Author: Allie Griffin

City Council Approves the Special Flushing Waterfront District With Vote of 39-to-5

Dec. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin The City Council voted Thursday to approve a land use application for a sprawling 13-tower mixed-use development that will transform the Flushing waterfront for years to come. The Council voted 39-to-5 — with one abstention — to approve a proposal to create a “Special Flushing Waterfront District” on 29-acres… Read more »

Fundraiser Seeking $3M to Gift Donald Trump his Childhood Home Falling Short

Dec. 10, 2020 By Allie Griffin A fundraiser launched last month with the goal to raise $3 million to purchase the childhood home of President Donald Trump appears at this point to be a flop. The GoFundMe — launched by the real estate company representing the anonymous seller —urges Trump supporters to donate to the… Read more »

Council Committee Overwhelmingly Backs Flushing Waterfront Development, Votes 14-to-1

Dec. 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin The proposed 13-tower, mixed-use development on the Flushing waterfront is a step closer toward becoming a reality. The City Council’s Land Use Committee overwhelmingly voted to approve a zoning change that is needed for the ambitious project to move ahead. The committee voted 14-to-1 to approve the land use… Read more »

Queens Rents Have Dropped More Than 4 Percent From Last Year: Report

Dec. 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin The cost to rent an apartment in Queens has dropped more than 4 percent in the past year, according to a new report. The average amount paid to rent a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment was down across the board, compared to the same time last year, according to… Read more »

Passenger in Stolen Car Killed in East Elmhurst Crash; Driver Arrested: NYPD

Dec. 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin A passenger in a stolen vehicle is dead after the driver smashed into a tree in East Elmhurst on Tuesday, police said. Christian Carrion-Rivera, 26, was behind the wheel of a stolen SUV when he lost control at around 9:15 a.m. while speeding along Ditmars Boulevard. The car then… Read more »

MTA to Work on Queens Boulevard Line Upgrades During Holidays, Affecting E and M Service

Dec 8, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens straphangers will face service disruptions to their commute over the holidays due to track work along the Queens Boulevard line. Service on the E and M lines will be rerouted between Christmas and New Year’s Day, as Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) crews modernize the signaling system and perform track… Read more »

Queens Lawmakers Introduce Legislation Requiring State to Cover Cost of COVID Testing at Private Schools

Dec. 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin Two Queens lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would require New York State to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing at private, religious and other non-public schools. State Sen. Joe Addabbo and Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi sponsored a bill that would require the state to reimburse non-public schools for the cost… Read more »

Van Bramer Eyeing Another Run for Queens Borough President

Dec. 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin and Christian Murray Long Island City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer is contemplating a run for Queens Borough President once again, campaign filings show. Van Bramer has recently filed to run for borough president with the Campaign Finance Board and told Politico last month that he is “seriously considering”… Read more »