GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE 2009 REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS. THANK YOU FOR COMING!
I ALSO THANK DAN LEONE, CLIFF JACOBS AND QPTV FOR BROADCASTING TODAY’S ADDRESS LIVE – FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. TODAY WE ARE GATHERED IN AMERICA’S MOST DIVERSE COUNTY AT QUEENS COLLEGE, ONE OF OUR GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND HOME TO THE GODWIN-TURNBACK MUSEUM.
IF YOU HAVE TIME, STOP TO VISIT THIS UNIQUE TEACHING MUSEUM WITH EXHIBITS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. MY MISSION HERE TODAY IS TO REPORT OUR BOROUGH’S PROGRESS OVER THE PAST YEAR AND TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE AT A TIME WHEN THE ECONOMY CHALLENGES US TO BE CREATIVE.
THOUGH THE STOCK MARKET MAY RESEMBLE A ROLLER COASTER RIDE IN AN AMUSEMENT PARK, AND WALL STREET HAS CAUSED TREMORS ON MAIN STREET, EVERY FAMILY AND EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT IS FINDING NEW WAYS TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES.
TODAY WE ARE HOPEFUL AS WE ANTICIPATE AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FROM WASHINGTON THAT COULD HELP PREVENT A DEVASTATING TRANSIT FARE INCREASE, PRESERVE VITAL SERVICES AND CREATE MUCH-NEEDED JOBS.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO CHALLENGES AND CHANGE, OUR FONDEST HOPE IS THAT OUR TROOPS WILL RETURN SAFELY HOME FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. LET US NOW REMEMBER THE 29 SONS AND ONE DAUGHTER OF QUEENS AND MOST RECENTLY QUEENS-BASED COMBAT MEDIC MAJOR JOHN PRYOR, WHO DIED IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM.
IN ONE WEEK, WE WILL INAUGURATE A NEW PRESIDENT, ONE WHO HAS PROMISED US CHANGE… CHANGE IN HOW WE CONDUCT BUSINESS FROM WALL STREET TO YOUR STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL HAVE A NEW SENATOR FROM NEW YORK. OUR CURRENT SENATOR, HILLARY CLINTON, WILL BE THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE.
AND, OUR NEW U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL, ERIC HOLDER, IS A PROUD SON OF EAST ELMHURST WHO WENT TO SCHOOL WITH MY CHILDREN AND INSPIRES GREAT PRIDE HERE IN QUEENS.
WE ALREADY HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION AND HAS EMERGED AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN ADVOCATING FOR FEDERAL HELP TO STATE GOVERNMENTS. AND A FAVORITE SON OF QUEENS, MALCOLM SMITH, WILL LEAD THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE IN ITS WORK ON CRITICAL ISSUES FACING OUR STATE.
I HAVE BEEN HONORED TO BE YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS AND TO HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL MAJOR PROJECTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TO COMPLETE MANY MORE THAT WILL REDRAW THE
LANDSCAPE OF THE BOROUGH THAT WE ALL LOVE. AND THE GROUNDBREAKINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE REPRESENT THE CULMINATION OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING AND YEARS OF FOCUS AND HARD WORK.
AND, THIS BOROUGH PRESIDENT WILL CONTINUE TO FUND BOROUGH-WIDE PROJECTS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROLE PLAYED BY MY FELLOW BOROUGH PRESIDENTS SCOTT STRINGER, JIM MOLINARO, ADOLFO CARRION AND MARTY MARKOWITZ.
INDIVIDUALLY WE HAVE CREATED MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS IN EACH OF OUR BOROUGHS THAT COLLECTIVELY HAS EXPANDED OUR CITY’S NATIONAL STANDING AND APPEAL.
LET ME SAY THAT OUR CITY’S CAPITAL BUDGET HAS BEEN BATTERED AND STRETCHED BY CREDIT CRUNCHES AND LOSSES BY MANY OF OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE ROAD MAY BE TOUGH AND UNPAVED, BUT WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL BUILD ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT I HAVE CREATED DURING MY TENURE AS YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT. AND TO CONTINUE THE WORK, I WILL ASK THE GOOD PEOPLE OF QUEENS TO ALLOW ME FOUR MORE YEARS TO GET THE JOB DONE!
SINCE BECOMING YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIGHT FOR AND THE PRIVILEGE TO ALLOCATE OUR BOROUGH’S CAPITAL FUNDS. TO DATE, I HAVE ALLOCATED MORE THAN $81 MILLION DOLLARS TO ENHANCE OUR LIBRARIES, MORE THAN $113 MILLION DOLLARS TO BEAUTIFY OUR PARKS AND, MORE THAN $100 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND OUR UNIQUE CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.
BOROUGH PRESIDENTS, WITH THE BROAD VIEW OF BOROUGH-WIDE ISSUES HAVE ALWAYS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THEIR BOROUGH’S TREASURES. THAT IS OUR JOB.
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE WHEN WE THINK OF DIGNA AND VICTOR CARPIO - A NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY EMPLOYEE, WHO WELCOMED SIX NEW CHILDREN INTO THEIR LIVES—AT ONCE! WE WELCOME OUR BOROUGH’S NEWEST SEXTUPLETS.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT GAVE ALL OUR SPIRITS A BOOST WHEN OFF-DUTY OFFICER PATRICK PLUNKETT TOOK QUICK ACTION WHEN HE WITNESSED A MASPETH BANK ROBBERY IN OCTOBER. HE POSITIONED HIMSELF BEHIND THE ROBBER, GOT HIM IN A HEADLOCK AND HELD HIM UNTIL OFFICERS ARRIVED FROM THE 104TH PRECINCT. OFFICER PLUNKETT, PLEASE STAND AND LET US EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE.
AND TALK ABOUT BRAVERY, I THINK ALL OF US HAVE ADMIRATION FOR A QUEENS RESIDENT WHO REPRESENTS COURAGE AND RESILIENCY IN THE FACE OF DANGER. EIGHTY-SIX YEAR OLD VIVIAN SQUIRES, DESPITE BEING STABBED BY AN INTRUDER IN HER HOME JUST NINE DAYS AGO, FOUGHT BACK, HAD SURGERY, WAS JUST RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. AND, CAN YOU IMAGINE---IS HERE TODAY. SHE REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF NEW YORK. VIVIAN PLEASE STAND.
AND WHEN FIRE CONSUMED THE WHITESTONE SHOPPING CENTER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, OUR FIRE MARSHALS ARRESTED THE SUSPECTED ARSONIST IN LESS THAN A WEEK. MARSHALS ROBERT MCDEVITT, MARK THOMPSON AND JOHN WATKINS, ARE WITH US TODAY. PLEASE STAND.
AND LET’S PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THE FRANCIS LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL GIRL’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM. THEY’VE JUST WON THEIR SECOND CITYWIDE CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER THE DIRECTION OF COACH ARNIE ROSENBAUM. PLEASE STAND. BY THE WAY, FRANCIS LEWIS IS THE CITY’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
NOW WHEN IT COMES TO GREAT WINS FOR THE BOROUGH, WE CAN TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE CONTINUED PROGRESS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR WILLETS POINT AND HUNTERS POINT SOUTH ON THE EAST RIVER. TOGETHER THEY WILL BRING MORE THAN 10,000 NEW HOUSING UNITS, A CONVENTION CENTER, RETAIL SPACE, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND 2 NEW SCHOOLS TO UNDERDEVELOPED AREAS.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT CONSTRUCTION IS THE ENGINE THAT DRIVES THE ECONOMY. IN THIS AILING ECONOMY, WE CAN CREATE JOBS, WE CAN BUILD HOUSING AND WE CAN BOOST BUSINESSES. NAYSAYERS BEWARE, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. YES…WE CAN!
LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT MAJOR PROJECTS AND SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING YOURS.
WILLETS POINT
MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT PAST PLANS FOR WILLETS POINT, BUT NOW WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY TO CREATING A NEW GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH 5,500 UNITS OF HOUSING, A NEW SCHOOL, OPEN SPACE, SHOPS, A CONVENTION CENTER AND A HOTEL. THE $3 BILLION DOLLAR PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED AND WE ALREADY HAVE AGREEMENTS TO PURCHASE MORE THAN HALF OF THE 62 ACRES.
AS CHAIR OF THE WILLETS POINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE CITY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND AFFECTED COMMUNITY BOARDS, I CAN ATTEST THAT WE WORKED HARD TO CREATE A PROJECT THAT’S ACHIEVABLE. I THANK OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDING THE FLUSHING, WILLETS POINT AND CORONA LDC, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MY PREDECESSOR CLAIRE SHULMAN, THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CORONA COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK AND THE QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT COMMUNITY BOARDS. THEY HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE PARTNERS IN HELPING TO SHAPE PUBLIC PROJECTS. THEY ARE PERFECTING DEMOCRACY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY BRINGING GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE. AND, SO I WILL OPPOSE ANY EFFORT THAT WOULD SEEK TO MINIMIZE THEIR ROLE IN THE CITY’S LAND USE REVIEW PROCESS.
