I applaud the positive power of Communities working together for the common good. On the other hand, there is nothing more destructive than the involvement of Bureaucrats and Lawyers to tear down such initiatives. Regretfully...
We understand that many of us who have an interest in local politics had a hard decision last night: The Mayoral debate or the OANA Council District 22 debate. For those who watched the Mayoral...
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has shared the following information with OANA on the Child Tax Credit payments. As you know, the Child Tax Credit serves as a crucial benefit...
According to a first-of-its-kind ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News and World Report schools in Astoria and Northwest Queens were named among the best in New York, U.S. News published rankings and data on more...
To all those who have reached out complaining about the lack of lighting on the RFK bridge, we received the following explanation from the MTA Bridge and Tunnels. Thanks for reaching out. Our RFK/Triborough Bridge...
OANA has received the following NYC Ferry information. The NYC Ferry 2021 Fall Schedule will go into effect on Monday, September 13. View Schedules on the NYC Ferry site.
OANA received the following notice from The New York City Department of Sanitation. UPDATE: DUE TO TROPICAL STORM IDA, DSNY TO ENGAGE IN “NORMAL” TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION OPERATIONS ON MONDAY, 9/6/21 DESPITE LABOR DAY...
The NYC Ferry has announced that a St. George route will officially launch on Monday, August 23, 2021! The St. George route will connect Staten Island with the West Side of Manhattan in Battery Park...
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is hosting Mobile Casework Hours this Sunday, July 11th in Astoria. The Congresswoman and her team will be at 34th Avenue and Steinway Street between 1:00pm – 2:00pm. She will be out...
An Astoria neighborhood anchored by the well-known Neptune Diner, is being proposed for a zoning change leading to new developments. Along the N/W train by the Astoria Blvd Station, this central transit hub is inviting...
Community Outreach by NYC Department of Transportation Representative John O’Neil featuring Enhanced Bus service on 21st street. Watch the entire presentation from NYCDOT Rep John O’Neil at the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association June 23 meeting.
Upcoming Programming at the Noguchi Museum by Communications and Media Director Justin Baez. Watch the presentation from Justin Baez from the Noguchi Museum at the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association June 23 meeting.
Description of upcoming renovations creating a new enlarged Variety Boys and Girls Club by CEO Costa Constantinides. Watch the entire presentation from Costa Constantinides at the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association June 23 meeting.
Overview of the Federal Government in Washington and Community Outreach Watch Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney speaking at the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association June 23 meeting.
The NYC Department of Transportation has begun the process of reaching out to the community to determine the creation of a “Better Bus” service on 21st street in Astoria/LIC. While many concerns regarding 21st street...
Summer movies, concerts, and celebrations have returned to Astoria Park courtesy of the Central Astoria LDC. Make sure to bring a blanket or chair! Enjoy!
OANA received information from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit about an upcoming Queens hearing on June 9 in regards to the NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform’s 10 initial recommendations to reform the property...
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, along with Queens Together were invited to an event hosted by the NYC Hospitality Alliance, along with the MTA, Chefs, Restauranteurs, and other dignitaries. 24/7 subway service, plus the MTA’s #TakeTheTrain...
OANA has received the following from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Attention Property Owners: The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides assistance to New York City households who are...
The Astoria Mutual Aid Network’s Team Vaccine has informed us that the NYC mobile vaccine bus will be returning to Astoria at 31st Avenue and Broadway tomorrow, Sunday 5/23 from 8am to 4pm. They’ll be...
OANA would like to let everyone know that the NYPD 114th Precinct Sector David “Build the Block”, presented by the NCO (Neighborhood Coordination Officers), will take place on Tuesday May 11th virtually on zoom. Please...
OANA received the following updates on vaccination efforts in nyc. Please forward this information to anyone you think may benefit from the services described below. Please see below for information on an in-home vaccination interest...
As you know, one major mission of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association is to advocate for quality of life issues. We have used advocacy, both written and physical, to meet goals. One of our most...
The NYC Design and Construction agency presented their designs for the upcoming renovations of the Astoria Library, at the corner of 14th street and Astoria Blvd in Old Astoria. This Carnegie Library has been an...
OANA’s president Richard Khuzami attended the recent visioning for Baby Queensbridge Park. The Queens Daily Eagle recently wrote an article that mentioned him and other local residents. One note, however: An important issue regarding the...
OANA has received the below update from Mount Sinai Queens in regards to the latest news about COVID-19. While numbers of patients testing positive for COVID-19 and those needing hospitalization continue to rise, Mount Sinai...
