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STATE OF THE BOROUGH ADDRESS
COLDEN AUDITORIUM AT QUEENS COLLEGE
1/25/2011 - GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!
WELCOME TO THE 2011 REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE GREAT BOROUGH OF QUEENS.
ITS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU TODAY AS YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT.
WELL, WE WEATHERED A TORNADO IN SEPTEMBER AND A BLIZZARD IN DECEMBER THAT BROUGHT QUEENS TO A HALT. TEARFUL TESTIMONY AT LEAST WEEKS HEARING WAS HEARTBREAKING.
WE ALSO SAID GOODBYE TO PUBLIC SERVANTS, DENIS BUTLER, TOM WHITE, GLORIA DAMICO, AND 9/11 HERO, DETECTIVE KEVIN
CZARTORYSKI, OF MASPETH.
AS I BEGIN THE SECOND YEAR OF MY THIRD TERM, I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, AND LOOK FORWARD TO COMPLETING PROJECTS AND BUILDING NEW COMMUNITIES.
WE WILL DO THIS WITH THE HELP OF OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND OUR NEW GOVERNOR, A SON OF QUEENS, WHO HAS LAID OUT A BOLD NEW VISION FOR OUR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
UNEMPLOYMENT IN QUEENS IS SLOWLY DECLINING, AND OUR FAITH IN THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS RISING. NEW YORK CITY CONTINUES TO LEAD THE NATION ON GETTING OUR PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.
FROM THE SHORES OF THE EAST RIVER TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN COASTLINE, QUEENS IS BUILDING, GROWING AND GETTING GREENER.
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE EXPANDING AND BUILDING NEW LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS AND THOUSANDS OF NEW HOUSING UNITS. ALL OF THIS IS TAKING PLACE WITH A CONSTANT EYE ON THE NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, GREENER ENERGY AND, ZONING THAT ALLOWS US TO BUILD, WHILE PROTECTING THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND, WHILE DOING THIS, WE HAVE MADE A RENEWED PUSH FOR LANDMARKING TO HELP PRESERVE THE HISTORY THAT TELLS THE STORY OF OUR EVOLUTION FROM A RURAL ECONOMY TO A MODERN-DAY CITY.
WE ARE AN EVER-CHANGING CENTER OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY WITH GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE REMAIN THE EPI-CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION.
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ALLOCATING MORE THAN 354 MILLION DOLLARS TO LIBRARIES, PARKS, CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND HISTORIC HOUSES.
THIS FUNDING HAS PREPARED OUR BOROUGH WELL FOR A NEW GENERATION OF RESIDENTS AND IMMIGRANTS LOOKING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM RIGHT HERE IN QUEENS. MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, HOWEVER, THAT DREAM CAN ONLY BE SECURED WITH A QUALITY EDUCATION.
EDUCATION
IVE ALWAYS SAID, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR EDUCATION TO SUCCEED. THATS WHY MY PARENT ADVISORY BOARD WITH THE HELP OF DMYTRO FEDKOWSKI - CONTINUES TO LINK PARENTS WITH EDUCATORS AND PROVIDES A FORUM WHERE THEY CAN GET REAL ANSWERS FROM TOP-RANKING CITY OFFICIALS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, CHANCELLOR CATHIE BLACK HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED MY INVITATION TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
LAST MONTH, I MET WITH CHANCELLOR BLACK TO TELL HER ABOUT THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT OUR SCHOOLS FACE HERE IN QUEENS. THE CHALLENGES INCLUDE: HOW TO IMPROVE THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE; INCREASE ART AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULA;. MEET CITY AND STATE STANDARDS, PARTICULARLY IN EARLY GRADES; AND, ELIMINATE OVERCROWDING.
WE HAVE MORE OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS THAN ANY BOROUGH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM, MY WAR ROOM MEETINGS ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND EXPEDITE THE CREATION OF MUCH-NEEDED NEW SEATS. WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.
IN SEPTEMBER, TWO SCHOOLS MOVED INTO NEW BUILDINGS. GATEWAY TO HEALTH SCIENCES IS NOW ON THE CAMPUS OF QUEENS HOSPITAL CENTER. PS 280 IN JACKSON HEIGHTS HAS A NEW HOME,.. AND PS 13 IN ELMHURST OPENED A NEW ANNEX. PS 273 OPENED ITS DOORS WITH 379 SEATS IN RICHMOND HILL.
THE JEWEL IN NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IS THE METROPOLITAN AVENUE CAMPUS IN FOREST HILLS. THIS CAMPUS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TWO THOUSAND STUDENTS, FROM GRADES 6 TO 12.
IN THE FALL, WE WILL ADD EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEATS AT MASPETH HIGH SCHOOL AND AT PS 277 IN JAMAICA.
TO BUILD STRONG BODIES AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, I PARTNERED WITH THE OUT-TO-PLAY- ORGANIZATION TO CREATE PLAY SPACES OUTSIDE 16 SCHOOLS. TAKE A LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE WE HAVE MADE.
WE ALSO WORKED WITH THE YMCA TO BUILD STRONG BODIES. AND ON THURSDAY, WE WILL OPEN A RENOVATED RIDGEWOOD BRANCH, WITH A ONE MILLION DOLLAR ASSIST FROM MY OFFICE.
IN APRIL, THE SOUTH QUEENS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WILL BREAK GROUND ON ITS EXPANSION PROJECT, WITH FOUR MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE. IT WILL PROVIDE BIGGER AND BETTER SPACE FOR THE TWO THOUSAND YOUNGSTERS IT SERVES EVERY YEAR.
CUNY
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NEW HORIZONS.
ENROLLMENT HERE IN QUEENS IS AT A RECORD HIGH,.. WITH MORE THAN 100 THOUSAND STUDENTS.
QUEENS COLLEGE LAUNCHED A GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM. IT WILL HELP STUDENTS TO GAIN THE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY. AND, IT CONTINUES TO ADD PROGRAMS IN FIELDS WHERE THE DEMAND FOR JOBS IS GROWING, INCLUDING NEUROSCIENCE, GRAPHIC DESIGN AND MORE.
THE CUNY LAW SCHOOL IS ON THE MOVE TO LONG ISLAND CITY, WHERE ADDITIONAL SPACE WILL ENABLE IT TO EXPAND ITS AWARD- WINNING LEGAL CLINICS BY NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, YORK COLLEGES NEW B.S. NURSING PROGRAM WILL PREPARE STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW SIMULATION LAB. IT WILL PROVIDE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR WITH 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE.
LAGUARDIA WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNER OF THE GOLDMAN SACHS SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON-TRAINING TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES CREATE JOBS. ITS FIRST GRADUATES HEARD FROM A REAL BUSINESS SUCCESS, WARREN BUFFETT.
QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE WAS CHOSEN AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN SERVICE LEARNING BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES. UNDER THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS WORK WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, APPLYING THEORY TO PRACTICE.
HEALTH
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION AND QUEENS IS HEALTHCARE.
IN RECENT YEARS, FOUR HOSPITALS IN QUEENS HAVE CLOSED. WE NOW HAVE ONLY 10 HOSPITALS TO SERVE 2.3 MILLION RESIDENTS.
OUR REMAINING HOSPITALS NEED MORE BEDS, SPACE AND EQUIPMENT. THATS WHY I INCREASED FUNDING FOR NEW HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT. WITH THE HELP OF 4.6 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE, THIS YEAR, HOSPITALS WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE, X-RAY MACHINES, CT SCANS, CARDIAC IMAGING AND CATARACT SURGERY SYSTEMS.
LETS TAKE A LOOK AT WHATS HAPPENING AT SOME OF OUR HOSPITALS:
ST. MARYS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, A CENTER OF HOPE FOR CRITICALLY ILL AND INJURED CHILDREN, BROKE GROUND FOR ITS NEW IN-PATIENT BUILDING.
NEW YORK HOSPITAL QUEENS UNVEILED A NEW WING THAT PROVIDES 80 ADDITIONAL BEDS,A NEW AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER WITH 10 NEW OPERATING ROOMS AND 33 RECOVERY BEDS.
LAST WEEK, THIS OUTSTANDING ADDITION RECEIVED THE QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING HALL OF FAME AWARD.
THE ADDITION OF 40 NEW BEDS AT QUEENS HOSPITAL CENTER STARTS US ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.
ELMHURST HOSPITAL CENTER OPENED ITS RENOVATED HIV CLINIC.
NEXT YEAR, THE KATZ WOMENS HOSPITAL WILL OPEN 76 NEW MATERNITY BEDS ON THE LIJ CAMPUS. IT INCLUDES A NEW IN-PATIENT TOWER WITH 60 NEW BEDS.
THE COHEN CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENTER WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION THIS SPRING. THE NEW PAVILION WILL FEATURE THE REGIONS FIRST STAND-ALONE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, 50 NEW PEDIATRIC BEDS, AND A SURGERY CENTER WITH SIX OPERATING ROOMS JUST FOR CHILDREN.
AND, NORTH SHORE LIJ HOSPITAL BROKE GROUND ON A NEW ZUCKER HILLSIDE HOSPITAL INPATIENT PAVILION. A NATIONAL LEADER IN PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT, INCLUDING ALZHEIMERS DISEASE, IT WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 20 PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES IN THE NATION BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT.
PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO OVERCROWDED EMERGENCY ROOMS, QUEENS RESIDENTS CAN NOW GO TO NEW NORTH SHORE/LIJ AMBULATORY CARE CENTERS IN WHITESTONE AND FLUSHING AND AN URGENT CARE CENTER IN REGO PARK.
OTHER NEW OUTPATIENT SERVICES WERE BOLSTERED WITH THE OPENING OF JOSEPH P. ADDABBO FAMILY CENTERS ON SUTPHIN BOULEVARD AND ANOTHER ON GUY R. BREWER BOULEVARD.
AND THE QUEENS-LONG ISLAND MEDICAL GROUPS NEW CAMBRIA HEIGHTS MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES MUCH-NEED COMMUNITY-BASED CARE IN A MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY.
SENIORS
QUALITY HEALTHCARE IS CRITICAL BECAUSE MORE THAN 30 PERCENT OF OUR BOROUGHS POPULATION ARE SENIOR CITIZENS.
OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, TEN SENIOR CENTERS IN QUEENS HAVE CLOSED. THESE ARE PAINFUL CUTS.
AND, MORE CUTS ON THE HORIZON THREATEN SERVICES FOR FRAIL, HOMEBOUND SENIORS, AND WOULD LENGTHEN THE WAIT FOR HOME-DELIVERED MEALS, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND HOMECARE.
WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING WE WORKED TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE CUTS. FOR EXAMPLE:
THE NEW SNAP BROOKVILLE SENIOR CENTER OPENED AS A RESULT OF THE MERGER OF TWO NEARBY CENTERS. THE NEW CENTER SERVES MORE THAN 100 MEALS A DAY AND OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES.
WHEN WOODHAVEN SENIORS NEEDED A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD HOME, MY OFFICE PROVIDED FUNDS TO MAKE THE WOODHAVEN VOLUNTEER CORPS BUILDING A.D.A. COMPLIANT. AS A RESULT, WOODHAVEN SENIORS CAN COME HOME THIS WEDNESDAY.
AN ADDED BONUS IS THAT THE RENT PAID BY THE CENTER WILL SAVE THE AMBULANCE CORPS A WIN, WIN SITUATION. THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBERS ERIC ULRICH AND LIZ CROWLEY, SENATOR JOE ADDABBO, AND ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE MILLER FOR WORKING WITH ME.
IN THE SPRING, CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN ON AN EXPANDED FACILITY FOR SNAP OF EASTERN QUEENS, A MULTI-SERVICE AGENCY FOR OLDER ADULTS, LOCATED ON THE CREEDMOOR CAMPUS. WITH 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM COUNCILMAN WEPRIN AND ASSEMBLYMAN WEPRIN, THIS FACILITY WILL ENABLE SNAP TO EXPAND SERVICES TO THE ENTIRE EASTERN QUEENS COMMUNITY.
AND, JUST WEEKS AGO, WORKING WITH CAROL HUNT AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE SAVED THE JSPOA FRIENDSHIP CENTER THAT SERVES MENTALLY FRAIL SENIORS FROM SOUTHEAST QUEENS AND PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED RESPITE FOR THEIR CAREGIVERS.
WE NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION TO BUILDING A PERMANENT HOME FOR THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER IN THE FORMER FAMILY COURTHOUSE BUILDING IN JAMAICA. I WAS DELIGHTED TO PROVIDE ALMOST ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS JIM GENNARO AND LEROY COMRIE FOR YOUR HELP.
POLICE
WHILE OVERALL CRIME IN QUEENS DECREASED BY ABOUT THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE REST OF THE CITY, THERE ARE SOME TROUBLING TRENDS THAT OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICHARD BROWN, CITY COUNCILMAN PETER VALLONE, AND I WILL BE WATCHING.
IT WAS UPSETTING THAT THE LAST MURDER OF 2010 AND THE FIRST OF 2011 TOOK PLACE IN QUEENS.
FROM THE STREETS OF QUEENS TO THE SHOPPING CENTERS IN TUCSON, VIOLENCE MOSTLY AT THE POINT OF A GUN, HAS TAKEN INNOCENT LIVES.
I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MURDER RATE IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS, WHICH INCREASED BY 28 PERCENT. THATS MORE THAN TWICE THE INCREASE POSTED FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF NEW YORK.