AND AS CHAIR OF THE WILLETS POINT MINORITY, WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND LOCAL HIRING TASK FORCE, I WAS PROUD TO HELP FORGE THE PLAN THAT SETS SPECIFIC GOALS AND PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THAT QUEENS BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO SECURED $2.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THESE FIRMS TO BID ON CONTRACTS AS THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD.
FINALLY, TO ASSIST THE 1300 WORKERS CURRENTLY ON THE SITE, WE ARE WORKING WITH LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE NEW YORK HOTEL TRADES COUNCIL AND HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY AND THE GREATER NEW YORK AUTO DEALERS ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS DESIGNING AN ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE MANY SKILLED AUTO MECHANICS AT WILLETS POINT AND ESTABLISH LINKAGES FOR THEM WITH MAJOR AUTO MANUFACTURERS.
NOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO RELOCATE EXISTING BUSINESSES AND WORKERS, SELECT A DEVELOPER AND FINALLY ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT HAVE STOOD IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS FOR FAR TOO MANY YEARS. IN DOING SO, WE WILL CREATE MORE THAN 18,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND MORE THAN 5,300 PERMANENT JOBS.
DO YOU KNOW THAT WILLETS POINT WILL GENERATE $1.3 BILLION DOLLARS IN DIRECT TAX REVENUE AND AT LEAST $25 BILLION DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OVER 30 YEARS?
MAYOR BLOOMBERG MUST BE COMMENDED FOR HIS DETERMINATION TO MAKE WILLETS POINT A FANTASTIC MODERN COMMUNITY HERE IN QUEENS. DEPUTY MAYOR ROBERT LIEBER AND HIS TEAM DESERVE OUR THANKS. THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. COUNCIL SPEAKER QUINN AND LAND USE CHAIRPERSON COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ HAVE BEEN REAL PARTNERS IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT QUEENS DEVELOPMENT.
EDUCATION
THEY SAY IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME. AND, THAT’S JUST NOT FOR WILLETS POINT. IT’S WHY I WAS PROUD TO WORK WITH THE LATE PRESTON TISCH, TONY KISER AND THE TAKE THE FIELD ORGANIZATION AND TO ALLOCATE $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO CONSTRUCT 7 ATHLETIC FIELDS ON OR NEAR HIGH SCHOOL SITES ACROSS QUEENS.
AT THE SAME TIME, I PROVIDED 1 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OUT2PLAY, TO REFURBISH SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS ACROSS THE BOROUGH. WE ALSO ANSWERED CALLS FOR HELP FROM STUDENTS AND STAFF AT SEVERAL OTHER SCHOOLS. AT PS 127 IN EAST ELMHURST, I PROVIDED FUNDING FOR NEW AUDITORIUM SEATS AND FOREST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVED $200,000 DOLLARS TO HELP MODERNIZE ITS AUDITORIUM WITH A NEW STAGE, SPEAKER SYSTEM AND LIGHTING. AND, HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVED FUNDING FOR A NEW MEDIA CENTER AND LIBRARY UPGRADES.
WORKING WITH DEPUTY MAYOR DENNIS WALCOTT, MY PARENT ADVISORY BOARD, THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY AND DYMETRO FEDKOWSKI, MY APPOINTEE TO THE PANEL ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY, WE HAVE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED SCHOOL OVERCROWDING.
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE WORKED TO CREATE MORE THAN 27,000 NEW SEATS IN 48 NEW SCHOOLS OR ADDITIONS. IN SEPTEMBER ALONE, SIX NEW SCHOOLS OPENED INCLUDING, PS 305 IN RIDGEWOOD, PS 307 IN CORONA, PS 244 IN FLUSHING, PS 306 IN WOODHAVEN, PS 303 IN FOREST HILLS AND THE ELMHURST EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS.
NEXT SEPTEMBER, LOOK FOR THE OPENING OF SEVEN MORE SCHOOLS WITH MORE THAN 2700 SEATS. WE ALSO HOPE TO OPEN THE NEW METROPOLITAN AVENUE CAMPUS FOLLOWED BY THE GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND A THRILL TO WORK WITH LEGENDARY HOMETOWN HERO TONY BENNETT TO OPEN THE NEW FRANK SINATRA HIGH SCHOOL IN ASTORIA, JUST BLOCKS FROM WHERE HE GREW UP…I WAS JUST GOING TO INTRODUCE THE FRANK SINATRA HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT CHORUS, BUT I HAVE SOMEONE BACKSTAGE WHO IS BETTER QUALIFIED TO DO THAT, THE SCHOOL’S FOUNDER TONY BENNETT! MR. BENNETT MAY HAVE LEFT HIS HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO BUT I CAN TELL YOU HIS SOUL IS STILL RIGHT HERE IN ASTORIA.
CUNY
WOW, HOW DO YOU TOP THAT? WELL, I GUESS WE MOVE ONTO COLLEGE. IN AN ANOTHER EXCITING DEVELOPMENT, CUNY LAW SCHOOL’S PLANS FOR NEW QUARTERS TOOK ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN OCTOBER WITH A CALL TO DEVELOPERS WITH CONTROL OF LARGE LOCATIONS IN QUEENS SUCH AS LONG ISLAND CITY AND JAMAICA.
WITH ITS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CLINICAL PROGRAM, THIS UNIQUE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW SCHOOL IS READY FOR ITS NEXT CHAPTER. ALSO THIS YEAR, MY OFFICE PROVIDED ALMOST $14 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A MULTITUDE OF IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING NEW LIBRARY SPACE AT LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, A NEW SCIENCE RESEARCH LAB FOR QUEENS COLLEGE, AND A NEW GREENHOUSE AND SCIENCE ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT FOR YORK COLLEGE.
THE HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER AT QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS BECOME A BEACON OF HOPE. IT IS MORE THAN A MUSEUM. IT WILL BE A TEACHING CENTER TO COMBAT ALL HATE CRIMES. I AM PROUD TO HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN $2 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT.
MY QUEENS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MY IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE BOTH WORK CLOSELY WITH ITS DIRECTOR, DR. ARTHUR FLUG TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES AND PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING THROUGH EDUCATION. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EXPANDED ITS OUTREACH EFFORT THRU ITS COMMUNITY DIALOGUE PROJECT.
AND MY IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE ORGANIZED ITS FIRST IMMIGRANT HERITAGE WEEK IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE MAYOR’S OFFICE.
HEALTH
CHALLENGE AND HOPE IS FELT NO MORE ACUTELY THAN IN OUR HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM. TO COMPLY WITH THE BERGER COMMISSION’S MANDATE, THE NEW PARKWAY HOSPITAL REGRETABLY CLOSED ITS DOORS. IN THE WAKE OF THE CLOSURE, I HAVE ASKED GOVERNOR PATERSON TO RETAIN THOSE BEDS AT OTHER QUEENS HOSPITALS.
TODAY, I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT SAINT JOHN’S QUEENS AND MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITALS. THE NEWS IS NOT GOOD…BOTH HOSPITALS ARE ON THE VERGE OF CLOSURE. THEY ARE CONSIDERING FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE STATE TO ENSURE THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE IN THESE COMMUNITIES. IN JULY, ELMHURST HOSPITAL CENTER, WITH THE SUPPORT OF COUNCILWOMAN HELEN SEARS, OPENED THE HOPE PAVILION – A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE TREATMENT FACILITY.
AND, WE WILL SOON OPEN THE PLAZA DEL SOL FAMILY HEALTH CENTER, A FEDERALLY FUNDED AMBULATORY CARE FACILITY IN CORONA THAT WILL PROVIDE VITAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
ALSO ON THE HORIZON, NEW YORK HOSPITAL QUEENS IS ON TRACK TO COMPLETE A NEW 7-STORY WING THAT WILL ADD 80 ACUTE-CARE BEDS AND ENHANCE ITS FACILITIES WHEN COMPLETED NEXT YEAR.
OUR BOROUGH’S LARGEST HOSPITAL, LIJ MEDICAL CENTER, BROKE GROUND ON A $300 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL FEATURE THE KATZ WOMEN’S HOSPITAL HOUSED IN A NEW 10-STORY PAVILION WHEN COMPLETED IN 2011. AT THE LIJ CAMPUS, THE NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SCHNEIDER’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR ON A $132 MILLION DOLLAR PAVILION THAT WILL HOUSE A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
BUT TODAY, QUEENS TAKES CENTER STAGE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL IN HEALTH CARE. I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HEALTH STUDY, THE LARGEST LONG-TERM STUDY OF HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES BEGINS TODAY IN QUEENS-THE FIRST OF 105 SITES ACROSS THE NATION.
