to school,” are all done on two boro [Bridge] onto some sketchy pavement with fading, cracked bike lane paint. And wheels now, he said.

Khatari commutes to Manhattan, often now? Sweet, smooth fresh paint bike tracks to trekking through the cyclist-friendly and sce- welcome you to Queens,” said Cline.

“They have a long way to go, but what a nic 34th Avenue Open Street in Jackson Heights and hitches a cargo trailer to the back start,” she added. “Nothing like riding your of one of his three bikes to run errands when bike over some freshly laid bike path.”

And Cline is not the only Brooklyn native he’s not shuttling his sister off to high school.

“I wouldn’t say it replaces cars necessarily boasting about the riding Queens has to offer. because it’s not always practical in Queens, Melissa Duchan moved from there to Rego but replacing some car trips, I think it would Park and recently started commuting to her office in Midtown. make people happier, healthier,” he said.

“I find that the infrastructure where I am For recreation, he says he enjoys biking now is much better than where I grew through the beautiful parks Queens has up in Brooklyn,” Duchan said. to offer, such as Kissena and CunThere are protected lanes from ningham, and checking out the her apartment all the way to progress made on paths like the FUTURE work.

Vanderbilt Motor Parkway.

Some of the improvements are Khatari is not alone.

TRANSPORTATION thanks to connecting different Cycling in New York City has bike paths together, an effort that reached an all-time high, the remains underway.

Department of Transportation “Queens has some spectacular announced in April. Last year, for and unique bike infrastructure,” said the first time ever, more than 24,000 trips were recorded over East River bridges Jessame Hannus, also of Rego Park.

“You could do a trip from the Queensboro during an average, in-season weekday, Bridge to Flushing Meadows Corona Park according to the agency.

Communities have also arisen throughout and back and be on bike lanes just about 100 Queens that celebrate biking and share percent of the way,” Hannus said. “Much of events and regular rides, all for free and that is protected and downright lovely.”

And the work continues to ensure safe and open to the public.

The Queens Social Ride meets every Sun- smooth spins.

The DOT is on track to install a record day at 9 a.m. at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a 15- to 30-mile number of protected bike lanes this year, to ride to different parts of Queens. Participants “harden,” or add barriers, to more than 10 miles of existing bike lanes and to use sturdier go from 8 to 13 mph on their journeys.

The Queens Cycling Group on Facebook materials in new ones, it announced along has over 1,000 members. Members share a with the ridership boom.

Beauty and utility: One ride parked before Queens’ best-known symbol makes for an elegant nighttime shot, while another on a Flushing sidewalk demonstrates pure practicality.

Cyclists take a break near Fort Tilden in Rockaway during this year’s Pineapple Ride, held June PHOTOS BY NABIL AHMED KHATARI 10. The annual event benefits a different charity each year.

“Upcoming protected bike lane projects include a range of high-ridership corridors, bridges, priority investment areas in underserved communities, and innovative bike boulevards,” the agency said at the time.

Improved locations include the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge to Cross Bay Boulevard as well as Vernon Boulevard from the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge to the Esplanade Entrance.

Open Street redesigns are in the works for 33rd Avenue from Utopia Parkway to 215th Place in Bayside and 31st Avenue in Astoria.

The first phase of a community bike network is coming to Community District 11. Protected bike lanes are on the way for Astoria Heights and Cypress Avenue in Ridgewood.

Procurement is taking place for the DOT’s Better Barriers program. The agency will test new curb materials at targeted locations citywide, including on 11th Street and Jackson Avenue in Long Island City.

Bike lanes on Queens Boulevard have been expanded and hardened, including three-quarters of a mile of delineator-protected bike lanes with Jersey barriers from 72nd Street to Grand Avenue back in May. That built upon 3.7 miles of bike lane hardening on the notoriously dangerous boulevard last year, for a total of 4.4 lane miles.

“Hardening bike lanes across Queens to making the Joseph Addabbo Bridge more accessible to cyclists and e-bike users are direct investments in equitable street safety, and I thank the DOT for its partnership in protecting all who use our roadways,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards in a statement back when the DOT made its ridership and infrastructure announcement.

Richards said he looks forward to “doubling and tripling down” on future shared efforts.

“We’re focusing on thoughtfully expanding our existing bike network with new lanes in underserved communities; new connections across bridges; and comprehensive neighborhood networks — all while developing innovative new bike boulevard designs that reduce vehicle volumes and prioritize cycling safety,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez explained back in April.

Events, too, will encourage the biking movement.

On July 29, the citywide Summer Streets program will come to the LIC and Astoria waterfront, where it will run along Vernon Boulevard from 44th Drive to 30th Drive.

“Summer Streets is a must-do for walkers, runners, bikers, or anyone who wants to celebrate the summer in New York,” said Laura Rothrock, president of the Long Island City Partnership, in a release about the event last week.

Beyond the obvious benefits of biking for health and the environment are innovative new ways to maximize the paths, something that was seen in Rockaway earlier this month.

Thanks to a multiagency effort, a $16.6 million infrastructure project that rebuilt Beach 108th Street from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway was completed, bringing not only protected biking but expanded pedestrian space and enhanced traffic safety to the corridor.

The kicker? It features porous pavement that will allow nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater to be absorbed into the ground each year, aiming to reduce flooding.

In a prepared statement about the project, Rodriguez said, “These changes improve safety for all road users and support safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation options for Q New Yorkers.”

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Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023

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Healthcare innovations save lives Elmhurst, Jamaica and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens hospitals see upgrades

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor It’s the 21st century, and with new technology comes improvements in healthcare. While Covid-19 certainly opened the public’s eyes to the importance of maintaining and upgrading hospitals, many of the health facilities in Queens were already in the process of making improvements not only to better treat patients but to also provide care in more efficient buildings.

At NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, there are several ongoing projects, according to Milenko Milinec, the chief operating officer at the medical center.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the last few years that we have a lot of elected officials and elected partners who are cont r ibuting to upgrades at the facility,” Milinec told the Queens Chronicle. “We have in total $560 million in upgrades on the way or planned at the hospital here.”

At the end of July, the hospital will have two full-size operating rooms after it merges two cystology rooms with an existing operating suite. The new ORs will have a tech space too.

“We are creating two full-size operating rooms capable of robotic surgeries,” Milinec said. “We will increase our surgical capacity at the hospital” by 20 percent.

Surgeons will use a da Vinci robot to assist them with procedures.

The hospital also has an ambulatory surgery expansion.

“We are adding another OR and four procedure rooms,” said the COO. “That will increase our outpatient surgical capabilities at the hospital, as well. That will add us many surgical sub-specialties: urology, gastroenterology, general surgery, pulmonology, symptomology and gynecology.”

The hospital also has modernized its radiology rooms.

“We have made many imaging upgrades,” said Milinec. “We’ve replaced the equipment at three of our mammography rooms with digital mammography. We have a fourth planned for this upcoming year, so that we are fully modernized with our entire mammography suite.”

The hospital is in the process of replacing a nuclear camera, it replaced a CT scanner and an upgrade to a Cardiac Cath Lab is in the works, according to Milinec.

“A nuclear camera is used to better locate the cancer in patients,” he said. “It gives us a clearer image of where it is.”

There will also be a $13 million renovation of the hospital’s entire Labor & Delivery Suite.

“That will provide a new recovery space, a new triage and a new anti-partum space,” the COO said.

The project is scheduled to begin in December and is expected to take 15 months to complete. “We are looking at Spring of ’25 for completion.”

The ambulatory expansion is expected to have the same timeline as the L&D suite. The mammography suite upgrade is expected to start in August and be completed in three months, as well as the Cardiac Cath Lab. “It has been a decade since the first talk of renovation,” Milinec added. “We had completed design prior to Covid ... Thankfully, we didn’t start construction because we were at the epicenter of the epicenter for Covid ... We now section off areas of the Emergency Room and are able to manipulate airf low should there be other surges.”

Some energy upgrades at the hospital, which is located at 79-01 Broadway, include solar panels on the Ambulatory Clinical building and spending $8 million on an emer-

A rendering of a NYC Health + Hospital/Elmhurst Labor & Delivery patient COURTESY RENDERING room.

