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Sunnyside Yards Public Meeting
The NYC Economic Development Corporation is presenting Public Meeting on the proposal to deck the Sunnyside Rail yards to create a new neighborhood in Queens. They are in the process of reaching out to the...
Richard Khuzami
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OANA requests Zoning Study
The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association has requested the City of NY do a Zoning Study of the area in Community District 1 that has not been rezoned since 1961. NY1 broadcast a piece on this...
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Food and Retail Opportunities for LaGuardia Airport
Queens and Astoria Business Entrepreneurs! LaGuardia Gateway Partners is looking for food and retail partners for the new LaGuardia Central Terminal B. LaGuardia Partners and the NYNJ Port Authority will be presenting at the March...
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Astoria Blvd and Hoyt Avenue Closings
We received a reminder from Howie Levine of the MTA that Astoria Blvd station will close for nine months beginning on March 17 at 10pm. While the official closure starts on March 17, the entire Astoria...
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Property tax: Reach out to the Department of Finance
Recently many property owners have received Property Tax Assessments that have greatly increased in the last few years. To those who want more information on how these are determined, plus avenues to have them reevaluated...
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Astoria Blvd N/W station renovations and closures Q and A
On January 30th, the MTA-NYC Transit presented information to OANA at a meeting at the Family Church in Old Astoria. Whenever we have a presenter who states, when a question is asked, that they will...
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21st Street Vision Zero Safety Corridor
The NYC DOT has designated 21st st from 20th ave to 50th avenue as a Vision Zero Site and will focus on additional safety precautions. The DOT says the 4.2 pedestrian deaths per mile from...
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Hallets Point Building 1 Opens
The Durst Organization’s Hallets Point Development on the Astoria Waterfront has announced the opening of Building # 1. There have been numerous delays, political, financing, construction issues. OANA has looked forward to the completion of...
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Astoria Blvd N/W subway line closure
Astoria Blvd station will close for nine months beginning on March 17 at 10pm. While the official closure starts on March 17, the entire Astoria line, including Astoria Blvd, will be closed for station work...
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Astoria/LIC Ravenswood Rezoning Study
The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association requests that the City of New York authorize and fund the NYC Department of City Planning to conduct a rezoning of the area of CD1. This neighborhood has not been...
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Accessibility and Luxury Housing
OANA Board Member Brett Harris is featured in today’s NY Times article. Accessibility, whether in our Transit System, housing, and any other public and private space that those with disabilities, seniors, or mothers with young...
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Property sale n 4th street in Hallets Peninsula
Lee & Associates NYC announced on Thursday that they facilitated the sale of a property at 26-24 & 26-26 Fourth St., that sits in the Hallets Cove in Astoria. It was sold for $11.5 million to...
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Senior Property Tax
Nothing destroys a community more than when a senior citizens, who has lived in a neighborhood their whole life, are forced out because of inability to pay expenses. The history and wisdom they carry makes...
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Jobs with the US Census
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting in Queens and across the country to fill temporary paid jobs as we inch closer to the 2020 census. To be eligible for a 2020 census job, candidates must...
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OANA Appointed to Amazon Community Advisory Committee
We at the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association (OANA) are pleased to have been appointed to the Amazon Community Advisory Committee. We look forward to the opportunity to have input how the Amazon HQ2 is implemented,...
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Astoria Blvd Subway Station Stairwell Closures
OANA received the following from the MTA regarding closure for the renovation of the Astoria Blvd subway station on the N/W line “As part of the larger reconstruction of Astoria Blvd station, NYCT will be closing...
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Interested in Business Opportunities in the New LaGuardia Airport?
OANA greatly supports the inclusion of Queens Based business at the New LaGuardia, and hope everyone take advantage of the following opportunity. LaGuardia Gateway Partners are pleased to announce their next Competitive Solicitation Process has...
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New Renderings, 28-16 21st Street
Falcon Pacific Builders has released a new rendering for a 50 unit rental and retail building located at 28-16 21st Street in Astoria. The announcement was made by Robert Goodman, Chief Operating Officer of Falcon...
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Astoria Park Parking Lot “NO OVERNIGHT PARKING”
URGENT MESSAGE: We have been notified by the Parks Department that starting Friday Night, October 26th, No Parking will be allowed overnight in the Astoria Park Parking Lot at Hoyt Ave and 19th st Any...
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Making Business More Accessible
UP-STAND is launching a Community Ramp Project to ease the restraints set up by single-step store entrances here in Astoria. These colorful ramps will be FREE to businesses, built by volunteer high school students, and make...