THIS STUDY WILL EXAMINE HOW ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS EFFECT CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT. WOMEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 49 LIVING IN SPECIFIC QUEENS NEIGHBORHOODS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THIS STUDY THAT WILL FOLLOW 100,000 CHILDREN ACROSS THE NATION FROM CONCEPTION TO AGE 21.
OUR BOROUGH WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF OUR DIVERSE POPULATION. TOP MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS WILL LEAD THE STUDY. I AM PROUD THAT MY OFFICE AND THE QUEENS COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD ARE HELPING TO GIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT TO THIS VITAL EFFORT. DOCTORS PHILIP LANDRIGAN, LEO TRASANDE AND BARBARA BRENNER, AND CO-ORDINATOR SUZETTE VANDERBEEK, WHO ARE HEADING THE STUDY IN OUR AREA AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD JOIN US TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR ARRANGING TO HAVE STAFF WHO CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE MATERIAL ABOUT THE STUDY IN THE LOBBY TODAY.
SENIORS
SINCE COMING INTO OFFICE, I HAVE FOUGHT HARD FOR THE RIGHT OF ALL SENIOR CITIZENS TO LIVE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY WHILE HAVING ACCESS TO QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
PROJECTIONS NOW INDICATE THAT BY THE YEAR 2030, WE WILL SEE A 45 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE POPULATION OF OLDER NEW YORKERS. DESPITE THESE PROJECTIONS, THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING HAS EMBARKED ON THE MOST RADICAL CHANGES IN SENIOR SERVICES SINCE THEIR INCEPTION MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO.
WE NOW HAVE REGIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT DEFY THE REALITIES OF GEOGRAPHY. AIRPORTS AND HIGHWAYS SEPARATE DISTRICTS WITHIN REGIONS. COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS LOST THEIR CONTRACTS TO UNDER-FUNDED CITYWIDE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATIONS. AGENCIES HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ESTABLISH WAITING LISTS OF SENIORS WHO NEED VITAL SERVICES, LIKE MEALS-ON-WHEELS AND HOMECARE.
IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE NEW SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW A CATERER TO DELIVER FROZEN – NOT HOT – MEALS ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. AND THERE IS NO MENU OF OPTIONS FOR SENIORS IN THIS – AMERICA’S MOST DIVERSE COUNTY. EVERYONE GETS THE SAME MEAL. THAT’S WHY TODAY I AM ASKING NEW DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING COMMISSIONER LILLIAM BARRIOS PAOLI TO DELAY THE PLANNED FEBRUARY 2ND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW MEALS ON WHEELS CONTRACTS IN QUEENS.
IN A CITY WHERE SENIORS WILL OUTNUMBER SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN BY 2030, PRESERVING OUR NETWORK OF SENIOR CENTERS IS VITAL. THAT’S WHY WE WERE RELENTLESS IN OUR SUCCESSFUL BATTLE AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING’S MISGUIDED PLAN THAT COULD HAVE DISMANTLED THE ENTIRE SENIOR CENTER NETWORK.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FIVE BOROUGH PRESIDENTS, OUR SENIOR SERVICE PROVIDERS, ADVOCATES, MANY OF THE SENIORS HERE TODAY, AND MOST OF ALL COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN, COMMON SENSE PREVAILED. THAT PLAN WAS SCRAPPED! LET’S ALL THANK SPEAKER QUINN. CHRIS, PLEASE STAND.
UNIFORMED SERVICES
OUR CITY COULD NOT SLEEP RESTFULLY OR GET UP EVERY MORNING AND FUNCTION WERE IT NOT FOR THE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION OF OUR UNIFORMED FORCES. BUT I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME TO STRUCTURAL FIRES IN QUEENS IS LONGER THAN ANY OTHER BOROUGH.
I AM ALSO DISTRESSED ABOUT THE LACK OF FIRE DEPARTMENT RESOURCES IN WESTERN QUEENS WHERE ALMOST 10,000 UNITS OF NEW HOUSING ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, RECENTLY COMPLETED OR PLANNED. THAT’S WHY I MADE THE RE-OPENING OF ENGINE 261 A CONDITION OF MY SUPPORT FOR THE HUNTERS POINT SOUTH PLAN.
THIS SUMMER, I WILL PRESENT FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA WITH THE KEYS TO A NEW FIRE TRAINING VEHICLE THAT MY OFFICE FUNDED. IT WILL ENABLE FIREFIGHTERS TO CONDUCT TRAINING IN THEIR FIREHOUSES, MINIMIZING DOWNTIME AND RESPONSE TIME TO FIRES AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
POLICE
WHILE WE AWAIT A PERMANENT POLICE PRESENCE IN FLUSHING MEADOW CORONA PARK, AND CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR ANOTHER PRECINCT IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS, WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN KNOWING THAT QUEENS WILL BE THE HOME OF A NEW $1 BILLION DOLLAR POLICE-TRAINING ACADEMY IN COLLEGE POINT. IT WILL BRING AN ADDED POLICE PRESENCE TO QUEENS, WHILE PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE, STATE-OF-THE-ART COMPLEX TO TRAIN NEW RECRUITS IN EVERY ASPECT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
OUR BOROUGH’S CRIME RATE DROPPED ALMOST 4% IN 2008, WITH A 4% DECREASE IN QUEENS NORTH AND A 3% DROP IN QUEENS SOUTH. I THANK PATROL BOROUGH COMMANDERS, PIZZUTTI AND DALE FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP. HOWEVER, TODAY I APPEAL TO COMMISSIONER KELLY TO ADDRESS A STAGGERING 65% INCREASE IN HOMICIDES IN QUEENS SOUTH. DESPITE REDUCTIONS IN THE LATEST POLICE CLASS AND PENDING BUDGET CUTS, WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE INCREASE IN MURDERS FROM 43 TO 71 LOST LIVES.
AND LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 311 GUNSHOT VICTIMS IN QUEENS- THAT’S 26% MORE THAN IN 2007. LAST WEEK I PERSONALLY SPOKE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG ABOUT THIS VIOLENCE. AND DESPITE A MORE THAN 7% INCREASE IN SUBWAY CRIME, THE NYPD QUEENS TRANSIT TASK FORCE WAS DISMANTLED EARLIER THIS MONTH.
BECAUSE CRIME TRADITIONALLY INCREASES IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC PRESSURES, IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT SUSTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL CUTS. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIR, PETER VALLONE JUNIOR SHARES MY CONCERN.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A VICIOUS CRIME AFFECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. MY OFFICE PARTNERED WITH THE MAYOR AND OUR GREAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICHARD BROWN TO FUND AND OPEN THE QUEENS FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER IN JULY.
LOCATED BETWEEN BOROUGH HALL AND THE COURTHOUSE IN KEW GARDENS, THE CENTER OFFERS A MULTITUDE OF SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THIS $5.4 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH OUR BOROUGH’S CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER THAT HELPS OUR YOUNGEST VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. AND I AM PROUD THAT, WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MY OFFICE OBTAINED MORE THAN $1 MILLION DOLLARS TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT PROSECUTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMINALS AND THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN QUEENS,
HOME TO 21% OF ALL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES IN NEW YORK CITY.
YOUTH
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH TO GROW IN BODY AND SPIRIT. THAT’S WHY I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE YMCA AT ARVERNE BY THE SEA WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR. AND THE LONG-AWAITED EXPANSION AND RENOVATION OF THE SOUTH QUEENS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IN RICHMOND HILL WILL BEGIN THIS SPRING.
MEANWHILE, A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT INVOLVING LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND $1 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE ALLOWED THE MUCH-NEEDED RENOVATION OF THE CATALPA YMCA IN RIDGEWOOD TO BEGIN. ONE OF MY INITIATIVES AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT WAS THE CREATION OF THE QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S YOUTH BOARD, COMPRISED OF YOUNGSTERS FROM EVERY
COMMUNITY BOARD.
I AM PROUD OF THESE FUTURE LEADERS INCLUDING THE YOUNG WOMANS LEADERSHIP SCHOOL OF QUEENS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME, ENERGY AND TALENTS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES. YOU CAN ATTEND OUR NEXT YOUTH CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 24TH AT THE PARSONS BEACON SCHOOL IN FLUSHING.
LIBRARIES
OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR TO PROVIDE MORE THAN $81 MILLION DOLLARS TO OUR BOROUGH'S LIBRARIES. AND, I AM NOT FINISHED YET. SINCE COMING INTO OFFICE, I HAVE WORKED WITH LIBRARY DIRECTOR TOM GALANTE, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR TO BEGIN MORE THAN 18 LIBRARY CAPITAL PROJECTS.