An example of a NewYork-Presbyterian Queens intensive care unit.

COURTESY RENDERING

rological condition at a general or gency electrical system.

Located in Flushing, NewYork- surgical ICU, but the neuro-ICU Presbyterian Queens said it is pas- will be able to react faster in providsionate about providing high-quali- ing care helping to speed up healing, ty care to the city’s most diverse improve outcomes and shorten hospital stays. borough.

The neuro-ICU will include a full “I’m proud of the new programs, units and innovation at NewYork- CT scanner on-site, private rooms, Presbyterian Queens,” said Jaclyn dedicated video EEGs at each hospiMucaria, NY-Presbyterian Queens’ tal bed to help detect seizure activipresident, in a statement via email. ty, ICU point-of-care pharmacists “Our commitment to the communi- and a patient lift in each room to ty we serve is unmatched and we’re ensure safe transitions for both constantly looking for ways to patients and medical staff.

To improve their techniques, phybring more enhanced ser vices directly to our patients where it’s sicians, nurses and other personnel use medical simulation to help convenient for them.”

The hospital recently opened a healthcare professionals and trainees at the hospital perfect their teamnew state-of-the-art pre-operative work and communication area and family waiting area and further develop their with two new operating sk ills, according to rooms. The two new NYPQ. rooms include the latest FUTURE At Jamaica Hospital in robotic surgery capabilities and equipment.

PRESCRIPTION Medical Center, ground was symbolically broN Y-P r e sby t e r ia n ken last Friday in the a ls o u pg r a d e d a nd doctors’ parking lot, expanded its intensive which is adjacent to its care units with state-of-theC-building, for a $150 million art equipment to provide broader critical care. The expansion Emergency Department expansion included redesigning three brand- that will help the health facility serve new units with 60 ICU rooms to more than 150,000 patients annually.

The parking lot, located on 89th support adult surgical, medical, cardiac and neurological critically ill Avenue between 135th Street and the Van Wyck Expressway Service patients.

Opening in July, it will be home Road in Richmond Hill, will be to the only neuroscience intensive taken up by the expanded Emergencare unit in the borough, offering cy Department, according to JHMC specialized critical care for patients President and CEO Bruce Flanz.

“We were able to build the curwith complex neurological conditions, according to the hospital. Spe- rent ER in 1989 anticipating our volcialized treatment may not be readi- ume would grow from 30,000 annuly available for patients with a neu- al visits to 60,000,” Flanz said at the

ceremony on June 16. “Our volume peaked in 2010, at 135,000 visits when neighboring hospitals closed.

That made us the 27th busiest emergency department in the country.”

Prepandemic, visits were averaging 120,000 per year, he added.

“We are the busiest Level 1 Trauma Center in all of New York City,” said Flanz. “As a safety-net hospital, we have not had access to capital for major facility upgrades and that is why we are profoundly grateful to Gov. Hochul for providing this ... transformation grant that will enable us to provide ... exceptional services in a state-of-the-art emergency department. Our community, and our patients deserve nothing less.”

The hospital will go from having one trauma bay to four major trauma bays, from one isolation room to 22, and three times the number of treatment areas, he said. There will also be two new intensive care units: a 12-bed neuro-ICU and a 10-bed ICU. That brings the total of ICU beds to 48.

“When completed, the Emergency Department will double in size,” the CEO said. “The project will also add much-needed space to our mental health program and to our CPAC,” or chest pain center.

JHMC will also collaborate with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to develop its cancer care program.

“This year, like last year, we have targeted our gala to support the development of our cancer program with the goal of providing world-class cancer service ... right here in Jamaica, Queens,” the JHMC president added.

Flanz told the Chronicle that the development with MSK is going great.

“They are excited as much about this as we are,” Flanz said. “We have new oncologists who will be providing services right here on our campus. We will be providing services across the board and the goal is to provide as many of the services here, and if there is someone who has a significant need, we have that relationship where they can get treated at Memorial.”

Hochul, the keynote speaker last Friday, said the $150 million was an investment into the future of the community.

“As a result more lives will be saved,” Hochul said. “We have so much more to do. But this community deserves the finest institution, the finest facilities and the finest opportunities to get the best health outQ comes in life.”

C M CEL page 9 Y K

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What’s hot in parks: not just the sun Playgrounds upgraded, pickleball accommodated, Commonpoint center open

by Stephanie G. Meditz Chronicle Contributor This summer, Queens residents of all ages can visit new and improved parks for some fun in the sun, whether it means prancing around the playground or trying their hands at up-and-coming sports like pickleball.

As the weather gets warmer and schools let out for the summer, Queens parks anticipated high volumes of visitors with their recent renovations, from childproof play equipment to ample exercise space.

Poured-in-place rubber surfacing has proven essential to play areas, especially for young children.

The Trust for Public Land installs this surfacing to its sites to prevent injuries, which is crucial to their work in schoolyards.

The Trust partnered with Councilmember Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) and the Department of Environmental Protection on an upgraded playground at IS 73 in Maspeth that The Trust for Public Land partnered with Councilman Bob Holden opened in May. on IS 73’s colorful, revamped schoolyard, left. At Louis C. Moser Holden also brought PS 153 to the Trust’s attention, and a Playground in Jackson Heights, above, players of tennis and picknew playground there is slated to open next summer. leball both can serve up a good time. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ “We’re looking for areas that don’t have a lot of open space and have a large number of people who live within a 10-minute Center is an indoor and outdoor facility that boasts 10 pickleball walk,” Trust for Public Land Playgrounds Director Mary Alice courts, seven tennis courts and a 40-by-60-yard turf field.

Lee told the Chronicle. “There’s about 15,000 people that live In addition to paid programming, tennis courts are open to within a 10-minute walk of 153, and so we wanted to create this the public with a permit from the Parks Department. safe space for them to use after school and on the weekends.”

Other parks are starting to meet public demand for pickleball In Long Island City, PS 111’s new playground will open in — handball courts at Ravenswood Playground in Astoria, St. July, and construction at IS 145 in Jackson Heights will Michael’s Playground in Woodside and Louis C. Moser Playbegin in the fall. ground in Jackson Heights have spaces designated for it. Roy The Trust works with schools on playground designs by disWilkins Park in St. Albans also includes four lined pickleball tributing a survey to students, parents and the nearby communicourts on its tennis courts. Last summer, Rockaway Beach In Briarwood, Hoover Playground’s design shows separate 102nd Street constructed a dedicated pickleball court. ty to hear their input on potential improvements.

In addition to safety surfacing, fitness areas and net climbers play areas for older and younger children, complete with 8-feet “I believe the pickleball rage will continue to grow in the are popular among students in Queens, which Lee attributes to swing sets and monkey bars, slides and rock walls sized propor- years to come, so installing more pickleball courts will definitetionally to each age group. the iconic Forest Hills resident Spider-Man. ly benefit the community,” Wolfson said.

“I think it’s so important that we’re able to create a safe place Modern designs from the city Parks Department also feature Sporty types in Queens can take their pick of new games to for the kids to play, to have that resource so that they can play try in upgraded courts. safety measures.

In Flushing, renovations at Maple Playground include safety outside, get fresh air, exercise, and also for the social interacShore Front Parkway in Rockaway saw a newly constructed surfacing around the play area and beneath both swing sets. tion,” Lee said. “It’s a great way of strengthening social ties multipurpose sports field open in May, one that includes in a community by having a playground that is a fun Reconstruction is projected for completion in September. sand volleyball courts and table tennis tables.

With funding from the City Council, Councilmember Julie place to visit.”

In Southeast Queens, Springfield Park is projected Exercise and socialization have no age restricWon (D-Long Island City) and Queens Borough President Donto see new basketball courts and a new barbecue ovan Richards, Lawrence Virgilio Playground in Woodside will tion — Commonpoint Queens Tennis and Athletic area unveiled in July.