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Old Astoria Voting: Not good
The Gothamist has created a program that lets you know how many in your neighborhood voted in 2014. Old Astoria was below the city average. We need to do better. OANA received many complaints especially...
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The 2018 DSNY Leaf Collection Program
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) conducts special collections of leaves. The schedule for setting out leaves for fall collection in Old Astoria will be after 4 p.m. on two Saturdays, November 24 and December 8....
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New Development on 31st Avenue and 11th st
A nine-story residential building will be built in Old Astoria, at 11-37 31st Avenue, between Vernon Boulevard and 12th Street. 91 feet tall when complete it will include 168 units on 110,450 sq ft. The...
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Astoria Blvd Subway Renovation Bus Stop Changes
As everyone knows, the Astoria Blvd station on the N/W line is starting renovation soon. In preparation for this, the MTA has announced the following: Temporary Bus Stop Changes Due to construction at Astoria Boulevard...
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NYC Charter Revision
This November’s ballot will include referendums on changes to the New York City Charter. These changes are designed to boost civic engagement and reform the city’s local campaign finance system and community boards. The Charter...
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Street Cleaning Event
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association (OANA), the Family Church, Astoria Houses Residents Association, Councilman Costa Constantanides, Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Michael Gianaris, and Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas are joining forces to try and clean up...
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NYC Ferry Update
Because of greater than expected consumer demand, NYC had purchased new high capacity ferrys for NYC Ferry. This will help alleviate some of the service disruptions caused by the over demand for certain routes at...
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Historical Map of the Astoria Waterfront
A map of the Astoria waterfront from 1876 was donated to OANA by Firefighter Al Soto and Engine 262 on 21st St. We greatly appreciate their contribution. It is an interesting map, showing advertising at...
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Free, Confidential Legal Advise
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association is happy to support BP Melinda Katz and the Legal Aid Society in providing opportunities to all residents in Queens free confidential advise! A society where the playing field is equal...
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Laguardia overpass completed
As the construction at LaGuardia advances, we are now starting to see the vision taking shape. It is indeed exciting to see what is coming, but it certainly has been a headache dealing the congestion...
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National Night Out Against Crime
This August 7th, the National Night Out Against Crime with be celebrated in 2 locations in Old Astoria. Astoria Park, on the Great Lawn by the Hells Gate Bridge. Sponsored by the NYPD 114th Precinct,...
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World Breastfeeding Week Event
NYS Assemblywoman Aravella Symotas is co-sponsoring an event with UP-STAND to bring attention to World Breastfeeding Week and urge passage of her bill — the Family Accommodations in Entertainment Act. The latch-on event – Sustaining...
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Update on LaGuardia Airport Construction
Everything is moving along well at LaGuardia Airport. As we ride down the Grand Central, we actually see the form taking shape, and it is an exciting transformation from a tired old airport to the...
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Development recap: Old Astoria
The following developments are in the pipeline for the Old Astoria and surrounding Neighborhood! All of these are all As of Right. This means they do not require a zoning change. They are building within...
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Queens Midtown and Brooklyn Battery Tunnels
Gov. Cuomo address on Queens Midtown and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel reconstruction Hersh Parekh, who made a wonderful presentation at last January’s OANA Monthly meeting, has asked that we forward the following to our supporters: “Please...
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Friends of Whitey Ford Field Family Day July 15th
Friends of Whitey Ford Field is holding a family day July 15th between 10 am and 6 PM at the corner of 26th Avenue and 2nd Street on Halletts Peninsula in Astoria. They would like...
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General Slocum Sinking
Second worse disaster in NYC History Our Astoria Shore was witness to the worst maritime, and second worse overall disaster in NYC History: The sinking of the General Slocum Ferry in Hellsgate! In an in...
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Fireworks in Astoria Park
This years Fireworks in Astoria Park will take place on Thursday, June 28th at 7:30 PM The event will feature a special performance by the Patriot Brass Ensemble, followed by a spectacular Gucci fireworks display...
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Environmentally Friendly Ferry
The next step in the growth of our Ferry System: Environmentally Friendly Vessels!!!! Following is a study to address the pollution issues deriving from our current Ferry System! Here is the story of European Union-funded...
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A Beach on the Astoria Waterfront
Trying to make the best of a bad situation, the Durst Organization has announced plans to create a temporary Cultural Center and Beach Area on the site of the stalled Hallets Point project. There will...
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Public Art in Marine Air Terminal
We previously posted a request for artists in Queens to apply for a residency program in the Marine Terminal at LaGuardia Airport. The positions we awarded, and have been operating since May 2. We thought...