THESE INCLUDE THE EXPANDED CHILDREN’S ROOM AT THE RIDGEWOOD BRANCH, AND THE NEW CORONA, LONG ISLAND CITY AND CAMBRIA HEIGHTS BRANCHES. THESE INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FOR EXPANDED OR NEW BRANCHES IN KEW GARDENS HILLS, ELMHURST AND EAST ELMHURST ARE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE AND THANKS TO COUNCILMAN WEPRIN, A NEW GLEN OAKS BRANCH AS WELL. REGO PARK, JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS WEST AND FAR ROCKAWAY – YOU’RE NEXT.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROJECTS THAT WE JUST BROKE GROUND FOR-THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY DISCOVERY CENTER AT THE CENTRAL BRANCH IN JAMAICA. AS THE PRIME SPONSOR, I ALLOCATED MORE THAN $17 MILLION DOLLARS OF MY CAPITAL DISCRETIONARY BUDGET TO HELP BUILD THIS UNIQUE FACILITY. WITH THE HELP OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, THIS CENTER UNITES MY GREATEST PASSIONS – CHILDREN, SCIENCE AND LIBRARIES.
CULTURE
ON THE CULTURAL FRONT, I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT THE QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN’S NEW VISITOR AND ADMINISTRATION CENTER, A MODEL FOR GREEN BUILDING, WON THE PRESTIGIOUS LEED PLATINUM RATING FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION FROM THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL.
LEED, OR LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, IS THE NATIONALLY ACCEPTED RATING SYSTEM FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE GREEN BUILDINGS. PLATINUM RATED STRUCTURES, LIKE THE VISITOR CENTER, ARE THE HIGHEST PERFORMING OF ALL. HOW’S THAT FOR PROGRESS!
I WAS HONORED AND DEEPLY HUMBLED WHEN THE GARDEN NAMED THE ADMINISTRATION CENTER’S AUDITORIUM AFTER ME. SINCE COMING INTO OFFICE,
I HAVE ALLOCATED MORE THAN $16 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE FOR ITS EXPANSION AND RENOVATION. IT WAS A GOOD INVESTMENT. LAST YEAR, THE HALL OF SCIENCE SET A NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD, ATTRACTING MORE THAN A HALF-MILLION VISITORS. THAT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE SINCE PARENTS MAGAZINE RANKED IT AS ONE OF THE 10 BEST SCIENCE CENTERS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. AND, WE BID A FOND FAREWELL TO MARILYN HOYT AND WELCOMED DR. MARGARET HONEY AS ITS NEW DIRECTOR.
ALSO LAST YEAR, QUEENS THEATER IN THE PARK COMPLETED A $23 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION THAT PROVIDED A DRAMATIC NEW LOBBY, ADDITIONAL CABARET PERFORMANCE SPACE AND NEW VISITOR AMENITIES. I WAS HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE THAN $10 MILLION TOWARDS THIS EFFORT.
WE WILL BREAK GROUND THIS SUMMER ON THE QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART EXPANSION, WHICH WILL DOUBLE ITS SIZE AND ADD NEW GALLERIES, CLASSROOMS AND A BEAUTIFUL LOBBY AND EVENT SPACE. THIS EXPANSION IS ONE OF MY LARGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENTS SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT.
WORKING WITH THE QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART, TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES, OUR COMMUNITYBOARDS AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, I PROMOTED BICYCLING IN QUEENS LAST JUNE WITH THE FIRST-EVER TOUR DE QUEENS. IT WAS A GREAT START TO WHAT I HOPE BECOMES AN ANNUAL EVENT.
WE ALSO LAUNCHED THE SUMMER’S HOT IN QUEENS CAMPAIGN, WITH A GRANT
FROM NYC&COMPANY, TO MARKET QUEENS TO NEIGHBORING COUNTIES WITH THE HELP OF OUR BOROUGH’S NEWSPAPERS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND MANY MORE PARTNERS. PARTICIPATING ATTRACTIONS REPORTED AN INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE AND NOW WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONDUCTING THIS CAMPAIGN AGAIN THIS SUMMER.
IN THE FALL, WE HELD OUR ANNUAL RESTAURANT WEEK - WHICH IS SO POPULAR THAT IT LASTS MORE THAN A WEEK – IN COOPERATION WITH THE QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. EIGHTY-FIVE RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATED AND REPORTED AN AVERAGE INCREASE IN CUSTOMERS OF 45 PERCENT. WE ARE NOT ONLY OUT TO SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS, BUT ALSO YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC.
LAST YEAR, FLUSHING TOWN HALL PREMIERED THE DEBUT PERFORMANCE OF THE QUEENS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, FOUNDED BY WORLD-RENOWNED ARTISTS JIMMY HEATH AND CLYDE BULLARD. THEY ARE HERE TODAY. GENTLEMAN PLEASE STAND…
WE TOUT OUR BOROUGH THROUGH THE NEWLY-RENOVATED QUEENS VISITORS CENTER AT QUEENS CENTER MALL AND THE QUEENS TOURISM CENTER HOUSED IN A CONVERTED SUBWAY CAR LOCATED ON THE EASTERN LAWN OF QUEENS BOROUGH HALL. THE FARE DID NOT GO UP THIS YEAR. IT’S STILL FREE!
AND WHEN YOU COME ABOARD, YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ON JUST ABOUT
EVERYTHING THAT’S HAPPENING IN QUEENS. MORE THAN 17 HUNDRED VISITORS HAVE BOARDED SINCE THE DOORS OPENED LAST YEAR AND THEY CAME FROM AN EXTRAORDINARY VARIETY OF PLACES FROM AUSTRALIA TO WOODSIDE.
AVIATION
AND SPEAKING OF VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, OUR AIRPORTS CONTINUE TO SERVE MILLIONS OF AIR TRAVELERS. LAST FALL, JETBLUE UNVEILED ITS $875 MILLION DOLLAR TERMINAL AT JFK THAT MORE THAN DOUBLED ITS OPERATING CAPACITY WHILE PRESERVING THE ICONIC TWA TERMINAL BUILDING.
PLANNING IS ALSO TAKING PLACE AT LAGUARDIA AIRPORT.
IN NOVEMBER, THE PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCED THE SECOND PHASE OF A STUDY TO MODERNIZE AND REDEVELOP THE CENTRAL TERMINAL BUILDING THAT HANDLES ABOUT HALF OF THE AIRPORTS 24 MILLION ANNUAL PASSENGERS. THE $40 MILLION DOLLAR STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR. ALSO AT LAGUARDIA, A NEW CONTROL TOWER IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE OPERATIONAL NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, AIRTRAIN, WHICH OPENED JUST FIVE YEARS AGO, CONTINUES TO WIN CONFIDENCE AS ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR, LESS EXPENSIVE AND FAST WAYS TO GET TO THE AIRPORT. AND IT’S NOT ONLY TERMINALS AND TAKEOFFS THAT THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S OFFICE IS WATCHING.WE ARE SEEKING LESS NOISE IN AND AROUND AIRPORTS WITH OUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE FAA’S AIRSPACE REDESIGN PROJECT.
MASS TRANSIT
ON THE MASS TRANSIT FRONT, THE MTA MUST DO MORE. WE NEED NEW BUS ROUTES, INCREASED SERVICE, AND MORE EXPRESS BUS SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FROM EASTERN QUEENS WHERE NO SUBWAY SERVICE EXISTS.
WE NEED INCREASED SUBWAY CAPACITY AND SERVICES, AND, SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, THE RE-OPENING OF LONG ISLAND RAILROAD STATIONS IN QUEENS TO RELIEVE SUBWAY OVERCROWDING. YOU CANNOT GET ON THE TRAIN IF THERE IS NO MORE ROOM!
BUT THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE TRANSIT FRONT. NEW SUBWAY CARS BEGAN ROLLING ON THE E LINE LAST MONTH, REPLACING SUBWAY CARS FROM THE 1960’S. AND STATE SENATOR SHIRLEY HUNTLEY, COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ AND I RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE INSTALLATION OF AN ELEVATOR AT THE UNION TURNPIKE/KEW GARDENS STATION ON THE E AND F LINES.
BUT, WITH 30% OF NEW YORK CITY’S ELDERLY LIVING IN QUEENS, MANY MORE MTA STATIONS SHOULD BE MORE ACCESSIBLE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS—DISABLED PASSENGERS WHO GET ON AT ACCESSIBLE STATIONS ACTUALLY HAVE TO GET OFF AS WELL.
YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE ANY PLAN TO TOLL EAST RIVER BRIDGES. TOO MANY OF US HERE IN QUEENS ARE VICTIMS OF GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO PROVIDE VIABLE MASS TRANSIT OPTIONS. THAT IS WHY I TESTIFIED AGAINST THE MTA’S DOOMSDAY BUDGET.
