The Queens Special Issue by City & State

April 30, 2015

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Governor, your TV ads are not fooling anyone. For months, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has attacked teachers and public schools. Now, with independent polls showing his approval ratings at record lows because of his test-and-punish agenda, his hedge fund billionaire backers are running pro-Cuomo TV ads, trying to rewrite history. But we know the truth. Cuomoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education agenda ups the stakes on testing, privatizes classrooms and diverts money away from public education by giving huge tax breaks to the wealthy.

Governor, New Yorkers agree: Put politics aside and put our kids first.

www.nysut.org Karen E. Magee, President Andrew Pallotta, Executive Vice President Catalina R. Fortino, Vice President Paul Pecorale, Vice President Martin Messner, Secretary-Treasurer

Queens Special Issue 2015 April 30, 2015

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Michael Gareth Johnson Executive Editor

Contents GOOD FOR FAMILIES, GOOD FOR QUEENS

20.......

The borough president describes her decision-making process By Melinda Katz

8....... POLITICAL HANGOUTS

22.......

By Geoff Decker

24.......

SANDY AFTERMATH

Tenants hope FEMA funds fix lingering mold, heating issues

FROM QUEENS TO THE QUEEN CITY A Q&A with

By Sarina Trangle

16......

A NEW REGENT FROM QUEENS

Judith Chin reflects New York’s shifting education policy landscape

BOROUGH POLITICS Queens Democrats and Republicans adapt to a more diverse population

Efforts to ease flight congestion struggle to get off the ground By Alice Popovici

Political deals are drafted in diners

12......

OVERSTUFFED SKIES

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown

28.......

VIEWS OF QUEENS

Lawmakers reveal the one thing that would make the borough better

By Sarina Trangle

48.......

THE COST OF CULTURE

Rising rents threaten Long Island City’s vibrant arts community By Alice Popovici

54....... April 30, 2015

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QUEENS PHOTO SHOOT Art direction: Guillaume Federighi Photographer: Celeste Sloman Cover model: Scott Augustin Interior page model: Angelo Lanza

BACK & FORTH

A Q&A with actress Fran Drescher

city & state — April 30, 2015

6......

ueens is my home. That means that the issues the borough is facing have a personal impact on my life. I hear loud planes that make it difficult to watch TV or have a conversation. I also spend hours in TSA lines at JFK or LaGuardia—or stuck in a car on the Van Wyck trying to make it to the airport. So I have lived many sides of an ongoing debate over the future of flight in the borough. I also ride the crowded No. 7 train from FlushingMain Street to Grand Central every day—shoulder to shoulder with the hardworking individuals from all corners of the globe who have made Queens their home. Like thousands of other residents, I have to hop on a bus for roughly a mile to get to the subway. These experiences make it clear to me that transportation—both its failings and successes—is the most unifying issue for an area with one of the most diverse populations in the world. So I was encouraged to see that many lawmakers, when asked to pick one way to make the borough better, quickly seized on transportation improvements—to subways, buses, ferries, or all of the above. The elected officials who responded to our request also pitched other bold ideas, from improving conditions for immigrants to even moving the United Nations across the East River (by far the boldest proposal). We asked this question because we wanted to hear from the people who represent the individual communities of Queens, as vastly different as they are geographically close. I encourage everyone to read through all these responses because collectively they paint an insightful picture of the direction Queens is moving. It’s an evolving area that is facing many of the problems that come with growth and change, from pedestrian concerns—especially on Queens Boulevard—to the linguistic struggles many immigrants face in public facilities, to the overcrowding of public transportation. But Queens is also an area filled with opportunity, where one can see the world in a weekend. I am proud to call it my home.

Queens Special Issue 2015

Welcome

Bienvenidos Добро пожаловать

환영합니다 Maligayang pagdating

歡迎光臨

Benvenuti

Benvenute ‫ديدمآ ش‬

Witam

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‫ًالهس و‬

Bienvenue

ようこそ

... TO QUEENS!

One of the defining features of Queens is its diversity—including the many languages its residents speak. The most common language is English—though it is the primary language of fewer than half of the borough’s residents—followed by Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and scores of other languages from all around the globe. Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2010, via MLA Language Map Data Center

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EDITORIAL Executive Editor Michael Johnson mjohnson@cityandstateny.com Senior Correspondent Jon Lentz jlentz@cityandstateny.com Web Editor/Reporter Wilder Fleming wfleming@cityandstateny.com Albany Reporter Ashley Hupfl ahupfl@cityandstateny.com Buffalo Reporter Justin Sondel jsondel@cityandstateny.com Staff Reporter Sarina Trangle strangle@cityandstateny.com Editor-at-Large Gerson Borrero gborrero@cityandstateny.com

city & state — April 30, 2015

A NOTE ABOUT THE ART Throughout this issue we celebrate the diversity of Queens, but we also wanted to focus on a unifying element of the borough: its only major professional sports team, the New York Mets. As you noticed on the cover and will see throughout the issue, we took a tour of the borough with our model Angelo Lanza sporting an authentic Mets jacket in the iconic places and vibrant neighborhoods that make Queens a truly unique place. - Michael Gareth Johnson, Executive Editor

Copy Editor Ryan Somers rsomers@cityandstateny.com Contributor Alice Popovici

PRODUCTION Art Director Guillaume Federighi gfederighi@cityandstateny.com Senior Designer Michelle Yang myang@cityandstateny.com Marketing Graphic Designer Charles Flores cflores@cityandstateny.com Web Manager Lydia Eck leck@cityandstateny.com Illustrator Danilo Agutoli

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Resorts World Casino New York City and its parent company, Genting Americas, Inc. are committed to making a positive impact in the community we call home. By partnering with our neighbors and our local community organizations, we seek to create additional economic opportunity and development.

Organizations We Support Ali Forney American Red Cross Black Spectrum Theater Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens City Harvest Citymeals-on-Wheels Dress for Success Flushing Town Hall Garden of Hope Hamilton Beach Playground Jamaica and Flushing YMCA Jamaica Bay Lives Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning Lincoln Center Sisters of Notre Dame Louis Armstrong House Museum New York Cares New York City Audubon New York Families for Autistic Children Foundation MillionTreesNYC Queens Botanical Garden Queens Community House Queens Library

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Queens Special Issue 2015

Good for Families, Good for Queens

city & state — April 30, 2015

ou’ve probably noticed that the spotlight on Queens has been shining brighter these days. MSN Money, Condé Nast Traveler, TimeOut New York and Streeteasy.com—they all agree that Queens is hot and on the move! In fact, Lonely Planet recently designated Queens the top destination for travelers to the United States. Let me be clear— they didn’t name New York City. They specifically crowned Queens. And why wouldn’t they? Our neighborhoods are home to families that hail from over 120 countries and speak over 135 languages. And it’s the voices of these families that have been the focus of my first year, making sure their insights and needs are a part of government’s decision-making process. Because of them, our litmus at Borough Hall is simply this: If it’s good for families, it’s good for Queens. Queens offers a dynamic and attractive landscape for investment and job creation, which means better opportunities for families and visitors to live, work and play. It’s an exciting time for Queens. Great neighborhoods, shopping, professional sports, booming new businesses and nightlife, arts and an incomparable array of cuisines from all over the world. Queens is a unique borough, unlike any other, and we are proud of what we have to offer. We don’t have to claim to be the center of the universe, but we are without a doubt the intersection of the world. We’ve made tourism a high priority of my administration because it is one of the strongest tools for growth. Together, we’re not only creating jobs, we’re building neighborhoods. And we’re doing that in a number of ways, especially since some of the city’s hottest projects are being built in

Melinda Katz is the Queens borough president.

Queens. The potential is incredible—we have untapped prime real estate in Maspeth and in the Rockaways. Thriving transit and business hubs in downtown Jamaica and Long Island City. Skilled workforces across trades and from all over the globe. Diversified economic engines in Flushing and Jackson Heights. And forwardthinking public-private partnerships that produce projects like Astoria Cove. In Long Island City of western Queens, we’re building the city’s leading tech ecosystem, encouraging access, innovation and entrepreneurship. Over 50 startups like Krate, Digital Natives and Shapeways 3D Printing have already hatched in Queens. And that’s just the beginning. By leveraging western Queens’ ample space for growth, its projected development, and its proximity to the Cornell NYC Tech campus, we will steer our borough into the competitive lane of the digital age.

In downtown Jamaica, we recently unveiled the Jamaica Now Action Plan, an aggressive and holistic 21-point plan to stimulate smart growth and improve livability in Jamaica, Queens. Everyone has long recognized Jamaica’s inherent potential for smart growth. It is one of the remaining prime commercial hubs that offer housing, amenities and transportation. Jamaica really has some of the most strategically positioned—while affordably priced—real estate left in the city. So we shored up that will and now we finally have a way. The plan is a focused commitment backed up by real resources, and reflects the city’s strong commitment to revitalize Jamaica’s downtown core and make it even more attractive to investors, even more livable for existing residents and businesses. To augment the plan, we announced an additional agreement with Mayor Bill de Blasio on including the downtown Jamaica corridor into

phase 1 of the LinkNYC rollout, making capital improvements at the southern lawn of Rufus King Park, enhancing Brinkerhoff Mall for more public and programmatic use, and committing resources for marketing and branding to enhance tourism, especially to our treasured cultural institutions. All this and much more is on the near horizon. Government recognizes, however, that the quality of our infrastructure can either keep us competitive or stifle our growth. Significant investment at our airports is a critical priority for our city that affects all industries. Take, for example, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, New York City’s gateways to the world. About 48,000 people are employed at both airports combined. To the New YorkNew Jersey metropolitan region, their economic activity contributes $53 billion every year by generating about 372,000 total jobs and $19 billion in annual wages and salaries. Yet the investments in these gateways have fallen short. The Port Authority’s total capital investments in JFK to date has been a paltry $7 billion; in LaGuardia, $1.4 billion. These investments simply have not kept up with growth. World-class airports are necessary to keep our great city globally competitive, and I applaud the governor and the Port Authority for investing additional billions of capital to redevelop LaGuardia’s central terminal and airport infrastructure. As we move forward, the opportunity guised as a challenge for government is to keep Queens competitive as the most attractive option for families to not just move to, but more importantly to stay in. And so we stand united and committed in our determination to keep this a borough of families, for families. Because we know that if it’s good for families, it’s good for Queens. cit yandstateny.com

LEV RADIN / SHUTTERSTOCK

By MELINDA KATZ

Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

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Although he has been in politics for most of his life, New York City Councilman Mark Weprin couldn’t pick just one favorite political hangout in Queens. “However, historically, all Queens politicians have had their favorite diners where they conduct business,” he said. “In a meeting between two elected officials, there is often the dilemma of the protocol of who will have to travel. In particularly sticky situations, the two might have to find a neutral diner at which to meet; in the end, most deals are made in diners.” To learn where meetings are held and deals are made in Queens, City & State asked the borough’s state senators, Assembly members and City Council members where their favorite political hangouts are. Here are their top choices.

