Rendering of Proposed Development Image Credit: City Planning
The proposed zoning actions seek not only to facilitate the development but also bring block’s current uses in conformance. On December 4, 2019, the City Planning Commission heard an application by Mega LLC and the Pancyprian Association of American to rezone and redevelop an entire block in Astoria, Queens. The applicants proposed two eight-story buildings connected at the ground floor level with a green space between the buildings. The development includes affordable housing components and the creation of a new theater for the Pancyprian Association. Nora Martins from Akerman LLP and Emanuel Kokinakis from Mega LLC presented the application.
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Image Credit: NYC Parks Department.
The $1 million project is the latest in a series of renovations of the Triborough Bridge Playgrounds. On July 16, 2019, the Parks Department announced the completion and opening of a new dog run and revamped basketball courts at Astoria’s Triborough Bridge Playground C with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Triborough Playground C is one of six in a family of playgrounds, located on Hoyt Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue South between 21st and 26th Streets, that provide the neighborhood with a variety of athletic and recreational spaces. Playground C is the latest to receive attention, with Playground A having debuted a new soccer field and adult playground two summers ago and Playground B getting a similarly refurbished basketball court in Winter 2018 as the result of a partnership between Parks and the Big Ten Network. (more…)
Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar rendering. Image credit: Mayor’s Office.
New light rail will bring much-needed connectivity to other existing modes of transportation. On August 30, 2018, the de Blasio Administration announced plans to move forward with the Brooklyn Queens Connector (BQX) streetcar project. The emissions-free light rail system will help serve the continuously growing Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront communities that are underserved by existing transportation. (more…)
35-10 Astoria MIH Program Area. Image Credit: CPC
On January 3rd, 2018, City Planning held a public hearing for the zoning map and zoning text amendment at 35-10 Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The proposed rezoning would facilitate a new seven-story mixed-use building. The ground floor will be used for commercial purposes and other floors will contain 35 dwelling units with 11 of the units as permanently affordable. (more…)
24-59 32nd Street in Astoria, Queens. Image credit: GoogleMaps
New owner relied on error by Buildings which had erroneously issued permit for sign in residential district. Beginning in 1941 the owner of a 4-story apartment building located at 24-59 32nd Street in Astoria, Queens, allowed a sign to be painted on the south wall of the building. In 1961 the City adopted an amendment to the zoning resolution which prohibited signs in residential districts including the district covering 24-59 32d Street. Non-conforming signs then in existence were allowed to be continued for ten years after which the sign had to be removed. Notwithstanding the zoning resolution, the Department of Buildings in February 1981erroneously renewed the sign permit at 24-59 32nd Street. In 1998 a new owner, Astoria Landing, purchased the property and continued to lease the space for the sign. (more…)
