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December 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 12
SPACE CRAFT TO
MIKKELLER BREWING NYC AT CITI FIELD WAS NAMED A 2018 CHAMBER BUILDING AWARD RECIPIENT
ALSO
• INTERVIEWS WITH THREE OTHER 2018 HONOREES • AMAZON PRIMED FOR QUEENS • QCC FOUNDATION LAUNCHES QUEENS WINS!
On the redevelopment of Willets Point...
“We’ll be that local hub and that community gathering space. We want to be that anchor.”
MIKKELLER BREWING NYC DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS HANNAH GOLDMAN
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December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY’S VERY REAL IMPACT American Express created Small In Queens, specifically, our Business Saturday in 2010, and diverse constituency makes us very now the specially desigunique, and Small nated shopping day is in Business Saturday has its ninth year. a dramatic impact on There’s no shortage the business owners in of options when shopthe borough. Some of ping in New York City, these businesses literbut what makes the five ally get 30 percent of boroughs so unique are annual sales as a direct all its small businesses. result of this one day. According to 2016 New As for community York City Economic reinvestment, these Development Corpora- TOM SANTUCCI bolstered sales go a tion data, there are more CHAIRPERSON long way. If a business than 32,000 small busisees increased sales in ness retail establishments across a specific community, there is a the city. great chance they will be spending An average two-thirds (67 cents) that money with other businesses of every dollar spent at a small in the same area. This really is a business stays in the local com- “rising tide lifts all boats” scenario. munity, according to a new Small As the Chairman of the Queens Business Economic Impact Study Chamber of Commerce, we will from American Express. continue to advocate for our small
GRAPHIC: BUSINESS WIRE
business owners and do whatever it takes to get them noticed. Queens Chamber staff have gone into the neighborhoods to not only remind them of the importance of the day, but give recommendations
and alerts to what business owners can do to enhance sales. We congratulate the success of our small business owners and will continue to remain a champion of their growth!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
AMAZON & QUEENS WILL THRIVE TOGETHER The recent news about Amazon those in the nearby NYCHA houschoosing Queens as its next home ing. The new facility will attract is one of the most exciting develop- additional investment into the ments in years. The jobs and eco- region, and Amazon will be making nomic opportunities investments in infrathat are created will structure and local add to our already education, as well. vital economy in The benefits will many sectors, from echo across the area. construction to techAs fall ends and nology to food serwinter rolls in, the vice to transportation Queens Chamber has and more. bolstered its events We are proud that and outreach to create the pro-business more opportunities environment in New THOMAS J. GRECH for you. York City, especial- PRESIDENT & CEO In November alone, ly our talented and we hosted two Busidiverse workforce, ness Card Exchanges, will help Amazon and other for- a Job Fair with Plaza College, a ward-looking businesses thrive. We Workforce Symposium with the can look ahead to more than 25,000 Queens Chamber of Commerce good-paying jobs that will allow Foundation, a tourism mixer, and more New Yorkers to access the numerous small business seminars. American dream. I continually mention our activiAmazon’s on-site employment ties because it is of utmost imporcenter will include job placement tance for you, our valued Members, and training. Many of the jobs will to take advantage of all the services benefit local residents, including we have to offer. As we always
say, “Your Membership is what you make it!” This means attending as many of Queens Chamber events as possible, whether they be small or large. The point is to get your name and your company’s name out there. In addition to spreading the word about your business at our various events, it is equally important to frequently review your Member benefits and actually use them. Please check your email regularly to see all the programs and events we are hosting or partnering on. Further, the staff and I are making outreach calls to make sure you are
getting value from your Membership. As a Member, you should be submitting editorial to be included in this, our monthly magazine, This is Queensborough. With a reach of 4,000 print and 15,000 digital subscribers, this is one of the most effective tools at your disposal. Farewell to Brett Swanson After three years of service, our colleague and friend, Brett Swanson, has decided to join our Member, Lime, as manager of Community Affairs. Our loss is their gain and we wish him well!
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QUEENS QUICKLY
Sotheby’s Realty opens new office in Queens
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty opened an office in the WeWork Building at 35-37 36th Street in Astoria The new office, which has been in development since the beginning of this year, is poised to take advantage of the rapid development taking hold in the both Astoria and Long Island City. “The timing of our newest office couldn’t be more auspicious,” said Sotheby’s CEO Deirdre O’Connell. “While we finalize the details of the office, we have secured office space at WeWork so that our licensed salespeople have a place to work and meet with their clients and customers. We’re in the right place at the right time.” The office will be managed by veteran sales manager Donna Rubertone, who also manages the organization’s Bayside/Flushing office. “Right now, there is a lot of synchronicity between Long Island and Astoria/Long Island City, with more Long Islanders looking at the area for both investment and residence,” said O’Connell. “Current residents of Queens are also looking to move to Long Island.”
City moves to implement commercial waste zones
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) last month released a plan for the implementation of commercial waste collection zones across New York City over the next three years. While DSNY collects trash and recycling from residential buildings, more than 90 different private carters crisscross the city each night to service the city’s 100,000 commercial businesses. The commercial waste collection industry has
been involved in dozens of fatalities in recent years, and yielded more than 500 moving violations in one week. “The city’s current commercial waste carting system has proven itself to be inefficient, unsafe and unsustainable,” said DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “The Commercial Waste Zones plan is a comprehensive blueprint to create a safe and efficient collection system for commercial waste that provides high-quality, low-cost service while advancing our zero waste goals.” The plan will divide the city into 20 zones, each served by three to five carters selected through a competitive process. The city argues the approach will reduce truck traffic associated with commercial waste collection by more than 60 percent, while strengthening service standards and allowing for customer choice. Over the next few years, the city will work to implement a plan to select carters via an RFP process and a multi-year customer transition process. But a coalition of businesses is strongly opposed to the city’s plan, arguing it would harm bodegas, food markets, stores, and office buildings by eliminating the choice, competition and customer service that exists under the city’s current open market system. They cited a similar zone-based plan that was implemented last year in Los Angeles, saying it created chaos and was met with negative feedback, as waste collection prices doubled, tripled or even quadrupled and service complaints numbered in the tens of thousands. Instead, the businesses support a plan proposed by Councilman Robert Cornegy that would strengthen the city’s Business Integrity Commission and expand its regulatory power, giving it new tools to raise safety and environmental standards. “Small business owners continue to oppose Mayor de Blasio’s zone plan because we believe the city can improve safety in commercial waste
carting without pushing thousands of small businesses further to the brink of closure,” said Nelson Eusebio, board member of the National Supermarket Association.
Women entrepreneurs program exceeds goals
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced last month that the city has exceeded its goal for providing services to women entrepreneurs across the five boroughs. The initiative, called WE NYC, has served over 6,000 women entrepreneurs since its launch in 2015, surpassing its original goal of serving 5,000 women in three years. WE NYC connects aspiring and established women entrepreneurs to the resources, education, and community needed to build thriving businesses. The no-cost services provided by WE NYC include mentorship opportunities, financing assistance, and pro-bono legal clinics. “We launched WE NYC with the goal of closing the entrepreneurial gender gap and helping women, communities, and our local economy thrive,” said SBS Commissioner Gregg Bishop. “New York City is the best place to be a woman entrepreneur.” As part of the program, nearly $1 million in loans were made through WE Fund: Crowd, the city’s first-of-its-kind crowdfunding program launched in fall 2017. Women entrepreneurs can raise zero-interest loans of up to $10,000 and the city will contribute the first 10 percent. Over 12,000 lenders from around the world have already contributed. WE NYC also provided 225 hours of direct mentoring through WE Connect Mentors, and over 1,300 hours of workshops on topics ranging from financial counseling to leadership training. “Attending the WE NYC seminars has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone,” said small business owner Marisol Linda Diaz. “Why not take advantage of all the free services that are available?”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6
Remembering Three Queens Leaders We Lost in 2018 ....................................18
EXPERT ADVICE: Complying With New Harassment Laws ...........7
Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................23
SBS Commissioner Offers Small Businesses Holiday Tips .................9
Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29
Chamber Heads Welcome Amazon’s Move to Queens .......................10 COVER STORY: Four Profiles of Buildings Award Winners ..........12 Chamber Foundation Launches Queens WINS! Initiative .................16 Queens Chamber of Commerce November Events ...............................19 4
PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez
MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller
MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENS QUICKLY Blink opens in historic Queens theater After a decade of being closed, Blink Fitness re-opened the restored Ridgewood Theatre at 55-27 Myrtle Avenue on November 13. As Blink worked to restore the former Ridgewood Theatre, it was important to the team to maintain the original design of theatre. The landmarked marquee of the theatre remains, and all Blink Fitness gym members will walk through the famed façade. “We’re sure that Blink will restore this location to a healthy, happy hub of activity in the neighborhood,” said club manager Freddy Olmedo. As a part of the Grand Opening celebration, Blink Fitness also donated 50 one-year memberships, worth over $10,000, to the Great-
er Ridgewood Youth Council, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for youths and families in Queens. “This incredibly generous gift from Blink allows us to enhance our efforts in this area and creates a partnership that will last a long time,” said council president Bob Monahan. The newest Blink Fitness facility offers top-of-the-line strength equipment, wide variety of premium cardio machines, and a multiuse space for additional exercises, stretching, and functional training. Certified personal trainers are available for those members who wish to create a custom workout experience tailored to their personal goals.
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Holiday Open House Please join us for a festive brunch and learn about our event venues, overnight accommodations, and event services offered at our three New York City locations. Be sure to sign up for one of our escorted campus tours when you RSVP! Tours will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 10 a.m.–1 p.m. FACULTY CLUB Located in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Please RSVP to 718-990-7300 no later than December 5.
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queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com
PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Lee to take over for Miller
Borough President Melinda Katz announced the appointment of Sharon Lee as deputy borough president. The post was formerly held by Melva Miller. “Sharon has been a trusted member of my senior leadership team for years, and I could not think of a more prepared or knowledgeable person to serve as LEE deputy borough president,” said Katz. Lee has served as Katz’s communications director since November 2014. She has been an integral part of the teams driving the administration’s top priorities, including the restoration of the New York State Pavilion, Jamaica NOW Action Plan, Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Queens, the Western Queens Tech Zone Strategic Plan, and the redevelopments of Willets Point, LaGuardia Airport and Kennedy Airport. Lee also directed and authored Katz’s four State of the Borough MILLER addresses, series of Know Your Rights Weeks, and her public positions on issues ranging from immigration, hate crimes, education, governance, public works and more. “It is an honor to be appointed,” said Lee. “The future of New York is Queens, and I share Borough President Katz’s vision and commitment to empowering the many global communities that call Queens home.” Lee graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and holds a master’s degree in Labor Studies from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. During her tenure, which began
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in February 2015, Miller designed the Jamaica NOW Action Plan and led the creation of the Western Queens Tech Strategic Plan. “Not only has she been a fierce advocate for the 2.35 million residents of Queens, she is an intelligent, passionate person and a good friend,” Katz said. “Her incredible works over the past decade will without a doubt continue to yield strength across Queens communities for generations to come.”
