Politics

A MOVEMENT HAS BEGUN IN HUNTERS POINT

January 23, 2018 by editor 3 Comments

Thank you Brent, please place Rec Center right here. — Thank you Brent, please place Rec Center right here now

A movement has begun for a Rec Center in Hunters Point. Spearheaded by Brent O’Leary, President of the Hunters Point Civic Association, and Eric Malinowski, a local father of two, the tandem, with backing from several other neighborhood organizations, has created an online petition calling for a recreation center to be included in any large development granted a rezoning or variance (Aka #1 Anable Basin; #2 Water’s Edge). The petition cites many [Read more…] about A MOVEMENT HAS BEGUN IN HUNTERS POINT

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF HUNTERS POINT

January 10, 2018 by editor 5 Comments

Despite the delays and cost overruns at the Hunters Point Library, I personally like it. I know that not everyone in the neighborhood shares my sentiment, some thinking it an overpriced folly and others questioning the need for any new libraries in the 21st century. But grand projects that may come across as impractical or wasteful at onset, can sometimes transcend their original purpose, as well as transform a neighborhood if the conceptualization of it is on target. Though we won’t really know for another year about the final outcome, I’m optimistic that the decision to build it will be proven correct.

Yet underlying the creation of the Hunters Point Library, is a dirty little secret: [Read more…] about THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF HUNTERS POINT

MUSINGS ON GENTRIFICATION IN LIC AND DEVELOPING WATER’S EDGE

October 10, 2017 by editor 2 Comments

So much promise, but needs to be reasonable

In the perfect world of The Editor there would be fewer humans taxing the earth’s resources and fewer still straining those of Queens and NYC. Regrettably someone else from this borough was recently elected monarch so I won’t be able to impose my will until 2020 and thus will be required to accept compromises, just like everyone else. That will entail watching large swaths of Long Island City towered up to the sky, much of which has already transpired.

Despite my anti-growth leanings, [Read more…] about MUSINGS ON GENTRIFICATION IN LIC AND DEVELOPING WATER’S EDGE

CORNELL TECHNION OPENS – HEY DON’T FORGET THE BRIDGE!

September 15, 2017 by editor Leave a Comment

It's time for LIC to no longer be solely framed by its proximity to Midtown — It’s time for LIC to no longer be framed solely by its proximity to midtown

So, Cornell Technion opened up this week. While the opening entailed press releases, ribbon-cutting, politicians and media attention, it should come as no surprise as it was completed right on schedule. Of course that fact may actually be the biggest surprise of all!

Amidst the news hoopla, and there was a lot of it from all angles (see links below), was the standard local one as to how this would affect the local community adjacent to the campus: Long Island City. All interviewees laud the potential of the proximity to the new campus, and the hyperbole is justified. Unfortunately what they don’t realize is the huge gulf between “as the crow flies” and reality. While a new ferry is nice, it is far from a game-changer. The fact is that the [Read more…] about CORNELL TECHNION OPENS – HEY DON’T FORGET THE BRIDGE!

DOES MATTHEW BARNEY HAVE A TRUMP COUNTDOWN CLOCK IN LIC?

September 2, 2017 by editor 8 Comments

It's time to wake up — It’s memorial time

East River mash-up — How’s that for a wall!

Look up from the river, is it a ferry-passenger ticker? Is it a Powerball Jackpot ad? At the very northern end of Gantry Park there is a large red digital display. At first glance, the meaning of the numbers would leave one bewildered. But with a little sleuthing we were able to solve the mystery. ((ok, ok, we were able to confirm what a reader tipped us off to)) Spoiler alert [Read more…] about DOES MATTHEW BARNEY HAVE A TRUMP COUNTDOWN CLOCK IN LIC?