OANA received some vital information regarding ticketing on the NYC Ferry. Changes are coming: For everyone’s safety and convenience: Contactless ticketing and boarding! NYC Ferry is moving to completely contactless ticketing starting February 1, 2021....
OANA would like to share the following from the NYC Dept of sanitation. “Best Smelling Collection Trucks in the City” – It’s Time for Christmas “Tree-cycling” Using Curbside Collection? – Please, “Naked” Trees Only –...
NY Waterway will operate on modified weekday service on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24). Service will not run on Christmas Day (Friday, December 25). Normal weekend service will run December 26 and 27 for passengers...
OANA Received the following from the Mayor’s office: They will be handing out literature and distributing masks………(They are not giving tests) “I hope all is well. We will be having a Get Tested Tuesday! outreach...
We at OANA would like to thank the NYC DOT, and especially our local planner John O’Neill for helping to expedite the creation of a 4-way stop and crosswalk at Astoria Blvd and 12th street....
The NYC Ferry winter schedule goes into effect on Monday, November 2, 2020. View the new schedules on ferry.nyc before you commute. Also on November 2, there will be a modification to the East River route...
On Wednesday, October 21, GreenPoint Innovations (GPI), Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA), and the Hunters Point Campus community hosted the unveiling of a public art mural created by artist Federico Massa aka. Iena Cruz winner of...
One of our cultural gems on the waterfront, Noguchi Museum, has issued their latest newsletter on upcoming programs and events. The recent reopening of our cultural institutions is another important step towards normalcy We urge...
Our President Richard Khuzami was pleased to be invited to participate in a Press Conference with Mayor Bill DeBlasio to celebrate the new direct ferry service between Astoria and the Upper East Side. Other speakers...
An updated NYC Ferry Summer Schedule will go into effect Saturday, August 22nd, 2020. Earlier this week we received the great news that after 2 years of OANA advocating for direct ferry service between Astoria...
After reading OANA’s piece on Mortgage Forbearance, BISNOW a Real Estate Publication reached out to our President, Richard Khuzami. They published an article, titled: Mom and Pop Landlords: We are in danger of going Bankrupt...
Councilman Costa Constantinides is calling on the city to temporarily close and increase police enforcement of social distancing on Shore Blvd. He has also called for increased enforcement in the Soccer, Running Track, Skateboard Park,...
Having studied the draft plan for the MTA’s Queens Bus Redesign, OANA has concerns that the proposed plan, eliminating entirely the current Q103 bus service, would negatively affect access to the Astoria/Long Island City waterfront...
QUEENS, NY —Applications for serviced on local Community Boards are now being accepted. The city charter directs the borough president to appoint all community board members in that borough, though half are nominated by local...
We are excited to let you know that the Astoria Blvd station has reopened. Over the course of the last nine months, there has been significant work completed on the station including: New mezzanine Strengthened...
The Port Authority of NY/NJ is having a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Workshop in Old Astoria Astoria Library of Astoria 14-01 Astoria Blvd Astoria NY 11102 Monday Dec 16th, 2019 5:30 to 7:30...
The Queens Daily Eagle has published an op-ed by OANA concerning the new 250 miles of Bike Lanes the city plans on installing. Because of the increase in alternative Vehicles (Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards, etc) the streets are...
Work on the Astoria Blvd Station continues to progress. To accommodate the work, trains will run express in one direction between Ditmars Blvd and Queensboro Plaza on the following weekends: Nov 23-24 Ditmars-Bound Express Dec...
OANA has enjoyed the support of St George’s Episcopal (Use of their Community Room). And in the spirit of friendship, we want to let everyone know of a great event coming up: St George’s Episcopal...
OANA President Richard Khuzami has taken a real interest in the connection between Xerox Corp and Astoria, as manifested in the recent street naming in Astoria for the inventor of the Xerox copier. The corner...
Queens Library Astoria Branch will be holding a writing circle over the next several months. The next session will take place on Saturday, October 26. In this creative writing and performance workshop series, anyone with...
The Headwall Theatre Company’s production of “Other Desert Cities” will be wrapping up its final three performances of the Tony and Pulitzer nominated play this weekend at The Greek Cultural Center in Astoria. OANA are...
The New York City 2019 Charter Revision Commission has put five initiatives on the ballot for the November 5th election. OANA implores all voters to go over these proposals, so they can make informed decisions....
Please join us: Find out about your neighbors, local issues, and ask questions of city agencies, local elected, and civic leaders. Our goal is to provide a voice to Old Astorians, and address the quality...