Tallant tapped to head museum The Queens Museum has tapped Sally Tallant, a respected British arts professional with extensive international experience, as its new president and executive director. In 2011, Tallant was appointed artistic director and CEO of Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s largest international festival of contemporary art, where she has a year-round program of permanent and temporary public art commissions. Between 2001 and 2011, she served as head of Programs at London’s acclaimed Serpentine Galleries, where she was responsible for developing and delivering an integrated program of exhibitions, architecture, education and public programs. “Amid the difficulties and stress points we see in the world today, institutions like the Queens Museum are key in terms of creating cultural spaces for people to engage with the urgent issues of our time,” said Tallant. “This museum is a global treasure.” Tallant replaces Laura Raicovich, who resigned from her position in January. Ms. Tallant’s appointment commences next spring. Museum board chair Mark Coleman said the search team was attracted to Tallant’s depth of experience in managing partnerships with a range of stakeholders and communities. Her work in both Liverpool and London frequently required the navigation of complex partnerships with multiple organizations and
public agencies. Working closely with local political, community and civic leaders, she developed a number of creative, placemaking strategies that helped to successfully embed art and culture within various civic milieus. TALLANT “The Queens Museum aimed to find a new leader who was an experienced museum professional with international credentials,” said Coleman. “Tallant’s unique combination of local and global experience in the arts world made her the superlative choice for leading the Queens Museum and serving the borough’s distinctively international constituency.”
Arigo named VP at M&R
M&R Hotel Management announced the appointment of Robert Arigo, a 29-year hospitality veteran, as vice president of operations, responsible for overseeing the company’s 15 managed hotels in the New York metropolitan area. He previously was senior director of operations for the New York properties of Hersha Hospitality Management, a division of Philadelphia-based Hersha Hospitality Trust. From 2010 to 2012, he was chief operating officer and asset manager for New Yorkbased Widewaters Hotels. He ARIGO served as general manager of hotels in New York, Florida and Virginia from 2007 to 2010. Arigo’s asset management experience includes senior positions from 2005 to 2007 with Capital Hotel Management and Highgate
Hotels, where he had oversight of Goldman Sachs’ significant lodging portfolio. “Robert Arigo’s expertise will facilitate achievement of our performance and service goals systemwide,” said M&R COO Brian McSherry. “His mandate is to ensure each of our managed hotels meets, if not exceeds, the high service standards set by M&R and our affiliated brands.” Arigo earned a bachelor of science degree in finance at Bentley College. He has been recognized with multiple Hotel of the Year and Award of Excellence citations by Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Hersha Hospitality Management. M&R Hotel Management, based in Great Neck, seven hotels in Queens, including five near JFK Airport. Its portfolio includes the brands of Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.
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December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
EXPERT ADVICE
NEW HARASSMENT LAWS: WHAT TO KNOW BY STEPHEN HANS
they can do to minimize instances of workplace sexual harassment. In recent years, a large cultural Here in New York, both the state shift toward greater gender equal- and city governments have taken ity has been underway action to fight genderin American society. based harassment and Perhaps the most visto better educate private ible area of this ongoing sector employees regardtransformation has been ing their rights and availthe high-profile #MeToo able remedies under the and Time’s Up movelaw. ments, which have highOn the state level, as lighted issues of workpart of the 2019 New place sexual assault and York State Budget, every sexual harassment. employer – regardless of While accusasize – is now required tions against several to establish a formal, Hollywood power play- STEPHEN HANS written sexual harassers may have garnered ment prevention policy the lion’s share of head- ATTORNEY and complaint form, lines, the increased and must distribute such attention being paid to these issues forms to all statewide employees. has trickled down to impact the While many private employers lives of everyday people, as state may already have sexual harassand local governments across the ment policies in place as part of country have been assessing what existing employee manuals, this is
the first time that the law has specifically mandated such a policy. In order to be compliant with the law, a sexual harassment prevention policy must contain certain specific provisions and meet certain required minimum standards. The state Department of Labor and the Division of Human Rights have jointly created a model policy that employers can adopt or modify as needed for their specific businesses, or employers can choose to draft their own policies, as long as they contain all of the necessary information required by the new law. While not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that employers obtain employee signatures verifying that they received a copy of the policy. The new state law also requires that all employers provide interactive sexual harassment prevention training to their employees, both
immediately upon hire and annually thereafter. As with the model policy, the Labor Department and Human Rights Division have created a model training template that employers can use, including Microsoft PowerPoint slides and an accompanying script. These materials can be modified or employers can create their own training presentation, as long as the training meets certain minimum standards and contains all of the information required by the law. Again, while many employers – especially in the corporate sector – have chosen to provide sexual harassment prevention training in the past, this is the first time that state law actually requires that such training be provided to all employees. Model policy and training materials can be obtained from ny.gov. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31
Zara Donates Thanksgiving Dinner to Over 850 Families in Jamaica Full story on www.thisisqueensborough.com
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NONPROFIT NEWS
THE BUSINESS OF A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL BY JEN KHEDAROO With a staff of dedicated teachers and a technology driven principal, the future is looking bright at Saint Margaret Catholic Academy in Middle Village. Victoria Richardson, now in her third year as principal, wants to give students the best resources, and is on a mission to implement programs that will enrich their academic careers and prepare them for the future. Prior to Richardson, who has been at the school for nine years, Saint Margaret underwent a revival with the help of former principal Deacon Philip Franco. Franco was able to boost the school’s enrollment and added a nursery and a “Mommy and Me” program. With the help of a $100,000 donation from Mike Repole, who played important roles in companies such as Vitamin Body, Body Armor and Pirate’s Booty, the school was able to build a state-of-the-art tech center in 2014. “He gave back because he felt like the school was a part of his foundation,” Richardson said. “I always like the idea of a Catholic school because it’s a family and I think that’s beneficial. In a private setting, the Catholic values of kindness, concern and love creates the atmosphere.” For Richardson, a former technology teacher, working with Franco and others on the tech center afforded her a variety of experiences. She was able to renovate the lab, work on the construction site with contractors, and brought in some subcontractors from her late husband’s construction company. “The network, the camaraderie, it was a wonderful summer,” Richardson said. After she succeeded Franco, Richardson added a STEM lab that works with the Lab Learners education system, which she was able to bring to the school through a grant. Lab Learners provides a spiraling curriculum model builds upon skills, and ongoing professional development and support for the teachers. Students as young as pre-K visit the lab. The school hopes to create a Girls Who Code program, and a recent donation will allow them to add Chromebooks to a classroom this winter. Richardson’s challenge is “to keep everyone with the vision to keep going forward.” “We need to keep up with technology and build on the skills that the children learn,” she said. “The students are really absorbing all of these different types of skills.” Middle-school math teacher Victoria LoBosco incorporates STEM activities into her spring
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Principal Victoria Richardson with students in the Repole Tech Center.
lesson plan. Her students visit the tech center once a week to use Mathletics, an online tool to practice math. “It’s a break from being in the classroom,” she said. “When we’re in there, it’s a special day. We are working to get the most out of each student.” “There is no doubt that there is a boom in STEM-related fields,” said St. Margaret board chair Stephen Barbaro. “For those students that don’t develop an interest in STEM-related fields, they will still have benefited from the problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to work independently.” Saint Margaret created a foundation that helps to graduate students into quality high schools and colleges. Former students have gone on to The Mary Louis Academy, Archbishop Molloy High School, Regis High School, Xavier High School, Fordham University, and more top schools. “We don’t want them to succeed just in high school, because that’s just one step,” Richardson said. “We want to help them also prepare for college and beyond. We want our students to be lifelong learners and to get a job that makes them self-sufficient.” Like Franco, Richardson has kept a strong connection with CYO Sports. The school’s track-and-field team recently won a championship.
The principal also incorporated a “shoutout” program this year, which allows students and teachers to praise others who have done something positive within the a school community. “I was able to work under [Franco’s] guidance and then was able to have the baton passed to me,” “My favorite part about being the principal is that I can plan and change things, but the best part is that I can help to influence my students’ lives,” Richardson said. “I hope one child can come back to me in the long term and say ‘thanks.’”
Students explore anatomy in the STEM lab.
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
GOVERNMENT NEWS
HELP YOUR BUSINESS ENJOY THE HOLIDAY CHEER The holiday shopping season is ing exciting seasonal promotions upon us, and small business owners on your website or by launching know all too well a holiday-inspired how “Black Frisocial media camday” got its name. paign. Often operating • KNOW THE with slim profit RULES. Help margins, it is the your business end-of-year holiavoid costly fines day shopping rush by staying in the that finally pushes know. The holimany businesses day season can into the black. present unique It is common regulatory chalGREGG BISHOP that 20 to 30 perlenges for New SBS COMMISSIONER cent of annual York City small sales occur during business owners. the last month of SBS offers free the year alone. The New York City compliance consultations that can Department of Small Business Ser- help. vices (SBS) is offering a few sim• HIRE EXTRA HELP. Create ple tips along with our services to new positions and hire additional help your business make the most staff to help your business perform of this holiday season: well during the holiday rush. • SPREAD THE HOLIDAY • GET YOUR BOOKS IN CHEER ONLINE. Connect with ORDER. Stay on top of your holiyour customers online by offer- day sales by keeping your busi-
In honor of the late George Kaufman, founder of Kaufman Astoria Studios, The Astor Room has been renamed George’s. The 3,500 square-foot restaurant seats 70 in the main dining area, 40 in the private Valentino dining room and 25 at the bar. Private events can be hosted in the 73-seat screening room, renovated as the Zukor Theater. Make a reservation at George’s and take a trip decades back in time and revisit the old Hollywood charm still alive in the city today. Live music weekly! Visit website for performance schedule.
