
Public School 48 in Jamaica, Queens/Image Credit: LPC
The public school building’s design and details set it apart from other school buildings built during the early 20th century. On June 9, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar Public School 48 in Jamaica, Queens for designation as an individual landmark. Public School 48, located at 155-02 108th Avenue, is an Art Deco style three-story public school building designed by Walter C. Martin.
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Image Credit: NYC EDC.
The plan calls for 100 percent affordable housing with emphasis on lowest incomes, transportation, new parks and open space. On March 4, 2020, the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced Mayor Bill de Blasio’s and Amtrak’s Sunnyside Yard Master Plan. The Plan’s framework will focus on building new public transit and making all housing affordable, especially for New Yorkers earning less than $50,000 per year. Sunnyside Yard is bounded by Northern Boulevard to the north, Skillman Avenue to the south, Thomson Avenue to the west and 43rd Street to the east. Over the last fifteen years, Western Queens has experienced rapid growth, putting strains on infrastructure, transportation, and housing. The Sunnyside Yard Master Plan presents an opportunity to create nearly 115 acres of new public land by decking over Sunnyside Yard. (read more…)

Rendering of the new eight-story building on 52nd Street./Image Credit: Albo Liberis and CPC
The new development would be located near the 7 line and many bus stops. On March 13, 2020, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved an application to rezone part of 52nd Street in Sunnyside, Queens. The rezoning will affect the east side of 52nd Street, bounded by Roosevelt Avenue to the north and Queens Boulevard to the south. The street would be rezoned from a low-density residential zoning district that allows three-story buildings to a medium-density residential zoning district that allows eight-story buildings. The rezoning would facilitate the construction of a new eight-story mixed-use building located mid-block between 43-09 and 43-25 52nd Street. On February 19, 2020, City Planning voted to approve the application. For CityLand’s prior coverage on the application, click here.
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Rendering of the new eight-story building on 52nd Street./Image Credit: Albo Liberis and CPC
The proposed development would bring 60 residential units to Sunnyside, Queens. On On February 19, 2020, the City Planning Commission approved an application to rezone a block in Sunnyside, Queens from a low density residential zoning district that allows three-story buildings to a medium density residential zoning district that allows eight-story buildings. The rezoning would affect all the addresses on the east side of 52nd Street and 52-06, 52-08, and 52-10 Roosevelt Avenue bounded by Roosevelt Avenue to the north and Queens Boulevard to the south.
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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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Rendering of proposed development on Vernon Boulevard./Image Credit: Cipico Construction/CPC
The project will add privately owned public open space and local businesses to service residents and visitors of the neighborhood. On October 17, 2019, the City Council voted to approve the rezoning of an irregularly-shaped block bounded by Vernon Boulevard and Broadway to the north, 33rd Road to the south, 11th Street to the east, and 10th Street to the west in Astoria, Queens. The applicant proposed to rezone the block from a residential low density district to a residential medium density district. The rezoning would also allow for commercial use on the northern part of the block. The rezoning will facilitate the development of three mixed-use buildings which will have a combination of residential use, commercial use, community facilities, and open space. The block is currently occupied by a one-story garage and warehouse. Cipico Construction is the project’s applicant. On September 11, 2019, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the application. For CityLand’s prior coverage on this decision, click here.
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