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Astoria Park Carnival June 6-10,2018
Central Astoria Local Development Coalition is pleased to announce this year’s Astoria Park Carnival in the Parking lot area of Astoria Park. This has evolved in to tradition our neighborhood looks forward to every year....
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More action on Residential Parking Permits
Councilman Francisco Moya (D_Jackson Heights) introduced a pair of parking-related bills earlier this month, with the first seeking to create a residential permit system in East Elmhurst —This seems to be related to a similar...
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Developer Sam Chang’s New 13-story Hotel in Long Island City
A new 13-story hotel at 38-39 9th Street, in Long Island City, Queens is being constructed. Hotel Developer Sam Chang will be responsible. The hotel will be seven blocks away from the 21st Street-Queensbridge subway...
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New 3 story residential bldg. 12-19 31st Dr.
Permits have been filed for a three-story residential building at 12-19 31st Drive, in Astoria, Queens. The site is close to the Astoria NYC Ferry pier and is 13 blocks away from the Broadway subway...
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New NYC Ferry Summer 2018 Schedule
The NYC Ferry has just released its new schedule for summer 2018. For the NYC waterfront’s premier public transit alternative summer schedule, this is effective May 21, 2018. Remember, with fares equal to those on a MetroCard,...
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Fathers Day in Astoria Park
June 17th, 2018 11 am to 3 pm The Old Astoria Neighborhood Assn is pleased to partner with the Astoria Park Alliance to sponsor a Fathers Day event in Astoria Park. What can be appropriate...
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Socrates Sculpture Park 2018 schedule
One of the Old Astoria Neighborhoods greatest assets is the Socrates Sculpture Park. With an attendance of over 100,000 annually, New Yorkers of all ages are exposed to a great program of the arts and...
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Astoria Park Tennis Courts Permits Available
It’s a good time to remember that now’s the best time to get a permit to play on the city’s public tennis courts. The tennis season lasts from April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so picking...
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New Building at 21st st and 29th ave
Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 28-06 21st Street, in Astoria, Queens. The 74-foot tall structure will yield 11,360 square feet, with 9,750 square feet dedicated to residential use, and 1,610...
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MTA Funding for Accessible Transit projects
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has amended it’s capital plan to allocate at least $600 million for accessibility projects. They state this will “significantly increases the agency’s investment” in Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility projects. $300...
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Durst and the Astoria Waterfront
Following is an interesting interview with Helen Rose Durst on their investments in Queens. We at OANA want to acknowledge that without Durst’s commitment to the revitalization of our waterfront, the prospects of improved quality...
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Street Cleaning in Old Astoria
We at Old Astoria Neighborhood Assn. (OANA) read with interest the op-ed in today’s Crains warning us to avoid street cleaning and Alternate Side parking (ASP). We greatly appreciate the fact that this helps keep...
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Street Cleaning and Parking; Short supply in Old Astoria
As a follow up to OANA’s press release asking for street cleaning once a week per side in Old Astoria, the Queens Courier has published an article on this. Even with petitions from local residents...
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Speed Bumps Approved
As many may be aware, OANA has been advocating for speed bumps on 18th st for many years. During our February meeting, we invited the NYC DOT’s Samantha Dolgoff to participate. Because of the tremendous...
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Movement on Residential Parking Permits
Some members of the NYC Council are embracing the idea of Residential Parking Permits. OANA has advocated for this for years, and we are heartened to see this idea take one more step to realization....
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Target opens in Astoria
A small-format Target will open in the Ditmars-Steinway section of Astoria in 2022. The location will be Target’s third small-format store in Queens with an existing location in Forest Hills and one planned for Jackson...
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Astoria Blvd Station Renovations
The MTA will add four elevators to the Astoria Boulevard station. The MTA has announced renovation of the Astoria Blvd stop on the N line in Astoria. This 29 month renovation will include 9 months...
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Street Cleaning and Alternate Side Parking Old Astoria
OANA has taken a position regarding street cleaning and Alternate side Parking in Old Astoria. While we support using zoning as a tool to determine street sweeping standards, we understand there are other solutions that...
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The MTA announced that the N Train renovations stay “On Track”
While the MTA has announced they are not starting any new renovations for subway stations because they have run out of funding, the planned renovations on the Astoria Stations on the “N” line will continue....
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QCA open call for Art Residency at LaGuardia Airport
The Queens Council on the Arts has an open call for a new art residency at LaGuardia Airport’s Marine Terminal A, which will come to a close next Thursday. QCA is collaborating with the Port...
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Durst Clock Tower
The first renderings of Queensboro Plaza skyscraper developed by the Durst Organization at 29-37 41st Avenue in Queens have been revealed. The 751-foot-tall building will dwarf the clock tower at its base. The renderings show a massive concave tower, sheathed...
