Feb. 22, 2018 By Tara Law Upcoming changes to Steinway Street in Astoria aim to make it easier for pedestrians to cross the busy corridor. The Department of Transportation plans to install three mid-block crosswalks and traffic signals along Steinway Street between 30th and 34th avenues this spring. The changes aim to make it safer… Read more »
Feb. 22, 2018 By Tara Law George Kaufman, a real estate developer and civic leader who revitalized Astoria Studios, died Tuesday at the age of 89. Kaufman, president of the family-owned real estate firm Kaufman Realty Corporation, took over the dilapidated Astoria Studios in 1982 and built it into one of the largest studios in… Read more »
Feb. 22, 2018 By Christian Murray The MTA is in the crosshairs of an Astoria elected official yet again—this time for a giant billboard located on the Astoria Boulevard stop deemed to be a distraction to motorists. Assemblymember Aravella Simotas has written separate letters to the MTA and the Department of Buildings requesting that the… Read more »
Feb. 22, 2018 By Tara Law The Durst Organization’s decision not to continue building its massive 2,000-unit development on Hallets Point will leave the isolated area deprived of much-needed resources—from a school to community facilities, said Councilmember Costa Constantinides on Wednesday. The developer recently announced that it is no longer completing the seven-building project in… Read more »
Feb. 21, 2018 By Christian Murray The police are searching for two men who attempted to rob an East Elmhurst gas station at gunpoint in the early hours Saturday morning. The two men allegedly drove into the Sunoco Gas Station, located at 88-20 Astoria Blvd, in a BMW M3 at around 3 a.m. Feb. 17…. Read more »
Feb. 20, 2018 By Tara Law Astoria commuters who attempted to ride the subway this morning faced crowds, lines and confusion as signal problems at Queens Plaza and 5th Avenue/59th Street stations caused serious service delays. Delays lasted from about 8 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. N/W-line commuters were forced to walk to the 7 line… Read more »
Feb. 19, 2018 By Tara Law A baby boy was found dead in a trash can near a playground on the border of Astoria and Long Island City on Saturday. The police responded to a 911 call at around 10:48 a.m. and discovered a newborn unconscious and unresponsive near Dutch Kills Playground, located at 36th Avenue… Read more »
Feb. 16, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez Plans for a hotel at the former Western Beef supermarket site have been scrapped, as developers are now opting for a residential building instead. The site at 36-20 Steinway St., where JMH Development was planning a 289-key hotel, will see a six-story rental building with 140 units, according to… Read more »
Feb. 16, 2018 By Tara Law Astoria’s elected officials sent two letters to the president of the MTA yesterday declaring their opposition to the MTA’s N/W subway closures and construction projects. Councilmember Costa Constantinides, State Senator Michael Gianaris and State Assemblymember Aravella Simotas wrote to MTA President Andy Byford, calling for him to add service… Read more »
Feb. 16, 2018 By Tara Law A trendy Chinese bar and restaurant in Astoria has closed after being in business for about two months. Ha’s Chinese Bar & Eatery, which operated at 40-17 Broadway, closed on Feb. 12, according to its website and Instagram page. The eatery offered vegetarian Chinese. The husband-and-wife duo of Ben… Read more »