IT IS SIMPLY UNFAIR TO RAISE THE FARES WHILE REDUCING SERVICES. AND ACCESS-A-RIDE, MORE THAN DOUBLING FROM $2 TO AS MUCH AS $6, CAN HAVE A DEBILITATING AFFECT ON ITS NEARLY 30,000 QUEENS SUBSCRIBERS. AFTER ALL, ACCESS-A RIDE OFTEN MEANS ACCESS–A–DOCTOR.
RECENTLY, I JOINED WITH ASSEMBLYWOMAN AUDREY PHEFFER, SENATOR JOSEPH ADDABBO AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM COMMUNITY BOARD 14 TO PROTEST THE MTA’S PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE RESIDENTIAL REBATE PROGRAM ON THE CROSS BAY BRIDGE. THE TOLL IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF NEW YORK, CHARGING DRIVERS A TOLL TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE BOROUGH. AFTER ALL, SHOPPERS ON FIFTH AVENUE DON’T PAY A TOLL TO DRIVE TO MADISON AVENUE. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ROCKAWAY AND BROAD CHANNEL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS TO KEEP THE REBATE PROGRAM. AND BY THE WAY OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE THE TOLL. READ MY SIGN.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DESPITE THE WAVE OF FISCAL RESTRAINTS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FUNDING AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE, FOR OUR SEWER AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
A VITAL COMPONENT OF OUR CITY’S INFRASTRUCTURE IS ITS SEWER SYSTEM AND CLEAN WATERWAYS THAT NOURISH OUR ENVIRONMENT. I AM GRATEFUL TO CONGRESSMAN JOE CROWLEY FOR HIS EFFORTS TO SEEK FEDERAL
FUNDS TO IMPROVE OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND HELP RESTORE FLUSHING BAY AND CREEK.
AND, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT OUR WATERFRONTS WILL NOW BE CLEANER WITH THE OPENINGS OF THE COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW TANKS AT FLUSHING RIVER AND AT ALLEY CREEK. AND, GREAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THE CLEAN UP OF NEWTOWN CREEK WITH THE $850 MILLION DOLLAR TRANSFORMATION OF ITS SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, INTO THE CITY’S LARGEST STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.
MEANWHILE, CONCERNS ABOUT JAMAICA BAY ARE RISING TO THE SURFACE. THE JAMAICA BAY ADVISORY BOARD WARNS THAT THE MARSHES WILL DISAPPEAR IN 4 YEARS WITHOUT INTERVENTION. MY OFFICE SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THIS UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCE. COUNCILMAN JAMES GENNARO DESERVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR HIS WORK TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE JAMAICA BAY WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN CREATED BY HIS LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE.
MEANWHILE, OUR CITY’S SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN TOOK ANOTHER STEP FORWARD WITH THE ISSUANCE OF BIDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS OUT-DATED FACILITY. A NEW COLLEGE POINT MARINE TRANSFER STATION WHEN COMPLETED IN 2012 WILL REMOVE HALF OF OUR BOROUGH’S TRASH BY BARGE FROM THIS SITE, HELPING TO REDUCE TRUCK TRAFFIC AND WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS IN THE BOROUGH.
QUEENS HAS ONE OF THE GREATEST CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER PLANTS ON THE EAST COAST. LONG ISLAND CITY AND ASTORIA PLANTS TURN ON MORE THAN HALF THE LIGHTS IN NEW YORK CITY, SO WE PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LICENSING OF NEW FACILITIES THAT WE HOPE WILL REDUCE POLLUTION AND ASTHMA RATES. AND TODAY I AM HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL ONLY BE ONE MORE YEAR UNTIL THE POLLETTI PLANT FINALLY CLOSES.
THE POWER PLANTS GENERATE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUNDS THAT I HAVE HELPED TO TARGET TO PROJECTS INCLUDING INCREASED EMISSION CONTROLS ON SANITATION TRUCKS IN NORTHWEST QUEENS AND THE PLACEMENT OF ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS ON FOUR SCHOOLS AND MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL.
AND, LAST YEAR, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEAN AIR COMMUNITIES, THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND NYPA WE UNVEILED NINE ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN ASTORIA PARK.
AT FORT TOTTEN, WITH FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE, WE WILL BEGIN OPERATION OF A NATURAL GAS ELECTRIC TRAM IN THE SPRING, HELPING VISITORS TO NAVIGATE THIS VAST WATERFRONT PARK. WITH THE NATION FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENT, YOU CAN SEE WE ARE DOING OUR PART.
BUT AS ONE OF THE FIRST QUEENS RESIDENTS TO HAVE SOLAR PANELS ON A PRIVATE RESIDENCE, THANKS TO MY ENGINEER HUSBAND, I CAN TELL YOU WE HAVE ONLY JUST BEGUN.
IN JUST TEN DAYS, THE QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL HOLD THE FIRST EVER QUEENS GREEN BUSINESS SUMMIT WHERE COMPANIES LARGE AND SMALL WILL COME TOGETHER TO SHOWCASE GREEN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
AND, TO CELEBRATE THE LOCAL ECOLOGY AND TEACH A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS, MY OFFICE PROVIDED $2 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP BUILD AN EXPANDED FACILITY FOR THE ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AND $5 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD AN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AT IDELWILD PARK.
PARKS
A IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO ALLOCATE MORE THAN $113 MILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVE OUR BOROUGH’S PARKS. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE MOVING AHEAD WITH A MASTER PLAN FOR OUR FLAGSHIP PARK IN FLUSHING MEADOWS. THE PARK WAS BORN IN 1939 AND NOW IT APPROACHES ITS 70TH BIRTHDAY WITH PLANS FOR BETTER ACCESS, A MORE DIVERSE NATURAL HABITAT AREA AND IMPROVED SIGNAGE.
WE ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN THE RESTORATION OF THE MEADOW LAKE BOATHOUSE, ONE OF TWO REMAINING BUILDING’S FROM THE 1939 WORLD’S FAIR. THANKS TO A $5.5 MILLION DOLLAR ALLOCATION FROM MY OFFICE AND A FUNDING BOOST FROM COUNCILMAN GENNARO, WE WILL CREATE A NEW HOME FOR THE AMERICAN SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION, ROW NEW YORK AND THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL RACERS.
LAST YEAR, WE OPENED THE WILDLY POPULAR OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOL IN FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK. THE POOL AND THE NEW ICE SKATING RINK ARE LOCATED IN THE LARGEST RECREATIONAL FACILITY EVER CONSTRUCTED IN A CITY PARK AND THE FIRST INDOOR POOL COMPLETED IN FOUR DECADES.
MY CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $13 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE FACILITY WAS ANOTHER OF THE LARGEST I’VE MADE SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT. BUT, IF YOU HEAR THE LAUGHTER FROM THE CHILDREN WHO SPLASH INTO IT, YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS WORTH IT AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!! FAMILY RATES ARE AVAILABLE.
THE YEAR-ROUND ICE RINK MEETS NHL STANDARDS. IT TOOK TWO BOROUGH PRESIDENTS, TWO MAYORS AND $66 MILLION DOLLARS TO GET IT DONE-BUT MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
NOT FAR FROM THE POOL AND RINK IS THE SOON TO BE OPENED FOWLER AVENUE RECREATION CENTER THAT RIVALS ANY PRIVATE GYM IN THE CITY. WORKING WITH OUR QUEENS PARKS COMMISSIONER DOROTHY LEWENDOWSKI, I PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING SHOWER SPRAYS AT RAINEY PARK IN LONG ISLAND CITY AND A NEW COMFORT STATION AT THE CORONA GOLF PLAYGROUND.
LOOK FOR NEW BALLFIELDS AT CUNNINGHAM PARK, NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT AT LAURELTON AND ROCKAWAY’S LANNETT PLAYGROUNDS AND A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW BALLFIELD AT THE JOE AUSTIN PLAYGROUND FOR EDISION HIGH SCHOOL. ALSO LOOK FOR MORE CRICKET PLAY WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW CRICKET FIELD, COMPLETE WITH NEW BLEACHERS AT IDELWILD PARK-ALL FUNDED BY MY OFFICE.
LAST YEAR, WE ALSO OPENED THE FORT TOTTEN VISITORS CENTER IN A RESTORED MUSEUM BUILDING. MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE PROVIDED THE CRITICAL FUNDING FOR THIS PRESERVATION EFFORT.
PRESERVATION
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I PROVIDED MORE THAN $10 MILLION DOLLARS TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN THE BOROUGH INCLUDING FUNDS TO LATIMER HOUSE, POPPENHUSEN INSTITUTE, QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM, CHAPEL OF THE SISTERS IN JAMAICA, AND CONGREGATION TIFFERETH ISRAEL IN CORONA.