The Noguchi Museum is providing hands-on stone carving classes on October 6, 13, 20, & 27. 2:00 pm to 4:00 Pm Introductory stone carving techniques: Learn how to create forms and polish surfaces using hand...
The Immigration Advocacy Services will be holding its 30th Anniversary Gala at Riccardo’s By The Bridge on October 5th, 2019. The event will include a Dinner Dance, Live Band and Full Bar all through the...
St George’s Episcopal Church Presents the “Blessing of the Pets” Saturday, October 5th at 9 AM on the lawn All faiths welcomed! Pet catering by Chateau le Woof! For more info call 718 721 5154...
Free Energy Education and Weatherization Workshop Presented By the New York Power Authority and St George Episcopal Church 14-20 27th Ave Astoria NY 11102 Saturday Oct 26th, 10 am to 1:30 pm Or Sunday October...
Brooklyn Harvest is having their Grand Opening Festival on September 7th from 11 am to 7 PM! Their greatly anticipated supermarket, so badly needed on Hallets Peninsula, has proven to be a huge asset improving...
Summer is winding down and we are beginning our season of community events. Please join us: Find out about your neighbors, local issues, and ask questions of city agencies, local elected, and civic leaders. Our...
Every summer, one of our neighborhoods great events is the National Night Out Against Crime. This year it is taking place on August 6th, 2019 from 5 to 8 PM at in the Astoria Park...
Neil Herdan and Blair Clancy, Co-Chairs of Friends of Whitey Ford Field were covered in the Queens Gazette and Queens Chronicle last week. Both volunteers are members of OANA. Neil wrote a brief story about...
QNS.com has written a great article discussing OANA’s position on the extension of the Astoria ferry to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Also discussed is the proposed Arts District on the Astoria Waterfront! Please take...
OANA just received notification from the NYC Department of Transportation of enhanced pedestrians crossing at 18th st and Astoria Park South. “We are pleased to Announce that DOT will be implementing an enhanced crossing at...
The NYC Ferry has released its spring schedule. The Astoria Route has added a stop in Brooklyn! Our Ferry Landing in Old Astoria has proven to be a game changer and is essential in the...
A reminder that this coming weekend the intersection of Astoria Blvd and Hoyt Avenue South will be closed to traffic for work at Astoria Blvd station. This closure will continue to occur every weekend through...
Take advantage of this event: An excuse for that much-needed Spring Cleaning. Astoria Park Parking Lot Saturday, April 13th, 2019 10 am to 4 pm Dispose of harmful items: Auto products Electronics Household products, Medical...
UP-STAND , an organization that advocates for accessibility for the disabled, seniors, and Moms, will be offering a FREE workshop to help guide you toward becoming even more accessible. The fact is that being more...
NYC Department of Consumer Affairs announces the 2nd Annual NYC Free Tax Prep-A-Thon, an all day long FREE Tax Filing marathon on Saturday, February 9th. Share with your friends and networks, and please help us spread the word! Families and individuals...
OANA President Richard Khuzami has been asked to sit as an Officer of EMBCA. He is honored to serve this great Cultural and Business Association. Following is their mission: The East Mediterranean Business Cultural Alliance...
The NYC Ferry has established new winter schedules starting 12/31/18. Following is the link to view the schedule. The Ferry is heated inside the cabin, so it is still a viable option for NYC Commuters...
Job fairs for the new LaGuardia Airport. Take advantage of this great opportunity. Walk-Ins Welcome HMSHost will be conducting on the spot interviews for Baristas, Cooks, Crewmembers, Servers, Wait Staff, Bartenders, Shift Supervisors, Restaurant Managers...
The Queens Chronicle has published an Op-Ed by Richard Khuzami and the OANA Board speaking of the upcoming Amazon HQ2. We take the view, if all parties act responsibly, this can be a positive for...
The Neighborhood Coordinating Officers of Sector David, 114th Precinct will hold their next “Build the Block” meeting to identify Policing and Public safety Needs of the Community. Sector David is from Astoria Park South to...
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Following is the latest of a series of service changes created by the upcoming renovation of the Astoria Blvd (NW) subway station by the MTA >“As part of the larger reconstruction of...
The NYC Ferry has released its fall schedule. Please click here to view the schedule. OANA strongly supports this transformative service. It has brought Old Astoria easy access for both residents and visitors! What do...
Richard Khuzami, president of Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, was privileged to be invited by Councilman Costa Constantinides to accompany him and NYC Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia on a tour of the streets of Old Astoria....
