Oct. 29, 2020 By Christian Murray A ceremonial ribbon cutting was held at Queensbridge Park Wednesday to mark the completion of a new $6.25 million field house. The new facility replaces the old field house that was constructed in 1941 and had not been in use for nearly 30 years. The previous building was demolished… Read more »
Author: Czarinna
Two Long Island City Landlords Hit With Penalties for Violating 421-A Tax Exemption Rules
Oct. 28, 2020 By Christian Murray Two Long Island City landlords were hit with fines Monday for failing to adhere to the rules governing the 421-a property tax exemption. The landlords, who get tax breaks on their property as part of the program, flouted the rules by failing to offer rent-stabilized leases to tenants as… Read more »
Former CB2 Chair Announces Run for Council Seat, Says She is the ‘Common Sense Candidate’
Oct. 27, 2020 By Christian Murray Denise Keehan-Smith, the former chairperson of Queens Community Board 2, held a press conference in Woodside Saturday and announced that she is running to be the next council member for the 26th council district. The life-long Woodsider, who was joined by about 40 people by the Big Six Towers… Read more »
BOE Expands Hours for Early Voting, Follows Criticism Over Hours-Long Lines
Oct. 27, 2020 By Christian Murray The New York City Board of Elections announced today that it will be expanding its hours for the final three days of early voting. The board’s commissioners said at their meeting today that they would expand the hours on Friday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 1. The announcement follows… Read more »
Famed Astoria Cookie Bakery to Open Williamsburg Location
Oct. 21, 2020 By Christian Murray Chip, the famed Astoria cookie bakery, is opening a shop in Brooklyn. Chip will open its first Brooklyn shop in Williamsburg, where it will be serving its signature gooey cookie flavors starting Oct. 31. The new store will be located at 123 Kent. St. The shop is known best… Read more »
Early Voting Begins Saturday, Check Out Queens Poll Site Locations
Oct. 20, 2020 By Christian Murray Registered voters will be able to vote in-person in this year’s general election starting Saturday, Oct. 24. Voters in the borough will be able to go cast their ballot at one of the 18 early-voting sites in Queens for the Nov. 3 election. Residents are not permitted to vote… Read more »
Enforcement of the Plastic Bag Ban Has Begun
Oct. 19, 2020 By Christian Murray Enforcement of the plastic bag ban started today. The ban, which was approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo last year, went into effect on March 1 but the state did not enforce the law due to the coronavirus pandemic and a lawsuit filed by plastic bag manufacturers. The lawsuit was… Read more »
Corner Bistro on Vernon Boulevard Permanently Closes
Oct. 16, 2020 Staff Report Corner Bistro, located on the corner of Vernon Boulevard and 47th Road, has permanently closed. The owners, who operated three establishments by that name across New York City, have announced that two—including the Long Island City location- have shut down for good. “We are sad to say because of Coronavirus… Read more »
PODCAST: We Speak to Ben Guttmann, Candidate for the 26th District Council Seat
Oct. 14, 2020 By Christian Murray Many candidates will be running in next June’s Democratic primary for the 26th District Council seat currently held by Jimmy Van Bramer. Today, we speak to Ben Guttmann who is one of those candidates vying for the seat that covers Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and a portion of… Read more »
Silverstein Properties Buys Yet Another Astoria Site, Plans to Develop 310 Unit Building
Oct. 9, 2020 By Christian Murray Silverstein Properties has bought yet another property in Astoria as it continues its expansion into the area. The company announced Wednesday that it had bought 44-01 Northern Blvd. on Sept. 29 from a Long Island City-based business. The amount paid was not disclosed. The real estate company plans to… Read more »