A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS GOES TO MY PARTNERS IN THESE EFFORTS, THE LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY AND THE HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SUPPORT FOR HOUSES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.
LAST YEAR, I WAS HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE JUNIPER PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE CRITICAL FUNDING TO HELP SAVE THE HISTORIC SAINT SAVIORS CHURCH IN MASPETH FROM THE WRECKING BALL.
MY DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT KAREN KOSLOWITZ AND I ARE NOW WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND NEWLY INSTALLED COUNCILMEMBER ELIZABETH CROWLEY, STATE SENATOR JOSEPH ADDABBO AND ASSEMBLYMAN ANDREW HEVESI TO RECONSTRUCT THE CHURCH.
SOON, WE WILL ENSURE THE FUTURE OF THE HISTORIC KINGSLAND HOUSE WITH ITS TRANSFER TO THE HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST AND COMMENCE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KING MANOR MUSEUM’S EDUCATION ROOM.
THIS YEAR, WE WILL BREAK GROUND ON A VISITORS CENTER FOR BOWNE HOUSE, NOW FRONT AND CENTER SINCE THE WIDELY CELEBRATED 350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE LAST YEAR.
TO HELP KEEP THE LESSONS OF THE REMONSTRANCE ALIVE, I FUNDED A CURRICULUM ABOUT THIS HISTORIC DOCUMENT, THE FORERUNNER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, ESTABLISHING FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN AMERICA.
THE CURRICULUM IS NOW IN ALL QUEENS SCHOOLS.
I AM ALSO PROUD OF MY AWARD FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES FOR MY EFFORT TO PRESERVE THIS CHAPTER OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
THIS YEAR WE WILL BREAK GROUND ON THE VISITORS CENTER FOR THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE IN CORONA-IN MEMORY OF OUR OWN INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL. THE NEW VISITORS CENTER WILL RISE ON A VACANT LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE.
WHEN COMPLETED NEXT YEAR, IT WILL INCLUDE NEW EXHIBITION SPACE AND THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG ARCHIVES NOW HOUSED AT THE QUEENS COLLEGE LIBRARY.
ZONING
DURING MY YEARS AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE WORKED HARD TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS FROM OVERDEVELOPMENT WHILE ALLOWING REASONABLE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, WE HAVE REZONEDTHOUSANDS OF BLOCKS IN 30 QUEENS NEIGHBORHOODS.
LAST YEAR, WE WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING TO COMPLETE REZONINGS IN FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND ANOTHER THREE ARE UNDERWAY. MEANWHILE, COMMERCIAL CENTERS IN JAMAICA AND LONG ISLAND CITY WERE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE WITH THE ABILITY TO NOW BUILD MIXED DEVELOPMENT AROUND MASS TRANSPORTATION HUBS, WHILE RESPECTING EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
AND, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, NEW DISTRICTS WERE MAPPED TO ENCOURAGE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
HOUSING
UNFORTUNATELY, QUEENS SOLIDIFIED ITS DUBIOUS DISTINCTION AS THE EPICENTER OF OUR STATE’S FORECLOSURE CRISIS, REFLECTING A NATIONAL DOWNTURN THAT NOW HAS ONE IN EVERY 10 AMERICANS BEHIND IN THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.
LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF 500 QUEENS FAMILIES WERE NOTIFIED EVERY MONTH THAT THEIR HOMES WERE AT RISK. IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE FAMILY HOMES AND PREVENT NEIGHBORHOOD BLIGHT, I PROVIDED $250,000 DOLLARS TO SEVERAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER FREE LEGAL HELP AND GUIDANCE AND WORK WITH ME TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION SEMINARS.
WE ALSO HELD A HOUSING FAIR IN JUNE WITH HPD TO ASSIST PROSPECTIVE HOMEOWNERS AND ANXIOUS OWNERS THREATENED BY FORECLOSURE. IN AUGUST, GOVERNOR PATERSON SIGNED INTO LAW COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS TO ADDRESS THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS AND PREVENT A SIMILAR ONE IN THE FUTURE. HE SIGNED THE LAW AT BOROUGH HALL, RECOGNIZING QUEENS A BOROUGH OF SMALL HOMES, AS ONE OF THE AREAS HARDEST HIT BY THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS.
LAST WEEK, SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER FORGED A LANDMARK AGREEMENT WITH CITIGROUP THAT PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW RULES THAT WOULD HELP PROTECT HOMEOWNERS THREATENED WITH FORECLOSURE.
ROCKAWAY
CLEARLY, CREATING AND MAINTAINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING MUST REMAIN ONE OF OUR BOROUGH’S TOP PRIORITIES. AND, WE ARE DOING JUST THAT IN THE ROCKAWAYS WHERE WE REZONED MAJOR AREAS OF THE PENINSULA TO NOT ONLY PROTECT NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE AND DENSITY BUT TO ALSO CREATE ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
NEAR TRANSIT LINES.
LAST YEAR, WE REACHED THE FINAL PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARVERNE URBAN RENEWAL AREA. IT WAS THE LARGEST TRACT OF VACANT CITY-OWNED LAND EVER DEVELOPED WITH HOUSING. WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL CREATE MORE THAN 4,000 UNITS OF HOUSING FOR MORE THAN 10,000 QUEENS RESIDENTS.
THE ARVERNE BY THE SEA COMMUNITY WILL BRING 2300 UNITS OF HOUSING, A NEW TRANSIT PLAZA AND ADDITIONAL RETAIL SPACE. NEARBY, ARVERNE EAST, A NEW WATERFRONT GATEWAY COMMUNITY WITH ITS 1200 HOUSING UNITS WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 2-ACRE PARK, A NATURE PRESERVE, A TOWN SQUARE WITH AN AMPHITHEATRE AND A BALLPARK. THIS YEAR, WE WILL BEGIN THE 1ST PHASE WITH 700 UNITS, THE NATURE PRESERVE AND COMMUNITY PARK.
ELSEWHERE IN THE ROCKAWAYS, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE COMMUNITY TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE NEW USES FOR THE FORMER ROCKAWAY COURTHOUSE AND A FORMER FIREHOUSE. WHEN CUNY SCRAPPED OUR PLAN TO CREATE CUNY BY THE SEA, I ENSURED THAT THE $18 MILLION DOLLARS I HAD ALLOCATED FOR THAT PROJECT WAS RETAINED FOR THE ROCKAWAYS.
TODAY, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE FUNDING WILL NOW BE USED TO BUILD AN ENTIRELY NEW FAR ROCKAWAY LIBRARY, REPLACING AN ANTIQUATED AND CRAMPED FACILITY.
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HELPED LEAD THE FIGHT TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THREE BANKING DISTRICTS IN QUEENS AND I NOW AM WORKING WITH THE ROCKAWAY REVITALIZATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO LAUNCH ANOTHER IN FAR ROCKAWAY.
BANKING DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS
BRING GOVERNMENT DEPOSITS TO NEW LOCAL BANKS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. WHILE WE CONTINUE OUR FIGHT TO MAINTAIN THE CROSS BAY BRIDGE TOLL REBATE PROGRAM, SOME GOOD NEWS FOR ROCKAWAY COMMUTERS TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR.
MAY 12 WAS THE HISTORIC DAY THAT FERRY SERVICE BEGAN FROM RIIS LANDING TO WALL STREET. BY JULY, RIDERSHIP DOUBLED AND NOW WE ARE CALLING FOR MORE FREQUENCY IN ITS SERVICE. SPECIAL THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN AND STATE SENATOR JOSEPH ADDABBO FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP.
LONG ISLAND CITY
LONG ISLAND CITY IS ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING NEW YORK CITY’S FOURTH LARGEST BUSINESS DISTRICT.
AT THE FOOT OF THE 100-YEAR-OLD QUEENSBOROUGH BRIDGE, THE DEMOLITION OF THE QUEENS PLAZA GARAGE MADE WAY FOR THE START OF CONSTRUCTION OF GOTHAM CENTER. THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS $316 MILLION DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT WILL CREATE 1400 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND HOUSE A CONSOLIDATED CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF IN A 21-STORY, ENVIRONMENTALLY GREEN TOWER.
THE TISHMAN-SPEYER TOWER WILL COMPLEMENT THE CITY’S $40 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR AND TRANSFORM QUEENS PLAZA INTO A SHINING GATEWAY TO QUEENS WITH A NEW SIGNATURE PARK, NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS, LANDSCAPED MEDIANS, LIGHTING AND TREES.
AROUND THE CORNER ON JACKSON AVENUE, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN OCTOBER TO IMPROVE ROADWAYS, LANDSCAPE MEDIANS, AND CREATE NEW OPEN SPACE TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR FUTURE GROWTH.