AND, FELONY ASSAULT IS UP IN QUEENS NORTH BY ALMOST
7 PERCENT, WHILE IT REMAINED STEADY IN THE REST OF THE CITY.
BUCKING THE CITYWIDE TREND, BURGLARIES INCREASED IN QUEENS WHILE THEY DECREASED IN THE REST OF THE CITY. GRAND LARCENY AUTO, INCREASED BY 7 PERCENT IN QUEENS, WHILE IT DECREASED IN THE REST OF THE CITY BY MORE THAN 2 PERCENT.
BUT THE NEWS IS NOT ALL BAD; OUR NUMBERS WERE LOWER IN OTHER SERIOUS CRIME CATEGORIES. THATS DUE, TO THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR PATROL BOROUGH CHIEFS, DIANA PIZZUTI AND JAMES SECRETO. THEY, ALONG WITH ALL THOSE WHO WEAR A POLICE UNIFORM, DESERVE OUR SUPPORT AS THEY CONTINUE TO FACE DANGER ON A DAILY BASIS.
A SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO LONG-TIME DEPUTY INSPECTOR ANGELO MAROULIS, HEAD OF CITYWIDE AUXILIARY POLICE, AND MY BOROUGH HALL NEIGHBOR, WHO RETIRED IN OCTOBER.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A CRIME THAT WENT UNDER REPORTED FOR MANY YEARS IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY TO WOMEN.
I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT ONE OUT OF EVERY FIVE QUEENS HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, MY OFFICE WORKED WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY BROWN TO OBTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE ARREST POLICIES AND ENFORCE ORDERS OF PROTECTION. TOGETHER, WE SECURED ALMOST 7 MILLION DOLLARS OVER NINE YEARS.
WITH OUR SUPPORT, THE PARTNERS PROGRAM AT ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY OBTAINED A ONE MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL GRANT TO DELIVER ITS NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PHYSICAL ABUSE.
WORKING WITH SAFE HORIZONS, THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AND MY TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD MALTREATMENT, AND ELDER ABUSE, AND THE MAYORS OFFICE TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,.. WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
OUR EFFORTS HAVE CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF VICTIMS WHO ARE REACHING OUT FOR COUNSELING AND SERVICES. THEY HAVE HELPED TO ENSURE GREATER VICTIM SAFETY AND OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY.
FDNY
THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF NEW YORKS BRAVEST, FIRE FATALITIES WERE AT AN ALL TIME LOW LAST YEAR. IT WAS JUST DAYS AGO THAT QUEENS FIREFIGHTER ANTONIO VELEZ, REACHED INTO A SMOKE-DARKENED KITCHEN AND FOUND THE HAND OF A 12-YEAR OLD BOY, SAVING HIS LIFE.
A NEW MODIFIED RESPONSE SYSTEM IN QUEENS WENT INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER. THIS PILOT PROGRAM IS AIMED AT REDUCING ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES, WHILE RESPONDING TO NON-FIRE AND NON-LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES. I HAVE ASKED QUEENS BOROUGH COMMANDER JOHN SUDNIK TO REPORT ON THE RESULTS AT AN UPCOMING MEETING OF THE BOROUGH CABINET.
KEEPING OUR FIREFIGHTERS SAFE IS ALSO WHY I PROVIDED 273 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A MOBILE TRAINING VEHICLE, ENABLING THEM TO STAY IN FIREHOUSES WHILE TRAINING ON NEW FIREFIGHTING PROCEDURES.
MEANWHILE, THE QUEENS FIRE EDUCATION VAN, ALSO FUNDED BY MY OFFICE, CARRIED A FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE TO ALMOST 130 THOUSAND RESIDENTS OF QUEENS LAST YEAR.
BOTH VEHICLES ARE OUTSIDE. CHECK THEM OUT.
OUR DEDICATED EMTS AND PARAMEDICS HAVE ALSO BEEN SAVING LIVES. UNDER CHIEF MICHAEL FITTONS LEADERSHIP, EMS RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 283 THOUSAND CALLS FOR HELP LAST YEAR.
AND, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT OUR QUEENS EMS DIVISION WON THE 2010 EMS WEEK COMPETITION THAT EVALUATES SPEED AND EFFICIENCY. I WAS HAPPY TO HONOR THEM DURING A CEREMONY AT BOROUGH HALL.
WHY DONT ALL OF OUR UNIFORMED FORCES,.. POLICE, FIRE, EMS AND SANITATION STAND UP AND TAKE A BOW!
LIBRARIES
OUR NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED LIBRARY SYSTEM, MEETS THE NEEDS OF AMERICAS MOST DIVERSE COUNTY. THE LIBRARY ISNT JUST ABOUT BOOKS ANYMORE. IT IS A HUB OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
THATS WHY I INVESTED MORE THAN 100 MILLION DOLLARS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND OUR LIBRARIES.
THIS SPRING, WE WILL OPEN THE CHILDRENS LIBRARY DISCOVERY CENTER AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY IN JAMAICA. THIS CENTER LINKS CHILDREN WITH HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND LEARNING LABS. HERE, CHILDREN CAN DISCOVER THE JOY OF READING AND SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION.
MEANWHILE, THE CENTRAL LIBRARY RENOVATION, NOW UNDERWAY, WILL PROVIDE NEW ENTRANCES, SELF-SERVICE TECHNOLOGY,.. A QUIET STUDY ROOM, AND A TEEN LIBRARY.
COME WITH ME NOW, AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHATS HAPPENING AT OUR BRANCHES.
DESIGN IS UNDERWAY FOR THE HUNTERS POINT LIBRARY ON THE EAST RIVER. THIS WATERFRONT ICON WAS DESIGNED BY WORLD-FAMOUS ARCHITECT STEVEN HOLL, AND FUNDED IN PART BY MY OFFICE, COUNCILMAN JIMMY VAN BRAMER AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN CATHY NOLAN.
AN EXPANSION OF THE KEW GARDENS HILLS BRANCH WILL BEGIN THIS FALL.
BUILDING UPON ITS RECENT RENOVATION, WEVE ALREADY BEGUN CONSTRUCTION ON AN EXPANSION OF THE EAST ELMHURST BRANCH.
IN ELMHURST AND FAR ROCKAWAY, PLANS ARE UNDERWAY FOR BRAND NEW FACILITIES.
A SPECTACULAR, NEW GLEN OAKS LIBRARY WILL OPEN NEXT YEAR.
WORKING WITH CITY COUNCILMEMBER KAREN KOSLOWITZ, A NEW BRANCH FOR REGO PARK IS FINALLY ON THE RADAR SCREEN.
AND, LAST YEAR, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, WE OPENED RENOVATED BRANCHES IN RIDGEWOOD, SUNNYSIDE, ARVERNE AND WINDSOR PARK.