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Halletts Point Building One
The Durst Organization has provided new renderings of Building One at 10 Halletts Point of the Halletts Point Development on the Astoria waterfront. This building has 405 units, 81 of which are “Affordable”, with rents...
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NYC Free Tax Preparation
Many New Yorkers qualify to file their taxes for free. The NYC Free Tax Prep program includes more than 200 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and AARP Tax-Aide sites citywide,...
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Seasonal, Part Time Positions- Aramark Citi Field
Aramark @ Citi Field is looking for energetic and self-motivated candidates with a proven track record in providing exemplary guest service in a fast paced and diverse environment, working as part of a team, to...
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RENOVATION OF ASTORIA POOL TO COST 50 MILLION
The cost to overhaul the Astoria Pool will be in excess of $50 million, according to Council member Costa Constantinides. Constantinides, who plans to fix the rundown pool wants the pool basin, the bleachers and...
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Noguchi Museum March News
Noguchi Museum is a long-standing cultural institution in Old Astoria. We strongly support their programming, and would like to take this opportunity to forward to everyone their March News and events. They are a strong...
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NYS State wants NYC to use design-build
Governor’s Cuomos office has advised the City of NY to try and institute Design /Build on its Capital Projects. This has proven to be a cost effective time saving process as proven by recent State...
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NYPD to crack down on ‘block-the-box’
NYPD to crack down on ‘block-the-box’ , New Commercial Loading restrictions in Jackson Heights BE AWARE Drivers who “block the box” at intersections could get a ticket for holding up traffic. Cops will be handing...
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NYPD Sector David Safety Summit
An important meeting will take place on March 22, 2018 at 6 PM Queens Library 37-44 21st st, Long Island City NY NYPD Precinct 114 Neighborhood Coordinating Officers Joe Esposito and Keith Matthes are hosting...
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More developments coming to Old Astoria
A six-story building is coming to 8-29 Astoria Boulevard, mid-block between 8th and 12th streets. Astoria Houses public housing project begins at the end of the block, and Two Coves Community Garden is across the...
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Increase Parking around Film Shoots
Astoria/LIC has historically been the center of movie and TC+V Film shoots in NYC. Studios such as Kauffman Astoria and Silvercup had lead to a renaissance in this industry in NYC. greatly adding to both...
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New Lower East Side Ferry Stop
Mayor DiBlasio announces a new Ferry stop in the Lower East Side in Manhattan. While this stop is not on the Astoria Line, you can transfer free of charge in LIC to the line servicing...
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New Generators for Astoria Houses
FEMA Funds secured for rehabilitation of NYCHA facilities because of Super Storm Sandy are funding new Surge protecting Generators to be installed on the roofs of some flood prone Astoria House buildings. These should help...
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Mid Block Cross walks on Steinway St
Councilman Costa Constantinides and the DOT announced on Feb. 23 that three new mid-block crosswalks and traffic lights would be installed along the busy thoroughfare. Constantinides first announced his plan to add traffic mitigation measures...
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Halletts Point update
The NY City Council has found that NYCHA was deprived of needed boiler improvements at their Astoria Houses campus. However, the Mayors office disputed this. Again, we at OANA ask that all parties involved put...
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Google and Goodwill Team up
Goodwill of NY/NJ and Google have teamed up to provide workforce development for those residents looking to enhance their tech skills to increase their chances of meaningful employment. Google.org designated $10M in grants for a workforce...
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Auto, Pedestrian, and Parking changes – Welling Court Vernon Blvd, Main ave
The NYC Department of Transportation will be presenting their new changes for the Vernon Blvd, Main Ave, 30th Ave. intersections in Old Astoria at the upcoming OANA meeting on Feb 28th at 7 PM at St...
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New Look Coming to the Triborough B playground
The Big Ten Network, in celebration of this year’s Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden, will be refurbishing the surface and basketball hoops of the full court basketball court in Triborough B playground!!! It will also be...
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CLIMATE CHANGE: Is Your Home At Risk?
Old Astoria is a waterfront community. Because of this we should all be aware of the potential risks that climate change and rising sea levels provide. A new Google Earth plug-in allows users to explore...
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Astoria Diving Pool Project
Work has begun on creating a public space on the site of the currently closed Astoria Diving Pool. While the neighborhood has had a vibrant discussion on how to utilize this landmarked space, from renovation...
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NEW DEVELOPMENT BY THE ASTORIA FERRY
Permits have been filed for a seven-story, 29-unit apartment building at 11-16 Main Ave. Currently, the one-story building sits on a block with mostly low-rise industrial buildings, many of which are adorned with art as part of...
