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 »
July 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin The City Council passed the mayor’s executive budget that included deep cuts to the NYPD last night, as protesters cried to “defund the NYPD” outside City Hall. The council passed the $88.1 billion budget with a 32-to-17 vote around midnight, just before the July 1, 2021 fiscal year began…. Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A hit-and-run driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Middle Village Wednesday has been arrested for manslaughter and other charges. Ramon Pena, 37, drove a stolen 2006 Isuzu box truck and crashed into another vehicle just before 1 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Metropolitan Avenue… Read more »
July 1, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A 21-year-old man was shot dead outside a restaurant in Elmhurst Tuesday night. Dante Sartillian, was shot in front of a restaurant, located at 95-35 40 Rd., at around 11:35 p.m., according to police. Sartillian was privately transported to NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst with gunshot wounds to the chest… Read more »