347-983-6491 www.georges.nyc 35-11 35th Ave., Astoria NY 11106
ness finances well organized this season. • CONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Participate in the holiday-inspired programming happening on your block and in your neighborhood. From treelighting events to local gift guides, get involved and help organize local campaigns to increase foot traffic in your area. SBS is here to help your business succeed this holiday season and year-round. We operate a network of seven NYC Business Solutions Centers located in all five boroughs that offer free, hands-on support to help small businesses hone the skills needed to start, manage, or grow in a changing economy. The services provided include free business courses in multiple languages, access to financing assistance and incentives, recruitment services, and pro-bono legal advice. We will also help you cut through red tape by offering free, on-site
compliance consultations that help small businesses comply with regulations and avoid costly fines. While you’re preparing your business for this busy season, we’re continuing to promote the diverse, independent, small businesses that enrich neighborhoods across New York City. Through “NYC Love Your Local,” SBS encourages New Yorkers to add their favorite small businesses to an interactive map for other New Yorkers to discover. Check out the businesses on this map and be sure to share your favorites at nyc.gov/loveyourlocal. You can also promote your favorite neighborhood businesses and discover those shared by others by using #LoveYourLocalNYC on social media. This holiday season let SBS help you prepare to manage the holiday influx. For more information on our services, go to nyc.gov/sbs or call 311.
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CHAMBER HEADS SUPPORT AMAZON DEAL BY BENJAMIN FANG One year after Amazon announced that it would open a second headquarters, the e-commerce and tech giant chose to split its HQ2 between Long Island City and Crystal City, Virginia. On November 13, the company announced it would invest $3.6 billion to create 25,000 jobs over ten years in Long Island City. Over 15 years, officials said that number could reach up to 40,000 jobs. The average salary for these positions will be $150,000. Hiring will begin next year. “These two locations will allow us to attract world-class talent that will help us to continue inventing for customers for years to come,” Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said in a statement. Leaders of the city’s five boroughwide chambers of commerce threw their support behind Amazon’s selection of Queens for expansion. Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement that the pro-business environment in New York City, as well as the talented and diverse workforce, one of the main drivers of Amazon’s decision, stood out to the company. “The jobs and economic opportunities that are created will add to our already vital economy in many sectors, from construction to technology to food service to transportation and more,” Grech said. “The benefits will echo across the area.” Local colleges and universities like Queens College, which produces a high level of computer science graduates, LaGuardia Community College and nearby Cornell Tech, will all add to the talent pool from which Amazon can draw. “We look forward to working with our local businesses, Amazon and their partners to create mutually profitable connections that help everyone prosper,” Grech said. Amazon will build a 4 millionsquare-foot campus on the Queens waterfront near the Anable Basin on Vernon Boulevard and 44th Drive. It will have the opportunity
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to expand to up 8 million square feet. For the first four years, as their new headquarters is built, Amazon will occupy 1 million square feet at 1 Court Square, which is the CitiBank building. City officials say Citi employees have been slowly vacating the building, which will allow Amazon workers to use the office space. Governor Andrew Cuomo said New York’s deal with Amazon represents the largest economic development initiative in the history of the city or state. It will generate $186 billion in economic impact, and will lead to $27.5 billion in revenue over 25 years. The company will receive $3 billion in performanced-based tax credits, including $1.2 billion as part of New York State’s Excelsior Program. The governor insisted that to get the tax breaks, Amazon will need to create the jobs it has promised. Therefore, the revenue to incentive ratio is nine to one, Cuomo said, which is the highest rate of return the state has ever offered. “For us, it’s about being part of the economy of tomorrow,” he said at the November 13th announcement. “Amazon no doubt is an asset in the entire tech space. There will be a positive synergy with other companies.” Mayor Bill de Blasio, meanwhile, estimates $13.5 billion in tax revenue for New York City. He said Amazon’s announcement consolidates Queens as an economic capital, and New York City into an international tech hub. “We’re convinced this plan will benefit everyday New Yorkers in huge numbers,” he said. “This will be something that transforms people’s lives.” As part of the deal, Amazon will build 260,000 square feet of light industrial space and 25,000 square feet for nonprofit art uses. It will also dedicate space for a 600-seat public school and 3.5 acres of open space on the waterfront. Amazon, the city and the state will throw in $5 million each to develop new training programs
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo congratulate John Schoettler, vice president of Global Real Estate and Facilities for Amazon, after announcing the tech giant would open a new headquarters in Queens. (Photo: Mayor’s Office) for “nontraditional” populations. The city will also expand its JobsPlus program to Queensbridge Houses, with the goal of training and placing 1,500 Queensbridge residents in good jobs over the next decade. The city also promised to launch a new Queens-focused program to train NYCHA residents for careers in information technology, cybersecurity and web development. That $5 million commitment over 10 years will serve up to 300 residents. Borough President Melinda Katz also expressed her support for the deal. Earlier this year, she unveiled a Western Queens Tech Strategic Plan that offered a roadmap to support equitable job growth in the tech economy. “Long Island City –– New York’s emerging tech hub –– is ‘primed’ for Amazon,” she said. “With its organic growth, wealth of local talent and inherent global assets to foster innovation, Queens offers a dynamic mixed-use community where workers can live, ideas can synergize and businesses can flourish.”
Finally, the city will dedicate 50 percent of its property taxes from publicly owned sites to create the “Long Island City Infrastructure Fund.” The $650 million fund, over 40 years, will be used to deal with the long-term infrastructure needs of the neighborhood. A Neighborhood Working Group, made up of representatives selected by local elected officials, will identify areas that need the most investment. The city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will also host public forums and meetings on the fund. Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, who represents the area, said though she would like to see more infrastructure improvements emerge from the process, such as a review of fire services, an additional hospital in western Queens and a new police precinct, she believes the deal is great for Queens. “No project is perfect, and there will be many changes in this as we move forward,” Nolan said. “But I think this is the way to go. It will be a great positive for Long Island City.”
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
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Did you know that the bustling Queens campus of St. John’s University is also home to several amazing event spaces? The St. John’s Conference Services Team works with local and national organizations to host over 13,000 events per year in various event spaces on campus. With over 70 meeting venues and 150-plus classrooms, the possibilities to host are endless...and affordable, too! Some of the events that have recently been held on campus include: • A 1,000-guest event hosted by NewYork-Presbyterian Queens in Carnesecca Arena when they became the official hospital for Jamaica and the St. John’s Athletic Association. • Brooklyn Catholic Youth Day was held at Taffner Field House. Over 2,200 attended the “Put Out Into the Deep” themed event. • The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development conducts monthly meetings at various venues on the campus to discuss how to eliminate disparities in under-resourced communities through development programs. The meetings typically take place at the Marillac Auditorium, Marillac Terrace or in the Little Theater. Each space can accommodate parties of over 400 people. Earlier this year, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a
“Networking & Hoops” event that included dinner, drinks, and speakers addressing the importance of supporting local businesses. The event continued in Carnesecca Arena, where attendees took in a men’s basketball game between the Red Storm and Butler. “Prestigious university, state-ofthe-art facilities, quality food, and a warm, hardworking team made our event a very memorable one,” said chamber president and CEO Tom Grech. With a seating capacity of over 5,500, the Arena isn’t just for sports, the facility hosts concerts, conferences, graduations, and professional training events. St. John’s alumni can also receive a 10 percent discount on rental fees for events hosted at any of their New York-area campuses. “We’re deeply committed to partnering with those in our own backyard,” said Tamara Lajara, director of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. “The community that surrounds us is a natural resource for bringing events large and small to any of our three New York City campuses. For more information on hosting your event at St. John’s University, contact the Office of Conference Services at (718) 990-7300 or csevents@stjohns.edu.
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
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2018 QCC BUILDING AWARD WINNER PROFILE The Queens Chamber hosts its Building Awards Gala this CRAFT BEER HUB IN QUEENS month, an annual tradition over 90 years in the making. This year,
BY BENJAMIN FANG
Copenhagen home brewer and high school teacher Mikkel Borg Bjergsø founded Mikkeller Brewing in 2006 by experimenting with hops, malt and yeast in his kitchen. He received renown for creating a recipe called Beer Geek Breakfast, which is a stout with coffee and oats. After he started gypsy brewing, he joined journalist Kristian Klarup Keller to create Mikkeller. Today, the brewing company exports its products to 40 different countries across the world, including a San Diego site several years ago. But Bjergsø wanted to have a presence on the east coast as well. That’s why he decided to team up with his friend Bruce Wilpon, a partner with Sterling Equities, to bring Mikkeller to Citi Field. In March 2017, they brought on Jim Raras as executive vice president and Hannah Goldman as director of operations. Together, they set out to transform an unoccupied event space next to right field into a destination for craft beer. Goldman said the space they occupy now has been empty since Citi Field was completed in 2009. It was meant to be an event space, but was never used because, as Goldman put it, people wanted to see the field. “It was essentially, when I first walked in here, a glorified storage closet,” she said. “It had big bags of ketchup from God knows when.” But Goldman thought the space, with 30-foot-high ceilings, was great, especially for big, tall fermenter tanks. “Beer is not an immaterial business,” she said. “There’s a lot of volume and weight input from grain and water, hops and all that. So we started here.” Immediately, the Mikkeller NYC team ran into multifaceted challenges. Because the stadium was built on parkland, the brewery had to use union labor.