FUTURE get safety surfacing, anti-slip mats and security lighting, along Center Tennis Director Aki Wolfson said pickleCricket, which NYC Parks said is “one of the ball is “growing everywhere” and creating high with a reconstructed play area. most widely played sports in the world,” is availRECREATION Jamaica Playground is under active construction, slated for demand for courts, especially among older crowds. able at Baisley Pond Park, Cunningham Park, With elements of tennis, badminton and pingcompletion at the end of this month.

Rockaway Community Park, Roy Wilkins RecreAs part of a $33 million investment partially funded by pong, pickleball is accessible for all ages and skill ation Center, Archie Spigner Park and Tudor Park.

FEMA 428, a federal program for safe school and other infra- levels, but can quickly become competitive.

Among other park projects: “At the moment, we are starting to reach out to children to structure projects, the Beach 59th Street playground in RockaThanks to Won, Mayor Adams and the Parks Department, way unveiled a playground featuring new equipment, rubber have them start pickleball,” Wolfson said. “Especially for the lit- Big Bush Park in Woodside is getting an $847,000 renovation tle ones, with the smaller space and lower net, it is a good way to that began in June to replace its old astroturf with new synthetic safety surfacing and a new shade structure in June.

The investment also covers the brand-new Nameoke Park at start hand-eye coordination skills leading into playing tennis.” turf for soccer, baseball and other activities. the corner of Nameoke and Augustina Community Board 7 voted last February to transform Field 3 Commonpoint Queens, formerly the avenues, slated to open at the end of the Central Queens Y and Samuel Field Y, at College Point Fields into a small soccer pitch ideal for youth summer, and Shorefront Beach 98th is a nonprofit that has provided physical league games. The plan includes synthetic turf and storm manStreet Playground, with its tot play area and mental health programs for more agement infrastructure, with design set to be done in January. situated closest to the 97th Street conFor storm management in Rosedale, the National Audubon than 60 years, including recreational cessions and facilities. leagues, clinics and instruction for Society partnered with the Department of Environmental ProWith playgrounds for older children swimming, dance, soccer, basketball, tection and Parks to complete a $725,000 restoration project at farther away, that follows a trend tennis and more. One offering is wheel- Hook Creek Park in May. The project sought to preserve saltamong recent Parks designs — sepachair tennis — Commonpoint hosted marsh from sea-level rise, which provides habitats for birds to rate playgrounds for children aged 2 to the 21st annual Jana Hunsaker Memori- breed and safeguards against flooding.

5 and 5 to 12.

The Chronicle reported that Alley Pond Park and Sunset Park al Wheelchair Tennis Tournament earChallenge Playground in Little Neck are undergoing similar projects, as will Rockaway Community lier this month. also follows that model. It opened last Last year, Commonpoint partnered Park in Edgemere, Idlewild Park in Jamaica, Vernam Barbadoes May with more than $3 million in with Parks to begin operations at the Peninsula Preserve in Far Rockaway, Hamilton Beach Park in improvements, including new swings, a Tape on a wall at St. Michael’s Playground in Alley Pond Tennis Center. The Com- Howard Beach, Powell’s Cove Park in Whitestone and Spring Q spray area and a cement wading pool. monpoint Queens Tennis and Athletic Creek in Brooklyn in the future.

Woodside designates space for pickleball.

C M CEL page 11 Y K Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023

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Higher ed investment benefits all

by Frank Wu

story our own students share. Although rival institutions may be As president of charging more than Queens College, I tell $80,000 per year for our students my family undergraduate educais just like their family. tion, our tuition remains In my dream job, I have less than $8,000 — an come full circle: My order of magnitude difparents came to the ference. Thanks to the United States in the generous support of the early 1960s, as students. I was born on these shores, state and the city, more than 40 perand I know I owe my position cent of our students do not have to today to the power of our system of pay any of that either. So, regardless higher education. It has been and of your financial circumstances, it is can continue to be the engine of the still possible to put yourself through college if you are a student in our proverbial American Dream.

This is especially true in the programs.

Our institution is an investment World’s Borough, where so many in the common good. While a few journeyed from far and wide, sacrificing for their next generation, have lost confidence in the very because they identify with the ideals concept, offering a self-fulfilling which beckon around the globe. prophecy that our world consists Some critics doubt the value propo- only of persons pursuing their own sition of higher education. In the self-interest without regard for othCity University of New York sys- ers, we continue to put our idealism into practice. tem, however, we have confidence Before the pandemic, we comwe are doing what we were established to do. We enable not only missioned expert economists to consider the evidence. They documentindividuals but also communities to ed that for every public dollar that is become upwardly mobile.

Rankings and studies consistent- put into Queens College, the instituly prove with compelling data the tion returns just shy of five to the E PR

E A PLA CE PAR

F

O R U YO

I GO

TO

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 12

C M CEL page 12 Y K

CATHOLIC A CEMETERIES

So many of our students are douNew York City economy through ble majors. They know change has the efforts of its graduates. This become the only constant. Their alumni impact amounts to $1.5 billion. It represents collective earn- careers, plural rather than singular, will demand adaptation. That is ings, taxes paid on those earnings, why we opened a new arts school jobs created by alumni, taxes paid and a new business school simultaby their businesses, and spending neously. The savvy art student will by alumni. The study also revealed take a business course, and vice that nearly 85 percent of QC stuversa. The renowned school of edudents stay in the metropolitan area cation is exemplary. All of those after graduating. They earn an averbeing trained to teach an even age of $34,500 more annually and $1.5 million over their working life- younger generation are essentially double majors: They learn a subject time than a person with only a high such as history or physics, and then school diploma.

More than a thousand people, they learn how to pass on their knowledge and skills. including faculty and staff, To prepare our students alumni and students, to work and to help developed our strategic them secure jobs with plan. Even when it was FUTURE decent wages in their impossible to hold field of study is the town halls in person, EDUCATION minimum. We must do they assembled on virmore than that. Our tual platforms to enviresponsibility is to make sion our future. We ready engaged citizens. agree that we want to Democracy is sustained by embrace diversity, equity and participation. Since 1937, our motto inclusion. These have been core has been, “We learn that we may values well before any controversy serve.” Now, we recognize that the over the basic concepts of fighting best leaders are those who serve. discrimination in all its forms and Yet all the good we can do is pospromoting respect for everyone sible only with mutual commitment who would extend it in turn.

Queens College tuition is still below $8,000 a year, a tenth of what many rivals charge. COURTESY PHOTO to the social contract. The pandemic tested our resolve to come together.

We pledged, with the hope which was needed to make it through such an extended crisis, that afterward we would try to do better than we had before. Higher education makes that possible, and our campus is one of those few places where people of all ethnicities and all faiths are bound together in aspirations to improve their lot in life and the world around them.

I am humbled to hold the role that I have, because I am inspired by our students. We have a duty to empowQ er them.

Frank Wu is President of Queens College.

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The Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park T Community Advisory Board (CAB) Needs Your Help Community Ideas are Important to US! Please scan to fill out the survey on the CAB website

Next Meeting is June 29th We are working together to make FMCP the BEST Park for everyone. Please give us your ideas, your suggestions for how YOU would like to see the park serve the community.

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on our website: fmcpc.org or facebook @Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy Support our Park

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Community Advisory Board The CAB’s mission is to provide a coordinated community voice and affi rm the community’s ongoing importance – and inclusion in – the Alliance’s goals for the park. These goals include programming, activities, maintenance and operations, beautification, sustainability, and fundraising.

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For the latest newsOF visit qchron.com 26TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION QUEENS • 2023

Queens Museum, Queens Theatre, USTA National Tennis Center, Citi Field, Unisphere, Queens Botanical Garden, Meadow and Willow Lakes

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Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 14

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Outdoor learning activities in Queens Idlewild, HarborLAB, Queens Botanical Garden and APEC have plenty of offerings

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

“We try to get youths to think about environmental topics they are passionate about and make some kind of a change,” the EQA chairSchools may nearly be out for the summer, woman said. “We help them focus on how they but fun, environmentally oriented activities are going to go about accomplishing those and enrichment opportunities for youths and changes.”

