Category: Uncategorized

Close-Rikers Jail Plan Faces Pandemic-Driven Delay as Budget’s Cut by $500M

By Rachel Holiday Smith and Reuven Blau, THE CITY This story was originally published on 8/12/20 by THE CITY The city’s latest funding plan strips more than $500 million from construction of four new jails — with a building timeline that could extend two years past Mayor Bill de Blasio’s pledge to shut Rikers Island… Read more »

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 »

Floral-Inspired Winter Wonderland Comes to Queens Farm

Dec. 9, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Farm museum is now showcasing a floral-inspired winter wonderland. The museum has partnered with the Floral Escape, a Queens-based company that specializes in creating pop-up floral productions, to bring the colorful new exhibit to the 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy farm. The new production, called The Winter Escape,… 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 »