OANA Admin
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More on Mortgage and rent in the COVID 19 era
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...
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Responsible Use of Astoria Park during COVID 19
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,...
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Queens Bus Redesign and the Threatened Q103 Route Cancelation
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...
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Community Board Applications Open Up
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...
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Astoria Blvd Station Has Reopened
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...
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Minority and Women-Owned Business Workshop
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...
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OANA Op Ed Bike Lanes and Traffic Controls
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...
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Astoria Blvd Subway Station Closures
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...
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St Georges Episcopal Church Prayer Breakfast
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...
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Xerox Inventor Honored
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...
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Writing Circle at Astoria Library
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...
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Must See Play “Other Desert Cities” by the Headwall Theatre Company
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...
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November 5 Election Ballot Initiatives
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....
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OANA October 2019 Monthly Meeting
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...
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Noguchi Museum Stone Carving Studio
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...
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Immigration Advocacy Services 30th Anniversary Gala
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...
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Blessing of the Pets
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...
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Weatherization Workshop
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...
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Brooklyn Harvest Grand Opening on September 7th
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...
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OANA September Monthly Meeting
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...
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National Night Out against Crime August 6th, 2019
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...
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All-Star-Game at Whitey Ford Field
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...
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Ferry Extension and Astoria Waterfront Arts District
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...
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Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings
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...
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NYC Ferry Spring 2019 Schedule
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...
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Street Closure this Weekend
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...
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Sanitation Disposal Event April 13, 2019
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...
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UP-STAND FREE family-friendly workshop
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...
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2nd Annual NYC Free Tax Prep-A-Thon
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...
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OANA President Richard Khuzami to serve as an Officer of EMBCA
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...
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NYC Ferry Winter Schedule in Effect Monday, December 31
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...
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3 Hiring Events this Week for Jobs at LaGuardia Airport
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...
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OANA Amazon Op-Ed
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...
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NCO Officers December Meeting
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...
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Astoria Blvd Station Stair Closure for ADA Elevator
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...
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NYC Ferry Winter Schedule in Effect Monday, November 5
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...
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Sanitation Walk Through Old Astoria
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....
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Halloween Celebration in Astoria Park
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...
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Property Tax Reform Public Hearing in Queens
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...
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Cosmos FM interview with OANA President Richard Khuzami
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...
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Big News from Durst on Hallets Point Development
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...
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Whitey Ford Field, A Great American Diamond
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...
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DOT: 27th Ave Speed Hump
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...
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DOT: 18th Street Speed Hump
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...
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Installing Angle Parking In The Astoria Neighborhood
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...
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NYC To invest $150 Million in 5 City Parks
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...
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Cuomo 421a Property Tax Break Proposal
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...
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NYC SAFE Disposal Event
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...
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Aki Development Brings Luxury To Queens
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...
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Block Party for Earth Event
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...
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US Open Tennis Community Day – Complimentary Grounds Pass
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...
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Queens Library job hunting program
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...
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BQX Connector Project Gets a Streetcar Czar
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...
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Astoria Cove Development on Hold Waiting for Tax Abatement Renewal
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...
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Coffeed Comes to Astoria
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,...
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Independence Day Celebration in Astoria Park
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...
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2017 Queens Art Funding
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...
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New Department of Sanitation Location
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...
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East River Bridge Tolls Proposals
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...
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Funding For Charybdis Playground
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,...
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Halletts Point Development Stalled by Albany Stand-Off
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...
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Art in Astoria: Summer 2016 Movies, Concerts, and More
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...
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Brooklyn Queens Connector Meeting in Astoria
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...
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Welling Court Mural Project
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...
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Western Queens Waterfront Symposium
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...
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Voice Your Opinion On The Brooklyn-Queens Connector
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...
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Plan The Hell Gate Bridge’s Centennial
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...
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Astoria’s Parks Need More Officers
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...
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TACKLING 21ST STREET TRAFFIC
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...
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PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING BRINGING IMPROVEMENTS TO ASTORIA PARK
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...
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RESIDENTS DISCUSS IDEAS FOR ASTORIA HEALTH PLAYGROUND
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...
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NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDING FOR WELLING COURT
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...
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AMC SERIES FILMING IN OLD ASTORIA
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...
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Astoria Grapples with Traffic Safety
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.
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OANA investigates parking options
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...
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Astoria Ferry Service Launching June 2017
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...
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RUMORS AND OPINIONS ABOUT NEW FERRY SERVICE
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...
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HELLGATE BRIDGE TURNING 100
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...
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NEW IDEAS FOR RIKERS ISLAND
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...
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STREETCAR FROM ASTORIA TO BROOKLYN PROPOSED
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...
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NEW APARTMENT BUILDING PLANNED NEAR ASTORIA HOUSES
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...
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Hallets Point Project Breaks Ground, But Future Is In Doubt
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...
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FEBRUARY OANA MEETING: UPDATES ON ASTORIA PARK
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...
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OANA RESOLUTION ON SAFETY & SECURITY
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...
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OANA HONORS CREATOR OF BUGSY’S DOG RUN
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...
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Astoria Park Amphitheater
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.
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National Night Out Against Crime
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...
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Push For Astoria Safety After Death
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...