Mr. Khuzami has been a member of Community Board 1 in Astoria, NY for the last 20 years. He sits on the Zoning and parks Committees and is on the Executive Board. Previously, he served as Parks and Culture chair of Community Board 1 for eleven years and also chaired Capital and Expense priority Committee. He is a member of the Queens General Assembly and had been a panelist for grant submissions for the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA). Richard also is an officer of The Eastern Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA)
A seven-story residential building at 14-54 31st Avenue in Astoria, Queens, 70-foot tall having 20,729 total square feet, with 17,597 square feet designated for residential space has filed for permits. The building will have 24 residences....
Jonathan Rose Cos., has purchased the former Goodwill property at 27th ave and 4th st on Hallets Peninsula for 35 million. “We have come up with a program to protect current tenants,” advised Nathan D....
A major overhaul of Queens’ bus routes calls for cutting and combining some of the borough’s major routes The MTA on Monday released a draft of its plan to redesign the network of 107 bus...
Gail Gualotuna from the Astoria Express school bus service attended our last meeting and had reached out for help. They have a problem with motorists ignoring the school bus stop signs and we requested she...
OANA has advocated for comfort stations at Whitey Ford Field. We feel this is an important issue that must be addressed. With the upcoming renovations, we expect usage of the field to increase dramatically. Without...
Insider.com has done a little research into why Astoria is the 8th Coolest neighborhood in the world. Looks like food to center stage! In Old Astoria, they discussed the Welling Court Mural project and Socrates...
Cornell Tech has initiated a Computer Security Clinic for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence. “The Computer Security Clinic for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence will allow our talented research team to help more survivors in...
Just wanted to advise everyone of a new article in QNS.com on the Ferry Extension we have been requesting. We would like to remind everyone to sign our Petition We want to thank QNS.com for...
The Noguchi Museum is having their fall fundraiser on Nov. 18th, 2019 from 7-10 PM. OANA hopes that everyone who values the Arts can attend, and support one of the top Cultural Institutions in NYC!...
OANA is proud to support and promote Socrates Sculpture Park, one of the premier destinations for Old Astorians and those who love and support the arts! Socrates Sculpture Park is currently accepting applications for their...
At our next OANA meeting on Oct. 8th, NYC Parks Forestry (Trees) will be joining us, and we look forward to an extremely interesting presentation (Note: NYS Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan will also be joining us)....
In the coming year, we at OANA would like to expand the services we are offering. A space for classes and symposia has been offered to us by our VP Kevin Hernandez, and we want...
PS 171 in Old Astoria is the first of six schools in Councilman Costa Constantinides District that will receive solar panels within the next two years. The installation of the green infrastructure will teach students...
In our mission to educate and improve the quality of life in Old Astoria, OANA has partnered with East Hudson Realty to provide training in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). We invited the Fire Dept Emergency...
This year it seems we have a lot of caterpillars on our trees. They are consuming most of the leaves, and some of our neighbors are concerned. We reached out to Parks, and were told...
As many of you know, the flooding on Shore Blvd reached extreme levels this summer. Cars were unable to pass, and some events had to be postponed or canceled. We were fortunate to have Mr....
The new Street Cleaning signage is up! Street Cleaning will begin Sept 16th. Please make sure you follow Alternate Side regulations. We are pleased that the local media has helped in notifying the neighborhood of...
East Hudson Realty and OANA have teamed up to present a special event that everyone who has a loved one or wants to be ready to help his neighbor should attend! Training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation...
Hallett’s Peninsula has seen a lot of changes, from a Supermarket, New Residential Buildings, and now a performance and event space. This performance space will not only provide a much needed public facility to the...
Over 500 new apartments are coming to the Astoria waterfront in the next few years. Cape Advisors has just released renderings of their new development. This development is “As of Right”, which means it is...
A 20-year journey to establish Street Cleaning in Old Astoria has finally been realized. This Monday August 12th, new signage will be installed providing street cleaning 1 day per week per side (a total of...
We read with interest an article in PATCH that shows, in addition to rents, the city’s tax on business is proving to be a real impediment to successful enterprise. We all know that rising rents...
The Durst Organization has provided the following “Tour” on its first building for its Hallets Point Development. The 2 buildings, which sit at 26 Ave between 1st and 2nd St, are next to Whitey Ford...
A Bronx Tale, shot in Astoria with Robert De Niro, will be a vision for the future of our neighborhood! More information on the proposed Film Studio being backed by the De Niro family in...
The highlight of this years NYS Legislative session, which OANA has supported over the years, is the authorization to allow NYC capital projects to be built under “Design Build” standards. This streamlines the process, allowing...
Hollywood East Coast “Astoria” has a new film studio in the works! And an early investor is Robert De Niro. This is also an example how an investment by the city and state in an...
OANA recognizes the great importance of Libraries in our community and greatly appreciated the presentation by outgoing Astoria Library Brach manager Gus Tsekelis at our last monthly meeting on May 14th. He gave a great...
It was announced that Melanie La Rocca has been named the new Commissioner of the Department of Buildings OANA congratulates Melanie. A local resident, Melanie has served on our Community Board. I have also been...
OANA has strongly supported the extension of the Astoria Ferry to originate at the Upper East Side Soundview landing . Please read our statement. The NYC EDC and Hornblower, operator of the Ferry, will be...
Last year, we reported on the sale of property on 4th street on Hallets Peninsula. The new owner has been issued permits for a new 7 story building on this site. As per the Astoria...
Last night at the Monthly OANA Meeting Councilman Costa Constantinides announced the NYC Department of Sanitation has completed a route study that would provide street cleaning throughout Old Astoria. [sanitation is studying 26 ave between...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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”...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...