Political Hangouts

city & state — April 30, 2015

Queens Special Issue 2015

ANTUN’S 96-43 Springfield Blvd. Queens Village

PARK SIDE RESTAURANT 107-01 Corona Ave. Corona

FLAGSHIP RESTAURANT 138-30 Queens Blvd. Briarwood

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Queens Special Issue 2015

GEORGIA DINER 86-55 Queens Blvd. Elmhurst

SHALIMAR DINER 6368 Austin St. Flushing

TRATTORIA L’INCONTRO 21-76 31st St. Astoria

SHI 4720 Center Blvd. Long Island City

PORTOFINO RISTORANTE 109-32 Ascan Ave. Forest Hills

USA DINER, INC. 243-03 Merrick Blvd. Jamaica

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city & state — April 30, 2015

Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

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PROUD SUPPORTER OF OUR LOCAL PROUD SUPPORTER INSTITUTIONS OF OUR LOCAL COALITION FOR QUEENS INSTITUTIONS FRIENDS OF GANTRY STATE PARK

FRIENDS OF THE QUEENS LIBRARY COALITION FOR QUEENS HOUR CHILDREN FRIENDS OF GANTRY STATE PARK JACOB RIIS SETTLEMENT FRIENDS OF THE QUEENS LIBRARY LIC COMMUNITY BOAT HOUSE HOUR CHILDREN LIC CULTURAL ALLIANCE JACOB RIIS SETTLEMENT LIC YMCA LIC COMMUNITY BOAT HOUSE LIC CULTURAL ALLIANCE MOMA PS1 YMCA MUSEUM OFLIC THE MOVING IMAGE MOMA PS1 QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS MUSEUM OF THEMUSEUM MOVING IMAGE QUEENS QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS RECYCLE-A-BICYCLE QUEENS MUSEUM RECYCLE-A-BICYCLE

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR THANK YOU FORCOMMUNITY! ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

CELEBRAT I N G OVER 70 YEAR S I N L. I . C. CEL EBRATING OVER 70 YEARS IN L.I.C .

Queens Special Issue 2015

A Throne Forged Through Flexibility

Queens’ demographics require pliable approach from Democratic leadership

city & state — April 30, 2015

tanding before supporters in September at Sullivan’s in Bayside, state Sen. Tony Avella gave a victory speech highlighting his triumph over his Queens Democratic Party-backed challenger, John Liu, who had four times as much campaign cash. Avella declared the primary tally a statement to “Crowley’s cronies” that “you can’t do this anymore.” Half a year later, Queens County Democratic Party loyalists said the Michelangelo Hotel in Manhattan echoed with praise for the party’s chairman, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, at the annual, $1,000-a-plate Special Friends of Queens fundraiser. Newly anointed Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie headlined the event, after supporters said Crowley played a role in his ascension by rounding up members’ votes. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul showed up unannounced. Both narratives show how friends and foes alike paint Crowley as an autocrat. But political pundits say Crowley’s stewardship of the party has remained secure precisely because he understands that navigating such a diverse borough requires flexibility. His tenure has relied on the county tradition of having loyalists in the borough president’s office—which has a say in land-use decisions—the court system—which offers lucrative pay to connected attorneys—and the District Attorney’s Office, according to political consultant Hank

Sheinkopf. But Crowley has fared better than some of his counterparts by integrating immigrants, observers say. Under Crowley, they say, the county organization functions like a rubber band, binding ethnic enclaves together by stretching when it comes to endorsements and primaries but snapping back when it comes to speakership decisions. “The extraordinary nature of it is that they’ve been able to adjust to changing populations. If you look at other county organizations, they’ve generally had to go through some significant changes as different populations shift,” Sheinkopf said. “This organization has been under the same management for years.” Crowley has continued his predecessor’s tradition of appointing district leaders at large, a role that other boroughs’ Democratic Party officials do not have. Unlike the traditional district leaders elected by registered Democrats to represent their geographic community within the party, district leaders at large are not confined to Assembly districts and cannot vote for party leaders. But they offer emerging communities a say in the party platform when they may not have the numbers to elect traditional district leaders, according to Evan Stavisky, an eastern Queens district leader and consultant with the Parkside Group. “Francisco Moya was an at-large district leader before he was a state assemblyman,” Stavisky said of the Corona assemblyman who claims

QUEENS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

By SARINA TRANGLE

U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley’s stewardship of the county Democratic Party relies on flexibility. to be the first Ecuadorian elected to office in the U.S. “It’s a victory for the Ecuadorian community, but it’s also an opportunity for the Ecuadorian community to recognize that Joe Crowley is on their side,” Stavisky said. That’s not to say the borough always incubates integration. Endorsements can be particularly thorny. For instance, the party’s backing of Christine Quinn for mayor in 2013 was difficult for some elected officials in the Asian community, given Liu’s candidacy, and for others in the black community because of Bill Thompson’s campaign. “It’s very difficult, but Joe Crowley does a great job,” said Sen. Michael Gianaris, who backed his colleague, state Sen. Daniel Squadron, for public advocate when the organization supported Reshma Saujani in 2013. “Everyone understood why each party

was doing what they had to do.” Tribalism has spilled into primaries, too. When former U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman retired, Crowley endorsed then-Assemblywoman Grace Meng to replace him. She won after contending with then-Assemblyman Rory Lancman and the chairman’s cousin, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley. Lancman, who is Jewish, accused the Queens party of planting a candidate in the primary to divide the Jewish vote. After the election, Lancman briefly relinquished his district leader post, then mended fences and won his current City Council seat with the party’s blessing. “I was a loyal Queens member in the fight for the (City Council) speaker’s race, and that is more valuable to the party than trying to make an example out of me,” he said. “Politics is best practiced when there’s a lot more carrot than stick, and that’s cit yandstateny.com

what the Queens Democratic Party has mastered.” Crowley may not flinch when endorsements break along ethnic lines or when primaries emerge, but county loyalists and pundits say allegiance is expected in internal political plays, such as speakership races and caucusing decisions. Avella said his relationship with the county party soured after he joined the Independent Democratic Conference last February. The eastern Queens senator said he did not expect Crowley to care about the move because “Joe Crowley never seemed to have an interest in what was going on in the Senate.” Avella described his win over Liu as coming after the party began to fracture under Crowley. The state senator said Crowley leads like a dictator, supports questionable candidates like Liu—who had two mayoral race staffers convicted in a campaign finance scheme—and presides over a leadership structure composed of Long Island residents who work for the Queens firm Sweeney,

Gallo, Reich & Bolz. Crowley’s “reaction was over the top, in my opinion, and extremely vicious,” Avella said of his recent primary. “He used it to try to gain control and to show his power. And guess what? The reverse happened.” Sheinkopf and Scott Levenson, founder of The Advance Group political consulting and lobbying firm, however, disputed this assessment. “That’s an anomaly that points to the strength of Tony Avella, that’s particularly unique to that district,” Levenson said. “It doesn’t in any way suggest Queens County had some failure.” Elsewhere, the county organization closed ranks—the rubber band snapping back, as it were. It steered state Sen. Leroy Comrie to victory over his now-convicted predecessor, state Sen. Malcolm Smith. A third challenger, Clyde Vanel, dropped out of the race, which sources said came as Vanel’s ally and current boss, state Sen. James Sanders Jr., made amends with the county

organization. Party attorneys also successfully challenged the petitions of Jessica Ramos, a former district leader who claimed she lost the organization’s support when she endorsed New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito ahead of the county organization. Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan of Queens pitched herself as an Assembly speaker candidate, but behind the scenes, Crowley’s delegation stood behind Heastie. Crowley was out of the country during part of the negotiations, but Queens party representatives communicated to Heastie that its ties with suburban members were expected to bring in several votes ahead of the formal announcement, a source said. County loyalists said Heastie’s ascent benefited Queens, and pointed out how southern Queens Assemblywoman Michele Titus assumed the Labor Committee chairmanship Heastie vacated. “It’s hard to read too much into any one election as being indicative of a trend,” Doug Forand, founder of Red

Horse Strategies, said. “But I do think Joe came out of the Assembly speaker’s race definitely looking like somebody who has a good relationship with his membership.”

State Sen. Tony Avella claims the Queens Democratic Party has begun to fracture.

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine. So in 1971, a little Heart built a different kind of airline—one that made sure everyone could fly. Here, we think everyone deserves to feel special, no matter where you sit or how much you fly. And with all the places we’re going next, we’ll always put you first, because our love of People is still our most powerful fuel. Some say we do things differently. We say, why would we do things any other way? Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

STATE SEN. TONY AVELLA VIA FACEBOOK

Queens Special Issue 2015

GOP Determined to Diversify

Senator Jeff Klein

Queens Republicans say new blood is needed to heal rift By SARINA TRANGLE

14 Joan McDonald, NYS Department of Transportation

ADVERTISE WITH CITY & STATE TO:

State Republican Chairman Ed Cox, right, formally introduces Bob Turner as Queens party chairman.

Senator Dean Skellos

Commisioner Ken Adams

city & state — April 30, 2015

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thnic enclaves have not contributed to the split the Queens County Republican Party is seeking to bridge, but leaders hope focusing on such demographics can fuse its factions. The party has traditionally fractured along geographic lines, pitting its southern and northern camps against each other. The most recent schism occurred during a 2013 reorganization meeting that produced dueling party certificates—one with Phil Ragusa as chairman and another with former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner. Last month, state committee members convinced New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox to recognize Turner as the interim Queens party chairman. Party leaders say they are working through how to divvy up posts across factions and whether to cross-endorse judicial candidates. All, however, seem to agree on the need for a more diverse Republican base. “Queens is home to so many people from all over the world. I think the Republican Party, not only in Queens but throughout New York, needs to embrace that,” said the borough’s lone Republican elected official, City Councilman Eric Ulrich. “It’s not enough that for a long time we had white gals and white guys representing every area in the cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

CELEBR ATING OVER 70 YEARS IN L .I.C.

borough.” Ulrich noted that Democrats have had success appointing district leaders at large to serve as liaisons for growing immigrant groups that may not have the numbers to elect traditional district leaders. “It’s something that I spoke to Bob Turner about,” he said. Turner, a retired TV executive, and other party members say they aim to install leaders at their September reorganization meeting who reflect the demographics of every neighborhood, and plan to develop a long-term strategy for integrating leaders from the north and south. Meanwhile, Republican leaders say the party has been holding meetings that merge executive members on both certificates. There are some questions, however, about how depleted the north end’s representation is, with its longtime chairman, Ragusa, dead, its vice chairman, Vincent Tabone, convicted of corruption and its executive director, Robert Hornak, working on an out-of-state project for a few months. Two officials once allied with Ragusa, however—First Vice Chairman James McClelland and Executive Director Pierre Alcantara—have been involved in

the meetings. “Yes, there were feelings hurt,” Alcantara said. “Yes, there were people on edge, but I’m happy to say they saw the bigger picture. Either we’re going to let the Republican Party fade away in Queens ... or we’re going to come together.” Turner anticipates Democratic Queens District Attorney Richard Brown will receive the GOP’s backing, but said there were questions about how to proceed with judicial candidates. Ulrich, however, seems confident the party will keep its door open to judges accustomed to having the Democratic line. “We have endorsed them in the past. We’ll do that again, I think. It’s important to show unity when it comes to judicial endorsements,” said Ulrich, who previously had a role in the judicial nominating process. “People who sit on the bench are supposed to be fair and impartial.” Both Ulrich and Turner say the real focus will be on running Republicans in 2016—reversing the slump seen in the last state legislative election cycle, when the party failed to put up a candidate in state Sen. Tony Avella’s district for the first time in decades.