NEARBY, ELMO, MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND I BROKE GROUND ON KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS NEW $22 MILLION DOLLAR FILM AND TELEVISION STUDIO ON WHAT IS NOW A VACANT LOT. THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE 400 NEW JOBS IN A HOLLYWOOD STYLE BACK LOT, ENHANCING OUR REPUTATION AS HOLLYWOOD EAST.
NEXT DOOR, THE MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE, BROKE GROUND ON A $65 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION PROJECT THAT WILL LITERALLY DOUBLE ITS SIZE. IT WILL INCLUDE A NEW THEATRE, EDUCATION CENTER, DIGITAL CLASSROOMS, A SCREENING ROOM AND A NEW GALLERY AND COURTYARD. JOIN ME IN THE SPRING OF 2010 TO CELEBRATE ITS PREMIER.
AT QUEENS WEST, ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION OF 9.5 ACRES WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE NEXT 4 ROCKROSE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BUILDINGS. SPEAKING OF QUEENS WEST, WE CAN NOW SEE THAT AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING, DESIGN AND COMBINED FUNDING, AN AREA ONCE KNOWN FOR ITS WEEDS AND WAREHOUSES, IS NOW HOME TO A STRONG MIX OF 27 HUNDRED MARKET RATE, RENTALS AND AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS, AND EVEN HOUSING FOR SENIORS.
THIS YEAR, ROCKROSE WILL OPEN ITS NEW CONDO BUILDING AND, I AM COMMITTED TO BUILDING A NEW LIBRARY AT QUEENS WEST. I HAVE OBTAINED $6 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN.
GANTRY STATE PARK HAS BECOME A FAVORITE LOCATION FOR CONCERTS AND BRIDAL PARTIES LOOKING FOR AN URBAN BACKGROUND. A PRE-K TO EIGHTH GRADE SCHOOL IS ON THE WAY AND NEW STORES AND RESTAURANTS HAVE NOW OPENED. JUST THINK, 20 YEARS AGO NONE OF THIS EXISTED. NEARBY, HUNTERS POINT SOUTH WILL PROVIDE UP TO 5,000 HOUSING UNITS, 60% OF WHICH WILL BE AFFORDABLE TO MODERATE AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES. THIS NEW COMMUNITY WILL INCLUDE RETAIL SPACE, COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, AN 11-ACRE WATERFRONT PARK AND PARKING. WE HOPE TO BREAK GROUND THIS YEAR.
I THANK COUNCILMAN ERIC GOIA, COMMUNITY BOARD 2 AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN CATHY NOLAN WHO WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH THE CITY TO SHAPE THIS PROJECT. I WILL SIT ON THE PROPOSED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD THAT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT.
AT HALLETS COVE, A NEW PLAN WAS UNVEILED IN DECEMBER FOR 2,400 UNITS OF HOUSING AND RETAIL SPACE OF WHICH 20% WILL BE AFFORDABLE.
THE LONG ISLAND CITY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE ALREADY 4,000 HOUSING UNITS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, RECENTLY COMPLETED OR PLANNED.
ON THE JOB FRONT, METLIFE IS MOVING 300 EMPLOYEES FROM NEW JERSEY AND LONG ISLAND TO ITS QUEENS PLAZA SITE. BARCLAYS WILL BRING ALMOST 300 OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO THE BUILDING. OTHER PRIVATE FIRMS ARE SCHEDULED TO BRING ANOTHER 80 JOBS.
JAMAICA
THE HISTORIC JAMAICA REZONING HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE NEW RENAISSANCE OF THIS ECONOMIC AND TRANSPORTATION HUB.
WHILE PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER ON RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, IT ENCOURAGES DEVELOPMENT IN A STRENGTHENED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT CENTERED AROUND MASS TRANSIT AT THE AIRTRAIN STATION.
AS A MEMBER OF THE JAMAICA INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE, I AM WORKING WITH COUNCILMAN LEROY COMRIE, COMMUNITY BOARD 12, WHICH LOST A GREAT CHAIR GLORIA BLACK LAST YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO MOVE THE PLAN AHEAD.
AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH WILL PROVIDE NEW GATEWAYS TO DOWNTOWN JAMAICA. IN NOVEMBER THE EFFORT BEGAN WHEN WE BROKE GROUND ON THE $12 MILLION DOLLAR SUTPHIN UNDERPASS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHICH WILL CREATE A BRIGHTER NEW CONCOURSE WITH RETAIL SHOPS.
ACROSS THE STREET AT STATION PLAZA THERE WILL BE NEW SITTING AREAS ON WIDENED SIDEWALKS IN TWO NEW PUBLIC PLAZAS. THE DEMOLITION OF THE LONG VACANT MEAT PLANT NEAR THE AIRTRAIN PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW RETAIL, HOUSING, COMMUNITY FACILITY AND OFFICE SPACE--ALL ENABLED
BY THE RECENT REZONING.
THREE NEW HOTELS ARE PLANNED FOR THE AREA INCLUDING A MARRIOTT COURTYARD NEAR STATION PLAZA. LAST YEAR, WE COMPLETED THE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT WITH NEW KIOSKS, BANNERS AND ICONIC PIANO KEYS CELEBRATING JAZZ AT THE AIRTRAIN STATION.
AT 168TH STREET, A DEVELOPMENT TEAM WILL SOON BE ANNOUNCED TO CONSTRUCT NEW LEED CERTIFIED HOUSING AND SHOPS, INCLUDING A SIT-DOWN RESTAURANT. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A TARGETED HIRING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
ELSEWHERE IN JAMAICA, WE RECENTLY BROKE GROUND ON A MUCH AWAITED SCHOOL IS/PS 48 WITH OVER 600 SEATS. AND WE WILL COMPLETE THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE FORMER FAMILY COURTHOUSE INTO 350 UNITS20OF HOUSING, RETAIL AND COMMUNITY SPACE IN A TOWER THAT PRESERVES THE COURTHOUSE’S ITALIAN RENAISSANCE-STYLE FAÇADE.
I AM PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT TWO OF MY PROJECTS ARE NOW COMPLETE. THE JAMAICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE JAMAICA CENTER FOR ARTS AND LEARNING, WILL SOON OFFICIALLY OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC. THIS $18 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT, FUNDED LARGELY AGAIN BY MY OFFICE, WITH A $2 MILLION DOLLAR ASSIST FROM COUNCILMAN LEROY COMRIE, CONVERTED THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH INTO ONE OF THE PREMIER VENUES IN QUEENS FOR PERFORMANCES, RECEPTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS.
AND, THE HISTORIC CHAPEL OF THE SISTERS WAS RESTORED IN SEPTEMBER TO CREATE A WONDERFUL NEW HOME FOR THE YORK COLLEGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE THANKS TO A PARNERSHIP WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, THE GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY AND THE PROSPECT CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
AT MY REQUEST, THE SITE HAS NOW BEEN NAMED FOR ONE OF OUR HOMETOWN JAZZ LEGENDS, THE LATE ILLINOIS JACQUET, AND AUDIENCES ALREADY HAVE BEEN ENTHRALLED BY PERFORMANCES AT THE SITE.
FLUSHING
RECOGNIZED BY CRAINS LAST YEAR AS “ONE OF THE CITY’S HOTTEST INCUBATORS OF SMALL BUSINESSES” FLUSHING IS BOOMING WITH NEW BUSINESSES, CONDOS AND A NEW BASEBALL STADIUM.
MUSS DEVELOPMENT IS BUILDING SKY VIEW PARC ON 14 ACRES. THIS BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT WILL CREATE 1100 CONDO UNITS, AN ELEVATED PARK AND NEW STORES INCLUDING NATIONAL RETAILERS AND GENERATE 2,000 JOBS. THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS MASSIVE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED LATER THIS
YEAR.
THE LONG-AWAITED TRANSFORMATION OF FLUSHING’S MUNICIPAL LOT 1 INTO FLUSHING COMMONS WILL CREATE A NEW COMMUNITY WITH A TOWN SQUARE, 5OO CONDO UNITS, SHOPS, A HOTEL, MOVIE THEATRE, AND A YMCA. THE PROJECT WILL GENERATE 2600 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND 1800 PERMANENT JOBS.
WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS LOCAL ELECTED OFFICALS, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS CONCERNS AND HOPE TO THEN BEGIN THE PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS. I AM ALSO PROUD THAT I WAS ABLE TO INCLUDE 140 UNITS OF MUCH-NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNDER AN AGREEMENT I FORGED FOR THE MACEDONIA AME CHURCH.
LAST YEAR, QUEENS CROSSING OPENED WITH ITS OFFICE, RETAIL AND DINING SPACE IN A BUILDING DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE VIEW OF FLUSHING COMMONS ACROSS THE STREET.