The initiative is an international program adults are being offered throughout Queens in some new and improved facilities and unique by Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and anthropologist famous for her sites.

Set near Jamaica Bay and adjacent to JFK work studying wild chimpanzees, and her Airport, within one of the largest saltwater institute.

“We have a loose affiliation with them,” marshes in the borough, is the Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Center, a Brown said. “Last summer, our youngsters said they were concerned about environmental 5,400-square-foot pavilion.

The Eastern Queens Alliance, a federation racism and justice ... they did research and of civic associations in Southeast Queens, runs made a presentation and had a discussion the green learning and community center, about the topics with people from the commuwhich has indoor and outdoor classrooms, nity, as well as elected officials.”

The youths were also concerned about the exhibitions and views of the wetlands.

“We just opened last year,” EQA Chair- overuse of plastics and did park cleanups.

“We try to get them from ‘I’m paswoman Barbara Brown said of the $8 sionate about this topic’ to ‘How am I million facility that had a ribbon-cutgoing to do something about ting ceremony on April 28, 2022. this?’” she added. “What are the “We run environmental education FUTURE steps of planning a project from prog rams for child ren and to end? What are your adults.”

EXPLORATION beginning target goals? What is your target Brown told the Queens Chronpopulation? Who do you reach icle that its upcoming six-week out to? They plan out the steps, and summer session, which has the learn how to execute it and accomtheme of “Water, Water, Everywhere plish it both individually and together.” ... Wonders of Earth’s Waters,” runs There are no set dates, but later this sumfrom Mondays to Fridays, July 10 to Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is for children ages mer, weather permitting, the preserve intends to collaborate with Harbor Learning Adven6 to 12.

Youths will learn about science, technology, ture Boating, a Long Island City-based enviengineering and mathematics, marine animals, ronmental and educational organization, weather, climate change and how much of the according to Brown.

“We are seeing what is available on their planet is covered in water. They will also get to use the 15-acre Idlewild Park Saltwater schedule to take people out canoeing and kayMarsh, which the center is situated within, as a aking,” she said. “The canoeing and kayaking will go on at the Idlewild Park Preserve.” laboratory extension.

To sign up for programs or learn more about “During the summer, we will also have our Roots & Shoots leadership program,” Brown the science center, call (347) 824-2301 or visit said. “It’s called Roots & Shoots Youth easternqueensalliance.org.

HarborLAB, run by Erik Baard, its founder Brigade.”

The program runs on Saturdays from July 1 and executive director, is a water-themed envito Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is for ronmental science learning service, which hosts its programs at various sites throughout youths and young adults ages 10 to 19.

New York City’s waters and New Jersey’s.

“We are regrouping after the pandemic,” Baard told the Queens Chronicle. “We don’t have an interior space.”

This summer most of HarborLAB’s events will be at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City.

Earlier this month, a Gantry Pride Paddle event was supposed to be held at the park but was delayed until June 24, from 12 to 3 p.m., because of air-quality issues from the Canadian wildfires, according to Baard.

Other paddling events are scheduled for July 29 and Aug. 19 at Little Bay Park in Fort Totten, from 12 to 4 p.m.

“Because we are a mobile platform, we have something called the WAEV,” Baard said. “It is a water-accessed electric vehicle.

We have two electric vehicles that are stuffed with next-generation inflatable kayaks. We go A HarborLAB tour of the East River under the all around the city, especially in Queens.”

Tentative events include an Energy IndePHOTO BY MAIRO NOTTON Queensboro Bridge.

A new environmentally friendly building for the Alley Pond Environmental Center is expected to RENDERING COURTESY NYC PARKS be completed by the fall. pendence Paddle from New York Harbor to Porte Liberte, NJ, which will include a discussion on the history of energy at the harbor, tidal mills and offshore turbines. Another possible event is the Gantry Independence Day Open Paddle on July 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“The events are weather- and water qualitydependent,” Baard said.

While there is no contract, HarborLAB is speaking with developers to have a boathouse at Anable Basin, near the Pepsi Sign in Long Island City, so that they can have an ADAaccessible launch there.

“It’s a finger of truncated water,” said the HarborLAB founder. “We are also planning on speaking with the Parks Department to get a wheelchair runway at Little Bay Park. Our whole mission is environmental education, access and our diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility work.”

HarborLAB has openings for volunteers and paid internships for those who want to help with its event programs.

To learn more about its educational tours or a position, visit harborlab.org.

Back on land, ground will be broken at the end of this year for the Queens Botanical Garden’s new educational center at 43-50 Main St. in Flushing, according to Jatnna Ramirez, QBG’s director of programs.

“In the next two to three years we will have a new education building that will be able to house a lot more programming for youths and adults,” said Ramirez. “The new building will have a garden surrounding it and a teaching kitchen for both adults and kids to do food exploration and nature explorations. We are very excited about that.”

While Ramirez is happy to be getting a newer building to teach guests and train staff, especially during inclement weather, most of QBG’s programming is outdoors.

“We have year-round programming, nature exploration for kids as little as 2 years old,” said the director. “It is cool to see kids engaging with plants and flowers. We have a farm

here where we grow food. We have a workshop called Plants We Eat and they get to learn where food comes from.”

QBG also has a bee garden and a program called Buzz Worthy.

“It’s all about our bee friends and helping people connect with nature and understand the function of bees and other pollinators in our life,” Ramirez said.

Parents can participate in kids programming and there are also outreach workshops at libraries and community centers, where the QBG takes the garden to.

The garden is also offering a paid farm internship for college-aged students to learn about urban agriculture.

To learn more about QBG’s offerings or the internship program, visit queensbotanical.org.

The Alley Pond Environmental Center, which has long been based on Northern Boulevard, just east of the Cross Island Parkway, is also getting a new educational facility, according to Irene Scheid, APEC’s executive director.

“The new building is where the old building’s back parking lot was,” Scheid said. “Once people enter the building, they can go right into the park without crossing an active parking lot.”

The 9,940-square-foot facility is expected to achieve a LEED Silver environmental rating, and it has passive ventilation in occupied spaces, radiant heat flooring, occupancy sensors and reduced energy consumption, along with geothermal heating and cooling, according to the Parks Department.

“It will have additional classroom space,” Scheid added. “We will be there by the fall.”

In the meantime, people are attending programs at a temporary location at 224-65 76 Ave. in Oakland Gardens.

There will be an Evening Pajama Party and Story Time for young kids on Friday, June 23, from 7 to 8 p.m., and a Vet Tech program on July 15, from 10 a.m. The summer offerings are filling up quickly, so visit alleypond.org to Q register.

C M CEL page 15 Y K

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 18

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Neighborhood cradles of creativity LIC and Ridgewood: two communities, growing and evolving with time

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor When describing the borough of Queens, perhaps one of the most def initive ter ms is the word “dynamic.” The borough is everchanging, while somehow maintaining its historical significance.

This is perhaps most clear in the neighborhoods of Ridgewood and Long Island City, both of which have undergone a plethora of changes since their establishment — but have managed to maintain their integrity.

“Both neighborhoods were settled at the same time, and the architecture is very similar,” said Bob Singleton, executive director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society. “Some developers worked in both communities at the same time so they actually resemble each other – for example, Mathews Flats, built by Gustav Mathews.”

Ridgewood is considered one of the largest historic districts in the United States, with more than 2,900 buildings in 18 districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings reflect turn-of-the-century multistory Romanesque style with brick row houses and brownstones that are attractive to the eye — including the aforementioned Mathews Flats.

The area was heavily influenced

by German immigrants and left-

A heavily developed stretch of 31st Street with gleaming skyscrapers PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON in LIC.

wing politics. “There is a distinctive shift in that direction by people in their 20s and 30s today, with much of the goals, language, and discussions centered around many of the same issues being discussed in 1900 when both communities were being developed,” Singleton explained.

Though Ridgewood has its fair share of similarities with LIC, you ng people a re especially attracted to it because of its similarity to a Brooklyn neighborhood.

“I call it Ridgewick,” said resident Beatriz Alamonte, a recent college graduate who has lived in Ridgewood for just two years after relocating from Flushing. Ridgewood is a popular locale due to its being next door to Brooklyn’s Bushwick, and it echoes some of the same “hipster vibes,” as Alamonte put it.