BEYOND THE BRICKS AND MORTAR, IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO KEEP LIBRARY DOORS OPEN.
MY OFFICE HAS PROVEN THAT QUEENS LIBRARIES DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR FAIR SHARE OF FUNDING. IN FACT, LAST YEAR, EACH.. AND EVERY BRANCH IN QUEENS RECEIVED 77 THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS THAN BROOKLYN BRANCHES.
USING A FAIR FUNDING FORMULA, QUEENS WAS SHORTCHANGED BY MORE THAN 11 MILLION DOLLARS LAST FISCAL YEAR.
THATS WHY, WORKING WITH CITY COUNCILMEN LEROY COMRIE AND JIMMY VAN BRAMER, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE QUEENS DELEGATION, WE HAVE DRAFTED LEGISLATION TO CORRECT THIS INEQUITY.
AT THIS MONTHS BOROUGH BOARD MEETING, THE EFFORT WAS BOLSTERED BY THE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATION THAT MANDATES FAIR FUNDING.
THIS IS NOT BOROUGH AGAINST BOROUGH WAR. ITS A MATTER OF FAIRNESS AND, I WILL NOT REST UNTIL WE OBTAIN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD!
CULTURE
WE ARE ALSO FIGHTING FOR A FAIR SHARE OF FUNDING FOR OUR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, QUEENS RECEIVES LESS PER CAPITA ARTS SUPPORT THAN ANY OTHER BOROUGH IN THE ENTIRE CITY.
DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, WE CONTINUE TO MAKE INVESTMENTS THAT HELP OUR CULTURAL VENUES GROW AND PROSPER.
I AM PROUD THAT I HAVE ALLOCATED MORE THAN 106 MILLION DOLLARS TO OUR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.
I RAN FOR A THIRD TERM TO FINISH MAJOR PROJECTS, LIKE;
THE EXPANSION THAT DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE, WHICH TWO WEEKS AGO CELEBRATED ITS OPENING WITH THE SUPPORT OF 17 MILLION FROM MY OFFICE.
AND THE QUEENS MUSEUM OF ARTS, EXPANSION WITH 23 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE THAT WILL DOUBLE ITS SIZE BY NEXT YEAR.
THE NEARBY HALL OF SCIENCES RENOVATION OF ITS UNIQUE GREAT HALL.
AND THE QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDENS RECONSTRUCTION OF ITS PATHWAYS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF ALMOST 4 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE. THE GARDEN, A LEADER IN GREEN BUILDING DESIGN, BEGAN THE GREEN JOBS TRAINING INITIATIVE THAT WILL TRAIN UP TO 360 INDIVIDUALS IN: WASTE MANAGEMENT, SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE;GREEN BUILDING DESIGN AND GREEN MAINTENANCE.
I WAS HAPPY TO PROVIDE 10 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP EXPAND QUEENS THEATRE IN THE PARK, WHICH NOW HAS A NEW LOBBY, CAF AND PERFORMANCE SPACE.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE NIGHT OUT THAT INCLUDES QUALITY PERFORMANCES WITH FREE PARKING, AND YOURE NOT HERE AT THE KUPFERBERG CENTER, THE QUEENS THEATRE IS THE PLACE TO BE. IF YOU ARE A BIT FURTHER EAST, CHECK OUT THE QUEENSBOROUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WITH ITS HIT SHOWS.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG USED THE SOUND OF MUSIC TO GENERATE GOOD WILL AROUND THE WORLD. HIS CORONA HOME IS NOW A MUSEUM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THIS YEAR, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ON THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG VISITORS CENTER WITH THE SUPPORT OF 3 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE.
ITS NOT ONLY THE SOUND OF MUSIC, BUT THE POWER OF WORDS THAT CAN THRILL AND INSPIRE.
AND SO, IN JUNE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF QUEENS COLLEGE, I SWORE IN PAOLO JAVIER AS QUEENS POET LAUREATE.
BORN IN THE PHILIPPINES, THIS AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR NOW CALLS SUNNYSIDE HIS HOME. HE IS NOW PROMOTING THE LOVE OF POETRY AMONG YOUNG AND OLD.
MEANWHILE, WORD IS SPREADING THAT THE JAMAICA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, THE FORMER DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, IS BECOMING THE LATEST HOTSPOT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS. THIS PROJECT MOVED FORWARD WITH FUNDING FROM THE MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL AND 10 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE.
ALSO, WITH FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE, MOMA PS 1, WILL COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF ITS VISITOR SERVICE KIOSK THAT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUSEUM AND OTHER LONG ISLAND CITY CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, THE AFRIKAN POETRY THEATER IN JAMAICA WILL KICK OFF CONSTRUCTION THIS SUMMER ON ITS EXTENSIVE RENOVATION, WITH FUNDING HELP FROM MY OFFICE.
AVIATION
ONE OF THE GREATEST ECONOMIC ENGINES IN OUR BOROUGH IS THE AVIATION INDUSTRY. JFK AIRPORT PROVIDED MORE THAN 9.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN WAGES LAST YEAR. LAGUARDIA GENERATED ANOTHER 3.9 BILLION DOLLARS.
JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, DELTA AIRLINES BROKE GROUND AT JFK AIRPORT ON A 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL EXPAND TERMINAL 4, CREATING A WORLD CLASS HUB AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD.
WE ARE WORKING WITH DELTA OFFICIALS TO LINK QUEENS BUSINESSES AND WORKERS WITH THE PROJECT.
AFTER A THREE-YEAR CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, DELTA WILL OCCUPY 16 OF THE 25 GATES IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS TERMINAL.
IF YOU TRAVEL ON THE GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY, YOU HAVE SEEN THE NEW AIR CONTROL TOWER THAT WE OFFICIALLY DEDICATED LAST WEEK. THE NEW TOWER REPLACES THE ONE THAT WAS BUILT THE SAME YEAR THAT THE 1964 WORLDS FAIR OPENED. THANKS CONGRESSMAN CROWLEY FOR THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN.
LAST YEAR, A 21 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT WAS AWARDED FOR THE LONG-AWAITED MODERNIZATION OF THE CENTRAL TERMINAL BUILDING AT LAGUARDIA. I AM ASKING TOM BOSCO, THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF LAGUARDIA, TO WORK WITH ME TO EXPEDITE THIS PROJECT. WE MUST LIFT LAGUARDIA OUT OF THE LAST PLACE RANKING IT RECEIVED IN THE 2010 ZAGAT AIR TRAVEL SURVEY.
WHILE OUR AIRPORTS EXPAND AND GROW, WE STILL RANK AMONG THE MOST DELAY-PLAGUED AIRPORTS IN THE COUNTRY. THATS WHY I SUPPORT THE NEXT-GEN TECHNOLOGY THAT USES GPS-LIKE SYSTEMS TO MOVE AIRCRAFT EFFICIENTLY. RADAR BASED SYSTEMS NOW IN PLACE JUST DOESNT CUT IT.
