July 2015 - The Flushing Blog

Met on Bowne Closes

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015Dan Rose

The Met Food on Bowne Street in Flushing officially closed its doors this week. The site was bought by a developer, who plans to raze the store for a taller residential building, although exact plans remain murky. No jobs have been filed with the Department of Buildings yet.

However, there have been rumors that the new owner is considering a grocery store on the first floor of any new development.

In the meantime, losing the Met will be a burden for the elderly and those who have trouble getting around, as the Met was the only store in the neighborhood that offered home delivery on purchases of $25 or more.

Flushing street corner renamed for Allision Liao

July 24, 2015Dan Rose

The city council voted yesterday to rename the northeast corridor of Cherry and Main Streets in memory of Allision Liao, the 3-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a car on Oct. 6, 2013.

Councilman Peter Koo, who fought for the renaming, released a statement after the vote:

“Allison Liao was a bright and boisterous young girl with limitless potential who had her whole life ahead of her. While her senseless death was devastating to our community, it has also spurred impassioned awareness campaigns on driver safety across the city. As drivers pass Allison Hope Liao Way, it is our hope that they recall her parents’ poignant question, ‘Is it worth it? If you’re in a hurry and running late; if you are impatient because of traffic; if you want to send a text, or make a phone call; if you are distracted for any reason while behind the wheel, is it worth the life of Allison Liao? We all know the answer to these questions. And now we have Allison Hope Liao Way to remind us all of the fragility of life, and of the deadly consequences that can occur behind the wheel.”

The officials unveiling of the sign will be announced at a later date.

Flushing library part of Lincoln Center concert series

July 22, 2015Dan Rose

The Queens Library is hosting summer concerts throughout August in conjunction with the Lincoln Center Local. The series continues Lincoln Center’s commitment to bring exceptional arts and artists to new audiences and into the community. There will be 8 total concerts throughout the borough.

The series kicks off with the first performance in Flushing:

Saturday, August 1, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Nation Beat: Carnival Caravan Featuring Cha Wa
Queens Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main St.
Carnival Caravan is a vibrant intercultural collaboration featuring Brazilian-American group Nation Beat and New Orleans band Cha Wa. Their goal is to incorporate Brazilian, New Orleans, and related music, dance, and art into a show that explores the common ground and cultural exchange between North and South America.

Summer Community Carnival

July 14, 2015Dan Rose

This Saturday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Mosaic City Church will hold a free carnival at the Queens College Student Union. The event will feature a bounce house, face painting, cotton candy and the first 100 kids to arrive will get a free prize.

CUNY Citizenship Now! Fair announced

July 13, 2015Dan Rose

Today at the Flushing YMCA, Senator Toby Stavisky, Assemblyman Ron Kim and Council Member Peter Koo announced the Citizenship Now! Fair in connection with CUNY.

The Citizenship Now! Fair will be held on Saturday, July 25. It will take place in the Flushing YMCA located at 138-46 Northern Boulevard, at the corner of Bowne Street.

The fair, which will last all day, will provide legal services which include help with the naturalization process, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and family-based petitions.

Select Bus Service proposal is revised to address community concerns

July 8, 2015Dan Rose

Last night, Community Board 7 was presented with a revision to a proposal that once wanted to install bus-only lanes along Main Street. This plan raised many concerns for locals regarding heavy traffic congestion.

The new proposal would install Select Bus Service bus lanes on Main Street in both directions from Kissena Blvd to the LIE and a bus lane only on the Northbound side of Main Street from Reeves Avenue to the LIE. The bus lanes will be one lane away from the curb so as to continue to allow parking and loading.

“Addressing the needs of commuters, drivers and pedestrians in an area so heavily congested is extremely difficult, but I believe this plan is the best solution for the Flushing community,” said Senator Stavisky.

Two events provide entertainment in Flushing

July 6, 2015Dan Rose

On Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. at Flushing Town Hall, local business leaders will announce Flushing Night Out. The event will be the first community night market and will promote local food and fashion and showcase live music and entertainment.

Also in Flushing, the 2nd Annual All-Queens Family Fun Fest will take place on Sunday, July 12 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Kissena Corridor Park, near Main Street and Elder Avenue. The event, which is sponsored by elected officials and business leaders, will provide locals with performances and music that represents a wide range of cultural influences.

The All-Queens Family Fun Fest will also have activities and rides for children.

Judge halts Willets West project

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015Dan Rose

Plans for a mega-mall on part of the Citi Field parking lot took a hit yesterday, as a judge ruled that the developers of Willets West would have to seek approval for the project from the state.

The private project, which included a “mega-mall” and was touted as necessary to finance the larger Willets Point redevelopment, would have technically been constructed on parkland. Approval from the state legislature is necessary to give public land to a private entity.