AND, MY OFFICE IS WORKING WITH THE FLUSHING, WILLETS POINT AND CORONA LDC, HEADED BY MY FRIEND CLAIRE SHULMAN, TO CREATE A FLUSHING RIVER MASTER PLAN THAT WILL OPEN WATERFRONT ACCESS FROM DOWNTOWN FLUSHING TO A NEW RIVERFRONT ESPLANADE, 3 NEW PARKS AND A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE THAT WILL LINK TO WILLETS POINT.
I AM ALSO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE THE FLUSHING BAY PROMENADE INTO FLUSHING.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY.
IN REGO PARK, VORNADO DEVELOPMENT WILL COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RETAIL SPACE RISING ON ALMOST 7 ACRES THAT WILL INCLUDE A KOHL’S AND THE FIRST CENTURY 21 IN QUEENS. ISN’T THAT GREAT?
IN OCTOBER, GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCED THE SELECTION OF DELAWARE NORTH COMPANIES TO DEVELOP A WORLD-CLASS GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX AT AQUEDUCT RACETRACK. THE NEW RACINO, A COMBINATION RACETRACK AND CASINO, WILL INCLUDE 4,500 VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS, RESTAURANTS, 300 HOTEL ROOMS AND A CONFERENCE CENTER. CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START EARLY THIS YEAR ON THIS EXCITING FACILITY. IT WILL GENERATE MILLIONS IN TAX REVENUE TARGETED TO EDUCATION. IT WILL ALSO GENERATE 2,000 JOBS AND COMMUNITY INPUT WILL BE A MAJOR COMPONENT AS THE PLAN PROGRESSES.
MY OFFICE IS ALSO WORKING WITH STATE OFFICIALS ON THE FUTURE OF BELMONT RACETRACK. OUR GOAL IS TO SHARE IN THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT BY OBTAINING ENHANCEMENTS AND ASSISTANCE TO AFFECTED BUSINESSES IN QUEENS VILLAGE.
ALMOST EVERYTHING I SPOKE ABOUT TODAY IS RELATED TO JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.
AND, THAT MEANS SUPPORTING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR BOROUGH’S ECONOMY, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS LIKE FRANCESCO LOCASANO, WHO BROUGHT HIS TRADE SKILLS TO AMERICA AND OPENED HIS BARBERSHOP 50 YEARS AGO ON UNION TURNPIKE WHERE HE STILL WORKS EVERY DAY.
THAT’S WHY I WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR MERCHANT ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS.
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, MY OFFICE HELPED TO ESTABLISH BIDS IN FLUSHING, JAMAICA, LONG ISLAND CITY, BAYSIDE AND SUNNYSIDE. NOW, WE ARE PLANNING ANOTHER THREE IN WHITESTONE, WOODSIDE AND THE ROCKAWAYS.
AND LET’S NOT FORGET THOSE AMONG US WHO ARE DISABLED YET SEEKING
EMPLOYMENT.
I URGE BUSINESS OWNERS TO ATTEND OUR THIRD ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INFORMATION SESSION, HOSTED BY MY ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HIRING INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
IN SEPTEMBER, I WAS PLEASED TO JOIN QUEENS CHAMBER PRESIDENT AL PENISI AND DEPUTY MAYOR ROBERT LEIBER TO LAUNCH KEEP IT IN QUEENS IN AN ALL OUT EFFORT TO CONNECT QUEENS COMPANIES TO THE MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE PROJECTS I HAVE DESCRIBED TODAY.
CITIFIELD
MISTER MET! WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT MAJOR PROJECTS AND YOU JUST REMINDED ME ABOUT THE ONE THAT IS MOST NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS … CITIFIELD. WHY DON’T WE STAND TOGETHER AND TAKE LOOK AT THE NEW HOME FOR OUR HOMETOWN TEAM. (VIDEO)
OPENING DAY IS APRIL 13TH. LET’S GO METS! …..
HONOREES
WHILE MAJOR PROJECTS WILL SHAPE THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR BOROUGH, IT IS DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE ITS SPIRIT. AND TODAY IT’S MY PLEASURE TO HONOR TWO SUCH INDIVIDUALS WITH QUEENS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.
JULIETTE ALKINS HANSEN
JULIETTE ALKINS HANSEN IS A NATIVE NEW YORKER WHO HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO EDUCATION AND HER COMMUNITY. SHE WAS A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE GROUP THAT BROUGHT THE BRIDGE TO MEDICINE PROGRAM TO QUEENS-A PROGRAM THAT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENTER THE FIELD OF MEDICINE. SHE CONTINUED HER DEDICATED WORK WITH FUTURE LEADERS AT THE GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL. SHE ORGANIZED THE FIRST QUEENS CHAPTER OF LINKS, A WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN OF COLOR WHO LEND SUPPORT TO THE ARTS, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE. SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JAMAICA CENTER FOR ARTS AND LEARNING AND THE ADVISORY BOARD OF JAMAICA SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY. SHE ALSO IS THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE JAMAICA CHAPTER OF THE NAACP. HER LATE HUSBAND RICHARD SERVED AS ITS PRESIDENT. MRS. HANSEN IS A HALF-CENTURY MEMBER OF THE QUEENS CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY. A PROUD MOTHER OF TWO AND GRANDMOTHER OF THREE, MRS. HANSEN DESERVES OUR THANKS.
BOB HARRIS
BOB HARRIS IS ANOTHER OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A VETERAN EDUCATOR, COLUMNIST AND CIVIC LEADER. AFTER MANY YEARS AT BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL, HE NOW WRITES ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AT AREA HIGH SCHOOLS. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER AND PRESIDENT OF THE WEST CUNNINGHAM CIVIC ASSOCIATION FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF COMMUNITY BOARD 8 FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. HE IS A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED CIVIC COUNCIL, THE PRECURSOR TO THE QUEENS CIVIC CONGRESS. HE IS AN OFFICER OF THE QUEENS JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND A VOLUNTEER WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. HE ALSO SOMEHOW FINDS TIME TO WRITE THE CIVIC CORNER COLUMN IN THE FRESH MEADOWS TIMES. HE AND HIS WIFE EDNA ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF 3 CHILDREN AND 2 GRANDCHILDREN.
SUMMATION
TODAY I HAVE TALKED ABOUT JOB LOSS, JOB CREATION, DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES AND TRANSFORMING ADVERSITY INTO OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE. IN TWO DAYS WE WILL RECALL THE BIRTH OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR, A MODERN DAY LEADER WHO HOPED FOR AND PREACHED A MESSAGE OF NONVIOLENCE TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE. HIS WORDS LIVE ON TO INSPIRE US AND HIS LEGACY IS THAT HE TURNED A PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA WITH A DREAM THAT ALL OF US ARE CREATED EQUAL.
IN ONE WEEK, WE WILL INAUGURATE A NEW PRESIDENT WHO HAS ALSO INSPIRED US WITH A MESSAGE OF CHANGE AND A PROMISE THAT HELP IS ON THE WAY WITH MILLIONS OF NEW JOBS, IMPROVED HEALTH CARE AND AN IMPROVED AMERICA. BARACK OBAMA SPENT FIVE YEARS IN NEW YORK. HE WORKED HERE, WENT TO SCHOOL HERE AND CREDITS A NEW YORK LIBRARIAN FOR HELPING HIM TO GET A JOB AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER IN CHICAGO. BARACK OBAMAKNOWS OUR PROBLEMS. HE KNOWS WE ARE HURTING AND THIS MAN OF HISTORY NOW STANDS ON A GLOBAL STAGE READY TO TAKE ON ENORMOUS CHALLENGES. HE STOOD IN THE SHADOW OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS JUST TWO YEARS AGO. IT WAS IN SPRINGFIELD ALSO THAT LINCOLN HOPED FOR A DIVIDED HOUSE TO
COME TOGETHER.
OUR JOB TODAY IS TO: REMEMBER THE WORDS OF LINCOLN, WHOSE 200TH BIRTHDAY WE WILL CELEBRATE NEXT MONTH; LIVE THE NONVIOLENT MESSAGE AND HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. KING; AND TO HELP PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA AND, LIKE HIM TO ‘‘DREAM BIG DREAMS”.
HE HAS TOLD US THAT THE ROAD AHEAD MAY BE LONG AND STEEP; BUT THAT WE WILL ALL GET THERE. HE HAS PROMISED US… ‘WE AS A PEOPLE WILL GET THERE.”
THANK YOU.
AND NOW IT GIVES ME HONOR20TO PRESENT A MAJOR SPIRITUAL LEADER IN THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS. HIS GENTLE DEMEANOR BELIES HIS POWER TO INSPIRE THE BEST IN ALL OF US... RABBI GANS
(closing)