TODAY, I CALL ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON TO PUSH FOR THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR AIRPORTS. AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT, LETS FINALLY GET A FEDERAL MANDATE FOR THE QUIETER, STAGE FOUR AIRPLANE ENGINES ON ALL PLANES FLYING INTO QUEENS.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
WHETHER ITS CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, HOUSING OR SHOPPING CENTERS, WE ARE ALWAYS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE. FORTUNATELY, OUR PREDECESSORS KNEW THE VALUE OF LITERALLY BUILDING BRIDGES TO NURTURE FUTURE GROWTH AND COMMERCE.
OUR GREAT CITYS FIRST MAJOR POSTWAR BRIDGE, THE THROGS NECK, CELEBRATED ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY TWO WEEKS AGO. EVERY DAY, MORE THAN 114 THOUSAND VEHICLES PASS OVER THIS SPAN THAT CONNECTS THE BRONX WITH QUEENS.
IN AUGUST, I JOINED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO UNVEIL A FIVE-YEAR PROJECT TO OPEN THE BOTTLENECK KNOWN AS THE KEW GARDENS INTERCHANGE. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DESCRIBES THIS AREA, WHICH SEES A HALF-MILLION VEHICLES EVERY DAY, AS ONE OF THE MOST TANGLED KNOTS OF CONGESTION IN THE ENTIRE CITY.
MEANWHILE, PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO REPLACE THE 70-YEAR-OLD KOSCIUSZKO BRIDGE. NEWTOWN CREEK BELOW HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A SUPERFUND SITE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF CLEANUP NEEDED.
RESIDENTS LIVING NEAR NEWTOWN CREEK HAVE WEIGHED IN ON PROPOSALS TO SPEND A 7 MILLION DOLLAR FUND, CREATED FROM A FINE LEVIED AGAINST THE CITY FOR ITS FAILURE TO MEET STATE DEADLINES AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE CREEK.
MEANWHILE, SUBSTANDARD OR NON-EXISTENT SEWERS IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS CONTINUE TO CAUSE CHRONIC STREET AND BASEMENT FLOODING.
WITHIN WEEKS AFTER MEETING WITH RESIDENTS IN BROAD CHANNEL, AND HEARING FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF KNEE-DEEP WATER ON FLOODED STREETS OFF CROSS BAY BOULEVARD, I WORKED WITH THE MAYORS OFFICE TO MOVE UP THE LONG-AWAITED DRAINAGE PROJECT FOR THE AREA BY FIVE YEARS,FROM 2015 TO 2010. DESIGN IS NOW UNDERWAY ON THE 24 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.
AT THE SAME TIME, MORE THAN 335 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS HAS BEEN SET ASIDE BY THE CITY FOR MAJOR SEWER PROJECTS IN QUEENS NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING: SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, ROSEDALE, THE ROCKAWAYS, AND COLLEGE POINT.
PARKS
SINCE BECOMING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE ALLOCATED A RECORD HIGH OF ALMOST 142 MILLION DOLLARS TO OUR BOROUGHS PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
ONE MAJOR INVESTMENT HELPED TO RESTORE THE ICONIC UNISPHERE FOUNTAINS IN FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK. THE FOUNTAINS WERE TURNED ON AT FULL POWER IN AUGUST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 1964 WORLDS FAIR. ISNT THAT BEAUTIFUL?
THIS SPRING, THE NEARBY BOATHOUSE, A 1939 WORLDS FAIR STRUCTURE, WILL REOPEN. A MAJOR RENOVATION, FUNDED WITH 5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE AND HELP FROM OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, WILL PROVIDE A SUITABLE HOME FOR THE AMERICAN SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION, ROW NEW YORK, AND THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT RACERS.
IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE 22 ACRES OF WETLANDS AT THURSTON BASIN WITH A BOAT LAUNCH, WALKING TRAILS, SEATING AND PLANTINGS.
IN FOREST PARK, WITH FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE AND CITY COUNCILMEMBER LIZ CROWLEY, THE RENOVATED SEUFFERT BANDSHELL REOPENED ON A HIGH NOTE. AND KEEPING IT GREEN, THE NEW BENCHES WERE MADE WITH RECYCLED MATERIAL.
THE NEW JOE AUSTIN BASEBALL FIELD WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS AT THOMAS EDISON HIGH SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS IN BASEBALL, SOCCER AND TRACK.
THIS SPRING, WE WILL DEDICATE THE NEW IDLEWILD CRICKET FIELD. IT WILL ACCOMMODATE ORGANIZED CRICKET LEAGUES FOR OFFICIAL MATCHES AND BLEACHERS FOR SPECTATORS TO CHEER THEIR FAVORITE PLAYERS ON TO VICTORY.
AND DESIGN IS UNDERWAY FOR A NEW, 5 MILLION DOLLAR IDLEWILD ENVIRONMENTAL PARK CENTER, FUNDED BY MY OFFICE.
BAISLEY POND PARK IS ALSO GETTING A NEW CRICKET FIELD AND IMPROVED PATHWAYS. AND, WITH THE SUPPORT OF COUNCILMEN MARK WEPRIN AND DAN HALLORAN, OAKLAND LAKE RAVINE IN BAYSIDE WILL HAVE NEW PATHWAYS AROUND THE ENTIRE LAKE.
MY OFFICE PROVIDED TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR A NEW SOCCER AND LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS AT THE COLLEGE POINT SPORTS COMPLEX. EXISTING BALLFIELDS AND A ROLLER SKATING RINK WERE ALSO RENOVATED, WITH THE SUPPORT OF NOW-SENATOR TONY AVELLA.
PLANS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY, AT THE ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER IN DOUGLASTON FOR A LARGER BUILDING THAT I WAS HAPPY TO SUPPORT WITH 4 MILLION DOLLARS OF CAPITAL FUNDING.
THIS CENTER IS A MECCA FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES WHO LOVE NATURE.
WE WILL SOON DEDICATE TWO ENCLOSED, HEATED TENNIS COURTS AT ROY WILKINS PARK THAT PROVIDE A PERMANENT WINTER HOME FOR THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF JUNIOR TENNIS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
IN NOVEMBER, WE UNVEILED A 2 MILLION DOLLAR BASEBALL FIELD AND CRICKET PITCH AT SOUTHERN FIELDS IN OZONE PARK.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
IN JUNE, I APPOINTED JACK EICHENBAUM, A NATIVE OF THE QUEENS AND URBAN GEOGRAPHER AS BOROUGH HISTORIAN.
JACK IS WORKING HARD TO FORGE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOCAL HISTORIC SOCIETIES AND PRESERVATION GROUPS.