From 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday Oct 21st, the Central Astoria Local Development corp will host their third annual “Batty over Halloween” celebration. Children performances, Pumpkin Crafts, Scavenger Hunts, Balloon Twisting, Face Painting and...
OANA has received the following from the Office of the Mayor of NY and the Speaker of the City Council. Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson have established an advisory commission...
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association President Richard Khuzami was recently the subject of an hour -long interview on Cosmos FM, the Greek Radio Station (NYC: 91.5 FM). The hour was sponsored by the Eastern Mediterranean Business...
The Durst Organization has a couple of important announcements about the Hallets Point Development! First Durst has awarded the operation of the Supermarket in Building one (Already under Construction) to Brooklyn Harvest market. They currently...
There is a gem on Hallets Peninsula on the waterfront in Astoria. Next to the Durst Organization’s new Hallets Point development is a Great American Diamond, with a view of the Hell Gate: Whitey Ford...
We are pleased to announce that the NYC Department of Transportation, Queens Borough Commissioner has informed us that they’ve approved installation of a speed hump on 27th Avenue between 8th and 21st Streets. You can...
We are pleased to announce that the NYC Department of Transportation, Queens Borough Commissioner has informed us that they’ve approved installation of a speed hump on 18th Street between Hoyt Avenue and Astoria Boulevard. You...
As per OANA’s request, the Transportation Division of DCP looked into the feasibility of installing angle parking in the Astoria neighborhood. Our analysis focused on the six streets that are identified as potential sites by...
Five New York City Parks are about to get upgrades that include new running tracks, hiking trails, baseball and soccer fields. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently unveiled plans to invest $150 million in 5 NYC...
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to revive a property tax break may be essential to building new rental apartments in New York City, but it appears to be something identical to a City Hall plan from...
Time to get rid of those old car batteries, solvents, out-of-date medication and other items that it’s not safe to dispose of in the household trash. The New York City Department of Sanitation is holding...
Aki Todic and Brett Harris of Aki Development are both essential members of OANA, and have an impressive history of giving back to the community. Aki Todic has said that “Astoria, Queens, the best...
Big Reuse is throwing a block party in celebration of the planet we call home… Earth! Saturday, September 24 at 12 PM – 4 PM Astoria NY 11102 Between 3rd & 4th Streets Learn more...
On Thursday, September 8th from 12pm to 6pm, the community is invited to the National Tennis Center for free to see men’s & women’s doubles, mixed doubles and the junior competitions that will be taking...
Are you job hunting this summer, or looking to add skills to your resume that might help you with a job search? The Astoria Branch of the Queens Library has you covered with workshops this...
On July 15 2016, City Hall announced that Adam Giambrone had been appointed to lead Mayor de Blasio’s BQX Connector project. Giambrone spent years working on developing Transit City, a system of suburban streetcars, only...
Another large housing development on hold because of the expiry of 421-a is the Astoria Cove project, which would bring approximately 1,700 apartments, 27% of them affordable housing, to the Hallets peninsula. John Mavroudis, of...
A new coffee shop is coming to Astoria: the planned location is 26-08 Hoyt Avenue South, between Crescent St and 27th St. But not just any coffee shop: this is a new branch of COFFEED,...
The Central Astoria Development Association continued to delight the residents of Astoria with the annual Independence Day fireworks and concert in Astoria Park. Chairs and blankets covered the Great Lawn as neighbors listened to the...
Applications opened on July 1 for the 2017 Queens Arts Fund (QAF) funding cycle. Queens Council on the arts invites Queens-based individual artists and nonprofit organizations who produce cultural programming in all arts discipline and...
The New York City Department of Sanitation is looking for a new location for the Queens West One (QW1) Sanitation garage. DOD officials said that the present garage at 34-28 21st Street, which has housed...
Attention drivers! Legislation was introduced in the State Senate in June by State Senator Andrew Lanza of Staten Island that proposes a $5 toll (provided drivers have EZPass) on the Queensboro Bridge. Lanza’s plan would...
Astoria Park’s popular Charybdis Playground, which has not been renovated in many years, is to receive $1 million for improvements. Council Member Costa Constanides, when announcing that he had allocated these funds in the budget,...
Although the construction of Building 1 in the Halletts Point housing development is going ahead, the rest of the project is on hold due to the expiration of the program known as 421-a. Launched during...
2016 Roundup of Summer Arts and Culture in Astoria This summer, Astoria residents and visitors to the neighborhood can enjoy outdoor movies, concerts, art exhibits, and performances almost every day of the week. Mondays: Bring...
On June 14, the first Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) community meeting was held at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria. Residents had many questions about Mayor de Blasio’s street-car proposal, including what would be...