“My roommates and I were looking at Bushwick initially, and this is close enough,” she shared.

Both Ridgewood and LIC have grown into high-energy locales, the latter after being heavily built up, m i r ror i ng a spect s of Manhattan.

The neighborhoods are continuing to develop even today, with plenty of new members of each relocating from out of state.

“People from the Midwest revitalized the area,” Singleton said.

“They were not raised in cities.

They were raised on plots of land.

These people and their parents were usually professionals with some degree of education, so they brought about new ideas.”

While LIC used to be home to a large number of factories, it has grown in creative distinction. The neighborhood, which is the largest in Queens, is now packed with luxury high-rises, beautiful parks and art museums sure to delight any creative type.

The high-rises can be seen from far distances, and people not familiar with the area often mistake them for Manhattan buildings when viewing the skyline.

“Both neighborhoods are brimming with cradles of creativity,” Singleton said. “When you get new people, you get new energy and new ideas. The other ideas continuously are examined because it has to refresh itself.”

Some residents have said Ridgewood is becoming gentrified, with the rise of more commercial coffee shops, thrift stores, bars and chain restaurants — like the Panera Bread that opened its doors on

Customers sitting outside of Milk & Pull, one of Ridgewood’s many coffee shops. Residents believe there is an PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MEDITZ excess of newer commercial buildings, such as cafés. from countries in Europe. “It’s an June 12.

“It could’ve been just a bakery interesting point, not a hopeless or something,” Alamonte said. “Or point. If you look closely enough, more housing. We could use some you see why they’re doing it. New more large apartment buildings materials, new styles. ” Singleton also noted that changwith cheaper rent.”

Not everyone would agree with es are not new to either area. “Peothat statement. “I worry about the ple from all around the world are very large buildings. I hope not to coming here with ideas. Medicine, see more of them,” said Linda technology, science, art,” he said.

Monte, recording secretary and “Every generation modifies its former president of the Greater skill set to address the challenges Ridgewood Historical Society. of its particular generation. And a city reinvents itself with Monte moved to Ridgewood every generation, harin the 1970s, and has a vest i ng t he latest deep appreciation for dynamic ideas. The the historical aspects FUTURE communities that are of the neighborhood. hit by that are the ones “The large buildEVOLUTION t h at h ave a g reat ings are disturbing to future.” me because I like the A r ia n na St i mpf ls m a l l s ca le of t he Fernandez, president of neighborhood that we the Greater Ridgewood Hishave,” Monte said. “It’s lowprofile, and I think that really torical Society, commented on the positive aspects of changes in her defines the neighborhood.”

Of the neighborhood’s historical neighborhood. “Originally, Ridgearchitecture, Monte said, “Slowly, wood was mostly German and ItalI see the historical buildings disap- ian, but now it’s very multicultural, pearing. The ironwork, gate work... and I think that’s among the most The things that made these build- positive changes,” she said.

The neighborhood holds a speings historic. We’re losing them.”

LIC has had a similar issue — cial place in her heart, as she grew the architecture that made it up there, often spending time at unique is slowly disappearing. The her grandparents’ house — which area is turning into a mirror image she now lives in, and maintains the of Manhattan, with large high-ris- original architecture.

“Ridgewood has a family, comes throughout the neighborhood.

Singleton noted that architectur- munity feel to it, and that has al changes happen with new waves stayed the same. Young families of immigrants, especially those not keep moving in. I tend to know

everyone on my block and we look out for each other,” Stimpfl-Fernandez said.

Christina Mayer is a resident of LIC, who moved there from her parents’ home in Rockford, Ill., during the pandemic.

“I had just graduated, and I didn’t want to move back home. I got a remote job based in Manhattan, so LIC seemed like a great idea. It’s close enough, rent was cheaper and I was able to easily get a place with some roommates,” Mayer explained.

“I’m not as much of a fan as I was in 2020.”

The combination of rent going up and the heavily developed setting made for a less than ideal living experience for Mayer.

“I honestly spend most of my time in other neighborhoods. I come to LIC to sleep,” Mayer said.

“Sure, we have plenty to do here, what with all the cafés and art galleries and such, but I wish I would’ve moved somewhere a little more quaint.”

When looking at the changes happening in both Ridgewood and LIC, it’s easy to forget that change is often an inevitable, natural occurrence with nearly every community. The newer generation makes its mark.

As Singleton put it, “Look at young people, see what they’re doing and you can translate that.

You’ll see the seeds of the future Q are being sown.”

C M CEL page 19 Y K

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 20

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Willets Pt: ‘valley of ashes’ no more Soccer stadium, affordable housing promise economic growth in Queens

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor Willets Point and Flushing Meadows were memorialized by author F. Scott Fitzgerald in “The Great Gatsby” as the “valley of ashes” — a desolate, waterfront area that people going between Long Island and Manhattan pass through. In a novel packed with symbolism and metaphor, Fitzgerald is heavy handed in his implication that the valley of ashes is meant to represent poverty, moral decay and the death of the American Dream.

For years, New York City politicians and Queens leaders have often returned to Fitzgerald’s dubbing of the area to make the argument that Willets Point ought to be developed.

In that pursuit, what the future has in store for Willets Point has been a question left unanswered for years as proposals came and went.

But things are looking more certain as the Willets Point Redevelopment Project has progressed further.

B a c k i n 2 018 , t h e c i t y announced plans to build 1,100 units of affordable housing and a 650-seat elementary school in Willets Point. Environmental remediation of the Phase 1 site — the southernmost portion of Willets Point’s 61 acres east of Citi Field, 23 of which are owned by the city — began in 2021.

Fast forward to last November: After months of speculation and rumors that Mets owner Steve Cohen had intentions to put a casino across the street from Citi Field, mixed in with reports that the New York City Football Club was aiming to build a stadium at the same spot, the latter panned

out. Mayor Adams announced that, in addition to a 25,000-seat stadium, the city would partner with Queens Development Group — a joint venture between former Mets owners Sterling Equities and Related Companies LLC — to build 1,400 more units of affordable housing, along with a 250-key hotel. According to PJ Berg, the New York City Economic Development Corp.’s senior vice president of real estate transactions, those buildings will be lined with plenty of outdoor, public space as well, making for one acre in total.

Collectively, those elements represent Phase 2 of the project.

(Though a casino is not part of the Willets Point Redevelopment Project, Cohen’s hopes are far from dead; visit qchron.com for coverage on that.)

Borough President Donovan Richards is excited, to say the least.

“Queens is The World’s Borough, and with the World Cup coming to the area in 2026, it only makes sense that Queens plays The World’s Game on a professional level. That’s what we’ll be doing once New York City Football Club’s new stadium opens in 2027, creating thousands of new jobs in the process,” he said in a statement.

“But ultimately, the most important stat on the scoreboard is 2,500 — the number of affordable housing units being built at Willets Point, making it the city’s largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years.”

The project’s completion is still several years out. Even as work began almost three years ago, to the average onlooker, little beyond bulldozers and piles of dirt can be seen beyond the construction wall lining Roosevelt Avenue and Seav-

The New York City Football Club is expected to open its new 25,000-seat stadium as the 2027 Major League Soccer season kicks off. NYC EDC RENDERING

Slowly but surely, construction is moving along at Willets Point. Environmental remediation work for Phase 1 of PHOTO BY SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY the massive redevelopment project concluded this spring. er Way. But that is a massive over- structure to a long-neglected area, the project has been touted as a simplification, says Berg.

“What’s happening is that a long cha nce to spa rk the Q ueens neglected area of the city is finally economy.

“This is a project that truly getting the attention and investment that it deserves, through the brings our neighborhood to the remediation ... which is 23 acres of forefront with 1,550 permanent environmental cleanup of long, jobs and 14,200 unionized conlong, polluted land,” he told the struction jobs, access to reliable Chronicle. With the remediation transit, and a 650-seat elementary work on Phase 1 now complete, he school that will help alleviate the added, more visible work on city burden of neighboring schools that infrastructure, including sidewalks are over-capacity,” reads a statement f rom Cou ncil ma n and streets, will begin soon.

