“Tommie L. Agee” Educational Campus Opens in Queens

Members of the 1969 “Amazin” Mets and the late outfielder’s family joined city officials at the opening of I.S. 419. On August 26, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams, the Department of Education (DOE), and School Construction Authority (SCA) celebrated the opening of the Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus, I.S. 419. Located at 111-12 Astoria Blvd in East Elmhurst, Queens, I.S. 419 will serve 646 students from grades 6-8 and help alleviate crowding in the area for … <Read More>


NYC Parks Tree Time Program Awarded Grant for New Trees by Elmhurst Hospital

The TD Green Space Grant is providing the Tree Time Program with $20,000 to support urban greenery programs like planting street-ready trees. On May 27, 2021, the NYC Parks Tree Time Program announced its receipt of a $20,000 TD Green Space Grant to support innovative urban greening and tree planting projects in underserved communities. The grant comes from the TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation.


Parks To Allocate $4.6 Million for Gorman Playground Upgrades in East Elmhurst

The East Elmhurst playground will be receiving a $4.6 million renovation to accommodate active and passive recreation. On April 8, 2021, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, announced the new $4.6 million renovation of the Gorman Playground located at 25th Avenue and 84th Street in East Elmhurst. The project received its funding for renovation from former Council Member Costa Constantinides prior to his departure from office.


Parking lot approved for Queens residential district

Residential uses found infeasible due to the site’s odd shape and Astoria Boulevard frontage. Showky Kaldawy, owner of four vacant lots in East Elmhurst, sought a variance to allow his residentially-zoned lots to be used as a 33-space accessory parking lot for an adjacent rental car company. Three of the four lots comprising the 17,866 square-foot site front 110th Street, and the fourth fronts Astoria Boulevard, one of Queens’ major commercial arteries.

Kaldawy argued that … <Read More>


Owners oppose designation of Queens buildings

Owners claimed designation will force them to close their business or hinder needed repair. On March 15, 2005, Landmarks held public hearings on its proposed designations of two separate commercial buildings in Queens: the Sohmer & Co. Piano Factory building in Long Island City and Elmhurst’s Jamaica Savings Bank.

The six-story Sohmer & Company Piano Factory building, built in 1886 and designed by Berger & Baylies, has a unique mansardroofed clock tower, making the building … <Read More>