SPEAKING OF PRESERVATION, LAST YEAR, WE SECURED LANDMARK STATUS FOR; A 210-BLOCK HISTORIC DISTRICT IN SOUTH RIDGEWOOD SEVERAL BUILDINGS IN JAMAICA,.. PS 66 IN RICHMOND HILL,.. AND THE RIDGEWOOD THEATER.
THIS YEAR, WE HOPE TO SEE ADDITIONAL DESIGNATIONS IN RIDGEWOOD, ADDISLEIGH PARK, DOUGLASTON AND JACKSON HEIGHTS.
THESE TOUCHSTONES OF THE PAST WILL HELP US TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I HAVE ALLOCATED MORE THAN 13 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC HOUSES IN THE BOROUGH.
AT BOWNE HOUSE, IN FLUSHING, THE BIRTH PLACE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE NEW WORLD, WE PLAN TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ON A NEW VISITORS CENTER AND MUCH-NEEDED STABILIZATION OF THE HOUSE.
RUFUS KING MANOR AND LEWIS LATIMER HOUSE WILL HAVE THEIR ROOFS RESTORED,.. AND THE KINGSLAND HOMESTEAD WILL WELCOME AN EXTERIOR RESTORATION.
ALSO, WITH MORE THAN 3 MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE, THE QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM IS PROCEEDING WITH ITS MASTER PLAN THAT WILL ENHANCE ITS ABILITY TO EDUCATE US ABOUT OUR PAST AND SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES.
FINALLY, WE WILL SOON BEGIN RESTORATION OF THE FACADE OF THE CENTURY-OLD TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE IN CORONA WITH A MILLION DOLLAR CAPITAL GRANT FROM MY OFFICE. THE LANDMARKED STRUCTURE IS A RARE SURVIVOR OF THE EARLIEST JEWISH SYNAGOGUES BUILT IN QUEENS.
ZONING
PROTECTING OUR HISTORY AND PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF APPROPRIATE ZONING.
SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2002, MY ZONING TASK FORCE HAS WORKED WITH THE QUEENS DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN YOUNG, ON FORTY REZONINGS THAT COVERED MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND BLOCKS ACROSS THE BOROUGH.
LAST YEAR, WE REZONED MORE THAN 800 BLOCKS IN ASTORIA, ROSEDALE, AUBURNDALE, OAKLAND GARDENS AND HOLLIS HILLS.
SUNNYSIDE AND WOODSIDE ARE ON THE DRAWING BOARDS, WHILE THE LARGEST NEIGHBORHOOD REZONING IN THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY IS PROPOSED FOR SOUTH JAMAICA, COVERING MORE THAN 500 BLOCKS.
HOUSING
THE THREAT OF FORECLOSURE CONTINUES TO STRIKE FEAR IN VULNERABLE HOMEOWNERS, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS, THE STATE EPI-CENTER OF THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS.
WORKING WITH LOCAL NONPROFIT HOUSING AND LEGAL EXPERTS, WE ARE EDUCATING HOMEOWNERS AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT AND ESCAPE THE HEARTACHE OF FORECLOSURE.
WERE ALSO WORKING HARD TO PROVIDE SENIORS WITH MUCH-NEEDED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ON JEWISH POVERTY BROKE GROUND ON A 78-UNIT SENIOR RESIDENCE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE POMONOK HOUSES IN KEW GARDENS HILLS.
THE NONPROFIT HANAC ORGANIZATION WILL OPEN THE GEORGE DOURIS SENIOR RESIDENCE IN ASTORIA WITH 184 UNITS, AND IT IS PLANNING FOR ANOTHER 65 UNITS NEARBY.
MEANWHILE, PLANS WERE APPROVED FOR 65 NEW UNITS OF SENIOR HOUSING IN FAR ROCKAWAY BY THE ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. AND THE ARKER COMPANIES IS MOVING AHEAD TO BUILD 65 UNITS IN RICHMOND HILL-TO BE OPERATED BY SELFHELP, WHICH IS ALSO COMPLETING ANOTHER 65 UNITS IN FLUSHING.
AND, WITH A MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM MY OFFICE, A CREATIVE HOUSING CONCEPT BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES WILL DEVELOP 93 UNITS OF HOUSING FOR SENIORS AND ADULT CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN HOWARD BEACH.
AND WITH OUR HELP, THE HOUR CHILDREN ORGANIZATION WILL CREATE 18 UNITS OF PERMANENT, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN ASTORIA TO REUNITE FORMERLY INCARCERATED WOMEN WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUPLED WITH THE NEED FOR HOUSING, IS THE NEED FOR STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND CREATING JOBS.
ITS HARD TO PAY THE BILLS WHEN YOU DONT HAVE A JOB. WITH THAT IN MIND, WERE PUSHING MAJOR PROJECTS AND LOCAL STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS TO CREATE MORE ATTRACTIVE SETTINGS FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW AND HIRE MORE EMPLOYEES.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE WORKING TO LINK LOCAL, WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED COMPANIES WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON MAJOR BUILDING PROJECTS ACROSS THE BOROUGH.
THE SUCCESS OF THE LOCAL DELI IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS KEEPING JETBLUE IN QUEENS. THATS WHY I CREATED THE 12 MILLION DOLLAR COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR PROGRAM WHICH STRENGTHENS OUR COMMERCIAL STRIPS FROM STEINWAY STREET TO BELL BOULEVARD.
OUR QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, COMPRISED OF QUEENS BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS, LINKS BUSINESSES WITH EXPERTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LIKE DEPUTY MAYOR STEEL, AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION ON UP-TO-DATE RESOURCES.
OUR BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CALENDAR, CONTINUES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND HINTS ON CAREER BUILDING. JUST GO TO QUEENSBP.ORG AND CLICK ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
BY THE WAY, IF YOURE A SMALL BUSINESS IN NEED OF CREDIT HEAD TO THE BULOVA CENTER IN JACKSON HEIGHTS TOMORROW TO LEARN HOW TO ACCESS CREDIT OR APPLY FOR A SMALL BUSINESS LOAN.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE WITH LOCAL HIRING FOR LARGE DEVELOPMENTS, LIKE THE WORLD-CLASS RACINO AT AQUEDUCT RACETRACK, WHICH WILL GENERATE MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND JOBS.
WEVE ALREADY BEGUN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OPERATOR TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUEENS BUSINESSES AND WORKERS. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT A MAJOR CONTRACT HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRM IN OZONE PARK.
WHILE AQUEDUCT WILL BECOME A DESTINATION POINT, OUR TOURISM EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO HELP VISITORS DISCOVER QUEENS.
OUR REDBIRD VISITORS CENTER AT BOROUGH HALL AND THE QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, ARE SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT OUR PREMIER CULTURAL FACILITIES AND RESTAURANTS THROUGH THE DISCOVER QUEENS WEBSITE AND CAMPAIGNS LIKE: SHOP QUEENS AND SUMMERS HOT IN QUEENS.