On June 11 the artists who participated in the Welling Court Mural Project chatted to local residents and discussed their art during a day-long event as 2016’s murals officially replaced last year’s. 140 colorful murals...
OANA chair Richard Khuzami took part in a valuable symposium on May 21st about the future of the Western Queens waterfront, an event co-sponsored by the Waterfront Alliance, the Greater Astoria Historical Society, and Green...
The BQX Connector, a proposed streetcar line between Astoria and Sunset Park, is moving closer to becoming a reality. A newly released City report says that the 17-mile Brooklyn-Queens trolley is a feasible plan. The...
How would you throw a party for a bridge? Astoria residents are invited to share their ideas at a planning meeting for a celebration of the Hell Gate Bridge’s 100th Birthday. Here’s an email with...
When the City recently announced funding for 67 additional Parks Enforcement Personnel (PEP Officers), Queens residents and elected officials cried foul over the fact that only 8 of those PEP officers were being assigned to...
The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association has been calling for a comprehensive traffic study in our area since August of 2015. After a recent tragic hit-and-run fatality on 21st Street and 30th road, traffic safety in...
Improvements are coming to Astoria Park as a result of Councilman Costa Constantinides’s 2016 Participatory Budgeting Process. Participatory Budgeting, introduced in 2015 by the New York City council, has been called “grassroots democracy at its...
Astoria residents and members and officers of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association gathered last week to share their ideas for renovating the Astoria Health Playground, on 14th Street and 31st Drive. The workshop, sponsored by...
A new luxury apartment building is coming to Astoria’s Welling Court. The 7-story project, at 11-07 Welling Court, will feature apartments with glass balconies and stunning views of the East River. The site will be...
Local photographer Scott Young captured some shots of a television shoot in Old Astoria yesterday. Filming is underway on 18th Street for Feed the Beast, a new series premiering next month on AMC. The show...
Traffic safety has been a longtime concern for Astoria Residents. In August 2015, the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association passed the following resolution in reference to traffic flow and pedestrian/bicycle safety on roads surrounding Astoria Park.
At our March meeting, OANA President Richard Khuzami asked the group to look into the feasibility of residential parking permits for our neighborhood. Other cities in the U.S. and around the world have successfully used...
The City announced today that new Citywide Ferry Service will begin in June 2017. For the price of just one subway ride, riders can travel from Astoria to East 34th street in approximately 22 minutes...
There’s no official word yet from the City, but rumors are swirling that the Economic Development Corporation has picked an operator for the new East River Ferry. Crain’s New York was the first to break...
This year marks the one hundredth birthday of one of Astoria’s most photographed structure: the Hell Gate Bridge. It was built to connect rail lines in New York with New England and later served as...
As the campaign to close the correctional facility on Rikers Island picks up steam, some people are turning their attention to future possibilities for the island. Rikers features 413 acres of waterfront land. Because the...
Have you heard about the BQX Connector? It’s a proposed streetcar line running from along the Brooklyn-Queens waterfront from Astoria to Sunset Park. When Mayor DiBlasio announced the project a few weeks ago he said...
Details are scarce, but the Astoria Post reports that another new building is on its way to the Astoria Waterfront. Plans for the site, near Hallet’s Cove and Astoria Houses, call for a seven story...
Mayor Bill diBlasio, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and other officials were on hand for the groundbreaking of the Halletts Point mega development on the Astoria Peninsula. Plans for Halletts Point call for seven buildings (which will...
Councilman Costa Constantinides stopped by last night’s meeting of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association with some updates on what’s happening in Astoria Park. First, some bad news: the transformation of Astoria Pool’s old diving pool...
On October 13th, the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association Adopted the following resolution on safety and security in Hallets Point.” October 13, 2015 Resolution: Historically Hallets Peninsula has always had the most violent crime in the...
During its October meeting, the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association had the pleasure of honoring George “Tex” Cruikshank. In 1994 he created “Bugsy’s” dog run next to Astoria Park, and has maintained it since. Over the...
The long-awaited Astoria Park Amphitheater will include hundreds of seats, a new entrance and a tribute to the diving pool it is replacing, according to the Parks Department. The design plan was finalized in April.
National Night Out is an annual summer event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watches in which precincts organize anti-crime rallies with the participation of local business and civic organizations. National Night Out has...
After the tragic early-morning hit-and-run that left 21-year-old Astoria resident Betty Jean Dibiasio dead on Ditmars Boulevard and 19th Street on June 27, area leaders look to create permanent measures to stop the longtime issue...