Written by: Gabriel Rom Plaxall Inc. is a quintessential American success story. From a small business cutting ice blocks from the Mississippi River to technical innovator and now Queens real-estate and civic leader, the company is today a driving force behind Long Island City’s growth. In the 1930’s Louis Pfohl - a second-generation Austrian-American engineer, lawyer, architect and industrial designer - revolutionized the burgeoning plastics industry when he invented “thermoforming,” a mass-production process of shaping plastics for myriad commercial uses. This innovation led him to Queens—and eventually Long Island City--where he founded Plaxall Inc. His children, James Pfohl, Ann Kirby and Lynn Quigley worked with Louis as the business expanded from plastics to real estate. The company remains in the most literal sense a family affair. Today, three of Pfohl’s fifteen grandchildren, Tony Pfohl, Matthew Quigley and Paula Kirby (all cousins) run the company and share the titles of owner and managing director. Plaxall now owns over one million square feet of real estate in Long Island City and is involved with local economic-development and philanthropic organizations such as The Coalition for Queens, the Jacob A. Riis Settlement House, and the Long Island City Partnership. Tony Pfohl lived in Long Island City 13 years ago - long before craft-beer bars and cafes lined the streets. “When we were younger and we got off at the subway stop, we’d hear ‘kid, you’re lost.’ Now we have strollers, bicycles and dog walkers. It’s incredible to see how vibrant the community has become,” but, he added, “it took a lot longer than we thought.” The company has helped turn what was once a no-man’s land of industrial warehouses into one of New York’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

Plaxall’s philosophy of curating prospective tenants has helped foster local tech and artistic communities. More than a decade ago Plaxall offered free space for an artisan gallery on Vernon Boulevard, helping to highlight the local artistic community. The techies followed soon thereafter.

The family stresses that they value their community not only out of social concern, but that being a good neighbor makes good business sense too. “The community atmosphere adds a lot of value for us,” Ms. Kirby said.

From left, Queens County GOP First Vice Chairman James McClelland, Chairman Bob Turner, Bart Haggerty of the Board of Elections and Executive Director Pierre Alcantara at the announcement of Turner’s chairmanship. cit yandstateny.com

With its roots now firmly set in Long Island City, Plaxall doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. As Ms. Kirby said, “We’ve been here for 70 years. And we certainly plan to stay here and remain involved in this dynamic community.”

www.plaxall.com

city & state — April 30, 2015

QUEENS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

Plaxall has worked closely with technology startups like Songza, an Internet music streaming service, to find affordable office space in the Plaxall portfolio. “They were this tiny start-up. We found them space and helped with their subsequent expansion,” explained Ms. Kirby. In addition to their real-estate offerings, Plaxall provides the space for LIC Flea & Food, a weekly market, and the LIC Community Boat House. “Our tenants have a vested interest in the community. They like being in an environment that fosters collaboration. Long Island City has this live-work feel, which suits many of them,” Mr. Quigley said.

Queens Special Issue 2015

Still Suffering

Rockaway tenants hope FEMA funds finally address lingering Sandy damage By SARINA TRANGLE

VERNELL ROBINSON

Brown tap water and rampant mold in apartments at Carleton Manor in Arverne.

city & state — April 30, 2015

hen Jamaica Bay surged into Carleton Manor during Superstorm Sandy, Vernell Robinson said her neighbors crowded into her apartment on the top floor of a New York City Housing Authority development in Arverne. Being on the top floor, however, has since become a burden for Robinson, who says that since the October 2012 storm, leaks have sprung from the roof, mold has sprouted due to the moisture, and the temporary boilers are inconsistently able to pump heat and hot water up to her Rockaway home. “What happened with Sandy was an eye-opener,” said Robinson, who is on the development’s resident council and is a member of Community Voices Heard, which advocates for lowincome New Yorkers. “They put up

scaffolding because bricks were falling out. … That’s how badly damaged the building is.” Carlton Manor is among seven NYCHA developments in Queens slated for Sandy damage repair and resilience work, based on a $3 billion agreement with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer described the anticipated allocation as the largest grant in the agency’s history. The projects are expected to be underway at all the developments by next spring, according to NYCHA documents obtained by City & State. The six Rockaway developments and the Astoria Houses are expected to receive long-sought fixes including playground and grounds renovations, new roofing, repairs to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems,

standby generators and flood-proofing. NYCHA documents say Carlton Manor, the Hammel Houses, the Ocean Bay Apartments (Bayside) and Redfern will have their boiler rooms lifted above flood planes, heating systems revamped and their first-floor apartments renovated. Despite the expected scope of the work, tenant advocates said they are worried mold remediation won’t get the attention it needs, especially on the upper floors. “They are going to do the grass; they are going to do the gates; they said they’re going to do the playground; they are going to put new boilers in … but they never discussed apartments,” said Ciro Timmons, treasurer of the Carlton Manor Resident Council. “We had mold, so some people had gotten sick.” Timmons and Robinson said

NYCHA sent crews to scrape off mold and use a mixture of water and bleach to cleanse apartment surfaces shortly after Sandy. Timmons, a professional mold remediator, said the tactic wasn’t sufficient, and that leaks continue to concern the community. Claudia Coger, the Astoria Houses Tenants Association president, said she would like to see NYCHA conduct tests to ensure Sandy did not nurture mold growth or asbestos exposure, particularly because asthma rates are high in the community. NYCHA, which settled a lawsuit over its handling of mold claims in 2013 and agreed to provide plaintiffs’ attorneys with quarterly statistical reports on the matter, said it understands mold is a major concern for residents. The agency recently developed new guidelines and training to ensure staff members are finding and fixing cit yandstateny.com

city & state — April 30, 2015

the cause of mold, rather than making routine repairs that may not address the underlying problem. “When NYCHA responds to mold or mildew, we work to identify and repair the root cause and eliminate it from apartment surfaces with a detergent,” a NYCHA spokesperson said. “At Carleton Manor, the roof was determined to be the root cause and was previously scheduled for repairs. The development has been identified for a new roof as part of the agreements currently being finalized with FEMA.” Exterior electrical and plumbing work outlined by NYCHA was welcomed by tenant leaders, particularly plans for stronger permanent boiler systems. Carleton Manor, the Hammel Houses, Ocean Bay Apartments (Bayside) and the Redfern Houses are using temporary oil boilers because Sandy incapacitated their gas boiler systems, NYCHA said. The authority never intended to rely on oil boilers in the long term, and plans to replace them with dual fuel systems, which use gas as a primary energy source and oil as a secondary one. “We very rarely get hot water,” Robinson said of the top-floor Carleton Manor apartments, an issue she blames on the temporary boilers. “I work a long day, and I come home, and I can’t wash.” The four developments’ annual collective heat work orders grew from

Queens Special Issue 2015 4,417 the year before Sandy to 4,685 the year after, then 5,808 the following year and 3,372 the third year, NYCHA reports show. Hot water work orders increased from 2,729 before the storm to 4,873 after, 6,998 the following year and 2,009 the third year. NYCHA pointed out, however, that hot water issues can stem from more than just boiler problems. For instance, Redfern Houses had a defective part that introduced cold water into the hot water stream. “These upgrades are intended to be cost effective, efficient and resilient,” NYCHA said in a statement. Before Sandy, NYCHA said it spent $2.36 million operating the natural gas boilers in the four developments. An increase in the cost of oil drove the cost of operating the temporary replacements up to $9.64 million in 2013, NYCHA said. Despite residents’ worries, Monique George, the New York City director of organizing at Community Voices Heard, said many were looking forward to the permanent boilers. “That’s big,” she said. “You want (a boiler) that’s reliable, that’s going to be there, that’s permanent and not in a trailer … that can weather the next Sandy. I think the FEMA money really helps build that resilience.”

A NYCHA worker cleans mold that grew in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy at the Beach 41st Street Houses in Far Rockaway.

Planned Improvements Here is a summary of improvements slated for Queens’ developments compiled from NYCHA documents obtained by City & State. NYCHA said all work is contingent upon federal approval of preliminary agreements with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency:

HAMMEL HOUSES Estimated start date: January 2016 Number of buildings targeted: 14 Estimated allocation: $178,630,578 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, the heating system, walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras, flood-proofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges, renovations of first-floor apartments and building an elevated boiler room

OCEAN BAY APARTMENTS (BAYSIDE)

Estimated start date: July 2015 Number of buildings targeted: 8 Estimated allocation: $158,323,367 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, damaged walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras and floodproofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges

Estimated start date: March 2016 Number of buildings targeted: 23 Estimated allocation: $284,820,692 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, the heating system, walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras, flood-proofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges, renovations of first-floor apartments and building an elevated boiler room

BEACH 41ST STREET – BEACH CHANNEL DRIVE

OCEAN BAY APARTMENTS (OCEANSIDE)

Estimated start date: September 2015 Number of buildings targeted: 4 Estimated allocation: $68,176,180 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, damaged walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras and floodproofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges

Estimated start date: July 2015 Number of buildings targeted: 7 Estimated allocation: $66,935,391 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras and floodproofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges

CARLETON MANOR

REDFERN HOUSES

Estimated start date: December 2015 Number of buildings targeted: 1 Estimated allocation: $29,522,427 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, the heating system, walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras, flood-proofing the exterior portion of the building vulnerable to flood surges, renovations of first-floor apartments and building an elevated boiler room

Estimated start date: November 2015 Number of buildings targeted: 9 Estimated allocation: $142,049,712 Planned Work: Restoration of playground area, grounds, the heating system, walls, floors and other architectural features, repairs of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of standby generators, new roofing, security cameras, flood-proofing the exterior portion of buildings vulnerable to flood surges, renovations of first-floor apartments and building an elevated boiler room

ASTORIA HOUSES

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LETICIA BARBOZA/NYCHA

Queens Special Issue 2015

Overstuffed Skies

Efforts to ease airport congestion struggle to get off the ground By ALICE POPOVICI

city & state — April 30, 2015

ew York City’s airspace is the busiest in the country, with three major airports that generate dense traffic, noise and delays. But transportation industry leaders, lawmakers and other stakeholders are divided on how to fix the problem. LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark airports have the longest takeoff and landing delays in the nation, according to a report published in 2011 by the Regional Plan Association. Passengers at New York City-area airports can typically expect delays of more than 20 minutes per flight, compared with 10 minutes elsewhere in the country. The problem, according to industry experts, stems both from the Federal Aviation Administration’s

hourly caps on flights—a temporary measure imposed in 2008 to relieve delays—and the growing number of passengers flying out of the city’s metropolitan area. “It’s going to become a very serious issue if something isn’t done,” said Jeffrey Zupan, senior fellow for transportation at the Regional Plan Association. A few years ago, Zupan said, it looked as though the satellite technology NextGen, the FAA’s upgrade to a decades-old radar system, would ease delays by allowing more precise communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, enabling planes to fly more direct routes, freeing up airspace and increasing efficiency. But now that the program appears stalled indefinitely in Congress, Zupan said delays may worsen significantly before lawmakers agree on a solution. For Janet McEneaney, the airport delays are not as big of an issue as the noise of the planes that fly above her home in Bayside, Queens. McEneaney, who is president of a group called Queens Quiet Skies, said the noise became a problem in 2012, when the FAA began testing NextGen at LaGuardia, altering planes’ existing flight paths and bringing them lower to the ground. Since then, she and other residents have been reaching out to lawmakers, asking for quieter planes and more community involvement in the decision-making process. “It sounds like heavy freight

“It sounds like heavy freight engines right over your house. It’s very loud—it’s really terrible.” JANET MCENEANEY Bayside Queens resident engines right over your house,” said McEneaney. On some days, she said, planes can be heard overhead from 6 a.m. until midnight. “It’s very loud— it’s really terrible.” Lawmakers in Queens responded to residents’ complaints by calling for measures to reduce airplane noise— from legislation that would lower noise standards or mandate a gradual phasein of planes with quieter engines, to community roundtables that study noise. “Time and again, the FAA has carelessly ignored the needs and concerns of the communities I represent by doing virtually nothing to address the problem of increased aircraft noise,” Rep. Grace Meng said in a September 2014 press release announcing lawmakers’ request that the FAA reduce the noise level limit from 65 decibels to 55 decibels. “That is why it’s time to take this fight to the national level, and demanding a lower (average noise level) is the best approach to securing relief from the blistering airplane noise that has plagued our area for far too long.”