ROCKAWAY
AND WHEN ITS HOT IN QUEENS, THERES NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE ROCKAWAYS. ITS ATLANTIC OCEAN COAST AND SEA BREEZES,
PROVIDE A UNIQUE SETTING THAT IS HELPING TO SPUR RETAIL, HOUSING, AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
GROUND WAS BROKEN IN OCTOBER TO BEGIN WORK ON A 18- ACRE ROCKAWAY REGIONAL PARK,.. A COMPONENT OF PLANYC.
FILLING THE NEED FOR SUPERMARKETS IN ARVERNE, A NEW STOP AND SHOP OPENED AT ARVERNE BY THE SEA, AND A NEW YMCA IS PLANNED.
THE ROCKAWAY WATERFRONT ALLIANCE IS TRANSFORMING THIS FORMER FIREHOUSE INTO AN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER THAT WILL OFFER EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WITH THE SUPPORT OF ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM MY OFFICE.
A NEW 19 MILLION DOLLAR FAR ROCKAWAY LIBRARY BRANCH, FUNDED BY MY OFFICE, IS IN DESIGN, AND THE ARVERNE- BY- THE- SEA RETAIL TRANSIT PLAZA, WILL OPEN THIS SPRING.
AND TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUED GROWTH, THE MAYORS ROCKAWAY TASK FORCE IS WORKING TO BOLSTER TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE PENINSULA. WE THANK HIM FOR THAT.
FLUSHING
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR ON FLUSHING COMMONS, A DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL RISE ON MORE THAN FIVE ACRES, CURRENTLY HOME TO A MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT.
THE PROJECT WILL FEATURE A TOWN SQUARE, PARKING, A FLAGSHIP YMCA,AND COMMUNITY AND RETAIL SPACE.AND GENERATE TWENTY-SIX HUNDRED CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND NINETEEN HUNDRED PERMANENT JOBS.
I INSISTED THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. NOW, THE MACEDONIA A.M.E. CHURCH OBTAINED APPROVAL FOR 140 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADJACENT TO THE SITE.
I AM WORKING WITH COUNCILMAN KOO TO ADDRESS TRAFFIC AND BUSINESS CONCERNS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
NEARBY, SKY VIEW CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS RETAIL SPACE WITH NATIONAL STORES, INCLUDING BED BATH AND BEYOND, TARGET, OLD NAVY.. AND I MUST SAY, ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORES--MARSHALLS.
AT THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN FLUSHING, A REVISED PLAN IS UNDER REVIEW FOR THE RKO KEITH SITE. THE PLAN PRESERVES ITS LANDMARKED INTERIOR SPACE THAT RECALLS ITS GLORY DAYS.
THIS YEAR, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WILL BE ISSUED TO BEGIN THE MULTI- BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO CONVERT WILLETS POINT INTO A NEW COMMUNITY. DESIGN FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR ITS REDEVELOPMENT IS UNDERWAY.
ACROSS THE RIVER, PLANS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY TO REZONE THE WATERFRONT TO ENABLE ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE, HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF THE AREA, LED BY MY FRIEND AND PREDECESSOR, CLAIRE SHULMAN, WILL HELP TO PAVE THE WAY.
LONG ISLAND CITY
IN MARCH, 43 MILLION DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS BEGAN FOR THE LARGEST MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY SINCE STARRETT CITY WAS BUILT ALMOST TWO GENERATIONS AGO.
THE FIRST PHASE OF HUNTERS POINT SOUTH WILL INCLUDE HOUSING, A NEW SCHOOL, COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY SPACE. EVENTUALLY, UP TO 5 THOUSAND HOUSING UNITS 60 PERCENT OF WHICH WILL BE AFFORDABLE TO MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES...A WATERFRONT PARK AND RETAIL SPACE WILL BE BUILT.
AT THE FOOT OF THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, QUEENS PLAZA IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO A FRIENDLIER GATEWAY TO OUR BOROUGH. AND JACKSON AVENUE, WILL BE RENEWED AS A BRIGHT AND COLORFUL BOULEVARD.
NEARBY, THE LEED CERTIFIED TISHMAN SPEYER BUILDING, WILL BE THE NEW HOME OF THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, WITH ITS TWENTY-SEVEN HUNDRED EMPLOYEES.
JETBLUE ALSO SET A FLIGHT PLAN FOR LONG ISLAND CITY AFTER EXPLORING ORLANDO AND OTHER LOCATIONS FOR ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS. THIS DECISION SAVES 880 JOBS AND BRINGS ANOTHER 170 WHEN IT MOVES TO QUEENS PLAZA NORTH NEXT YEAR.
THE QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NOW OPERATES A 24-HOUR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN THAT ALLOWS STARTUP FOOD BUSINESSES TO BRING THEIR OPERATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL, WHILE GAINING ACCESS TO BUSINESS ASSISTANCE. YOU HAVE HEARD CUTTING THE RIBBON- WELL, LAST WEEK WE CUT A PIE TO CELEBRATE THE FACILITY.
IN APRIL, THE EAST RIVER DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE OPENED THE FIRST FEDERALLY CHARTERED COMMUNITY LOW-INCOME CREDIT UNION IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN QUEENS.
JAMAICA
THE REZONING OF DOWNTOWN JAMAICA SET THE STAGE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR RETAIL, HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL SPACE.
WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON THREE KEY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WILL CREATE NEW GATEWAYS TO DOWNTOWN JAMAICA AND AIRTRAIN STATION.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START THIS SUMMER ON THE ATLANTIC AVENUE EXTENSION THAT WILL HELP TO EASE TRAFFIC INTO AND DEPARTING FROM THE STATION AREA AND ALSO CREATE A NEW GATEWAY PARK.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR THE STATION PLAZA PROJECT THAT WILL CREATE THREE NEW PUBLIC PLAZAS AND MUCH NEEDED OPEN SPACE.
AND FINALLY, THE SUTPHIN UNDERPASS PROJECT, WILL BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR. IT WILL TRANSFORM THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD UNDERPASS AREA INTO A PASSENGER-FRIENDLY SPACE.
LAST YEAR, THE CONVERSION OF THE FORMER QUEENS FAMILY COURTHOUSE INTO HOUSING AND RETAIL SPACE WAS COMPLETED. AND WITH FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE IT WILL BE THE FUTURE HOME OF THE JSPOA FRIENDSHIP CENTER.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO REVITALIZE THE GROUNDS OF PROSPECT CEMETERY- ADJOINING THE CHAPEL OF THE SISTERS. THE CHAPEL HOUSES THE ILLINOIS JACQUET PERFORMANCE SPACE.
AFTER ATTENDING A PERFORMANCE, STOP INTO APPLEBEES, THE FIRST MAJOR SIT-DOWN RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN JAMAICA.
