You are reading

Astoria’s Hallets Cove Shoreline Cleaned Up, Local Leaders Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Elected officials and local leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front Hallets Cove Wednesday to mark the completion of a revitalization project along the shoreline. From L to R: EDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, President of the Astoria Houses Tenant Association Claudia Coger and Community Board 1 District Manager Florence Koulouris (Photo: Queens Borough President’s Office)

June 29, 2022 By Michael Dorgan

A gritty section of the Hallets Cove peninsula along the Astoria waterfront has undergone a major overhaul and local leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the site Wednesday.

The inlet, located off the East River on Vernon Boulevard near 30th Road, was once a major eyesore for Astoria residents consisting of a decaying 70-year-old pier, invasive plants and mountains of garbage.

The old pier has been torn down, with the revamp including the removal of debris and trash that was strewn along the riverbank. The overhaul also included the planting of new trees as well as new wetland vegetation, with the goal of restoring the area’s natural ecology.

Trees that had grown within the site’s retaining wall have also been cut down and replaced by a chain-link fence with a new railing. Despite the upgrades, the beach area is not accessible to the public.

The project cost $5 million and the plans were first unveiled by former Council Member Costa Constantinides in 2015. Constantinides’ office allocated $1 million toward the revitalization project with former Borough President Melinda Katz investing another $3 million, while former Mayor Bill de Blasio allocated $1 million. The city partnered with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to renovate the site.

After years of delays, ground was broken on the project in November and local leaders were on hand Wednesday to mark its completion with a ribbon-cutting event.

The ribbon was cut by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, EDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball, Community Board 1 District Manager Florence Koulouris and the president of the Astoria Houses Tenant Association Claudia Coger.

The completion of the project, Richards said, means that the Hallets Point coastal area will no longer be a blight on the neighborhood. The inlet is located next to the Astoria Houses NYCHA complex and faces the Astoria Ferry Terminal.

“The space has been transformed into the kind of oasis this community deserves, and that every community deserves,” Richards said.

“Finally, we have beautiful new trees, new wetlands, new railings and more.”

Constantinides had initially proposed constructing a kayak dock in that section of Hallets Cove in 2015. However, he said in 2020 that it ended up not being feasible based on its proximity to the ferry.

Hallets Cove before (L) and after (R) Plans (Council Member Costa Constantinides’ Office)

The inlet in 2020 (Photo Google Maps)

The inlet in 2020 (Photo Google Maps)

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Catch the fall vibe at these western Queens breweries

Sep. 3, 2025 By Jessica Militello

September rings in the start of Oktoberfest from mid-September through October, featuring special brews, fun events and more fall fun. Western Queens is filled with breweries to enjoy seasonal brews, fall flavors and the start of cooler weather as Autumn approaches, making it a perfect time to meet up with friends at these local spaces.

Op-Ed | Four years after Hurricane Ida, Queens deserves real climate resilience

Sep. 2, 2025 By Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas

Four years ago, Hurricane Ida tore through our neighborhoods of East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights, leaving behind devastation we will never forget. We lost neighbors to the floodwaters. Families saw their homes destroyed, their basements wiped out, their lives upended. Immigrant families—so many of them undocumented—were hit the hardest, often excluded from relief altogether. Ida was not just a storm; it was a wake-up call.

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.