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Goldman said because of the specific nature of brewing requirements, many of the workers didn’t have the right training. They had to bring in the “right people” to educate the workers on how to run the production facility. Secondly, the entire stadium is built on giant pylons, not on solid ground. That meant they couldn’t drill into the floors, which was important because they needed to put all the yeast, hops and other sweet, sugary material down the drain “on a regular basis.” “We needed very long sloped trench drains,” she said. “In order to do that, we had to raise up the floor completely.” Another challenge was that the space was essentially one giant 10,000-square-foot room with high ceilings. They had to install all of their utilities –– all of the guts of the infrastructure –– before pouring the concrete. Top it all off with a tight deadline - they wanted to be ready for Opening Day for the Mets – and everything had to be done with little room for error. Goldman added that it takes 21 days for concrete to cure. They had to wait for that to be done before bringing in the fermenter tanks. “You have to sequence everything,” she said. “The floor in general was like, get all your ducks in a row right now or we can’t do this.” The space is a mix of industrial and commercial uses. When you walk in, the taproom is made up of tables with bench seating. Goldman said it resembles a mess hall, great for game days when the brewery fills up. Behind it is a bar area that’s more intimate. Patrons can swing
20 projects in a variety of categories were honored. Check next month’s issue of This Is Queensborough for a full list and coverage of the gala. On the following pages, we take a closer look at some of the projects that received honors this year, as well as interviews with some of the people behind them. The projects include the Han Ma Um Zen Center of NY (New Construction - Religious Building), The Douglaston Club (Interior Design - Commercial), The Nordic (Interior Design - Mixed Use), Chan Lee Residence (2nd Place, Rehabilitation – Single & TwoFamily Residences), and Mikkeller Brewery (Rehabilitation – Mixed Use).
by to hang out, have a drink and talk to the local bartender. But what makes the space stand out is the production facility, which is roped off on the right side of the room. The fermenter tanks are stacked on top of each other, which was an intentional choice. “We did what New York City does best: go up,” Goldman said. “We had high ceilings, there’s no reason not to. It’s taking something that’s the bane of your existence and making a positive spin on it.” The space also gave Mikkeller NYC chance to have more fermenters with smaller capacity. That allows them to brew lots of different beers, but not have to make them in large quantities. It allows them to follow their founder’s love for experimentation with low risk. According to Goldman, New York City is still relatively new for
the craft beer industry. She said she wants Mikkeller to become what Brooklyn Brewery was to Williamsburg: a trailblazer, pioneers and, ultimately, a community hub. “We look across the street at these chop shops, and we’re not disheartened by the fact that there’s nobody here,” she said. “We feel as though we’re on the front end of something really big.” Though Willets Point is mostly deserted, and needs a lot of environmental remediation before any buildings can be erected, Goldman is hopeful that in five years they will have company across the street. “We’ll be that local hub and that community gathering space,” she said. “We want to be that anchor.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
2018 QCC BUILDING AWARD WINNER PROFILE
DOUGLASTON CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS HISTORY BY BENJAMIN FANG
just be for overflow when he had no other space.” When Kevin Wolfe began the When Wolfe’s firm began the task of redesigning the remodeling work pro dining area at the Dougbono, he found that the laston Club, he knew the rooms were “completejob required a balancing ly disassembled.” The act of sorts. ceiling was two feet The club was built in lower. A large, loud air 1819 by Wynant Van conditioner that memZandt, a merchant and bers dubbed “Big Beralderman who had purtha” was a hindrance. chased the entire penSome of the moldings KEVIN WOLFE insula estate and estabwere badly damaged. lished a church for the The black fireplace, community. The site was later made of special marble from Italy, bought by George Douglas in 1862. was almost falling off the wall. The Douglas family is the name- Wolfe described it as “hanging by sake for the neighborhood. a thread.” After briefly serving as a hotel The mirror atop the fireplace, in the early 20th century, the man- though made with red velvet, sion became the Douglaston Club somehow looked green due to the in 1921. dirt and grime that had accumuWolfe, a local architect and lated over the years. member of the club, knew he had To restore the rooms to their to revive the historic qualities of original glory, Wolfe collaborated the building, but tailor it for a dif- with club members and specialferent function. ists. A restoration specialist and “The building that was a private his crew spent two weeks taking house, suddenly you’re asking it the fireplace apart. They laid it on to perform as an institution for the floor, numbered it, cleaned and a club,” he said. “Very different polished it and put it back together. uses.” The mirror was taken to anothThe dining area was last reno- er specialist, who used Q-Tips to vated in the 80’s, Wolfe said. But in remove the paint. She discovered the last decade or so, the rooms fell that 95 percent of the gilding was out of use. No one wanted to have still intact, and once the piece was dinner there. restored, it sparkled brightly. “The manager no longer seated Another club member who people here,” Wolfe said. “It would owned a drapery business, that did
The Chan Lee Residence in Douglaston.
DOUGLASTON CLUB
the drapes for the Obama White House, donated the material to the club. Wolfe and his firm partner, Pamela Broderick, worked out the color scheme, wallpaper and fabrics for the redesigned dining area. They chose heavy duty, industrialstrength velvets that looked elegant, but could still withstand the typical blemishes of a restaurantstyle operation. “You can throw pizza on this and it’ll survive,” Wolfe said. “You can spill food on it, clean it up and it really springs back.” To compliment the mood and theme, Broderick found two big pieces of artwork that display both an aerial view and plan view of Rome. She bought them from an antique store in Huntington that had trouble selling them because they were so big, but they were the right fit for the club. “Part of the theme was the people who owned this house were very sophisticated world travelers,” Wolfe said. The walls are also adorned with photos from a historical group called Preservation Long Island. The pictures were all taken between 1900 and 1910, which is the era that Wolfe wanted to take diners back to. The rooms also featured light fixtures, found in an antique store in Newport, and sconces from a shop in Roslyn.
“We wanted to evoke a post-electricity period,” Wolfe said. “So we hunted all over to pull it together to look like it had always been here.” The changes were greeted with great success, the architect said. Club members now gravitate toward the space, especially if they prefer a quiet place to dine and have a conversation. They’ve created a warm, inviting and intentionally formal dining area, Wolfe said, where a club member can invite their friends for a meal. For a more informal setting, the club has other rooms, including the grill room, that are more suited for social events. “You want to give people all kinds of choices of where to go and enhance that,” Wolfe said. With a building so rare, and with so much history, Wolfe said he embarked on this project to put the site back in its place as an important part of Queens and New York City history. He knows that 20 years from now, the furnishings, the pictures on the walls and other aspects of the room will change. “But that’s the way it should be,” he said. “Just keeps continuing.” Wolfe’s work on the Douglaston Club was honored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s with one of it’s annual Buildings Awards, as CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
2018 QCC BUILDING AWARD WINNER PROFILE
DESIGNING WITH THE PAST AND FUTURE IN MIND
ANGELO COSTA
BY JEN KHEDAROO When Angelo Costa was 24 years old, he quickly received recognition for his work on a beach home. What started as a passion has transformed into a successful business in which Costa has had the opportunity to make an impact on communities around the city. In the last several decades, he has worked on a number of projects within the five boroughs. He previously ran a multi-disciplinary and award-winning architectural design firm, Costa Design, before becoming a senior partner at Meltzer/Costa & Associates Architecture and Engineering a dozen years ago. On January 1, 2019, Meltzer/Costa in Great Neck will become Costa Architecture & Engineering, LLP. “I am proud to say I have an office with a group of talented people who work as a team,” Costa said. “It’s more of a family who allow me to be a leader.” Two of Costa’s latest projects were recognized at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Building Awards One of those was the Han Ma Um Zen Center of NY in Flushing “It always seems like the projects I get are either unique or different,” Costa said. “Even the most average project usually has something unique about it, so I’m usually trying to figure out what is the special problem, special need or special opportunity of this project and a
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client.” A week or two after returning from a trip to China in 2003, Costa’s staff notified him about two monks sitting in his conference room waiting to speak with him about a project. “They said we’ve heard that you’ll take on something like this,” he said, laughing. “I understood what they wanted to do quickly.” While the idea was to build something contemporary at first, the appeal of a traditional building was substantial. And despite numerous challenges, they managed to complete the center at 145-20 Bayside Avenue in about 12 years. Costa traveled South Korea for two weeks, and had the opportunity to access Buddhist temples in a way that most visitors don’t. And although there was a language barrier, he worked with an architect from South Korea through sketches. The two created the main structure of the Han Ma Um Zen Center. “This is built true to the old temples,” he said. “There isn’t a screw in it, there isn’t a piece of
steel in it, but it’s like a Legos connection. You have to know what you’re doing. “The building is unique because it also had to be something that the city of New York would accept,” Costa said. “It wasn’t built using techniques that are in our codes.” The lower structure, which consisted of a multi-purpose room for assembly, a library, meeting rooms
and the integration of an elevator tower for handicapped access, was a team effort led by Costa with help from American contractor firm James Mitchell & Sons, a South Korean contractor, craftspeople from South Korea and a local engineer. The lumber was transported via rail from northwestern forests. In addition to the intricate individual carvings, the exterior walls of the temple were handpainted with detailed murals and a storyline. The painted ceiling utilizes building techniques used centuries ago, and the interior of the main hall is also hand-painted in colorful artistic detail. The team also had a study done from the Earthquake Research Center in South Korea to prove that the building could meet safety requirements, even though its not anchored to the ground. “When there’s an earthquake, I’m running to this building,” Costa said. Meanwhile, the Verona Condominiums at 21-17 31st Avenue in Astoria is the complete opposite of the Zen Center. Instead of a traditional structure steeped in culture,
the condos are sleek and modern in an effort to match the city’s evolving urban landscape. The “special problem” with the Verona Condominiums, according to Costa, was time. Costa selfcertified the building and worked with Park Construction and the Department of Buildings to get the building done before tax abatements expired. In anticipation of the new flood zones maps, the building was raised by a foot. Costa designed the seven-story building with a brick facade, glass balconies and terraces. The Verona project used pre-cast plank construction to speed up the process. Dark brick was used to increase the perception of depth in contrast to the white grid facade structure. The balconies in the building provided more living spaces and shading. They are supported by a grid system of flying steel beams that compliment the building’s skeleton. In a short time, the project replaced four-to-five obsolete, non-compliant structures with 56 luxury residences. Building amenities include a recreation roof space that looks over the East River and a private fitness room. “New York is a very special place,” Costa said. “This is where I want to be.”
