Demapping 36th Street @ 35th Avenue

Astoria residents are very unhappy with the city's plan to close (demap) 36th Street between 34th Avenue and 35th Avenue for the benefit of private enterprise: Kaufman Astoria Studios. Loss of street parking and removing a main thoroughfare will cause additional problems for residents as well as for students attending nearby schools; congestion and more congestion. Then there's inconvenience and the certain quality of life impact on residents resulting from an even bigger, more active studio.

Bringing big business to Astoria is positive and optimistically will provide services benefiting the residents and community at large. As long the studio is a good neighbor and realizes people live near the studio and that late night spots for crews working around the clock and noise from production units would be unwelcome.

If NYC is leasing the street and sidewalks - essentially public easements - for an undisclosed amount until 2049, for the exclusive use and benefit of private enterprise then some of the revenue the city makes should benefit the residents of Astoria by giving back in ways that will improve quality of life. If public areas are taken away a beautiful public space could be provided.
If 40 street parking spots are removed perhaps above ground parking facility will help in a heavily congested area. How about studio tours for families? Currently Kaufman Astoria is not open to the public.

If the demapping is approved, residents hope the studio will be a considerate neighbor.

The Demapping & Closing of 36th Street

Tonight CB1 held a public hearing re the demapping of 36th Street between 34th Avenue and 35th Avenue as Kaufman Astoria Studios hopes to expand. This is a very controversial move and has upset residents who are worried about how closing a major street (36th street) will affect parking, traffic and congestion in Astoria.

The public was invited to share their thoughts at CB1 this evening on how the closing of 36th Street will impact residents and the community at large. CB1 will vote and make their recommendation.

Water Main Break 36th Street

For months Norwood residents have been very concerned with the sound of gushing water heard underground on 36th Street near 31st Avenue. It started about 5 months ago and sounded like a giant open tap, gushing 100's of gallons of water per second.

Worried about a broken main and taxpayer money "going down the drain" numerous calls were made to 311 to get the situation evaluated and repaired. The upshot was, no complaint could be taken (said 311 supervisors!) as water was not visible on the street. Even though residents insisted that this was a new sound, and probably due to damage from construction sites near by, 311 would not put in an order for repair.

For those concerned about the endless sound of rushing water, the DEP finally arrived today. Crews have been working all day, into the night to fix what they called a water main break. Water will be shut off for a few hours Tuesday October 19th in order to make the repair. Hopefully the disturbing sound of gushing water will now be water under the bridge.

Astoria Free Tree Gave Away October 2, 2010

Happy Trees Make a Healthier And More Beautiful World

NYC Anti Crime Tree Giveaway is in Astoria this weekend. For time and place click here.

Here are a few tips to help your new tree survive in the city.

Welcome Home: Give your new tree a good home. A hole that is two to three times wider but no deeper than the tree's root ball is a great start. Be sure to plant your new tree right away so the roots won’t dry out.

Good Dirt Pays: Soil that is hard and compact means roots can’t breath. Before planting your new tree, loosen the soil with a shovel or gardening tool. Add mulch, peat moss or other organic material to help soil breath, keep in moisture and slow soil compaction.

Quench: Water is critical for young trees, especially newly transplanted trees. Take extra care watering especially during dry spells.

Unwelcome Deposits: Leave behinds by our furry friends add unhealthy elements that hurt not only our young trees, but add bacteria to groundwater as well. Try and keep your tree's home (the tree pit) litter free.

Tree Vitamins: Fertilizing during a young tree’s first year is critical. Fertilizers help young trees become strong and establish themselves. Time released fertilizing sticks (and other fertilizing choices) are available in nurseries and suppliers such as Home Depot.

A Trim: Pruning helps trees stay healthy and beautiful. www.tcia.org has the Tree Care Industry’s standards for pruning and tree care available online.

Location is Critical: Visualize the amount of space your new tree will needs as it grows tall. Think of power lines, driveways and structures that might make a particular location inappropriate. Ask what sunlight requirements your tree selection will need.

Easy on Herbicides: Applied at the right time and in the right amount – pesticides used properly can help tree fight pests. Improperly used, herbicides can damage your tree, cause unhealthy runoff into groundwater, and affect pet and human health. Be sure to carefully review the label warnings and follow the instructions for application carefully.

Accidents Can Happen: Debris, cars, storms and even lawnmowers can cause bark damage and wound a trees. One can avoid tree wounding by planting them in sheltered locations or by providing a barrier. Check for bark damage and treat it promptly.

Trees clean our city air, cool our summers on a hot day, provide lovely shade, help control water runoff in a big storm, homes for birds as well as ever changing beauty throughout the seasons. Treat your tree with care and it it will give back 10 fold.

CB1 Unanimous against R6 Development in Norwood Gardens

Norwood Neighborhood Association thanks Council Member Vallone and LICA for supporting the residents of Norwood Gardens at the Community Board meeting this evening. CB1 stood up for the residents of this community and unanimously voted against continuation of an R6 development under Norwood Gardens's new R5B and R4B zoning.

A few quotes from residents:


"This is an opportunity to prove that the people of Astoria matter"
resident 37th Street

"An R6 construction in Norwood Gardens goes against the will of this community"
resident of 36th Street

"Stand up for what is legal and right in Norwood Gardens"
resident of 36th Street

And the signatures of 90 Norwood Gardens' residents were on the NNA letter opposing the application to complete the foundation and continue to develop and R6 project.

"The developer has known for a long time that the new zoning designation was coming and had plenty of time to get his foundation work done before May 25th"
resident of 37th Street

Community Board Hearing re 30-86 36th Street Construction

30-86 36th Street property (near 31st Avenue) will be applying for a variance to construct a bigger building than the new R5B zoning regulations allow. As this will affect your block and neighborhood, Community Board 1 invites comments from residents on this development project.

If you are not able to attend CB1 meeting next Tuesday September 21st @ 7 PM, please send comments to norwood.astoria@gmail.com for submission to CB1 or send them directly:

Community Board #1
36-01 35th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11106

Don't Frack with NYC Drinking Water!

TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT
IMPORTANT: August 24^th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, the New York City Council will hold a town hall meeting to discuss natural gas drilling in New York State

NYT on Risks

NYT Article on fracturing

National Public Radio

NYT Green Blog: The E.P.A.’s last hearing on fracking, held in Canonsburg, Pa., in July, drew over 1,200 people

RiverKeeper Blog on fracturing dangers in NY

WSJ Article on fracturing

A Colossal Frackin Mess (article by Christopher Bateman June 2010)

TAKE ACTION: Tell Cuomo not to Frack with our water

Wiki on fracturing