July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin A stretch of Bell Boulevard will close and be converted into an outdoor dining corridor on Friday nights and weekends, beginning July 4, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Member Paul Vallone announced today. The Bayside street will be closed to car traffic and filled with tables and chairs… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin A timely exhibit examining the role of monuments in American society will debut this summer at a park in Long Island City. The exhibition ‘MONUMENTS NOW‘ will open this month at Socrates Sculpture Park, located at 32-01 Vernon Blvd., just as historical monuments across the country are being toppled… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City public schools will reopen for the new school year in September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. City schools have been closed since March and instruction was moved online given the coronavirus pandemic. School buildings will reopen for in-person classes on the first day of school…. Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has completed a $5.6 million traffic redesign to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge that it says improves traffic flow and safety. The finished work improves access to the Whitestone Expressway and Cross Island Parkway, creating easier connections for drivers. The agency constructed an additional entry lane… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Christian Murray Court Square Park will be undergoing a $4 million upgrade and the Parks Department has released preliminary design plans. The project will feature a new central lawn that will take the place of the fountain. The redesign also includes new seating, games tables and additional plantings. The loss of… Read more »
July 2, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The MTA’s Fair Fares program has been cut by $65 million in the new city budget. The program subsidizes mass transit for low-income residents by applying a 50 percent discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Mayor Bill de Blasio said that record-low MTA ridership during the pandemic –… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Christian Murray A development team plans to rezone five city blocks on the border of Long Island City and Astoria in order to erect more than a dozen buildings that would consist of 2,700 apartments, a school, as well as retail and office space. The real estate team—comprised of Silverstein Properties,… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens residents will be able to cool off with a dip in the pool this summer as the city plans to reopen three public pools in the borough within the next month. Liberty Pool in Jamaica, Astoria Pool in Astoria and Fisher Pool in East Elmhurst will reopen incoming… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers will have to wait a little longer to grab a bite to eat indoors. The reopening of indoor dining at New York City restaurants has been postponed indefinitely, both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. New York City was poised to reopen indoor… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Costa Constantinides missed the city budget vote Tuesday after being hospitalized with COVID-19 complications again. Constantinides suffered breathing difficulties and chest pain at around 8 p.m. last night and checked into Mount Sinai Queens, according to his spokesperson Terence Cullen. Constantinides notified the city council that he… Read more »