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
2018 QCC BUILDING AWARD WINNER PROFILE
NORDIC OFFERS TECH-DRIVEN LUXURIES BY BENJAMIN FANG
“The whole thing is integrated,” Harris said. “We were really looking When you walk down 31st Street to step it up a notch and build the between 23rd and 34th avenues in nicest luxury rental building in the Astoria, you’ll pass by an edifice city of New York.” that stands out among the rest. Like AKI Development’s other That building is The award-winning building, Nordic, a new eightGraffiti House, The Norfloor, nine residential dic is completely prounit development locatgrammed with art. Howed in the heart of Astoever, rather than using ria. different artists, Harris What makes The Norand his team decided to dic unique is not just its commission a “visionheight or the mural on ary” muralist from Sweits side. It’s the ameniden to do all of the work. ties that come with the Tony “Rubin” Sjoman BRETT HARRIS luxury building, which painted murals on the offers every smart north and south sides of homes feature you can imagine. the building. He also painted a dif“You can customize your apart- ferent mural on each floor inside ment so the moment you walk in the elevator shaft, and other pieces the door, it’s fully functional and inside the site as well. exactly what you want it to be,” said “This is the first time that I know Brett Harris, managing partner at in New York that a single artist is AKI Development. used to program the entire building The Nordic is nestled between from start to finish,” Harris said. two train stations on the N/W lines Harris knows the importance and in Astoria, just 15 minutes from effect of art. He’s a grant panelist for midtown. One block away, con- the Queens Council on the Arts, and sumers can find retail shops and his business partner is also on the restaurants. board of trustees. The east side of the building has He said when people walk by The “protected views” because of the Nordic, they’ll often take photos of neighborhood’s zoning restrictions. it with their phones or just stare at it. The Nordic has a roof deck with “It’s really trying to engage panoramic views of Queens and beyond just putting up a bland Manhattan. building,” he said. “We’re trying to Residents can control everything be thought-provoking and interestin their apartment with the touch of ing and start conversations.” a button, from shades and lighting to Designing The Nordic itself, howair conditioning. The Nordic boasts ever, was no walk in the park. Due “really thoughtful and interesting to the small width of the lot, Harris design” combined with 21st century said it was difficult to get materials technology. up on every floor. “The complexities of the lot usually inform schedules and costs the most,” Harris said. “We usually work within the framework that the site gives us.” But despite the challenges, Harris said they like that block, and Astoria in general, a lot. They have two other buildings on the block
they’re developing that will come down soon, including the adjacent red brick building. “In three years, the whole block will look like brand new buildings,” Harris said. AKI will move their office, currently at 4th Street near the Astoria Houses, to the commercial space
at The Nordic. The 4th Street site is set to be demolished in January, and a 22-unit development will take its place. “We have a lot of other sites coming up,” Harris said of AKI Development’s future plans. “We’re just filling in the neighborhood with good tenants.”
WOLFE: CHAN LEE RESIDENCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 was Wolfe’s work on the Chan Lee Residence, which is also located along the Douglaston waterfront. Built in 1919, the house has an interesting social history, he said. Three famous artists have called that house home. One of the first was Erwin Piscatore, a German theater director and producer who lived there in the 19th century. The most recent owner was Claudio Araujo, a world-famous pianist who came up as a child prodigy. He lived there until around 1990, when he died. Perhaps the most famous was painter and artist George Grosz, a German refugee who had fled Hitler’s Nazi regime. “He did these amazing caricatures of the bourgeoisie that were very disturbing to people in the Weimar Republic,” Wolfe said. “They wanted to kill him, so he fled in the late 30s.” Despite being home to three artists, the home itself was not
kept in good condition. Originally a stucco house, which is one of the lowest maintenance materials, the residence had been altered so many times it ended up in “terrible shape.” Araujo, the pianist, built a soundproof room facing the water, but it was poorly done. Wolfe said it had mold in it, and its position blocked every other room in the house from seeing the views of the surrounding bay. When Wolfe’s team had begun excavating, they found that the foundation was unstable, and had to be resupported. The home had to be stripped down “to the studs,” he said. They replaced an addition and pushed it further back. The restored the front of the house and built a pergola. Wolfe also reoriented the house back toward the bay. “It’s a complete reconstruction and reimagination of the house,” he said. “All the rooms inside have been reimagined for a 21st century family.”
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENT CHAMBER FOUNDATION HOST WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM PANELS DISCUSS CHALLENGES TO HIRING, RETAINING DIVERSE TALENT BY BENJAMIN FANG In a borough as diverse as Queens, there are always challenges to attracting and retaining top talent for any company in the borough. That’s why on November 16, the Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted a workplace symposium at the United Nations Federal Credit Union in Long Island City. The event, which was sponsored by Verizon, featured two panels of experts who discussed best practices from both business and nonprofit provider perspectives. Kenneth Adams, dean of workforce and economic development at Bronx Community College, and a board member at the Queens Chamber Foundation, moderated the first panel on finding and keeping qualified employees. According to Adams, there are 1.2 million Queens people in the workforce. The unemployment rate, he said, is currently 3.5 percent, which is low and presents a challenge to employers. “It’s a tight labor market,” he said. “It’s hard to find good people because they’re working.” To find qualified staff, Shaheen Barrett, manager, HR Business Partner, said he not only posts online on sites like Indeed, but also invites candidates to do “mock trials.” Demonstrating how an employee interacts with customers in person is telling, Barrett said. BeniJayne Santiago, talent acquisition manager at Investors Bank, said they partner with nonprofit and community organizations, who sometimes offer candidates for consideration. After conducting initial phone or video interviews, Santiago sets up an in-person interview. She noted that she “lays down all our cards” during these interviews,
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including setting expectations on language and travel requirements. The panel also discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion. Nicole Leon, director of diversity and inclusion at Con Edison, said about half of her company’s employees are minorities. While that’s good, Leon said it’s also important to create “the right environment” to respect and appreciate the diversity. “You want to make sure your staff reflects your customer’s market,” she said. “Get to know your customers and their buying habits. Understand who they are and what their needs are.” Recently, Con Edison hosted a job fair for entry-level jobs, and marketed the positions for women. Opportunities like that, Leon said, change how the company sources talent. Barrett, meanwhile, said because Verizon is such a large
company, their goal is to make sure employees “connect to our culture” and know that they are part of the larger Verizon family. The panel also touched on the significance of soft skills, which Leon said are sometimes the most difficult to acquire. She said that’s why mentoring is so key, particularly for younger employees. Nine months ago, Barrett’s leadership team concluded that while they have strong technical skills, many members still lack soft skills, such as communication. However, he also offered a solution. “Motivate your associates by connecting to them on a more emotional level,” he said. The second panel, moderated by Jose Ortiz, Jr., executive director of the NYC Employment & Training Coalition, focused on nonprofits that connect people to jobs. Sheree Ferguson-Cousins, vice president of workforce at Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ, said her organization works with people who have
barriers to employment. Goodwill runs career advancement programs that train people who are either out of work or underemployed. Ferguson-Cousins said they work with employers to create a curriculum, and partner with CUNY schools as well. “We always have employers come to us because of the services we give them,” she said. “Our employees have high retention.” Bryant Nichols, employment services manager at Urban Upbound, based in Long Island City, said his organization has two clients: the employers and the employees. Using a Jobs Plus model, Urban Upbound offers not just job training, but also services like career planning, tax returns and on-site financial counseling. He said he connects with companies by becoming “a student of your employer” and knowing exactly what positions they want to fill and what skills they are looking for in potential hires. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Pictured from left to right are Shaheen Barrett, Kenneth Adams, Queens Chamber Foundation board members Carol Conslato and Terri Thomson, Nicole Leon, BeniJayne Santiago, Patrick Lespinasse and Chamber president and CEO Tom Grech.
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENT
SYMPOSIUM MARKS LAUNCH OF QUEENS WINS!
The November 16th Workforce Symposium represented the launch of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s new initiative: Queens WINs! (Workforce Initiative Now!). In early 2018, the Foundation partnered with the Queens Chamber of Commerce to conduct research in the area of workforce development. This was prompted by Queens businesses’ frustrations with recruiting and retaining qualified staff, as well as the growing attention paid to the value of workforce development by government leaders and business groups. The goals of the research were to determine Queens businesses’ greatest workforce-related challenges and the best role for the Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation in the workforce development realm. The research included a survey of Queens businesses and interviews with workforce training programs, college career offices, workforce experts and those representing major industry sectors of Queens. The Foundation is now launching Queens WINs! in response to the research results. Queens WINs! will: • Seek to become a primary workforce resource for Queens businesses large and small, providing information and connecting Queens-based workforce
Pictured from left to right are Jane Schulman, Patrick Lespinasse, Andre Ward, Sheree Ferguson-Cousins, Jose Ortiz, Jr., Chamber President and CEO Tom Grech, and Queens Chamber Foundation board members Carol Conslato and Terri Thomson (foreground). entities. Because so many resources already exist, Queens WINs! will aim to increase awareness of these resources among Queens businesses and facilitate connections. Activities will include forums and roundtables, as well as the offering of new and expanded online resources.
• Provide businesses—especially small businesses—with human resource-related information, such as hiring resources, legal and compliance information and more. • Launch a pilot internship program to strengthen the talent pipeline in Queens. The Foundation would emphasize placement at
small business locations and plans to explore working with bilingual job seekers. For more information about Queens WINs!, please contact Ellen Young, Consulting Program Manager, at ellenhelps@gmail.com.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS Jane Schulman, Adult and Continuing Education, LaGuardia Community College, said employer input typically comes first. “We come to employers and say, ‘What do you need?’” she said. “We really want to stay in touch with the owners of businesses, big and small.” Schulman said LaGuardia also works with larger employers like Weill-Cornell Medicine, which has its own specific system for employment.
Finally, Andre Ward, associate vice president of education and employment services at The Fortune Society, said his group supports people with criminal justice involvement. Ward said it’s important to build trust and a strong relationship with employers to keep opportunities open. “Based on our track record and integrity, employers stay with us,” he said. “They know they can count on us to send good candidates.”
Nicole Leon, Shaheen Barrett and BeniJayne Santiago were on the panel titled Developing Diverse Talent Partnerships.