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Queens Special Issue Queens 2015 Special Issue 2015

Keep the Power in New York By Dr. Matthew C. Cordaro To be a great state, New York needs to produce large amounts of electricity – in state.

PISAPHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK

In recent years, though, there has been a disturbing trend: to purchase more power from outside New York. This siphons dollars and jobs from New York, literally taking power away from the Empire State. Furthermore, the longer that electricity has to travel the more of that power is dissipated in transmission lines, the more it costs, and the greater the likelihood for a delivery disruption, i.e., blackouts. After the 2003 blackout, New York appealed to the federal government for special permission to obtain power via the Cross Sound Cable from Connecticut. While the line can transmit power either way, it has been relied upon to bring up to 330 megawatts of power into New York from New England.

The Silent Skies Act, introduced in 2013 by Rep. Joseph Crowley and other lawmakers, would have required commercial airplanes to have quieter engines, but the legislation did not advance in Congress. “While the implementation of NextGen technology remains critical in the effort to modernize our air traffic control system, we cannot lose sight of any potential impact on the communities that surround our airports,” Crowley said in a recent statement. “Making our aviation system safer and more efficient should be a top priority, but more needs to be done to ensure the health and quality of life for local residents already impacted by aircraft noise and emissions.” The reason air traffic congestion is a bigger problem in the New York City area than anywhere else in the U.S. has to do with airline industry changes implemented after 9/11, as well as the recession, said Joshua Schank, president and CEO of the Eno Center for Transportation. Both of these factors triggered a decrease in flights from smaller metropolitan areas and a corresponding increase in larger areas such as New York, resulting in “substantial capacity constraints” in the area’s three main airports. But industry experts said progress on implementing the NextGen technology has not been as swift as had been expected due to a combination of regulatory and financial hurdles that are complicating the approval process. “It’s not like you just flip a switch on and it’s implemented,” Schank said. “The planes have not been equipped for the technology that’s necessary,” he added, nor have the majority of airports. Schank said part of what is holding up the implementation process is the fact that the FAA oversees regulation for both the technological and safety components of NextGen. The other problem, cit yandstateny.com

he said, is Congress’ time-consuming and “sporadic” funding mechanism, which makes it difficult to plan purchases and make decisions, considering the technology in question may quickly become outdated. “Our hope is that we can get a bill—an FAA bill—this Congress,” he said. Earlier this year, the Eno Center for Transportation released a set of principles meant to guide air traffic legislative reform, including a “predictable funding structure” independent of federal funding, which makes air traffic control susceptible to delays caused by a budget sequester or government shutdown. Zupan, of the Regional Plan Association, said he would like to see NextGen implementation in the next few years, another runway at JFK and a leveling off in passenger volume. But if there is no progress on the technology or runway construction and demand continues to grow, so will delays and consumer frustration. “The answer may be that we begin to be a little more imaginative about a new airport, including one in the water,” he said. That airport-on-an-island scenario explored in the 2011 Regional Plan Association study is still too costly to be a realistic option, he added, but with the annual number of passengers at the three area airports expected to reach 116 million by the end of this year—and 150 million within 20 to 30 years—he said something will have to be done soon to increase capacity. Neither the FAA nor the Port Authority responded to requests for comment. If people become desperate, they will likely begin to pressure lawmakers, and this could mean looking more seriously at the idea of a new airport. Now, though, Zupan said, “it’s a glimmer in people’s eyes.”

The Hudson Project, completed in 2013, is yet another transmission line that can bring up 660 megawatts of power to New York. The project, however, has been underutilized and very costly to the New York Power Authority. Of even greater concern is the Champlain Hudson Power Express Project (CHPE). This proposed 333-mile high-voltage transmission line will start in Quebec, weave in and out of the Hudson River, go alongside rail tracks, and disrupt historic sites before ending in Queens.

This is a one-way highway for Canadian power and will not provide on ramps for surplus New York power generation. It allows special interests to take billions of dollars annually, as well as the energy jobs that go with this project. New York had the country’s first electricity generating station, on Pearl Street, which began producing electricity in 1882. Building on this legacy, we have established modern, sophisticated and clean sources of power which are national models. New York needs to expand upon its fine traditions and accomplishments and produce more power in state. Our economy, and our future, depend on it. Dr. Matthew Cordaro is the former chief executive officer of the Midwest Independent System Operator, the non-profit transmission grid operator serving 15 states and a Canadian province. He serves on the advisory board of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance and is also a former CEO at utility companies. SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) is a diverse group of business, labor, environmental, and community leaders working together for clean, low-cost and reliable electricity solutions that foster prosperity and jobs for the Empire State.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

Planes crowd the tarmac at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens.

Ironically the cable connects at the former Shoreham Nuclear Power site, whose premature closure resulted in Long Island rate payers absorbing over $5 billion of the cost to build the plant.

Queens Special Issue 2015

Breaking Ground

Reign of new Queens Regent reflects New York’s shifting ed policy landscape

city & state — April 30, 2015

s the state’s Board of Regents enters a new phase, perhaps no one embodies its changes more than New York City’s newest representative, Judith Chin. Born to Chinese immigrants, Chin is the first Asian-American member in the board’s 231-year history. She is also one of nine women on a 17-member board that is likely the most diverse it has ever been. “That was quite significant, that I was making history,” Chin said after hearing the precedent announced by Assembly Education Committee Chair Catherine Nolan shortly before lawmakers officially appointed her to a three-year term on March 10. “The fact that I’ll be a role model for so many immigrant children is something.” Chin is part of other shifting dynamics, too. After starting her career as a teacher in East Harlem in 1972, Chin rose to hold top positions under three chancellors, and she is now one of six Regents who are career educators. Her professional and personal experience as an English language learner “shaped how I look at children that come from different backgrounds,” she told lawmakers last month, as she recalled being one of the only minority students at her school in Midwood and not being able to speak English on her first day. “I clawed at my father’s trousers hoping that he would never let me go,” said Chin, now a program director for the Reading and Writing Workshop at Teacher’s College. Like other new Regents appointed last month, Chin said she has concerns about many of the changes made in recent years under board Chancellor Merryl Tisch and former Commissioners David Steiner and John King, especially the rollout of

the Common Core standards. She called the state’s testing and evaluation policies a “gotcha game” and suggested charter schools are about profiting “on the backs of children and teachers.” “I think just the vastness of it was probably not doable at all,” Chin said of the Common Core during her interview with lawmakers, contrasting the state’s implementation of those standards with her experience developing city-specific standards under former New York City Chancellor Rudy Crew. Chin and three other new members are taking the reins at an uncertain moment. The Regents are searching for a new commissioner to run the state Education Department, while sweeping changes to state education laws are being mulled by the Legislature—policies that the Regents would be charged with implementing. She is also part of a reshuffling that reflects a larger power struggle over education policy at the state level. Also joining the board are Catherine Collins of Buffalo, and Beverly Ouderkirk of upstate New York, both of whom successfully challenged incumbents who supported Tisch’s policy stewardship. Last year, another Regent stepped down under similar circumstances. Chin replaces Geraldine Chapey, who resigned voluntarily last year. Judith Johnson of Westchester was appointed to replace Harry Phillips, who announced his plans to step down months ago when his term expires in April. (Two incumbent Regents from New York City, Kathleen Cashin and Lester Young, were reappointed last month.) There has been growing dissent surrounding the education policy changes enacted in recent years, most notably from the state teachers union. New teacher evaluation systems tied to test scores, adoption of the

GEOFF DECKER

By GEOFF DECKER from CHALKBEAT NEW YORK

Judith Chin, a new member of the Board of Regents, after being appointed by the state Legislature. Common Core learning standards and tougher preparation requirements for prospective teachers were all pushed with $700 million in Race to the Top funding over the last half-decade, and the polices have drawn fierce opposition. The Democrat-controlled Assembly has addressed that dissent through the Regents selection process, which it controls. “Do I see these replacements as a reaction to what people are hearing in their home district? Absolutely,” Tisch told reporters after the vote. “A lot is frustration. A lot is misinformation.” After her stint in East Harlem, Chin taught at a school in Crown Heights before becoming the principal of schools in Chinatown and Chelsea. More recently, she served as a superintendent and network leader under Joel Klein, helping to open one of Queens’ first small high schools in 2004, Flushing International High School. “She knew who those students were, she understood who English language learners were and she understood why a school like ours

would be so helpful to them,” said Claire Sylvan, of the Internationals Network for Public Schools, which includes Flushing International. And though Chin said she supported giving parents more school options, she is skeptical about whether charter schools are the answer. She questioned whether they were performing well enough, even though they aren’t “playing on the same fair playing field” as district schools. “I also wonder if charter schools are more towards gaining organizational profit off the backs of children and teachers,” she said in her interview. The New York State United Teachers, which has often sparred with King and Tisch over the years, called the new members an “opportunity for a fresh start and the Regents to begin rebuilding trust.” But Cashin, who is completing her first five-year term as Brooklyn Regent, wasn’t ready to say that the new members marked a sea change, yet. “I don’t know yet if this moment is going to really generate change,” said Cashin. “We’ll have to wait and see.” cit yandstateny.com

TOP SCHOOLS IN QUEENS

Queens Electrifies New York

In its rankings of public high schools in New York, U.S. News & World Report identified several in Queens. Here are the top five schools in the borough, according to the list, and how they rank statewide and nationally.

THE BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION 34-12 36th Ave. Long Island City, Queens No. 26 statewide No. 136 nationally

TOWNSEND HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL 149-11 Melbourne Ave. Flushing, Queens No. 5 statewide No. 40 nationally

HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARTS AND BUSINESS 105-25 Horace Harding Expressway N. Corona, Queens No. 59 statewide No. 585 nationally

Something all of these people have in common is a need for energy to power cars, homes, and businesses. Immigration to New York and Queens especially has resulted in the creation of thousands of new businesses that become the bedrock of their communities and the major employers of today and tomorrow.

THE SCHOLARS’ ACADEMY 320 Beach 104th St. Rockaway Park, Queens No. 65 statewide No. 673 nationally

To break this out, 14,246,792 MWh are produced in Queens of a total 140,338,223 MWh produced within NY State overall.

QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES AT YORK COLLEGE 94-50 159th St. Jamaica, Queens No. 8 statewide No. 57 nationally

Source: U.S. News & World Report

RECENT REGENTS

The New York State Board of Regents has 17 members. On March 10, the state Legislature elected seven members to the board. Their five-year term is effective April 1. Four of those elected were new. Three were incumbents. NEW MEMBERS Judith Johnson, former school superintendent in Westchester County Catherine Collins, SUNY Empire State College professor and former Buffalo school board member Beverly Ouderkirk, former Watertown-area superintendent and BOCES district superintendent at Genesee Valley in Western New York Judith Chin, former New York City administrator cit yandstateny.com

RE-ELECTED INCUMBENTS Kathleen Cashin, former superintendent of Brooklyn’s Community School District 23 and regional superintendent of Region 5 Roger Tilles, former chair of the Long Island University Board of Trustees, founder of the Long Island Arts Alliance Lester Young, former state Education Department associate commissioner and superintendent of Brooklyn’s Community School District 13

By Tom Grech

Queens County is where people from across the world come to meet, mingle, settle down and start a new life. It’s widely recognized as the most diverse county in the U.S., and it boasts neighborhoods, cuisines, and cultures that represent virtually every nation.

