By Dana Schulz, Thu, January 23, 2020 The Bay Ridge Branch crossing Ralph Avenue in Canarsie, photo by Jim Henderson / Wiki Commons
Since the 1990s, the Regional Plan Association has been advocating for the restoration of passenger service to a rail line known as the Bay Ridge Branch that runs from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Astoria, Queens and is now used as a freight line. The MTA has announced that it will begin a feasibility study to “evaluate the potential for subway, commuter rail, light rail or bus service” along the line, which the agency notes would create the potential for reverse commuting and connect to 19 subway lines and the LIRR. In October, the RPA’s Kate Slevin explained to NY1, “We don’t have unlimited resources here in New York City, as we know, so the fact that we already have tracks there, that are underutilized, really means a lot.”
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By Dana Schulz, Mon, January 13, 2020 Photo by CaptJayRuffins on Wikimedia Commons
This past October, Neir’s Tavern in Woodside, Queens celebrated its 190th anniversary. But last week, the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society reported on Twitter that the beloved and historic establishment would close its doors for good on Sunday. Originally opened in 1829 as a saloon called the “Old Blue Pump House,” Neir’s considers itself NYC’s oldest bar. When the tavern was in danger of closing in 2009, a local FDNY member and a group of friends bought and restored it, but in December of 2018, the building was sold unbeknownst to them. According to a Facebook post by Neir’s, they were unable to negotiate a new “affordable long-term lease” with the new owners. But when Mayor de Blasio heard the news, he and the city stepped in and saved the bar from closing.
How’d they do it?
By Michelle Cohen, Thu, January 9, 2020 Courtesy of the TWA Hotel
Between giving Connie, its vintage airplane cocktail lounge shared billing with “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” in a publicity partnership last December and offering runway ice skating, the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport is doing its best to share its Eero Saarinen-designed mid-century fabulousness with the public rather than keeping it under wraps. A new opening adds yet another reason to visit the cool transportation destination: The hotel’s rooftop bar is being transformed into a “runway chalet” for the rest of the winter season.
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By Devin Gannon, Mon, January 6, 2020 Streetview of the library; Map data © 2020 Google
A popular public library in Queens is shutting its doors next month. The Queens Public Library at Court Square, located at 25-01 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, will close sometime in February after occupying the ground floor of the Citigroup Building for more than 30 years. The library faced threats of eviction after Amazon pulled out of its plan to move its headquarters to the neighborhood last year, which included its lease agreement at One Court Square.
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By Alexandra Alexa, Thu, January 2, 2020 Photo by Tdorante10 via Wikimedia Commons
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a sweeping draft plan that will completely redesign the Queens Bus Network for the first time in a century. The agency took a “blank slate” approach to completely redraw the routes, which were mostly adapted from old trolley lines from the turn of the 20th century. The plan focused on creating faster North-South connections between Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx and increasing service speed by expanding the average bus stop from 850 feet to 1,400 feet.
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By Michelle Cohen, Thu, December 26, 2019 Photo credit: Al Seidman courtesy of Compass
The lofts at the former Eagle Electric Manufacturing Factory at 27-28 Thomson Avenue in Long Island City, built in 1920, are uncompromisingly authentic, while the full-service Arris Lofts condo conversion benefits from the kind of impressive amenities for which the Queens neighborhood is known. Occupying 1,725 square feet of flexible living space with a bedroom, a home office, and two full baths, this generously-sized residence is quiet and sunny, configured with modern living in mind. It’s asking $1.49 million.
Tour the loft
By Dana Schulz, Mon, December 23, 2019 MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford at the 168 St Station on Monday, December 23, 2019, along with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Assemblymember Al Taylor. Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit
After a year, the 168th Street 1 train station has finally reopened, marking the first complete elevator replacement at this stop in more than 100 years. In addition, last week, the MTA announced that the Astoria Boulevard N, W station has reopened after nine months and the completion of the first phase of its station modernization.
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By Dana Schulz, Thu, December 12, 2019 Photo of Trader Joe’s via Wikimedia Commons
Several “well-placed real estate brokers” told the LIC Post that Trader Joe’s is heading to Long Island City, where they signed a lease at the recently completed Court Square condo building 22-43 Jackson Avenue. Expected to open at the end of 2020, this will be the grocery chain’s 11th location in NYC and second in Queens (the other is in Rego Park).
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By Alexandra Alexa, Thu, December 5, 2019 Rendering courtesy of FXCollaborative and BRP Companies
The latest housing lottery to open for applications is a pretty significant one: there are now 667 newly constructed units up for grabs at 148-10 Archer Avenue and 147-10 Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Otherwise known as The Crossing at Jamaica Station, the FXCollaborative-designed development is a commuter’s dream, located at the corner of Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, right next to the LIRR’s Jamaica Station, the Air Link to JFK, and with proximity to four MTA subway lines and several buses. Qualifying New Yorkers earning between 40 and 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from $633/month studios to $4,501/month three-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
By Dana Schulz, Tue, November 26, 2019 All photos courtesy of Prime Video
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Amazon Prime’s hit comedy series about a housewife turned stand-up comedian in 1950s New York City, has certainly used its hometown setting to its advantage when it comes to PR. Last December, ahead of the second season, the show revived the beloved Carnegie Deli for a promotional pop-up pastrami shop. Now, to kick off the third season’s launch on December 6th, they’re taking over the TWA Hotel’s Connie, a real vintage airplane that’s been retrofitted as a retro cocktail lounge. Not only is the bar offering special Mrs. Maisel-themed deals for the next couple days, but lead actress Rachel Brosnahan even appears in front of the plane in a national billboard.
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