Francisco Moya According to the EDC, (D-Corona), who has developers are expectworked to move the ed to break ground on FUTURE project along, as his the first new building district overlaps with slat ed for Willet s AMBITION the site. “In addition Point by the end of to open space for resi2023. dents and visitors to T hat will include enjoy, ground floor retail 880 units of affordable space for local small busihousing, as well as retail space at the ground level and nesses and a privately financed parking below. Due to f looding stadium — the first in the city concerns, the entire site will be built specifically for soccer— will be the economic engine making elevated with landfill, Berg said.

Transportation improvements the entire vision possible. The for the area have been a big ques- entire project will generate $6.1 tion in light of the redevelopment billion in economic impact over work. An EDC spokesperson said the next 30 years.”

A portion of that $6.1 million possible transit work will be looked at during the environmen- figure is expected to come from tal review process; Tom Grech, tourism — that’s where the hotel president and CEO of the Queens comes in. “Thin k about how Chamber of Commerce, said the many people would like to go to a No. 7 train could get some capaci- soccer game, or frankly, go to a Mets game or a tennis match and ty and modernization upgrades.

In addition to being the city’s make a night of it and stay nearby, largest affordable housing project rather than have to trek into Manin 40 years and bringing infra- hattan,” Berg said.

“The goal has always been to make Queens a true live-work-play destination,” Richards said. “And with additional investments in state-of-the-art infrastr ucture, union jobs, and local retail, it’s impossible to overstate the influence of Willets Point’s transformation and the project’s furtherance of that ultimate mission. Communities like Corona and Flushing — which have suffered from decades of disinvestment — must benefit the most from this plan, however, and I look forward to ensuring that happens as it moves through the ULURP process.”

E D C C E O a n d P r e s id e n t Andrew Kimball previously told the Chronicle that Phase 2 of the project is expected to go before Community Board 7 as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure sometime in the first quarter of 2024.

But jobs will not be limited to concessions, hotel services and t he l i ke — Berg not ed t h at NYCFC plans to move its headquarters to the stadium, which could produce jobs.

Grech is optimistic. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to transform a neighborhood and an area that’s been blighted for 50 years, 60 years with nothing,” he told the Chronicle.

“What more can be done to a corner that has been left to languish? ” Moya said. “Without a doubt, the Willets Point redevelQ opment project has it all.”

C M CEL page 21 Y K

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023 Page 22

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For businesses, it’s all systems grow

by Tom Grech The last few years have been difficult for our local economy and sadly, we’ve seen too many beloved community institutions close their doors to customers for good. But as we cha r t ou r recover y, there are reasons to be optimistic, particularly here in Queens. From our diversity, to our thriving arts and culture scene, to our seven colleges and universities graduating students companies want to hire, to our world-class transportation infrastructure, Queens has ever ything businesses need to grow and thrive.

These are the reasons that Amazon initially chose Long Island City as the location for its second headquarters, and everything that appealed to the tech giant is still here today. Queens is well positioned to foster a thriving tech ecosystem.

Suppor t i ng that ecosystem requires more than just attracting the world’s most prominent tech companies to Queens. We also

need to do everything tribute more than $72 billion in we can to help home- economic activity to the metropolgrown star tups suc- itan area and employ nearly 50,000 ceed. There is no better people. Thanks to Gov. Hochul way to do that than and our friends at the Port Authorthrough tech incuba- ity, we are now seeing exciting t o r s . T h e Q u e e n s investments in our airports. The Chamber of Commerce $9.5 billion New Terminal One and the Queens Tech project at JFK will create 10,000 Council have launched new jobs and contracting opportuincubator spaces in the nities for minority- and womenRockaways and Jamaica with plans owned businesses.

Beyond the residents they to open several more in the comemploy and the businesses they coning months.

These incubators offer compli- tract with, our airports are vital for mentary office space, mentorship us to attract and grow businesses.

They allow Queens-grown comand other business resources for panies to access global martech startups to help grow ket s. At ou r re ce nt t he sector f rom t he Queens Business Expo, g rou nd up. Perhaps we heard from reprem o s t i m p o r t a n t ly, FUTURE sentatives from a numthese incubators offer the opportunity for COOPERATION ber of foreign governments who cited our collaboration between airports as a reason forsome of the brightest eign companies looked to minds in the industry.

Queens as a place to gain a Ou r t ra nspor t ation foothold in North America. infrastructure sets tech, and all They also suppor t another industries in Queens, up for success. Queens is the “Aviation Bor- industry crucial to Queens — ough,” and LaGuardia and JFK tourism. Visitors from around the have long been vital to our local world come here to experience economy. The two airports con- international cuisine and world-

class attractions. Recently The New York Times listed 19 Queensbased restaurants in the top 100 list of all restaurants across New York City. We have dozens of museums and parks to enjoy.

Additionally, Willets Point is one of the world’s premier destinations for sports entertainment, with the Mets ($338 million) and the US Open ($750 million) generating over $1 billion in economic impact annually. The redevelopment of the neighborhood will bring the world’s game to the World’s Borough, with the opening of a state-of-the-art soccer stadium that New York City Football Club will call home. The project, which includes 2,500 affordable homes, is expected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating 1,550 permanent jobs and 14,200 construction jobs.

For months, Steve Cohen and his team have been working with the community and neighbors on a vision to transform the 50 acres of asphalt parking around Citi Field with new public green space, thousands of new and permanent jobs, and entertainment that will bring people to the area every single day

Queens restaurants are a big draw for tourists. PHOTO BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH / FILE of the year. This would be transformative for not just the surrounding neighborhoods but our entire borough with serious economic impact and community benefits.

There are a lot of exciting things happening in our borough at the moment, but what makes me most optimistic about the future of Queens is the entrepreneurial spirit I see every day. People from all over the world, in every industry, are determined to grow their businesses and live the American dream in our community. That grit and determination puts us in a Q position to succeed.

Tom Grech is President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

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Theater is ancient; today’s not at all Accessibility, lights and sound are key to upgrades at major Queens venues

by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

Baisley Boulevard) was recently redone by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with shrubbery and benches added to the site, Clay noted. A free outdoor summer café will take full advantage of the upgrade, with performances twice a week beginning today, June 22, kicking off with “Tribute to Ladies of Soul.” Other attractions will include “A Tribute to the Dells” and “Ladies of Motown.” Shows at the café are scheduled for Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m.

In fact, whether the renovations at the respective venues already have been completed or remain ongoing or are yet to come, all three, along with many others in the borough, are gearing up for a summer filled with special attractions.

QPAC will present “A Disney Singalong Tribute,” described as the “ultimate Disney experience band for Disney fanatics of all ages,” today, June 22, at 7 p.m. in Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village and other dates around the borough. Admission is free.

Next up for QPAC, June 25 brings “Richie Santa: A Tribute to the King,” a free performance in tribute to Elvis Presley, to Hillcrest Jewish Center (183-02 Union Tpke., Fresh Meadows) at 3 p.m.

And at QPAC’s newly refurbished venue at Queensborough Community College (222-05 56 Ave., Bayside), audiences will be treated to The Modern Gentlemen, a quartet that has appeared alongside Frankie Valli for the last decade, performing pop, rock and doo-wop classics for a modern audience. Show date is Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $33 to $58.

Coming up at Kupferberg is “American Symphony Orchestra: American Expressions” on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. The program, to be presented at LeFrak Concert Hall (153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing), highlights different forms of expression that emerged in the 1920s, including new elements of dance, theater and jazz. Tickets are free.

On Oct. 7 at 8 p.m., Kupferberg will present vocalist Gretchen Parlato and guitarist Lionel Loueke in concert, also at LeFrak. The program tells the story of 20 years of inspiration and friendship between the two musical soulmates.

Tickets range from $30 to $40.

With all the advances being made in theater, it’s unlikely that Aristophanes and his contemporaries would even recognize it as the same institution that they had been a part of so many Q centuries ago.