The borough is currently home to 53 different power generation facilities, responsible for 50% of New York City’s electricity supply and 10% of ALL the power produced within the State of New York.

That is certainly a heavy burden for one borough to carry on behalf of the other four, so it’s vital to the stability of the city and state’s energy infrastructure that facilities in Queens and neighboring communities remain online and in topnotch operating condition. Power companies have invested upgrades to keep the state’s energy priorities moving ahead and the grid functioning more efficiently. National Grid, for example, has designated $100 million to upgrade infrastructure in Queens over the coming few years and other power providers should follow suit. Just as importantly, the state must continue to support policies and initiatives that reward low-cost energy producers that support and supply the New York Metropolitan Region’s massive demand for clean and affordable electricity. This includes the New York Power Authority’s existing natural gas plants to the Indian Point Energy Center in neighboring Westchester, which help Queens and the downstate region reliably meet its energy and environmental mandates. Next to the production within Queens, Indian Point is the second largest electricity producer supplying another 25 % of the Big Apple’s total electricity demand.

New York City’s energy infrastructure must be strong, resilient, kept modern and efficient and as diverse as the communities it is responsible for powering. That’s the best way to ensure a clean and reliable energy future for all. Tom Grech is an energy industry professional and serves as Chairman of the Energy Committee for the Queens Chamber of Commerce, which is a member of New York AREA. SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

New York AREA’s membership includes some of the state’s most vital business, labor and community organizations including the New York State AFL-CIO, Business Council of New York State, Partnership for New York City, New York Building Congress, National Federation of Independent Business and many more.

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Queens Special Issue Queens 2015 Special Issue 2015

Queens Special Issue 2015

From Queens to the Queen City A Q&A WITH BYRON BROWN

B 24

uffalo Mayor Byron Brown grew up in Hollis, Queens, before he left for Buffalo State College, where his political career—which saw him go from the Common Council to the state Senate to the mayor’s office—began. The longtime Buffalo pol, now in his third term as mayor, has many fond memories of his home borough and visits often to catch up with family and friends, including former classmates from PS 134, Junior High School 109 and August Martin High School. And

he says that support from family and friends is what helps him stay focused on achieving his goals. Brown spoke with City & State Reporter Justin Sondel about how growing up in Queens influenced his life and career and how he continues to feel close to his neighborhood. City & State: What was the dynamic like in your neighborhood? Was it a close-knit community? Byron Brown: Queens is a wonderful, warm and welcoming community. I remember the feeling of extended

family in Queens in the neighborhood I grew up in, where we would go over to each other’s homes in the neighborhood and not only did your parents nurture you, but your friends’ parents nurtured you. We felt a responsibility growing up in Queens to do well and to support each other and to look out for each other and if you did something wrong not only would your parents correct you, but if a friend’s parents saw you doing something wrong in the neighborhood they would correct you. C&S: What are some of your

fondest memories of growing up in Queens? BB: I remember playing hide-andseek as a kid in Queens. I remember catching lightning bugs in a jar as a kid in Queens and at the end of the night when you’re ready to go into the house, releasing them so they could fly out. I remember playing stickball on the street in Queens and playing football on the street, playing handball in Queens. It seemed like there were so many more things that kids did back then that they don’t seem to do now. CS: Was there anything in your

city & state — April 30, 2015

The QueensWay The Trust for Public Land has worked to create close-to-home parks and green spaces in communities nationwide for more than 40 years. Today in New York City, we have a unique opportunity to transform an abandoned rail line into a vibrant new park-and-trail system. Running through the heart of Queens, the QueensWay will serve as a green oasis, bringing accessible open space to the 322,000 people who live within a mile. Thanks to financial support from the state and early private funders, a feasibility study and conceptual plan for the park—including environmental, economic, and engineering analyses— is now complete. To learn more about the QueensWay, please visit thequeensway.org.

tpl.org

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Queens Special Issue 2015

NANCY PARISI

upbringing in Queens that inspired you to get into politics, any particular politicians that you admired? BB: There was the United Block Association in the particular neighborhood that I was in, where members of the community banded together to help to improve their own community, to occasionally reach out to elected officials if they needed something. But for the most part, there didn’t seem to be a lot of calling of elected officials in the neighborhoods that I grew up in because people were active, they were involved in the lives of their children, they were engaged. One of the things I kind of learned out of the experience in Queens growing up was the importance of personal responsibility and the importance of community engagement and civic activity. Those lessons learned I carry with me in the roles that I have been fortunate to have as an elected representative.

CS: Is there anything you feel like you need to do whenever you go back to visit? BB: One of the things that I have to do when I go back to New York, and sometimes I regret it after I’ve done it, is eat White Castle hamburgers. Love the White Castle hamburgers. When I was a kid I probably used to eat 15 at a time. Now I try to limit that to about four at a time.

city & state — April 30, 2015

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown speaks at City & State’s NY-Canada Summit in October.

CS: Queens and Buffalo have many obvious differences, beginning, of course, with their populations. In what ways are the two communities

similar? BB: The neighborhoods in Buffalo reminded me a lot of some of the residential neighborhoods in Queens, and it kind of made me feel like this was home because there are similarities in the neighborhood fabric and the character of people. Queens has very hardworking people. It was a friendly neighborhood. Here in Buffalo, very hardworking, blue-collar, lowermiddle-income people. The people here in Buffalo, generally, are a little friendlier than where I grew up in New York City, but in my neighborhood in Queens there was great camaraderie and great warmth and Buffalo reminded me of that kind of feeling.

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Queens Special Issue 2015

Views of Queens What is the one thing that would make Queens better? 28

City & State posed that question to every elected official in the borough who serves in Congress, the state Legislature or the New York City Council.

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

The 27 officials who responded identified everything from spurring tourism and sprucing up the waterfront to perennial issues like parks, schools and affordable housing. Other proposals, such as relocating the United Nations from Manhattan to Queens, were more imaginative. And the most common concern, by far, was the need for better transportation options in the borough. Read on to see what each and every official would do to make Queens a better place.

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Queens Special Issue 2015

GREGORY MEEKS

KAREN KOSLOWITZ

U.S. Congressman

City Councilwoman

Democrat

DISTRICT

ne thing I have always believed would make Queens a better place is if the United Nations made its headquarters in Queens. After all, is there any community more like the U.N. than Queens?

DISTRICT

convention center in Queens would provide an economic engine that would make Queens an even more attractive place to live or have a business. Queens is rated the No. 1 tourist destination by Lonely Planet,

No other community in New York City or, for that matter, the United States can

and why not? We have the city’s only two airports, a casino, sand and surf, restaurants

match Queens in terms of ethnic diversity. Like the U.N., Queens residents hail

offering an unparalleled collection of cuisines at reasonable prices, the U.S. Tennis

from almost every nation in the world. Nearly every language finds a home in

Open, and the list goes on and on. Conventioneers will enjoy their visit immensely

Queens. And the same tolerance, understanding, respect for tradition and affection

while spending their dollars in Queens, supporting businesses and creating jobs.

for new perspectives that is woven into the fabric of the U.N. is also part of the Queens experience.

It is uncontroverted that the Javits Center is too small. Many conventions are lost to other cities because of this. While planners search in vain for a new location for a

I have reservations that the U.N.’s presence in Queens could cause some minor

larger convention center in Manhattan, Queens is ready to build. Conventioneers

traffic congestion, but Queens’ exotic foods, rich culture and unique customs and

who now bypass New York will come to Queens and spend their dollars, not only in

traditions are like no other in the world. And there is no better home for the U.N.

Queens, but in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island as well.

city & state — April 30, 2015

than right across the East River in Queens.

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Queens Special Issue 2015

JOSEPH CROWLEY

MICHAEL GIANARIS State Senator

U.S. Congressman Democrat

Democrat

DISTRICT

uieter Skies. It’s no longer a secret that Queens is one the top destinations in the

country. The history and diversity of our borough has so much to offer to

travelers—and increasing tourism is one of the most effective tools we have to spur job

DISTRICT

ueens is growing every day as a destination to live, work and play, and I could not be prouder of my lifelong home borough. Our lack of adequate public transportation, however, is holding us back from blossoming into

the best community we can be.

growth and boost our local economy. Unfortunately, while living near two of the nation’s

Our subway cars are packed to the brim every morning, the 7 train is shut down

busiest airports has its advantages, for many Queens residents the effects of excessive

for too many weekends each year and is consistently unreliable, and our buses don’t

aircraft noise and emissions are damaging. I’ve always said that John F. Kennedy and

do enough to connect neighborhoods without train service. This discourages people

LaGuardia airports will never be perfect neighbors, but we can try to make them better.

from truly enjoying all that Queens has to offer, and wastes the tremendous potential

During my time in Congress, curbing aircraft noise pollution has been one of my top

of our borough.

priorities. I authored the Silent Skies Act, legislation that will require the Federal

Though some people who do not live here may be surprised to see Queens atop

Aviation Administration to issue regulations requiring commercial airplanes to meet

lists of nationwide tourist destinations, it is no surprise to those of us who understand

Stage 4 noise standards, which is a significantly lower decibel level than those currently

just how much Queens has to offer. Nowhere is our incredible diversity better

in use. I’ve also co-founded the Quiet Skies Caucus, which will raise awareness on the

reflected than in our restaurants from every corner of the globe. We have some of

issue as we work to find meaningful solutions to the problem.

the most beautiful parks in New York City, and our cultural attractions have plenty

The good news is that the Port Authority is conducting a study on the impact of

for lovers of the arts. People want to live here because our tightly knit communities,

aircraft noise on our communities, which will provide the information we need to help

strong schools and safe streets offer amazing places to raise families. The problem

those whose lives are disrupted by the roar of airplanes. I applaud Gov. Andrew Cuomo

with this ever-expanding love of Queens is that our existing infrastructure cannot

for his role in making this study a reality and for his effort in modernizing an aging

handle the pressure that comes along with this exciting growth.

LaGuardia Airport. Our first-rate city requires an equally first-rate airport to welcome

Queens has the restaurants, parks, museums, schools and the people to make

visitors, and Queens residents who live near LaGuardia deserve to share their

living, working or visiting here a dream. We just don’t have the transportation system

neighborhood with a better-looking and better-equipped landmark.

to match, and I will never stop fighting to solve that problem.

Queens is the gateway to the greatest city on earth but we need to protect the health and quality of life of our local residents by ensuring quieter skies.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

Queens Special Issue 2015

JAMES SANDERS JR.

LEROY COMRIE

State Senator

State Senator Democrate

Democrat

DISTRICT

ransportation, namely, bus and train service, must be improved throughout my district. More specifically, however, the Rockaways, which is still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy and is isolated due to its geography, could

benefit from the reinstatement of the former Rockaway Ferry service, which was

city & state — April 30, 2015

discontinued at the end of October.

e need better transportation infrastructure for locals and visitors alike. Improved roadways and public transportation will position Queens as not only a place of residence, but a destination for work and play. Thousands

come to New York through our airports, and better infrastructure will ensure Queens is the place they spend their visit.

Ferry transportation is vital because it connects the entire peninsula to the rest of

I’m eager to improve options for those who live in transportation deserts or commute

the five boroughs, allowing residents to have access to jobs and other services. It also

between distinct Queens neighborhoods. Select Bus Service promises to cut commutes

provides new opportunities for economic development, affordable housing and

for 68,000 riders between Jamaica and Flushing’s commercial hubs. Traveling the

tourism here in our community.