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
TEN EVENTS TO MAKE YOUR DECEMBER MERRY With several major religious observances, the winter solstice, and New Year’s Eve, December is a very busy month. And it’s especially busy in Queens. This year, the world’s most diverse borough hosts some huge live music events, theater, comedy, a classic house tour, and plenty of foreign films, but to help you decide, here’s our Top Ten. 10. Dec. 16, Syrian Films presented by ArteEast, 3 pm. The first one is an animated short, “Suleima,” about a woman who is part of the revolution. The second is a feature, “I am the One who Brings Flowers to her Grave,” which consists of interviews with three artistic Syrian women. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, QueensMuseum.com. 9. Dec. 21, Make Music Winter, noon. The Queens Second Line Swing returns for its second season, featuring rambunctious, soulful songs from Roz Nixon’s musical “Dedication to Louis Armstrong.” Singers, jazz musicians, and dancers of all skill levels are encouraged to join this New Orleans-style second line parade as it marches through the heart of Corona to Satchmo’s house. Meet at Corona Plaza, 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, with walking gear, MakeMusicNY.org. 8. Dec. 8-9 Wreath-Making Workshop. NAVIDAD FLAMENCA
Two days of lessons on wreaths and conifers. All materials included. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, QueensBotanical. org. 7. Dec. 8, Music for Yuletide, 7 pm. The Queens Consort, the borough’s only baroque ensemble playing instruments from the 18th century, performs music for the season by Corelli and Telemann, along with selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and early carols. St. Mark’s Church, 33-50 82nd St., Jackson Heights, QueensConsort.com. 6. Dec. 14-30 Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang dig below the commercialization and discover the true meaning of Christmas in this play, which features jazz musician Vince Guaraldi and original dance and song numbers. The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, SecretTheatre.com. 5. Dec. 6-9, Navidad Flamenca. A festive holiday program that highlights customs of the Spanish-speaking world, especially those
ORATORIO SOCIETY OF QUEENS
from Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. Performers include Italian violinist Patrisa Tomassini, Tango dancers Mariana Fresno and Jose Luis Lavayen, and members of the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, QueensTheatre.org. 4. Dec. 9, Ken Jeong Live, 8 pm. Actor, producer, and writer Ken Jeong established himself via his role as the Asian mobster Mr. Chow in the hit trilogy “The Hangover.” Now he’s touring the country with his stand-up comedy act. Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, KupferbergCenter.org. 3. Dec. 7-23, A Christmas Carol. For the fifth year in a row, Titan Theatre Company presents the timeless Charles Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits from Christmas past, present, and future. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, TitanTheatreCompany.com. 2. Dec. 16, Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert, 4 pm. Maestro David Close leads the 125-member chorus and orchestra. The first half features selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and Strauss. The second half mixes Christmas and Chanukah songs. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, QueensOratorio.org. 1. Dec. 9, HollyTour 2018, 1 pm to 5 pm. Seven Queens landmarks — Louis Armstrong House Museum; Bowne House; Flushing Town Hall; Quaker Meeting House; Kingsland Homestead; Lewis H. Latimer House Museum; and Voelker Orth House — offer time-honored, family-friendly activities, performances, displays, and refreshments. Visitors can walk and/ or take a dedicated shuttle to the venues, which are in Flushing and Corona, QueensHistoricalSociety.org. More info at itsinqueens.com.
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December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER 12/1, 3:20 PM
WHITESTONE VILLAGE HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Sponsored by the We Love Whitestone Civic Association, Whitestone Village Merchant Association, Queens Chamber of Commerce and Councilman Paul Vallone. Harpell’s Pharmacy Parking Lot 12-65 150th St. Whitestone, NY 11357 12/6, 6 PM
2018 ANNUAL BUILDING AWARDS & GALA
For over 90 years, this marvelous tradition honors the architects, builders, engineers, lenders, interior designers and owners of building projects in Queens. Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th St. Flushing. NY 11368
12/7, 8 AM
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE
This program covers how HR professionals and managers develop effective communications skills for greater performance. The guest speaker is Joshua Bienstock of NYIT’s School of Management. FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 12/11, 2 PM
ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS FORUM: BUILDING BRIDGES
This event will bring together OATH representatives, as well as representatives from the City’s enforcement agencies that issue summonses and alleged viola-
tions, to discuss some of the most commonly issued summonses and notices, how to avoid violating conditions and how to contest summonses at OATH hearings. FREE Flushing Library Rooms A & B 41-17 Main St. Flushing, NY 11354 12/13, 12 PM
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
Enjoy lunch and drinks while you learn about business, printing and shipping services. FREE City Mailroom 44-70 21st St. LIC, NY 11101 12/13, 4 PM
NYC RETROFIT ACCELERATOR AND BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
This program is here to help you boost comfort, control costs, and help fight climate change through energy efficiency. The NYC Retrofit Accelerator offers free advisory services that streamline the process FREE Register at queenschamber.org Vaughn College 86-01 23rd Ave. East Elmhurst, NY 11369 12/20, 5:30 PM
DECEMBER NETWORKING - LATIN NIGHT
Meet, greet and share information with principals of the Floral Park, Bellerose, Glen Oaks Indian Merchants Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce. SPACE LIMITED Register at queenschamber.org Santoor Restaurant 257-05 Union Turnpike Glen Oaks, NY 11004
For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org
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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
MAKING THE PATIENT’S HEALTH A PRIORITY BY TANESHA LAWRENCE, MD For years, I have had patients, family and friends alike encourage me to open my own practice, either because they truly believed I was a good physician from the patient’s perspective or because those close to me saw a greater way for me to reach people through medicine. I receive these compliments and encouragement with great humility. It is not for me to judge or promote whether or not I am a commendable medical provider, but I do recognize that the field of medicine, especially in the United States, has changed dramatically and not all for the better. With ever-present factors like insurance company restrictions, potential legal suits and financial burdens, physicians are under intense pressure and patients have voiced sentiments of not feeling like a priority under their medical provider’s care. Within the space of a diversity of clinical settings, whether it be your local emergency room, free standing urgent care facility or a pharmacy based walk-in clinic, too often the common thread I hear from the patient perspective is “doctors just don’t seem to care anymore.” Hence, one of the greatest driving forces in my decision to start my own practice is to provide quality medical care to my patients on more of my own terms. Undeniably, it is difficult to escape some aspects of the medical system, but at least with the autonomy of my own practice I can spend the time and provide the quality care every patient deserves. So are you tired of feeling like just another number in your doctor’s office? Are you frustrated or concerned that your voice isn’t heard?
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Through Renaissance Medical Care, P.C. we are committed to providing compassionate, caring and comprehensive medical services to meet the health care needs of those within the community. Known for my excellent bedside manner and thorough medical evaluations, I am a board certified Family Medicine Physician with over 15 years experience who is committed to the overall well-being of my patients. Our motto is that every patient should be treated like family. Our services offered include: • Well adult exams • Adult and child sick visits
• GYN exams • STD testing • Chronic disease management • Brief mental health counseling • Referrals to specialty clinics Although I currently work alone as a medical provider in my practice, I share employees with another physician in the use of medical assistants and front desk staff. I hope in the future to partner with other physicians and to develop a robust multi-specialty practice. Looking at the patient from a holistic standpoint is also important. Addressing not only physical, but emotional, mental and even spiritual health is key as well. Many
patients just need encouragement, a listening ear and sound support in their health struggles and in their healing process. I distinctly remember a patient saying, “Dr. Lawrence, it is physicians like you who still give me hope in medicine.” I am committed to being one of those who will fuel that hope and make sound patient care a priority for those I am privileged to serve. At Renaissance Medical Care, P.C., your health is our priority! Renaissance Medical Care, P.C. is located at 92-29 Queens Boulevard, Suite 2C, Rego Park, NY, 11374. Reach them at (347) 8801884 or (516) 654-4108.
ACI GRADUATES MASONRY CLASS On November 15, Andromeda Community Initiative (ACI) graduated its third class of students from its Masonry Restoration Program. Parents, students, community members, and staff gathered to celebrate the completion of the 202hour program, which offers New Yorkers free access to education and hands-on training in the field of building restoration. Students were recruited from LaGuardia Community College, CDI, The Hope Program, Urban Upbound, and Youth Action NYC Youth Build. A day before graduation, ACI organized a job fair with construction and building restoration companies, connecting its students and employing all of the program’s graduates. “New York City youth deserve the opportunity to begin a meaningful, long-term career, and ACI is making every effort to give participants the right skills, resources, and know-how to succeed,” said John Pantanelli, president of the NYCSRA. ACI’s Masonry Restoration Program focuses on developing core, hands-on skills, as well as educating students on the neces-
sary safety and compliance measures set forth by the Department of Buildings (DOB) and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Hands-on training is taught on simulation façades utilizing real masonry materials, while the theoretical portions are taught by ACI’s certified instructors in the program’s designated auditorium and classrooms. ACI has graduated three classes of students in 2018 and is planning
on doubling its classes in its effort to solve for the existing labor shortage in the construction and building restoration industry. Formed in January of 2018, ACI is a not-for-profit organization that provides participants with professional development opportunities, free educational programs, and job-related training that prepares members for gainful employment in the construction industry.
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
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IN MEMORIAM
REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOST IN 2018
Queens lost three longtime leaders this past year, one business and civic leader and two long-serving elected officials. Here’s a remembrance of their lives.
MARIA THOMSON Woodhaven community leader and activist Maria A. Thomson passed away on January 10. She died of a stroke in her sleep, according to her husband. Thomson was longtime executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation and founded the Woodhaven Business Improvement District in 1993. “She was an extremely classy woman,” said Mathew Xenakis, owner of Park Place Florist. “I never saw her lose her temper or get mad. She was always professional even when someone was giving us a hard time.” Xenakis has been a member of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District from the beginning, and became president of the organization in 2003. “She kept the area to par,” Xenakis said. “She wouldn’t let just anyone open or have any landlord rent to just anyone.” Thomson spent countless hours volunteering her time at several civic organizations. For more than 40 years, she belonged to the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, where she also served as president for six of those years. Thomson joined Community Board 9 and played a vital role on the Education and Parks committees over the years. Many others in the community praised her persistence that paved the way for improvements, such as the repairs on the Jamaica Avenue elevated train line and keeping Fire Engine Co. 293 open. In 2013, her lifelong dream to
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have the Forest Park Carousel granted city landmark status was finally realized. As a five-time president of the 102nd Precinct Community Council, Thomson was named the first and only 102nd Precinct Honorary Police Officer of the Month. With her connection to the council, she made sure to get extra officers patrolling Jamaica Avenue. Stephen Melnick, a member of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, attended many 102nd Precinct Community Council meetings with Thomson during the 1980s. He remembered her being vocal at the meetings, particularly at a time when crime was rampant in the city, and both Ozone Park and Woodhaven were plagued by constant burglaries. “I was always a fan of hers, and I wish that more communities had people like Maria Thomson,” Melnick said. Councilman Eric Ulrich called Thomson the “embodiment of community service.” “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to work with Maria know that she had a heart of gold,” Ulrich said. “She was a legend, having dedicated decades of her life to the betterment of the community and the borough.” Xenakis added that it’s going to be hard to fill Thomson’s shoes. “I don’t think there can be a Woodhaven without her,” Xenakis said. “Honestly, no one cared like her so it’s going to be very hard. She’ll be truly missed.” (JEN KHEDAROO)
FRANK PADAVAN Former State Senator Frank Padavan passed away on October 9. He was 83 years old. Padavan, a Republican, represented the 11th Senate District, which includes northeast Queens neighborhoods from Whitestone all the way to Queens Village, from 1973 until 2010. He was succeeded by Democrat Tony Avella, who issued a state-
ment upon hearing the news. Born in Brooklyn, Padavan attended Newtown High School and received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. After receiving his master’s in business administration from New York University, he went on to work for Westinghouse as an engineer. Padavan spent three decades as a reserve member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Buildings in 1968, a position he held until he was elected to the State Senate in 1972. Councilman Eric Ulrich said in a statement at the time of his passing that Padavan was a staunch advocate for his district and the forgotten middle class. “He was an absolute gentleman and raised the bar for public service,” Ulrich said. “He will be remembered for his enormous legislative accomplishments in Albany, as well as the positive impact he had at home in the borough of Queens.” (BENJAMIN FANG)
JOSE PERALTA State Senator Jose Peralta passed away suddenly on November 22 at Elmhurst Hospital. He was 47 years old. Peralta likely died from septicemia, or bacteria in his bloodstream. Days before his death, he suffered what appeared to be a minor illness, but it eventually led to organ failure. Peralta was first elected to the Assembly in 2002. He made history by becoming the first DominicanAmerican elected to the State Senate in 2010. He represented the diverse
neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Woodside and Astoria. Peralta is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and his two children. Elected officials across the borough paid tribute to Peralta and his contributions to the community. “Jose was a distinct politician, a man who always did what he felt was right, even if it was politically unpopular,” Congressman Joseph Crowley said in a statement. “That requires a level of courage and bravery we should all seek to emulate.” Councilman Francisco Moya, who represents many of the same Queens neighborhoods, said Peralta had a “gentle demeanor,” but was a fierce fighter for his constituents. “Jose was a kind man and a friend,” he said. “His passing is a reminder to us all of how fragile life is.” Hundreds paid respects to Peralta at the wake at Joseph Farenga & Sons Funeral Home in Astoria on November 26, including former colleagues in government. Outside the funeral home, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. called Peralta a “great guy” and a “tough worker.” “He loved this city, loved Queens,” Vallone said. Former Councilman Eric Gioia, who was elected to public office just one year before Peralta, also attended the wake. He recalled standing with the former assemblyman when he was first elected in 2002. The last time he spoke to Peralta was around Christmas last year, when they both took their kids to take a photo with Santa Claus. “He’s a reminder to all of us that we’re all on borrowed time,” Gioia CONTINUED ON PAGE 31
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP
37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June. There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.
BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID
213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as
well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue. There will be a Holiday Parade on December 2. Any community group that wishes to march should contact the BID office at info@baysidevillagebid.com or contact Councilman Paul Vallone’s Office.
BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)
78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs. BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.
FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown
718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.
GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses. On Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamberorganized Greenmarket returns to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue. Upcoming events include: • Sunday, December 9, 1 to 5 p.m. – The ever-popular Holiday Market at Flushing Town Hall is where you can get jewelry, handcrafted goods, greeting cards, clothing, and arts & crafts for you holiday gift needs. 137-35 Northern Blvd. • Sunday, December 16, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. –
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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES Christmas Tinker Festival and Tree Lighting at Lewis H. Latimer House Museum. 134-41 137th Street. Music, hot cocoa and the annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. Free
GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.
GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID 84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with
more than 350 businesses under its umbrella. On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street, the BID features six supermarkets. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans. • The Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation will hold its first Charity Prize Event on Thursday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at Woodhaven Manor, 96-01 Jamaica Avenue. Tickets included
wine, food and a chance to spin the wheel and reveal your gift certificate to a local business. Tickets are $25, and the money raised will be used to buy toys and food baskets for the need. • The Woodhaven Business Improvement District’s Tree-Lighting and Menorah Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends will be there, and
there will be live music. • Have your free picture taken with Santa and Rudolph at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway on December 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free goodies will also be given to the children. The event is sponsored by the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation
JAMAICA CENTER BID
161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamaicaAvenue QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million. Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 500 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. The BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit. The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations. The BID is the proud recipient of a three-year,
SUNNYSIDE SHINES BRINGS MARKET TO BLISS BY BENJAMIN FANG Hundreds of Sunnyside residents celebrated the start of the holiday season at Sunnyside Shines’s annual holiday lighting ceremony. Families drank hot chocolate, ate cake and enjoyed musical and dance performances from local groups like the Thalia Spanish Theatre and the Sunnyside Youth Drum Corps. Jaime-Faye Bean, executive director of the Sunnyside Shines BID, said the annual tradition is a festive occasion that brings people together. “This is a neighborhood where people feel a lot of pride,” she said. “There is a lot of neighborhood cohesion, so having events like this just helps enhance that. It’s a way for us to invigorate the economic life of the neighborhood and encourage people to get out and celebrate, eat, drink and shop in the neighborhood.” Sunnyside Shines has expanded its holiday programming over the last few years, Bean said. Last year, they started a free holiday shopping trolley that takes shoppers throughout the business district. Every Saturday and Sunday, from November 24 to December 16, from noon to 6 p.m., there will be a pop-up market at Bliss Plaza. Bean said there will be between 30 and 35 Queensbased vendors everyday selling handmade and artisan items.
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Residents take in the holiday decorations along Greenpoint Avenue. “There is stuff there you can buy as gifts or treats for yourself,” she said. Finally, Sunnyside Shines is continuing its holiday coupon book, which offers shoppers and consumers discounts and deals at various local businesses. This year, there are 52 participating businesses to choose from, Bean said.
“This holiday season, we really believe that people who are passionate about the neighborhood and want to support the neighborhood, they can do it all right here,” she said of local residents. “They can shop, they can celebrate, go out to dinner. Everything can be done right here.”
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES $300,000 Avenue NYC grant and is currently conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA), which will inform future programing.
must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone. Upcoming events include: • Tuesday, December 4, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Career Open House in partnership with Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, Urban Upbound and Queensbridge Tenants Association at Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement, 10-25 41 St. Sponsored with support from TD Charitable Foundation, The event is aimed at job seekers. There will be roundtable discussions and people will hear directly from business owners and employees.
616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members. JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year. Upcoming events include: • Tuesday, December 11, at 9 a.m. Workshop on the new Anti-Sexual Harassment Laws. Contact them to register. • Wednesday, December 12, at 8:30 a.m. - The JFKCoC Directors General Monthly Meeting at JFK International Airport, Building 14 Conference Room A. Guests are welcome but
LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP
MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.
MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)
BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members. The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.
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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.
MYRTLE AVENUE BID
62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district. Executive Director Ted Renz said this month the focus is on their Sales Booklet that goes to 40,000 households in Ridgewood and Glendale. The BID provides traditional holiday decorations and music for the shoppers on the Avenue from noon to 6 p.m. every day. The BID has also been involved in a zoning initiative for Myrtle Avenue. Renz is working with, and has the approval of the community board, to preserve the integrity of the business feel of Myrtle Avenue by making it a special zoning district. City Planning is looking at the request now. The plan seeks to keep the look of the two- and three-story commercial infrastructure in tact.
QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Funded by Department of Small Business
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Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events. Upcoming events include: • Pitch Night, December 6, 5 to 8 p.m. - Teams will showcase and pitch their ideas to a panel of established entrepreneurs and industry leaders for seed capital and have an opportunity to turn their ideas into reality. Free. Queens College. Rosenthal Library 230, 65-30 Kissena Blvd.
ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE
info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and
welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.
ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION
1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members. Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies. RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board. RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project. With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living
within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts. To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts. REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.
STEINWAY STREET BID
25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members. Board meetings are held seven times a year. The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.
SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000. The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation.
SUNNYSIDE SHINES
45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year. • December 8, 9, 15 and 16 from Noon to 6 p.m. - Bliss Plaza Pop-up Holiday Market. The outdoor market will have over 30 vendors, including local businesses and crafts people and popular food vendors. Bliss Plaza, 46th St. & Queens Blvd.
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES
GJDC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP On November 15, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) celebrated 50 years of leadership at its “Golden Era Gala” at Battery Gardens in Battery Park. Invoking the theme of “New Heights”, GJDC honored two major players helping to transform the landscape and skyline of the greater Jamaica area: Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and GF55 Partners, a New York architecture firm. In just over a year at the Port Authority, Cotton has introduced key investments such as the $32.3 billion 2017-2026 Capital Plan that will greatly impact Queens, including overhauls of LaGuardia and JFK airports. GF55 Partners is ushering in a new architectural landscape throughout Downtown Jamaica with hallmark residential and commercial projects such as their design of the Hilton Garden Inn, Alvista Towers, Tree of Life, and Norman Towers. The evening was emceed by Jill Kaplan, president of New York & New Jersey for United Airlines and former vice president and publisher at Crain’s New York Business. “There are very exciting changes coming to Downtown Jamaica,” said GJDC President and CEO Hope Knight. “Rick Cotton’s vision at the Port Authority and GF55’s projects are helping to propel Jamaica into a bright future, and we cannot wait for this work to be fully realized.”
Pictured from left to right are GF55 Partners awardees David Gross, Leonard Fusco, and Shay Alster, GJDC CEO Hope Knight, Jill Kaplan, JetBlue CFO Steve Priest, GJDC board member Elliot Sanger, GJDC board chair Peter Kulka, and Justin Bernbach. (Photo: Walter Karling) In the last ten years, over $1 billion of public and private investments have been made in the Jamaica area. In the next two years alone, 5.9 million square feet of residential, hotel, and retail space are slated to come online in Jamaica, including over 4,800 new residential units and 2,200 hotel rooms.
These developments will complement the lives of 776,000 Southeast Queens residents, the 575,000 commuters who pass through Jamaica each day, the 30,000 university students who attend area schools, and the numerous government agency employees who work in Jamaica.
2018 QCC BUILDING AWARD WINNER PROFILE
BASEBALL MIXES WITH BEER AT MIKKELLER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
In the meantime, Mikkeller is starting to become an attraction for Mets fans and craft beer enthusiasts alike. In fact, Goldman sees their location at a baseball stadium as an opportunity to “respectfully educate” the general populace about the growing trend of craft beers. “You take their hand and you’re like, ‘Let me show you what a really great light pilsner lager from a craft brewery tastes like,’” she said. “That’s where we have such an amazing opportunity. We get access to customers that other breweries would never have access to because of the stadium.” In the next several years, while watching how Willets Point evolves, Mikkeller hopes to be a “destination brewery,” Goldman said. She envisions visitors making their way to Queens for a drink, then hopping over to Flushing for some delicious Schezuan food.