The development of theater as a vital part of society can be traced as far back as the classical period of ancient Greece some 2,500 years ago, and its continuing evolution into the 21st century may be evidenced with the modernization of many of the performing venues right here in our own backyard, three of which are highlighted below.

Queensborough Performing Arts Center, in existence since 1965, is located on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside. It recently underwent its first major renovation, which, according to Executive and Artistic Director Susan Agin, “came out of the necessity to remove existing barriers within QPAC to accommodate patrons with disabilities in compliance with the latest Americans with Disabilities Act.” What started out as a $3.7 million project ultimately resulted in a complete overhaul to the tune of $15 million. The exploding budget The new Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Bayside looks cutting-edge regardless of was the result, in part, of the “heightened costs what’s happening on stage, and is fully handicap-accessible.

PHOTO BY DOMINICK TOTINO for materials and labor post-Covid,” Agin said.

“We began making provisions for the ADA that will be possible, he explained.

In other parts of the borough, plans for faceIn addition, Yanofsky said improved internal lifts are underway at two additional theatrical project in the fall of 2017 by presenting a nummainstays, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, on ber of shows in alternate venues and by hosting communications are planned, as well as new the campus of Queens College in Flushing, and a number of dinner theater programs at popular stage risers and microphone packages.

Besides the work planned for Colden, YanofBlack Spectrum Theatre on the border of neighborhood restaurants,” Agin said. “The demolition work actually began in December sky said that “we hope to secure funding for Jamaica and St. Albans.

LeFrak Concert Hall,” as well.

Beginning July 1, Colden Auditorium, the 2018.”

Clay expressed hope that the future will Five years later, “We’re back in the theater jewel of the Kupferberg complex, with just over bring to his venue a new lighting system, new 2,000 seats, will be closed for approximately full-time,” she said.

“QPAC is now fully accessible. There is seating and additional stage mechanics that will one year for “major upgrades and renovations equal access to the building for those with allow productions to fly in sets. on the infrastructure and theatrical producA new chair lift for those with disabilities disabilities, accessible box seating, fully tion capabilities,” said Kupferberg’s renovated and accessible restrooms has already been installed, and “we’re looking director, Jon Yanofsky. and dressing rooms, a new ADA- to redo our bathrooms,” Clay said. If all goes The multimillion-dollar project compliant elevator, new ticket well, additional major work on the theater will is a “huge endeavor,” Yanofsky FUTURE booth and refreshment area,” begin next summer, he added. said.

Streaming of selected productions, necessiA cultural staple since 1961, IMAGINATION Agin said.

Renovations at the theater also tated by the arrival of Covid-19, will continue, the venue has presented a wide include new acoustical finishes, Clay said: “People would appreciate that. Some variety of artists over the years, people are still reluctant to come out.” she added. reflecting the diversity of the borAlong the same lines, Agin said, “Remain“Our theater is now equipped with ough’s residents. all-new sound and lighting equipment that ing on the cusp of new forms of entertainment Colden’s upcoming season will find temporary homes at two other campus venues, includes digital sound and lighting consoles, includes live streaming and virtual events, and LeFrak Concert Hall and the Goldstein Theater. new multitiered house speakers, multipurpose programming that invites audience members to Carl Clay, who founded Black Spectrum in LED lighting fixtures, fully programmable participate through social media platforms.

1970 to provide the community with African- moving lights, state-of-the-art infrared listen- Some of our performances also integrate video and gaming components.”

American cultural expression through contem- ing devices and more,” she said.

Meanwhile, the lawn in front of Black SpecAgin acknowledged former City Councilporary theater and film, continues to lead the company. He recently indicated that renova- member Daniel Drom m for allocating trum (in Roy Wilkins Park at 77th Street and tions at the site “would allow us to have a mod- $500,000 toward the sound and lighting ern look and to make internal changes — upgrades, an amount matched by the state.

In keeping with the changing times, an expand the museum and expand areas for the enlarged lobby at QPAC now includes two gencommunity to put on events.”

He added that the city is putting $125 mil- der-neutral bathrooms.

“The moment you step inside the theater, lion into building a recreation center in Roy Wilkins Park, home to his theater, which he you are transported into a venue that feels like an intimate Radio City Music Hall,” Agin said. said will remain in its current building.

Plans for Colden include upgrading both the “We’re in the process of putting architectural plans together to do over the theater and the theatrical and house lighting to all-LED lighting, according to Yanofsky. Digital projection lobby,” he said.

While the end results of those renovations capabilities, a key component for touring artists will likely provide audiences with many plea- and for set design, is also on the agenda, he surable experiences in the years to come, said. “It gives us a much greater variation” Colden Auditorium at Queens College in Flushing and the Black Spectrum Theatre on the Jamaiwhen it comes to the types of performances ca-St. Albans border are both slated for upgrades. accomplishing the changes is no simple task.

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Sharing the future of transportation Scooter rental coming to Eastern Queens in 2024; carshare greatly expanded

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

nities, easing dependence on motor vehicles by offering an environmentally friendly mobility option. The service was also found Subways and buses no longer are the only to provide an important connection to tranforms of shared transportation in the five sit, providing what is called a “last-mile” connection to subway stations, bus and boroughs.

And with city officials expanding the ferry stops.

The DOT said the first 12 months of the shared automobile program this spring and expanding the Bronx e-scooter pilot pro- Bronx program saw more than 1 million gram into Queens next year, they appear to rides from 86,000 user accounts.

Safety requirements included in the conbe going all in on the new alternatives.

Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez of the tracts with scooter companies Bird, Lime cit y’s Depa r t ment of Tra nspor t at ion and Veo include an in-app safety training announced the expansion of the scooter and quiz, as well as age verification for new rental program, begun in the Bronx in riders. There is also a Beginner Mode, during which each rider’s first three trips are 2021, on June 15. speed-limited at 10 mph and cannot “E-scooters and other forms of start in overnight hours. micromobility will help us build a All scooters must be capped cleaner and greener transportaat 15 mph. tion system that connects resiFUTURE The DOT said it has recorddents to commercial and transit hubs,” Rodriguez said in a MOBILIZATION ed few serious injuries and no fatalities through the program statement from his office. “I so far. In the first 12 months of am thrilled that our e-scooter the pilot, there was fewer than sharing program is here to stay one crash reported per 8,000 trips. and that it will expand to eastern New Yorkers who receive or qualify Queens. Our pilot program met and exceeded our ambitious goals—and it’s for any local, state or federal assistance prot i me we m a ke it available i n more gram, such as SNAP, NYCHA and discounted utility bills are eligible for disneighborhoods.”

The Queens program will primarily counted e-scooter share rates. Materials include Tier 1 and Tier 2 priority investment promoting discounted pricing are available areas over roughly 20 square miles in East- in multiple languages.

As part of the pilot, all companies must ern Queens, from Flushing and Auburndale to the north down to Rochdale Village and provide wheelchair-accessible scooters. As of June 1, 2023, over 1,200 riders have colSpringfield Gardens to the south.

The expansion will provide critical con- lectively taken nearly 140,000 rides through nections to major transportation and com- discounted pricing services, averaging over 100 rides per account. mercial hubs for roughly 600,000 residents.

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers Exact program boundaries are still being (D-Laurelton), who chairs the Transportadetermined based on community feedback.

Last November, the DOT released an tion Committee, shared Rodriguez’s enthuevaluation report highlighting the successes siasm fr project expansion in last week’s of the pilot and examining uses after more statement.

“I celebrate the extension of DOT’s than 1.4 million rides.

The report found the e-scooter share pilot e-scooter sharing program to transit desert provided functional and accessible mobility neighborhoods like communities I represent options to historically underserved commu- in Southeast Queens that have been long

The city Department of Transportation will introduce rental e-scooters to Eastern Queens starting in 2024, citing what officials say has been an extremely successful pilot program in the IMAGE COURTESY NYC DOT Bronx.

A Zipcar sits ready for its next member driver on 175th Street in Jamaica right off of Hillside Avenue. The city has more than doubled the number of carshare spaces. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON underserved by public transit,” Brooks-Powers said. “This program will provide a clean, efficient, and affordable micro-mobility option to community members in need. I look forward to working with DOT to ensure the program is rolled out equitably.”

