WHILE the joy of the fireworks and the visions of J.Lo dancing in our heads linger, the underlying stories of the last two weeks focused on the more worrisome topic of [Read more…] about AND NOW, BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED REALITY IN LIC
Politics
WHY IS BROOKLYN RUNNING QUEENS?
YESTERDAY at the LIC Summit one of the speakers marveled at how everyone on the panel lived in Brooklyn and was talking about LIC. In fact given that this panel and several others included NYC policy makers the reality is that they were not only commenting about Queens but also deciding its fate when it comes to big decisions. Which I guess is how these things shake out when hiring decisions are made, but shouldn’t there then be extra special attention paid to the community voice and an awareness that these areas are not blank slates?
The obvious answer is ‘yes’ but the bureaucratic one is ‘huh?’ Our last post talked about the ‘Water’s Edge’ development, and that proposal should be an interesting litmus test. I learned yesterday that a) an answer should be forthcoming soon and b) there never was the intention of having a bake-off. We’ll see.
More disconcerting was the advocacy of ‘densification’ by all the Brooklyn Intelligentsia as the solution to the city’s problems, and how Queens was Ground Zero to test their urban planning theories. I believe it helps a few people and diminishes the quality of life for all – the only question is ‘To what extent?’ Either way, we will experience de facto densification in the addition of roughly 10,000 new units to LIC by 2020 and thousands of other units along the 7-train line outside of LIC. Why not wait to see how that plays out?
Another sign of cluelessness occurred [Read more…] about WHY IS BROOKLYN RUNNING QUEENS?
WHAT’S UP WITH THE WATER’S EDGE DEVELOPMENT SITE?
In February of 2016 the City decided to develop the land in and around the former Water’s Edge Restaurant on 44th Drive by the East River. Given the prospective zoning variance the city was offering, a pair of 60-story towers were possible on this choice piece of property1, so the proposed project is massive. RFP’s from developers were due that May and were required to include a new school, some affordable housing, and a few other stipulations most notably a set aside for light manufacturing.
After submission the proposals would be reviewed by the NYCEDC (Economic Development Corp) and I was under the belief that shortly after the New Year they would pick 2-3 of those they deem viable for a bake-off, during which time there would be some community review and recommendations and then a winner would be chosen. Now I’m hearing grumblings that the city is going to bypass the middle step and just render a final decision.
Which is really a shame because in addition [Read more…] about WHAT’S UP WITH THE WATER’S EDGE DEVELOPMENT SITE?
- actually two properties across the street from each other [↩]
HUNTERS POINT LIBRARY TO BE NAMED AFTER TRUMP
The nearly completed Hunters Point Library along the waterfront in Long Island City will be re-christened in honor of Queens most famous native son. The Queens Library has announced that the new building will be given the name ‘Trump Library’ when it is finished later this year, and that barring any unforeseen circumstances the president will be in attendance for the grand opening and naming ceremony in September.
When asked about the honor last night at a press conference, Trump responded that he was very gratified [Read more…] about HUNTERS POINT LIBRARY TO BE NAMED AFTER TRUMP
FEUDIN’ N FIGHTIN’ LIC-STYLE
I’ve seen you ’round for a long long time
I remembered you when you drank my wine
I’ve seen you walking down in Chinatown
I called you but you could not look around
The color of your skin don’t matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony
I’d kind of like to be the President
So I can show you how your money’s spent
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
Have you ever walked by a building in Long Island City and thought “I wonder who owns it?” or “How does it remain ‘as is’ in light of all the changes going on in the neighborhood/city?” Real estate investing is idiosyncratic. Unlike a stock or a bond, which can easily be compared, quantified, and traded, every single home, building, and piece of land is unique. So are the circumstances behind their ownership.
Proof of that comes in a story today about [Read more…] about FEUDIN’ N FIGHTIN’ LIC-STYLE