TF Cornerstone, the developer of Hunters Point South Phase 2, is now going to include a 600-seat elementary school in their project. According to [Read more…] about HUNTERS POINT SOUTH PHASE 2 WILL NOW INCLUDE SCHOOL
Schools
SEVENTH KINDERGARTEN CLASS ADDED TO PS78Q, TRUNCATION COMING?
PS78Q will add an additional kindergarten class this year, making a total of seven. This followed a boost from four to six classes last year, three to four classes in 2014, and two to three classes in 2013. Unlike in previous years, the additional class was added at the outset instead of wait-listing kids. This waitlist understandably led to fraught parents -> riots -> quick capitulation and the addition of new classes a week or two later. Why the DOE didn’t follow this model from the beginning, instead of creating tremendous agita for both parents and themselves and then caving in to the resulting uproar is beyond me.
The downside of eliminating a waitlist for the first time in four years, is [Read more…] about SEVENTH KINDERGARTEN CLASS ADDED TO PS78Q, TRUNCATION COMING?
CITY TO BUILD HOUSING & SCHOOL ON WATERS EDGE RESTAURANT
The NYC EDC has put out a request-for-proposal (RFP) to develop the land currently occupied by the Water’s Edge Restaurant and the adjacent parking lot along the East River, as well as a long thin lot across the street on the south side of 44th Drive. In total, it’s about 4.5 acres, with the choice river front property about 75% of that total once one includes the possibility of reclaiming, via landfill, a portion of the lot that’s currently underwater.
The city’s RFP makes it clear that they want the developer to think big and ignore the current zoning restrictions ((M1-M4 = low slung manufacturing buildings)), and while paying lip service to including space for light manufacturing, heavily emphasizes the desire for affordable housing, on the magnitude of ~1,000 new apartments. Also, it begs the question: now that the city has shown their hand and a willingness to quickly change zoning in this specific neighborhood, does that mean the Paragon Paint Building should be given an exemption, as the previous complaint against doing so per Community Board 2 was that a comprehensive plan was needed?
Also, the RFP requires that [Read more…] about CITY TO BUILD HOUSING & SCHOOL ON WATERS EDGE RESTAURANT
NEW SCHOOL ANNOUNCED FOR LONG ISLAND CITY
Last night at a meeting hosted by the Gantry Parents Association, President Jimmy Van Bramer made the announcement that a new school will be built in LIC. It will be a freestanding school ((not embedded/attached to an apartment building)) located in Parcel F of Hunters Point South. Parcel F is located at the southern end of HPS, near Newtown Creek. The expected opening is 2020-2021 and it is being built with the flexibility to service grades K-8 with a final determination made closer to opening based on the needs at that time.
In the meantime, the DOE/SCA (School Construction Authority) are in the midst of negotiations to find [Read more…] about NEW SCHOOL ANNOUNCED FOR LONG ISLAND CITY
SNOWMESS?
Will it, won’t it, snow that is. That’s the big story here in LIC at this moment. Will we, won’t we, get a new school? That’s a big story here in LIC for the long term, but two educators from other parts are looking to possibly change that, or at least accelerate it. [Read more…] about SNOWMESS?