The scooter announcement came less than three months after the DOT in late March began an effort that more than doubled the number of parking spaces in the city set side for carshare programs operated

by Getaround, Truqit and Zipcar.

Members who enroll in one of the company’s programs can reserve a car, drive it away at the scheduled time and return it to the same marked, dedicated parking spot when finished.

The pilot program began in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx in 2018. Expansion this past spring increased the number of dedicated parking spots in the city to 552, up from 230. The DOT has said more sites will be evaluated and established throughout 2023.

A list of carshare locations throughout the city can be found on the DOT’s website at on.nyc.gov/3CDmr6O. City officials in the spring said the pilot program reduced car ownership and estimated that it cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent and vehicle miles traveled by 6 percent.

Mayor Adams said in March that the program established a proven track record of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and offering New Yorkers an alternative to owning cars.

“That’s why we expanded this program in February and why we are doing it again ...

This program has been studied thoroughly with extensive community feedback, and the results are clear: Car-sharing is making New York City safer, cleaner, and healthier.”

“Doubling the size of this program will make curbside carshare accessible in more neighborhoods, save people money, and build upon the success of our successful pilot program,” Rodriguez said in the statement.

The DOT said carshare users took about 160,000 trips total during the pilot, with an average of 24 rides per month per space.

Each month, an average of 17 unique carshare members used vehicles in each space.

The agency also said annual vehicle miles traveled were reduced by about 38.7 million and that an annual net reduction of 12,000 metric tons in greenhouse gases per year was realized.

The pilot dramatically increased diversity of carshare users: Black and Latino membership doubled to about 30 percent of total carshare users.

After the first year of the pilot, unauthorized use of on-street carshare parking spaces declined dramatically, once the DOT allowed carshare companies to use paint to clearly mark their spaces with “Carshare Parking Only,” making the program much more reliable for customers.

The DOT said the program brought carshare to 14 neighborhoods citywide with low and moderate incomes, including Inwood, Washington Heights, Harlem, Parkchester, Red Hook, Jamaica and the Rockaways. Many of those neighborhoods saw the highest rates of overall use during Q the pilot.

C M CEL page 27 Y K Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, June 22, 2023

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C M CEL page 28 Y K

Who’s the diamond in the rough?

Mets’ farm system not about to save the day, but there’s some talent there

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

offensive abilities. The problem is that he was signed as a shortstop, a position, which, for better or worse, Mets owner Steve Cohen has not appears to be the domain of Francisbeen shy about spending money on co Lindor for the rest of this decade.

The Mets are wisely using the 2023 big-name free agents.

Yes, it can be argued whether season to allow Mauricio to try his signing Max Scherzer and Justin hand at the other infield positions, Verlander to $43 million per year and even to let him get experience in salaries, as well as having signed the outfield.

Two other Syracuse Mets players shortstop Francisco Lindor in 2021 to an 11-year, $341 million deal, worth tracking, aside from starting were pr udent use of f inancial pitcher David Peterson, who got resources. Nonetheless, the ability of demoted from Queens to central a baseball team to attract high- New York State because of his priced talent leads to better atten- inability to get major league hitters dance and more lucrative sponsor- out, are Jose Butto and Josh Walker.

Butto is a 25-year-old starting ship deals.

The key to long-term sustainable pitcher from Venezuela who can success, however, is having a fruitful strike people out. He was called up minor league system, as both the as an emergency starter for the Mets Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros earlier this year and got clobbered, but it may not be fair to have shown, much to the conextrapolate much from sternation of Mets and that one game.

Yankees fans.

Walker is 28, which Mets fans will not FUTURE is ancient for a minor want to hear this, but it pitcher. In fairdoes not appear immeANTICIPATION league ness, Walker spent four diate help from their years in college, and team’s minor league has battled injuries. The affiliates is likely. InjuMets converted him from a ries to, and poor perforstarter to a reliever, and the mance by, Mets varsity players such as catcher Omar Narvaez, Edu- move is paying off for the 6-foot, ardo Escobar and Daniel Vogelbach 6-inch righthander as he has become forced General Manager Billy a lights-out closer for Syracuse.

Eppler to bring up Francisco Alva- Given the putrid state of the New rez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, York Mets bullpen, Walker recently respectively, from their AAA Syra- earned a chance to apply his skills in Flushing sooner than later, being cuse Mets farm club.

That has decimated the Syracuse recalled to the big league club in Mets of quality young talent, save June. He has been sharp in three for the current top prospect in the relief appearances for the Mets, Mets organization, Ronny Mauricio. which has increased his immediate There is little doubt about Mauricio’s worth in the organization.

Ronny Mauricio, 22, has been so dynamic at the plate the last two seasons that as he’s progressed through the Mets minor leagues, the organization is now playing the former shortstop at second base and left field in order to PHOTOS BY MIKE MCCANN find a place in Flushing for the talented slugger.

The Mets AA team, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, have some potential big leaguers on their roster.

Right-handed starting pitcher Dominic Hamel was a third-round pick for the Mets in the 2021 amateur draft. He is still considered a top prospect, but his earned run average of more than 5 this season is concerning at the AA level.

While Hamel’s performance has been below par, Mets brass must be impressed with his fellow starter, Mike Vasil, who was named the Eastern League player of the month

Lefty reliever Josh Walker, left, had such an impressive May in the minors that the Mets brought him up in mid-June and he has thrived with a 1.93 ERA in his three outings. Jose Peroza, right, was Walker’s teammate in Binghamton, but the corner infielder has a much more crowded road to the big leagues.

in May. Vasil, a 23-year-old, 6-foot, 5-inch Bostonian, was chosen five rounds after Hamel in the 2021 draft.

He has averaged one strikeout per inning, while still having solid control as he does not walk many opposing hitters. Following that impressive month, Vasil was promoted to AAA Syracuse in mid-June.

Former WFAN air personality, and respected baseball photographer, Mike McCann now lives in central New York State. He told me he is impressed with Rumble Ponies third baseman Jose Peroza and outfielder Matt Rudick. According to McCann, Peroza is a solid contact hitter who can hit an occasional home run, while the 5-foot, 6-inch Rudick reminds him of diminutive Houston Astros star Jose Altuve in that he hits for both power and average and can steal a base as well.

Speaking of diminutive players, the Mets are optimistic about 19-year-old, 5-foot, 8-inch shortstop Jett Williams, who was a Top-14 pick in the 2022 draft. Williams is playing for the Mets A-level team, and scouts say he has good range in the field and a solid knowledge of the strike zone. The Mets will not rush Williams through their farm system.

Also chosen in the first round of the 2022 draft was Georgia Tech catcher Kevin Parada, who is now playing nearby for the Mets “high-A” team, the Brooklyn Cyclones. Parada is known for his defensive skills behind the plate, and he has home

run power. The downside is he has a tendency not to be selective when hitting, and he winds up swinging at pitches out of the strike zone.

Twenty-year-old wiry Brooklyn Cyclones centerfielder Alex Ramirez may be the most intriguing player to watch if you go to Coney Island.

Ramirez has a golden arm and can cover a lot of real estate in a hurry when it comes to tracking down fly balls. He is unusual, though, in that he can hit for average but strikes out a lot for a player not known for home run power.

The highest-ranked prospect on the Brooklyn Cyclones pitching staff is 6-foot, 4-inch former University of Tennessee hurler Blade Tidwell.

Scouting reports say he can hit 95 mph on the speed gun and can throw a devastating slider in the upper 80s range. Tidwell’s earned run average is around 5, which is not great, but it should go down with experience and adjustments.

Predicting success in the majors for any minor leaguer is risky business for a variety of reasons. The Mets had lofty expectations for pitcher Matt Allan, whom they selected in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft. Allan had Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2021, and then had to have elbow surgery this past spring. Allan is only 21, and he and the Mets are hoping his youthful age will help him overcome the bad luck he has endured since signing a proQ fessional baseball contract.

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