12 miles from Jamaica to midtown Manhattan takes your average straphanger

While Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that the East River Ferry will be

27 minutes, while a commute totaling half that distance to Flushing Main Street takes

expanded in 2017 and will have one stop in the Rockaways, that’s too far away. We

over 40. Bus rapid transit benefits communities by reducing travel time and air pollution,

need something now. Rockaway residents deserve equal access to transportation just

improving traffic safety and increasing physical activity of passengers. We must invest

like everyone else living in this city. Since the ferry service ended, commuters have

in these services to improve the economic and social well-being of our communities.

been plagued by lengthy travel times to school, work and doctor appointments.

Our roads are also in need of a major repaving. In New York City last month, one-

With the closure of Peninsula Hospital, increased access to health care via public

third of the complaints 311 received of poor highway and road conditions were made by

transportation is all the more necessary.

Queens callers—the most of any borough—who pay on average an extra $694 in vehicle

Many senior citizens who could not travel by train or bus enjoyed riding the ferry,

maintenance costs every year due to rough roads. In southeast Queens, there are

because it gave them a chance to get out of the house, enjoy the fresh air and interact

roads that are literally sinking into Jamaica Bay, and time spent idling on deteriorating

with other people. It brought visitors back to the beach. Ferry passengers could often

highways like the Van Wyck Expressway costs local businesses millions of dollars in shipping

be seen carrying surfboards. Patrons could once again shop at local businesses

delays. Although the Department of Transportation has made efforts to expedite roadwork,

that had been financially devastated after Superstorm Sandy. Ferry service in the

more needs to be done.

Rockaways is essential to the economic resilience of the city and the peninsula, and it should be brought back as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, such problems are not unique to Queens; our state—and nation—are suffering from a crisis in infrastructure investment, and unless we act quickly to ease the costs and headaches it creates, we will lose our competitive edge.

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

NILY ROZIC

PHILLIP GOLDFEDER

Assemblywoman Assemblyman Democrat

Democrat

DISTRICT

we must invest in a public transit infrastructure that improves transit options for

That’s why we need to be proactive and work to improve public transportation so that we

every Queens community. Queens remains one of the most underserved boroughs

can accommodate this influx of people in the coming years. I believe the solution is to

and severely lacks mass transit that reduces commute times and overcrowding, and

reactivate the Rockaway Beach Rail Line, which until 1962 ran between the Rockaway

improves pedestrian and driver safety.

Peninsula and Rego Park. A world-class destination like Queens deserves world-class

o many of us, Queens has long been known for its vibrant communities, highperforming schools, expansive parkland, international cuisines, and the struggling Mets, loved by all.

However, Queens’ revitalization ultimately hinges on one critical investment. If we

want local residents and tourists to take advantage of all that the borough has to offer,

wo words: public transportation. Here in Queens we have some of the most

vibrant and diverse communities in the entire city. I was born and raised here and now I’m proud that my wife and I are raising our two young children in the same

neighborhood where I grew up. As more people come to visit the borough and decide to live and work here, they’re going to need ways to move about safely and efficiently.

This inequity is felt on crawling 7 trains, and even more acutely in my district, which not

transportation options and the Rockaway Beach Rail Line is the best and most cost-

so proudly boasts a dearth of subway or LIRR stations (we have none). Constituents from

effective way to achieve this. As a recent study by Queens College has shown, a majority

Flushing to Douglaston are reminded daily of the important role transit plays in their lives.

of families in the borough support reactivating the line, which could provide for up to

Since drastic cuts in 2010, fares have continually increased while the commuter

500,000 subway trips per day. Also, elected officials from across the city, as well as the

experience has declined. We know that improvements would do more than just make

Transit Workers Union, all support reactivation. By reactivating the line and increasing

service more efficient and dependable. Getting public transportation right can make

transit options for our families, we can ease the burden on existing transit, reduce traffic

a real difference to people’s everyday lives, increase access to jobs, and help local

congestion and help spur growth and economic activity. This would help make our great

businesses attract employees and customers.

borough even better.

This is the investment needed to significantly impact New Yorkers. Fortunately some progress is underway with at least two planned Select Bus Service routes along major Queens corridors, and a northeast Queens bus study is in the works. These neighborhoods. Queens has been a transit desert for far too long and I look forward to the collaborative work ahead to transform our transit system into one that keeps our city connected and benefits us all.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

projects will go a long way in filling the tremendous service gap felt in our

Queens Special Issue 2015

MICHAEL DENDEKKER

PETER KOO City Councilman

Assemblyman Democrat

Democrat

DISTRICT

hat Queens needs is more extensive underground public transportation. Very few subway lines run though Queens, and the ones that do all run through the center of the borough. The existing subway lines don’t go

east of Jamaica (on the E or F) or Flushing (on the 7), and there is virtually no northsouth transportation via subway. Queens residents, particularly those in eastern,

DISTRICT

believe that improving transportation should be of the utmost priority for Queens. Our borough is home to New York City’s two major airports and we are often the first borough that tourists experience once they enter the city. Many

people living in the tri-state area travel here to fulfill their educational, shopping and medical needs, and Queens’ rise in popularity means that more people are moving

northern or southern Queens, need to be able to more easily travel within the

in, opening their businesses here, and visiting. However, our current transportation

borough, as well as have access to other parts of the city. Investing in new subway

infrastructure cannot support this ongoing expansion.

lines in Queens would make public transportation more inclusive, ease the burden on our busy roadways, and improve the quality of life for many Queens residents.

My district is a prime example of the need for improved and upgraded infrastructure. Downtown Flushing, in particular, is a transportation hub for northeast Queens. We have a terminus for the 7 train, multiple stops on the thirdbusiest line in the LIRR system, 21 bus lines, and are a short ride away from LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports. Furthermore, a 2012 report by the state comptroller named Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue the third-busiest intersection in the city. An inordinate number of people pass through downtown Flushing every day, and yet the demand we face significantly exceeds the capacity of the resources we have. We don’t have enough trains, buses, station amenities and bus depots. For Northeast Queens, the 7 train is the only subway line available, and it needs significant improvement and work. Many stations are obsolete, and there is demand for more frequent and reliable service. The Flushing-Main Street LIRR station is still not Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, and my constituents and I remain concerned about its age and inaccessibility. Our roads lack capacity and, despite our

city & state — April 30, 2015

best efforts, their conditions remain deplorable. Improving transportation across the borough will improve the quality of life for our current and future residents, give visitors a positive first impression of our city, benefit our local economy, and further add to our reputation as the best city in the world.

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

JIMMY VAN BRAMER

DONOVAN RICHARDS

City Councilman

Democrat

DISTRICT

riders nearly every day. Train platforms are constantly overcrowded, and persistent

service disruptions prevent riders from getting to their destinations on time. As

growing influx of new residents. I have been heavily involved in pushing the MTA

the population of our borough grows the city and state must significantly invest in

and the Department of Transportation to implement Select Bus Transit (our version

expanding existing transportation options and building better infrastructure that will

of bus rapid transit) along Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards. The Woodhaven/

support Queens residents. We can do this by looking at several innovative plans:

Cross Bay is the main transportation corridor for tens of thousands of commuters

• Fix the 7 train!

from Elmhurst to the Rockaway Peninsula who rely on public transportation. For

• Expand the Citi Bike program throughout Queens and add more dedicated cycling

almost a year I have advocated on behalf of these 30,000 commuters, particularly

lanes to complement the existing network that continues to grow citywide.

those living on the peninsula who rely on the Q52 bus, to fully fund and implement

o make Queens better we must have more reliable and strategically placed innovative public transit options. Each day millions of riders in the borough use our city’s subway system. The 7 train—a lifeline here in the borough—fails

ueens is an amazing borough that has a lot to offer but access to public transportation is uneven and commutes are often lengthy. While our

borough has one of the fastest-growing populations in New York City, we

will need to provide the transportation infrastructure to absorb and move the

Select Bus Transit along the boulevard. I am more than pleased that our efforts have yielded results, and last month a $200 million design concept was selected by the

Manhattan.

Department of Transportation. This design will include: faster and more reliable

• Establish Select Bus Service and expand Bus Rapid Transit routes along major

bus service with the installation of main road bus lanes and “bus bulbs” to prevent

corridors throughout the borough to help alleviate many of the strains on our

drivers from pulling over to stop; sheltered waiting areas with seating and real-time

overpopulated subway stations.

information; green pedestrian medians to promote safety via shortened distances

• Create new LIRR stations in strategic locations to help alleviate the overcrowded

and improved streetscapes; and a revised boulevard design to separate local and thru

subway lines.

traffic. There are a number of other ways to address the transportation issues facing

• Construct a bicycle and pedestrian bridge from Long Island City to Midtown.

our borough but this is an important one that will make a considerable difference.

city & state — April 30, 2015

• Establish additional ferry docks boroughwide, including more stops along the East River to help provide the growing communities of western Queens direct access to

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

MICHAEL MILLER

JULISSA FERRERAS

Assemblyman

City Councilwoman

Democrat

DISTRICT

would strengthen Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero goal of lowering pedestrian

fatalities. When all traffic is stopped, crossing the street is safer. This has been one of

but an easier route to and from LaGuardia Airport would be particularly valuable.

n my opinion, one thing that would make Queens better is dedicated crossing times for pedestrians. Queens is a borough that has countless thoroughfares that are dangerous for pedestrians to cross. If we allow dedicated crossing times, this

my main objectives for many years and I have requested that it be included in Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative.

ueens has New York City’s only two airports, one of which is in my district, LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst. The borough and the entire city would greatly benefit from improvements to its transportation systems

including timely trains, better access to busses, smoother roads and more bike lanes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo this year revealed a preliminary plan to build an AirTrain from the Willets Point train station, also in my district, to LaGuardia Airport. And while the plan needs improvement, I believe it is worthy of serious consideration and could even be taken further to create a 24/7 transit hub that connects to the MTA trains and busses. Presently, the 7 line is infamous for its enormous crowds and poor service, and the residential area around LaGuardia Airport is burdened with parking congestion because travelers and airport employees, who work round-the-clock shifts, have few alternatives for reaching the airport. An AirTrain and junction at Willets Point, done right, have the potential to alleviate overcrowding on the 7 train, provide a speedy and dependable route to LaGuardia Airport and open Flushing Meadows Corona Park to all New York City residents and visitors.

city & state — April 30, 2015

In addition, I have spent years negotiating the future of Willets Point to ensure it becomes a residential and commercial neighborhood that thrives. Furnishing it with a mass transit hub would go a long way to meet the needs of residents, airport employees, business owners and visitors.

cit yandstateny.com

A CLEANER, GREENER NEW YORK CITY Thanks to the New York City Council, The Doe Fund’s “men in blue” clean and beautify over 170 miles of streets, sidewalks, and parks each day, all while rebuilding their lives and the lives of their families. And that means a cleaner, greener, stronger New York for all of us.

Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

JOSEPH ADDABBO JR.

CONSTANTINIDES

State Senator

City Councilman

Democrat

COSTA

DISTRICT

ueens is one of the greatest counties on the planet. Its people and diversity make it unlike any other and I’m proud to be a part of that. However, we still have things to improve upon, such as public transportation. I represent a

district that suffers when it comes to transit—whether that be gridlock traffic on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards, or the complete lack of reliable public transportation options in the Rockaways. The Department of Transportation’s plan for Select Bus Service along Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards is good in theory, however I see some flaws with their proposal.