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Halletts Point Building one is nearly completion
After 2 years of construction, Building One (At 10 Halletts Point) of the Durst Organization’s Halletts Point Development is nearing completion. Leasing is set to begin this summer! Also, a much-needed supermarket, Brooklyn Harvest Market,...
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NOGUCHI HIRES NEW DIRECTOR
The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City has appointed a new director: Brett Littman, the current director of the Drawing Center. He will take over the job in May, succeeding Jenny Dixon, who retired after...
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New NYC Winter Ferry Schedule
It has been an amazing initial year for the New York City Ferry….3 million passengers!!! And new stops are on the way for 2018!! The ferry has been a catalyst in Old Astoria, leading to...
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Is Design Build the Answer to NYC Capital project Woes?
Design build is an attempt to streamline the Capital project design and construction process. Currently, the process usually takes a minimum of 2 years just to reach the construction phase. This is because there are...
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Councilman Costa Constantinides Has Been Re-appointed
Council Costa Constantinides: The New term!!!! Environmental Protection Committee and Budget Negotiating Team Councilman Costa Constantinides has been re-appointed to Chair of the Council’s newly strengthened Environmental Protection Committee. Making our city greener and more environmentally-friendly will...
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Approved Design Plans For Whitey Ford Field
Community Board 1 in Astoria/LIC has approved design plans from the NYC Parks Department for the renovation of Whitey Ford Field! This is the culmination of extensive work done by CB1, The Friends of Whitey...
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Councilman Costa Constantinides “Holiday Drive”
Councilman Constantinides is collecting unopened/unwrapped toys, toiletries, and winter coats. You can drop off your donation through December 15th at their office, 31-09 Newtown Ave., on weekdays from 9am-5pm. Coats will be donated to New...
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Winter Snow Removal Jobs with Sanitation
DSNY is Now Hiring Emergency Snow Laborers Register Now to Help Clear Snow and Ice After Major Winter Storms The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced that starting today, people interested in working...
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Women’s Power Networking With Borough President Melinda Katz
As women steadily increase their presence and influence in the economy of Queens, making contacts with individuals who can further this growth is essential. To this end, Borough President Melinda Katz is sponsoring a networking...
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Paper Factory Hotel Expands
The Paper Factory Hotel will add 6 stories to their facility at 37-06 36th Street for a total of 11 stories with an additional 35000 Square ft floor space. Additional Green Space will be created...
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RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS
The Old Astoria Neighborhood Assn. has been a strong advocate for the establishment for Residential Parking Permits. Our local parking issues have a strong effect on our quality of life, from the extra pollution, waste...
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Property Tax Management to enter the Digital Age
OANA is supporting our Councilman Costa Constantinides’s bill to create website access for information on Property Taxes for NYC Property owners. This is an attempt to simplify a process which today is depended upon “SnailMail”...
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Important news for holiday travel via Laguardia Airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 16, 2017 CONTACT: Metropolitan Transportation Authority: 212-878-7440 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: 212-435-7777 PORT AUTHORITY AND MTA ANNOUNCE FREE LAGUARDIA LINK Q70 SERVICE DURING THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY LaGuardia Link...
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BQX Connector Mock up
Are we seeing the future of inter-borough transit? Housed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Friends of the BQX, an advocacy group, has provided a mock up of what a streetcar might look like. This...
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Landlord Watchlist
It is extremely important that the public be aware of Landlords who do not meet their obligations in regards to their tenant’s quality of housing. The List of Landlords (provided by the Public Advocate) who...
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Whitey Ford Field
Queens has been home to two of the NY Yankees most iconic players: Phil Rizzuto and Whitey Ford. Our Old Astoria neighborhood is home to the Whitey Ford Field, which is undergoing a renaissance, as...
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Delayed Opening for Charybdis Playground Bathrooms
NYC Parks Departments plan for renovating Charybdis Playground, phase 2 of Mayor DiBlasio’s Anchor Park Initiative, will include renovation of the Comfort Station. Because of this renovation, the facility will not reopen until 2020 (The...
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Separate Bike and Pedestrian Lanes on the Queensboro Bridge
Transportation Alternatives are asking that the Queensborough Bridge outbound lower roadway exterior lane be converted from automobiles use to Pedestrian/Bicycle use. Currently the inbound lower roadway exterior lane is reserved for pedestrian/bicycle use. Transportation Alternatives...
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Direct Public transit between Outer Boroughs
Public Transportation in NYC has always been Manhattan Centric. Travel between the outer boroughs almost always includes being diverted to Manhattan. There are very few direct options. Regional Plan Association has created “The Triboro: Transit...