“We want to be considered the best in Queens,” she said, “we want people to come here specifically for us.” And because the craft brewing industry in general is “pretty white,” Goldman said, she
wants it to become more accessible to beer drinkers of every culture. “We aim to expand what people’s idea of beer is,” she said. “There are so many different kinds of beer, and it’s for everybody.”
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE
CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Thomas Santucci
Richard Dzwlewicz
Thomas J. Grech
Brendan Leavy
Howard Graf
Fran Biderman-Gross
Joanne M. Persad
Jacqueline Donado
Chairperson
Associate Treasurer
Vice Chairperson
Associate Secretary
Treasurer
Immediate Past Chair
Patrick Yu Nash Roe
Mayra DiRico
President & CEO
Chief of Operations
Alejandra Espejo
Business Development Manager Strategic Program Coordinator
Financial Controller
William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino
Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton
QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.
Secretary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow Adam Cohen
Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf
Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul
Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe
Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson
Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner
CORPORATE MEMBERS A & L Cesspool Services Corp. AAA Northeast AARP ADP Major Accounts Adria Hotel and Conference Center Aflac Airlogix AKI Development Alcott HR Alma Bank American Lions, LLC Amna Construction Corp. AmTrust Title Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Ashnu International, Inc. Atco Properties Accounts Payable Aurora Contractors, Inc. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Bank of America Merrill Lynch BankUnited, N.A Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel Bethpage Federal Credit Union Borchert & LaSpina, P.C. Boyce Technologies Inc. Bridgehampton National Bank Broadway Stages Cactus Holdings Inc. Capital One Bank CareConnect Insurance Company, Inc. Cathay Bank CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education & Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP Charney Construction & Development Ciampa Organization
CityMD Complete Orthopedic Services, Inc. Conference Associates, Inc. Cord Meyer Development, LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Court 16 Courtyard by Marriott CPEX Real Estate Crescent Properties, Inc. Crown Castle Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield Daniels, Norelli, Scully & Cecere P.C. DGC Capital Contracting Corp. Douglas Elliman Real Estate DY Realty Services, LLC E Central Medical Management East Coast Energy Group ELE Sleep Disorder Center Elite Palace Emigrant Mortgage Company EMU Health Services ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP Enterprise Fleet Management Enterprise Holdings Exit Realty New York Metro Fabiani Cohen & Hall, LLP Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz Financial Resources Group Investment Services, LLC First American International Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Group Inc. Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens
Grassi & Co. Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association Greenberg Traurig Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center (GMDC) Greiner-Maltz Company of NY Gum Studios HAKS Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport Hanover Community Bank Healthy Corner Pharmacy Inc. Heart Vein NYC – Dr. Back Kim HF Management Services HighTower Advisors HiLine Construction Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suites Long Island City/Manhattan View HSBC Bank Hyatt Place Flushing Hyatt Place Long Island City/NYC INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Innovative Lending Platform Association Innovo Property Group International Asbestos Removal Inc. James F. Capalino & Assoc. Jaros, Baum & Bolles JetBlue Airways Corporation Jetro/ Restaurant Depot JFA Insurance Brokerage & Associates Inc. JRT Realty Group Inc. Justworks Kasirer Consulting Kimco Realty Corporation LaSalle Solutions
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com
ENERGY
Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.co
HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS
Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org
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HOSPITALITY
REAL ESTATE
Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com
Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com
MANUFACTURING
TECHNOLOGY
Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com
Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com
NONPROFIT
TRANSPORTATION
Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com
Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com Tammy Petsios VHB tpetsios@vhb.com
Lee & Associates Lessing’s Food Service Management Levine Builders LimeBike Lockman Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank M & V Provision Company Madison Realty Capital Main Street Radiology Mazars USA, LLP McBride Consulting & Business Media Press MedPlex Mega Contracting Group, LLC MetroPlus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Mikkeller Brewing NYC Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp. MTA Long Island Rail Road Muss Development Company New York Building Congress New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott New York Oil Heating Association New York Racing Assn. Inc. New York Safety and Training New York Times Next Wave Safety North Shore-LIJ Health System Northfield Bank OneGroup OTJ Architects Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Petro Home Services Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates, Inc. Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions/IESI NY Corp. QSIDE Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corporation Queens Center Mall Queens Public Communications Corp. Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Register Abstract Co. Inc. Related Retail Corporation Royal Waste Russo’s On The Bay
Sabre Real Estate Group Samuel Goldstein & Co., PC Santander Seagis Property Group, LP Shiftpixy Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Skyline Risk Management, Inc. SL Green Realty Corp. Solomon Agency Corp. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Staples Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. SUNation Solar Systems Sutton Alliance Teachers Federal Credit Union TGI Office Automation Thales USA Inc. The ALLCOT Group, LLC The Durst Organization The First National Bank of Long Island The Heskel Group The Parc Hotel The Sweet Construction Group Treasure Island Storage Triangle Equities TSC Training Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Insurance Agency Venture House Vic Kessler Signs, LTD Villa Russo Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of New York, LLC WATCH GUARD 24/7, LLC Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP Wells Fargo WeWork Windstream Enterprise York College - CUNY Zara Realty
We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.
December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE
Alma Bank Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Innovo Property Group Main Street Radiology St. Francis Preparatory The Sweet Construction Group Wells Fargo INTRODUCTORY
Bleuler Psychotherapy Center City Mailroom Cleonmaye Corp. Crunch Fitness New York City Industrial & Technology Assistance Corp. Pezamar Realty Premier Merchant Consulting Services, LLC Summit Toyota Lift The Institute for Robotic Process Automation & Artificial Intelligence Wendt Partners STUDENTS & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Alexndru Craus Maria Borrero
Alma Bank
31-10 37th Avenue Suite 400 Long Island City, NY 11101 almabank.com ALMA brings personal service back to personal banking. We have genuine banking professionals ready to serve you, and a full range of products and services to help make your financial life simple and help achieve your financial goals. ALMA delivers a private banking style experience to our business banking customers.
Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport
44-10 135th Avenue Jamaica, New York, 11436 hamptoninn3.hilton.com We know balancing family, friends, work and other free time keeps you busy. We want to help you start your day off right. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, you’ll always have high-quality and consistent accommodations and amenities. Enjoy a clean and fresh Hampton bed and free Wi-Fi. Wake up each morning to our free, hot breakfast with fresh baked waffles and hearty oatmeal with toppings. Plus, you can count on friendly, helpful service and so much more. Guaranteed. If you’re not satisfied, we don’t expect you to pay. That’s our commitment and your guarantee. That’s 100% Hampton.
Innovo Property Group
1370 Avenue of the Americas 19th Floor New York, NY 10019 innovopg.com Innovo Property Group (“IPG”) is a New York City based real estate investment and operating company. IPG acquires, develops, and manages high quality retail, residential, and commercial assets throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Main Street Radiology
136-25 37th Avenue Flushing, NY 11354 72-06 Northern Blvd Jackson Heights, NY 11372 mainstreetradiology.com Main Street Radiology is a private, outpatient radiology practice operated by Radiology Associates of Main Street (RAMS). RAMS has provided diagnostic imaging services at various institutions in Queens since 1966.
St. Francis Preparatory School 6100 Francis Lewis Blvd Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 sfponline.org
St. Francis Prep is a Catholic, college preparatory school in the Franciscan tradition. Our mission is to enable all students to develop and broaden their spiritual, intellectual, creative, emotional, social, and physical abilities. We value the unique contribution each person makes to the Prep community. Together we create an environment filled with academic success, respect, integrity, and joy.
The Sweet Construction Group
5 Hanover Square 5th Floor New York, NY 10004 sweetconstruction.com We are a General Contracting and Construction Management firm, and have been in business for over 100 years! We currently service the tri-state area with our primary office in New York City and an additional office in New Jersey. We provide a full range of construction services, including general contracting, construction management, program management, and pre-construction for all construction services.
Wells Fargo
47-40 21st St. 10th Floor Long Island City, NY 11101 wellsfargo.com The Vision, Values & Goals of Wells Fargo details the enduring principles that guide all Wells Fargo team members in the work they do every day — in serving customers and helping each other.
Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of Queensborough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2018. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,110 (3,009). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 579 (607), Mail subscriptions, 1,937 (2,002), Total 2,516 (2,609). Free Distribution By mail 0 (400), By other means 198 (200), Total 198 (200). Total distribution 2,714 (2,809), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 396 ( 2 0 0 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,110 (3,009), Percent paid 92.70 (92.88). I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS
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December 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
EXPERT ADVICE
IN MEMORIAM
NEW HARASSMENT LAWS 2018 PASSINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
In New York City, private employers also face additional compliance requirements as part of the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act enacted in May. In addition to extending the limitations period for filing gender-based harassment claims with the city’s Commission on Human Rights from one to three years, the law also removes a statutory exemption for the smallest businesses with fewer than four total employees. While still exempt from other types of workplace discrimination claims, such small businesses will now be subject to claims of gender-based workplace harassment under the Human Rights Law. New York City employers must also display a new sexual harassment prevention poster in the workplace and distribute a mandatory fact sheet to all employees at the time of hire. These forms can be obtained from at nyc.gov/ humanrights).
Finally, city employers with 15 or more employees must also provide anti-sexual harassment training to their employees on hire and once annually thereafter. As discussed above, the state already requires such training. However, the city law mandates that additional content and information be included, and also requires employers to maintain records of all training sessions, including signed employee acknowledgment forms. New York employers must take immediate steps to comply with these new state and city sexual harassment prevention laws, and should seek the advice of an experienced employment law attorney to ensure that all standards are properly met. Stephen D. Hans & Associates, P.C. is located at 45-18 Court Square West, Suite 403, in Long Island City. Reach them at (718) 2756700 or visit hansassociates.com.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
said. “You go home and hug your kids. Life is too short.” Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who represents Mount Vernon and Yonkers, served in Albany with Peralta before he ascended to the State Senate. Though Pretlow said they weren’t very close, they were still friends. “Even though he didn’t win re-election, he would’ve remained active in the community,” he said. “Now we’re not going to see what he would have done in his new position. It’s just heartbreaking.” Hyacinth Gordon used to live across the street from Peralta’s office in Jackson Heights. She remembered that the state senator was a big supporter of her local church. She told his family at the wake that he’s in heaven now. “He was such a good person, a good servant, that God took him,” she said. “He has done enough here on earth.” (BENJAMIN FANG)
MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS
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from Our Family to Yours