DISTRICT

ur waterfront is our next frontier and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to extend ferry service across the waterfront will greatly benefit Queens and our city. Making an additional mode of public transportation available at the

same price as a subway ride will increase transit equity, encourage environmentally friendly behavior and make our city more interconnected. We are a city surrounded by water and we need to take advantage of the water’s resources, especially as we work to reach our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050.

It seeks to remove an entire traffic lane and could inadvertently put pedestrians in harm’s way. Rush-hour traffic would suffer significantly with one less lane and pedestrians— including school children, seniors and parents with strollers—are put at risk with essentially four active roadways to cross, one at each median. I hope to work with the DOT to amend this proposal so we can accommodate everyone on the road and lessen the traffic congestion, not burden everyone even more. Farther south in my district, the Rockaways struggle with isolation from the rest of the borough. The ferry service helped ease this issue, with a reliable connection to Brooklyn and Manhattan. However, now that it was taken away, we are back to square one. The mayor promises a full, citywide ferry operation by 2017, but we need a service now. I recently proposed the underutilized Coast Guard dock at Fort Tilden. If that were our commercial strips and beaches and our residents to the bustling Manhattan.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

up and running, it could serve as a temporary summertime solution to bring tourists to

Queens Special Issue 2015

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cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

CAROLYN MALONEY

ARAVELL A SIMOTAS

U.S. Congresswoman

Assemblywoman

Democrat

DISTRICT

they can relax, enjoy fresh air and sunshine, and where children can play. I have already

of the energy used in New York City. Queens also contains an extensive transportation

worked to expand and improve green space.

network that includes the Long Island Expressway, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway,

reen spaces are so important for any community, especially in an urban setting like Queens. It can be very easy to feel disconnected from the natural world in New York. Parks allow us to get in touch with a different part of our souls, a

softer side. While there are some wonderful parks in our community, as new development brings more residents, we need more parks and playgrounds. People need spaces where

With more than $19 million in federal funding, we were able to create Dutch Kills Green in Queens Plaza. Traffic patterns were adjusted to decrease congestion and better

ueens is fast becoming New York City’s most dynamic and desired borough. Despite the many diverse communities and exciting attractions that make Queens great, air pollution is an obstacle to the health of our

residents and our continued growth. This is not a new problem; the power plants in Northwestern Queens generate most

the Grand Central Parkway, two bridges, a tunnel to Manhattan, and two airports, along with hundreds of miles of arterial and local roads.

serve the community, and there is now a 1 1/2-acre park with beautiful plants and a bike

Astoria has long been known as Asthma Alley. The rates of respiratory illness,

path. I am also proud of having created a task force that pushed the city to repair the

especially among our youth, are persistently higher in Queens than in other

crumbling seawall near Queensbridge Park. The city restored access to the waterfront,

boroughs. Addressing this disparity is crucial to the health of our residents and the

built a new fishing pier and created new seating and plantings. Families can have picnics,

continued success of our borough. To continue Queens’ rise, we must shut down the

fishermen can fish and everyone is able to enjoy the stunning views. Queens deserves

worst polluters and repower the old pre-Clean Air Act facilities to ensure cleaner,

to have more parks like Dutch Kills Green and Queensbridge, more spaces for people to

cheaper and more reliable energy.

engage with one another and come together as one community, one Queens.

Few things are more important to our well-being than clean air. As Northwestern we fail to invest in these measures, we jeopardize the future of Queens and the 2.3 million people who call our borough home.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

Queens attracts more residents and businesses, our energy needs will only grow. If

Queens Special Issue 2015

DAVID WEPRIN

TOBY ANN STAVISKY

Assemblyman

State Senator

Democrat

DISTRICT

neighborhood. In short, this is truly the “World’s Borough” that we all came to love

and cherish. And I feel incredibly lucky to have been representing a part of this

from all over the world want to come and live in Queens because there is so much

magnificent city in Albany for these past five years as an assemblyman.

opportunity here. According to the most recent census, just under half of the

his is Queens. It is a wondrous world where one can experience more than 135 spoken languages, and meet residents and travelers from more than 120 different countries around the world—all without having to leave your own

Yet, even though Queens has been an amazing home for me and my family, there

city & state — April 30, 2015

DISTRICT

ueens is a fantastic place to live, work and grow. One of the greatest assets of our dynamic borough is our incredible diversity. From dosas in Jackson Heights to dim sum in Flushing and borscht in Rego Park, I am

proud to represent one of the most diverse Senate districts in the state. People

population of Queens is foreign-born.

are still so many others around us who are much less fortunate than we are—

That’s why I think the most important issue facing our borough is how we adapt to

struggling every day to put food on the table, suffering due to the lack of available

our fast-growing population. We must keep Queens a great place to start a business

low- and middle-income housing options, or having to constantly battle the ever-

and to raise a family. To do so, we must improve our infrastructure—including public

rising cost of living in the face of stagnant wages. Serious language barriers among

transit, schools and housing—so that we have the resources to support a fast-growing

the residents of various backgrounds have also been highly problematic for our

population.

borough’s long-term well-being. Oftentimes, due to miscommunication and cultural

The diversity of our borough also demands more recognition from state and local

differences, many have been unable to report even the most basic, dire community

governments of different cultures. That is why I have been an ardent advocate for

needs. And that is the unfortunate reality in our borough today. If there is one thing

translating important government forms into more languages. This includes

that would make Queens better, it would be to implement systemwide availability of

everything from ballots to the individualized education plan for students with

indispensable government resources in all major languages used in New York City.

disabilities to making state websites available in foreign languages.

Think of all the benefits of having these translated services, which can easily be

Queens is the World’s Borough and I believe we must make the improvements so

outsourced to the many New York City-based community organizations for input

that everyone—no matter where in the world they are originally from—can truly call

and reference at a fraction of the cost the city has been paying. In this World’s

Queens home.

Borough, everyone, regardless of background and language preference, should be able to communicate clearly and directly with their local representatives so that they may receive the assistance they need and deserve.

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

CATHERINE NOL AN

RON KIM

Assemblywoman

Assemblyman

Democrat

DISTRICT

ueens has so much to offer to those who live and work here. As the borough continues to attract more families, we must plan to provide a healthy school environment for all of our residents. As chairwoman of the

state Assembly Education Committee, I have fought for an increase in state funding so that our great city can build additional schools. In the last 10 years, many new schools have been built, increasing the number of seats for our students. We have much more work to do in reducing the number of overcrowded schools. We must also continue to reduce the number of students who take classes in trailers. We need to create a healthy environment so teachers can teach and students

DISTRICT

e need more affordable housing, particularly for seniors. In my office,

we see up to 75 people a day, and most of them come to apply for affordable housing. Too many hardworking families are getting priced

out of their neighborhoods. Too many seniors in my district live like sardines with up to seven roommates in a one-bedroom apartment. Too many families are waiting to get into city Housing Authority apartments. As a member of the housing committee, I look forward to working with our new speaker, as well as our colleagues in city government, to provide more housing options for our constituents in Queens.

can learn. The educational bond act and the New York City Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital plan will seek to eliminate the use of trailers in the near future. I have worked for many years to hold the city accountable on many of these issues. More work needs to be done and I look forward to advocating for all of our city students so they can continue to receive a sound, basic education and be ready for

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

the workforce.

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Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

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Queens Special Issue 2015

JOSE PERALTA

MARK WEPRIN

State Senator

City Councilman

Democrat

DISTRICT

s the most diverse county in the country and most likely the most ethnically diverse area of the world, work must be done to transform Queens from just being a landing spot for millions of tourists as they arrive

in LaGuardia Airport (which is in my district) and John F. Kennedy Airport, into a world-class destination. Promoting tourism in our effervescent melting pot would

DISTRICT

wish more people knew how great of a place Queens is to visit, so I was thrilled that Lonely Plant listed Queens as a top tourist destination. For one, Queens has

so many family-owned restaurants. You might find a lot of restaurant chains in

the rest of the world, but Queens is unique in that there is a rich variety of places to dine. You can find authentic cuisine from all corners of the world in Queens.

go toward the betterment of Queens. We must promote our borough as a prime

Queens also boasts so many tourist attractions—the Botanical Gardens, the Queens

location to visit for tourists and business travelers.

Museum and the Louis Armstrong House Museum, to name a few.

Manhattan has the Empire State Building, Central Park and Madison Square Garden, but we have Citi Field, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, MoMA PS 1 and the National Tennis Center. We have optimal conditions to get a bigger piece of the tourism pie. To attract visitors, improvements have to be made. We seriously need to build better public transportation between the airports and our main attractions, and we must provide access to affordable housing for our working class. Only then will Queens blossom to its untapped potential. When visitors arrive in Queens, we must do a better job advertising the borough’s secrets. We should install state-of-the-art kiosks and booths at our airports promoting Queens, offering travelers videos and materials marketing our hidden gems. In a few minutes, visitors would learn about our best spots, making the borough a top destination. To improve Queens as a whole, I have introduced legislation calling to provide each borough with a portion of the Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue. The bill would allocate five boroughs. With this, Queens would get its fair share of the promotional dollars, approximately $300,000. With better promotion of our borough, all our neighborhoods, among them Jackson Heights, Corona, Jamaica, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria and Flushing, and our quality of life would improve.

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city & state — April 30, 2015

a little more than $1 million in tax revenue a year to promote local tourism across all

Queens Special Issue 2015

JEFFRION AUBRY

GRACE MENG

Assemblyman

Congresswoman

Democrat

DISTRICT

ueens County, home to 2.7 million people and geographically the largest borough, is widely diverse ethnically and home to two New York City airports. This thriving middle-income working-class borough has for

years suffered from city administrations that have promoted policies that serve the central business district with its abundance of public transportation options.

DISTRICT

here are so many important matters affecting Queens residents. But I would say that there is always room to improve quality-of-life issues here in the borough. Things like mitigating the increased airplane noise, greater

access to health care—particularly emergency rooms—ensuring access to affordable housing, and increasing assistance to small businesses. Queens can also benefit from

Since the centralizing of power in the mayor’s office and the demise of the Board of

upgrades to our infrastructure—maintaining and improving our roads and bridges—

Estimate, Queens has been in a defensive position on zoning, economic development,

and more efficient mass transit such as upgrading and expanding train and bus

transportation and infrastructure improvements.

service, and moving forward with the AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport.

Central city and areas adjacent to it get lots of attention, but areas in the borough

Here in Queens, we are fortunate to enjoy a great quality of life with outstanding

that are less dense residential communities and are geographically distant struggle to

neighborhoods, terrific open space and close proximity to Manhattan and other

shape policies that promote their growth and development. The importance of

areas. But we can always build upon the things that make Queens the exceptional

central city is undeniable; however, the prosperity and health of the boroughs as

place it is, so that our borough is the best that it can be.

places to live and grow families are integral to the livability of the city as a whole. Solving this dilemma requires empowering borough presidents and strengthening borough commissioners who define policies that promote borough health and sustainability. Powerful mayors serve to create compelling visions for the future of the city and the capacity to fulfill those visions—but the aura of the Big Apple cannot be allowed to ignore the tree upon which that apple grows and its four boughs, Queens,

city & state — April 30, 2015

Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island.