VETERANS
OUR VETERANS HAVE LEFT US WITH A DEBT THAT WE CAN NEVER REPAY. BUT WERE WORKING HARD ON SEVERAL FRONTS TO ASSIST THEM AFTER THEIR RETURN HOME.
THE FUTURE OF THE VA HOSPITAL IS STILL NOT CLEAR, BUT WERE WORKING WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR A NEW HOSPITAL WITH THE STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY THAT OUR RETURNING HEROES DESERVE.
WERE PROUD OF GROUPS LIKE THE QUEENS VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 32, WHICH HAS PROVIDED BURIALS FOR 41 VETERANS WHO DIED HOMELESS OR INDIGENT. WHAT A HUGE ACT OF KINDNESS.
AND, WE ARE PROUD OF VETERANS LIKE BAYSIDES SAM RESNICK AND QUEENS VILLAGES VINCENT MINECCI, WHO WERE RECENTLY AWARDED THE LEGION OF HONOR BY FRANCE FOR THEIR MERITORIOUS CONDUCT DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
TO HONOR THE AIR FORCE, WE HELD A CEREMONY AT BOROUGH HALL IN MAY THAT INCLUDED THE SWEARING-IN OF 30 NEW RECRUITS.
COMMUNITY BOARDS
BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING ABOUT COMMUNITY BOARDS, WILL ALL THE DISTRICT MANAGERS, CHAIRS AND MEMBERS PLEASE STAND.
OUR COMMUNITY BOARDS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT BARRY GRODENCHIK, ARE THE BEST IN NEW YORK CITY. I THANK THE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF OUR 14 BOARDS AND OUR DISTRICT MANAGERS WHO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OUTSTANDING SERVICE ACROSS THE BOROUGH.
CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSITY
THE DIVERSITY IN OUR BOROUGH IS NOWHERE MORE OBVIOUS THAN IN THE 2010 CENSUS. DID YOU KNOW THAT 47 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION OF 2.3 MILLION RESIDENTS IS FOREIGN-BORN?
MY OFFICE FORMED THE QUEENS COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE, WHICH PLAYED A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE CENSUS BY BRINGING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER AND MOBILIZING RESOURCES TO ENSURE CENSUS PARTICIPATION.
THANKS TO THE COMMITTEES HARD WORK, WE INCREASED THE BOROUGHS MAIL-IN PARTICIPATION RATE.
TO HELP BUILD BONDS OF UNDERSTANDING IN QUEENS, I CREATED THE QUEENS GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THIS GROUP REFLECTS OUR BOROUGHS ETHNIC AND RACIAL DIVERSITY.
ITS COMMUNITY DIALOGUE PROJECT CONTINUES TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY BOARDS, BRINGING TOGETHER RESIDENTS ACROSS THE BOROUGH TO DISCUSS COMMON GOALS AND COMMUNITY INTERESTS.
MEANWHILE, MY IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE BRINGS TOGETHER SERVICE PROVIDERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.
AS WE BRING RELIGIONS, CULTURES AND TRADITIONS TOGETHER, WE REMAIN AWARE OF THE NEED FOR PREVENTION OF BIAS AND HATE CRIMES. THATS WHY, WE ARE WORKING WITH QUEENS COLLEGE AND THE KUPFERBERG HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER AT QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON BIAS PREVENTION INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS FOR VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES.
THE KUPFERBERG CENTER IS A LEADER IN USING THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST TO TEACH US ABOUT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF PREJUDICE, RACISM AND STEREOTYPING.
IN JUNE WE HELD OUR GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION AND WEVE ALSO PUT A RESOURCE LIST ON-LINE FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
HONOREES
AS YOUVE HEARD, THERES A LOT GOING ON IN QUEENS. BUT WE HAVE COME TO THE PART OF THIS ANNUAL ADDRESS THAT I LIKE BEST OUR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. NOTHING WOULD HAVE A CHANCE OF SUCCESS WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OF GIVING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THAT SPIRIT IS STRONG IN QUEENS, AND IT LIVES IN INDIVIDUALS LIKE CAROL HUNT AND TONY CAMINITI.
CAROL HUNT
CAROL HUNT RECENTLY RETIRED AFTER 21 YEARS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JAMAICA SERVICE PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS, A MULTI-SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES 5 THOUSAND ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS.
SHES A FORMER CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SENIOR CENTERS, AND A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAUCUS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING. SHE IS A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING AND ALSO THE STATE COALITION FOR THE AGING. THERES MORE BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT, IS THAT CAROL HAS DONE EVERYTHING THROUGHOUT HER EXTRAORDINARY CAREER WITH A COMPASSIONATE HEART THAT BEATS FOR OTHERS.
CAROL, PLEASE ACCEPT THIS PLAQUE AS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FROM ALL THE PEOPLE OF QUEENS AND ESPECIALLY FROM THE THOUSANDS OF SENIORS WHOSE LIVES YOU TOUCHED.
CAROL, SAY A FEW WORDS.
TONY CAMINITI
LIKE CAROL, TONY CAMINITI, A SON OF QUEENS, HAS HAD A LONG AND ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER WITH A RECORD OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HIS COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY.
HE HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY LEADER IN CORONA AND ELMHURST SINCE HE WAS APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE CORONA TASK FORCE IN 1970. HE WAS THEN APPOINTED TO COMMUNITY BOARD 4, WHERE HE STILL SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE.
HE GREW UP DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND HE SERVED WITH THE 42ND INFANTRY RAINBOW DIVISION DURING WORLD WAR II WHEN IT WENT INTO GERMANY AND AUSTRIA.
HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS. AND HERE TODAY, AT THE AGE OF 99, IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO SAY THANK YOU TONY.
TONY PLEASE SAY A FEW WORDS.
SUMMATION
I WISH THAT I COULD HONOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN QUEENS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. SOME TIMES IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVEN A FEW INDIVIDUALS LIKE 95-YEAR-OLD FORMER QUEENS SALESMAN GEORGE VUJNOVICH, WHO WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR JUST LAST YEAR 66 YEARS AFTER HE ORCHESTRATED THE LARGEST AIR RESCUE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS BEHIND ENEMY LINES. DURING WORLD WAR TWO.
WE'VE SPOKEN TODAY ABOUT SO MANY THINGS THAT GIVE US FAITH AND BELIEF IN THE FUTURE OF QUEENS...
I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
AND... SPEAKING OF BELIEVING IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT... I STILL BELIEVE IN THE METS! SPRING TRAINING BEGINS FEBRUARY 26TH IN PORT SAINT LUCIE WITH A GAME AGAINST ATLANTA. LET'S GO METS! THANKS FOR COMING GOD BLESS OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY, THIS GREAT BOROUGH, AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!!!
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