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

magine for a moment that you’re an immigrant living in Queens. Your knowledge of English is limited. You don’t know where to find work, so you seek out the assistance of a local employment agency. They charge you an upfront fee and send you to a laundromat. Upon your arrival, the owner informs you that they’re not looking for new employees. You return to the

employment agency to retrieve your advance fee, but they refuse to return it to you. At the end of the day, you’re down $125 and still unemployed. That’s what happened to Rosa Pauta of Queens. Her story is, unfortunately, not unique. Hundreds like Rosa fall victim to New York’s predatory employment agencies every year. This problem is especially prevalent in Queens. Between 2010 and 2012, the Department of Consumer Affairs received 746 complaints about employment agencies from Queens residents alone. That number doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface, however, as the vast majority of individuals who encounter employment agency misconduct don’t file a complaint. Every day, such predatory employment agencies operate with impunity—demanding payment for nonexistent job placements, charging exorbitant fees, and referring workers to jobs that pay below the minimum wage.

FRANCISCO MOYA

Unfortunately, our laws are set up to enable this type of behavior. Job seekers can only be charged a fee after being placed in a job … that is, unless you’re a low-wage worker, specifically. My Justice for Job Seekers bill would crack down on this behavior by increasing the penalty for violating employment agency laws, ensuring that low-wage workers are only required to pay a fee after being placed in a job, and allowing victims to bring civil actions against bad actors. There will always be scam artists who will seek to prey on our most vulnerable. But our laws should be

Assemblyman

part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Democrat

DISTRICT

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city & state — April 30, 2015

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Queens Special Issue 2015

The Chocolate Factory Theater is at the forefront of the arts movement in Long Island City, but it has struggled to endure as nearby developments drive up the cost of rent.

The Cost of Culture Rising rent threatens Long Island City’s vibrant arts community

city & state — April 30, 2015

bout seven years ago, the founders of The Chocolate Factory Theater considered the time, money and resources they had been investing in the performing arts incubator in Long Island City—along with the rising cost of rent—and tried to figure out what the future will look like. “Do we close, do we stay open?” said Sheila Lewandowski, co-founder and executive director of the organization. “Where does (The Chocolate Factory Theater) fit into the whole ecosystem?” After gathering feedback from artists and arts organizations in Queens, as well as neighbors and businesses in Long Island City, the theater decided to make a commitment, remain open and stay true to its mission

as an incubator. “This is where our relationships are—we work with and for our community,” Lewandowski said. “We are trying to establish a permanent home here.” Some in Long Island City’s arts community say it is becoming increasingly difficult to flourish in the neighborhood as more and more developers move in, driving up the cost of rent for studio spaces and housing. But artists and cultural organizations keep moving into Queens—bringing innovative projects to Ridgewood, Astoria, Sunnyside and other neighborhoods—and there is an overall sense that the attention and development have been good for the borough, despite the challenges. “I see the community really growing and maturing,” said Lynn

Lobell, grant and resource manager at the Queens Council on the Arts, a nonprofit that provides funding to artists and arts organizations. “The organizations that now come to us, as opposed to 16 years ago, they’re a little bit better developed … they’re moving into Queens and understanding there is an audience for them in Queens.” At the same time, Lobell said the borough has in recent years seen a number of cultural organizations emerge in immigrant communities— among them the music and dance organization Ayazamana Ecuadorian Cultural Center as well as Mexican and South Asian groups. Although most of these grass-roots groups have yet to expand beyond their immediate neighborhoods, Lobell said Queens— home to speakers of about 140 different languages—is beginning to

see “a melding of many people in the community.” The borough’s diversity of cuisine and cultural offerings was recently recognized by Lonely Planet, which ranked Queens the No. 1 destination in the country in its 2015 travel guide, naming the Queens Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image and the Emerging Artists Festival among the attractions that contribute to its “world-class art scene.” “It’s rapidly growing, changing by the day, and artists are contributing in a very profound way to this excitement about Queens,” said City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who chairs the city’s Committee on Cultural Affairs. Van Bramer said lawmakers are working on a number of initiatives to support artists across the city. The City Council is also working cit yandstateny.com

IAN DOUGLAS

By ALICE POPOVICI

Queens Special Issue 2015

on New York City’s first comprehensive cultural plan. Van Bramer said the legislation, which he hopes will be adopted by the end of June, will address the art community’s concerns regarding affordability of housing and studio spaces, among other points. “The administration and myself are very much in agreement on the need to get affordable live-work space,” Van Bramer said. “There can’t really be a cultural conversation or policy or legislation which doesn’t speak to this issue, which is really fundamental.” The rising cost of rent is a concern for staff at the Flux Factory, a residential program in Long Island City that hosts about 30 artists per year in a building on 29th Street. “We’re in a changing neighborhood and we’re renters,” said Nat Roe, the organization’s executive cit yandstateny.com

director. “It’s both exciting to see how much the neighborhood is changing, but we definitely wonder how we fit in to all of these changes.” When Carina Kaufman, Flux Factory’s residency director, raised these issues during a recent town hall meeting in Long Island City, she said the advice from cultural affairs officials was to try to buy a permanent space rather than rent. “Things are particularly tenuous for organizations that don’t own,” she said. Kenny Greenberg, an artist and manufacturer who brought his neon art shop to Long Island City in 1981, said he was aware of plans for development even before the transformation along the waterfront began in the early ’90s. “There were definitely a group of us that were concerned about the scale

of the plans,” Greenberg said. He said he would like to see more mixed-use scenarios that would foster diversity by enabling artists and manufacturers to remain in their neighborhoods alongside new development. Greenberg said he applauds the administration’s plan to build 1,500 affordable housing units and 500 studio spaces within the next 10 years. “I’m losing the community of friends and collaborators,” Greenberg said of the effect of rising rent costs on the artist and smallmanufacturer community. “There’re a lot of reasons to sustain the art community … it is economic justice.” But Mary Ceruti, executive director and chief curator of SculptureCenter in Long Island City, said the administration is already

helping the art community “dig in and put down roots”—including her own organization. In October, SculptureCenter completed a new entrance, lobby and exhibit space with funding provided by the city and matched by private grants. The neighborhood has seen a big transformation since SculptureCenter moved into its building on Purves Street in 2001, when the industrial neighborhood was mostly made up of two-story car garages, Ceruti said. In recent years, as residential towers rose around SculptureCenter, the neighborhood became more expensive—but Ceruti said the apartment complexes have driven a new audience to the organization’s doorstep. “For us, the neighborhood is getting better,” she said.

city & state — April 30, 2015

KENNY GREENBERG

Kenny Greenberg has been fashioning neon works of art in his Long Island City workshop for decades. He agrees that rising costs have been pushing friends and colleagues out of the neighborhood in recent years.

Queens Special Issue 2015

ity & State would like to congratulate our 2015 Albany Power 100 on making the cut! Hundreds gathered for our Albany Power 100 issue launch party at Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oyster House in downtown Albany to celebrate the political and business elite in the capital. A special thank you to our sponsors the Scaffold Safety Coalition. See you next year!

Heather Briccetti, The Business Council of New York State

Stephen Madarasz, CSEA; Susan Kent, Public Employees Federation; Barbara Ulmer, Public Employees

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

Federation

Assemblyman James Skoufis; Dan Katz, The Parkside Group

Karen Magee, NYSUT

Sen. Joseph Robach; Michael J. McGuire, MTDCPAC

Cassandra Anderson, New York Insurance Association

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

Queens

Power Brokers A number of elected officials from Queens landed on City & State’s Power 100 lists in 2015. Check out who made the cut in New York City and Albany this year.

JOSEPH CROWLEY Congressman

FRANCISCO MOYA Assemblyman

JIMMY VAN BRAMER New York City Councilman

cit yandstateny.com

JULISSA FERRERAS New York City Councilwoman

NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ Congresswoman

city & state — April 30, 2015

Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

city & state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 30, 2015

cit yandstateny.com

Queens Special Issue 2015

From Civics to ‘Cinderella’ A Q&A WITH FRAN DRESCHER

Q 54

ueens native Fran Drescher, best known for her starring role in the 1990s television sitcom “The Nanny,” grew up in a family where political discussions were common around the dinner table. But while the actress and women’s health advocate once aspired to enter politics herself, she now says she is “exhausted” by the election cycle. In an interview with Alice Popovici, a freelance reporter for City & State, Drescher—who was on her way to perform in “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”—talks about politics, her current role and the unique accent that has become her trademark. The following is an edited transcript.

city & state — April 30, 2015

City & State: Hillary Clinton just announced she’s running for president and you supported her in 2008. Do you still support her? Are you excited for the race? Fran Drescher: Since that last election I’ve thought about things through a different lens. I like Hillary and I think, on a domestic level, she would be maybe more engaged in things that concerned women and girls, for example. But on a global level I think that all of these politicians are in servitude to the military-academicindustrial triangle. As long as war is profitable there will never be peace, and as long as sickness is profitable there will never be cures, and as long as incarceration is profitable there will always be crime. So I’d like to see a politician step up to the plate and actually say why things never change, and this is why. C&S: You have also talked about wanting to be a U.S. senator. Is that still a goal you want to pursue? Would you consider running for any other office? FD: You know the interesting thing is, my district (Congressman Henry Waxman of California) stepped down.

I could have run for his seat. Now, my state senator is stepping down— (Barbara) Boxer—and I could, if I wanted to, pursue that. But I’m on the fence, because right now I feel exhausted by all the bullshit, and I’m not sure it’s the best path to change. It’s a very broken system—they spend three-quarters of their time raising money for their next election. They are very clever, and every election there’s a new hot topic designed to divide the nation. C&S: Is there a hot topic you’ve picked up on this election cycle? FD: Every election there is always one, whether it be gay marriage, or this one will possibly be the immigration issue—as if that’s the real problem. Let’s blame it on the poor immigrants for why there are so many people out of work in this nation. But that’s not why. And the poor people that are out of work, it’s hard for them to see how manipulated things are, because it’s hard to see the frame when you’re in the picture. C&S: How did growing up in Queens in the ’70s shape your political beliefs, and when did you become interested in politics? FD: My dad and I always liked to debate at the dinner table about politics, political events, world events, current events, news. So there was that in my house growing up. I was born into a family of Democrats and working people, and I fell very much in line with all that goes with that—not that that’s a bad thing. But in recent years, very recent years, I feel that I’ve awakened to an umbrella that overshadows it all. And I feel like these elected officials are middle management beholden to very powerful mega-industries. C&S: You are known for your accent—how would you describe it? Is it a Queens accent, is it a New York City accent? FD: I think it’s definitely more Queens as far as any of the boroughs.

Each one has a slightly different dialect and mine is Queens. Having said that, even within the borough I think that I have somewhat of a unique voice, independent of where I come from.

them believe that getting arthritis and Alzheimer’s and tooth decay is part of aging. I choose to look at the cause of disease and eliminate it—how’s that for a cure?

C&S: You try to turn negative experiences into positive experiences. Could you give some examples of how you’ve done this? FD: Subsequent to my cancer survival and my best-selling book, “Cancer Schmancer,” I started a women’s health movement, and I’m very proud of that because, again, we are challenging the way people look at the problem. To try to solve cancer and other diseases by looking for a cure—again, this is the same problem. Because if we really looked at causation, that might cut into someone’s profit margin, and we don’t want to do that. We’d just rather keep people chronically ill with a bunch of pharmaceuticals, and make

C&S: You’re on your way to “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.” Could you tell me a little about your character? FD: I’m the wicked stepmother— they call her “Madame” in the show. It’s a lot of fun. They’ve designed my costumes to be glamorous, they’ve allowed me to add some more humor to the part. I’ve created a character that you don’t just hate, but you love to hate—that hopefully you can’t wait till I come back out, so that you can laugh as well as being shocked, and enjoy the visual feast of the beautiful costumes, To read the full interview, go to cityandstateny.com. cit yandstateny.com

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Queens Special Issue 2015