(MENAFNEditorial)
For Immediate Release:
Astoria Leaders Clergy & Residents Turn Out in Support of Astoria Cove
Queens community leaders Astoria residents and clergy turned out at New York City Council hearings in support of the Astoria Cove project that would replace a blighted old industrial section of the Astoria/Hallets Cove peninsula with a new 1.7 million square foot waterfront development creating approximately 1000 jobs and introducing new cooperative businesses owned by neighborhood residents.
Astoria Cove’s developers 2030 Astoria Developers proposes to reshape the site to include a waterfront esplanade with 2-acres parkland 1700 apartments 345 of which (20%) would be affordable a 456 seat K-5 school 110000 Square Ft of street level retail and has announced the creation of a 30000 Square Ft cooperative supermarket and also a security guard company that importantly will be owned and operated by members of the local existing community.
Those speaking out in favor of the project included:
Jack Friedman Executive Director - Queens Chamber of Commerce said: "The Astoria Cove project enhances this corner of our borough by importantly adding 345 affordable housing units a proposed 456 seat school for grades K through 5 and green spaces and water access for recreation and for families to enjoy. That is just the beginning of the many advantages for Astoria. This plan also helps to bring quality jobs to Western Queens now and long into the future. The Queens Chamber of Commerce believes this project is and will be a great addition for our borough and for Astoria. We wholeheartedly endorse and support the project and the many advantages it will present for the local community for generations to come."
Claudia Cogar President of NYCHA Astoria Houses Resident Association & Astoria Houses resident of 60 years said: "The Astoria Houses community has waited generations for public and private investment that would help the community advance economically. Not only can this project improve our community but it can be an example for development in public housing communities for the rest of the city of New York. On behalf of myself and the Astoria Houses Resident Association we support Astoria Cove and are anxious for it to move forward."
Reverend Dwayne Jackson Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria said: My church is located close to the proposed Astoria Cove development site and my parishioners are its neighbors. I am thrilled that the developers are taking the people of this community and our—yes OUR—needs seriously. The developers have communicated effectively with Astoria Houses and Hallets Cove residents about the future enhancement they envision for OUR neighborhood and have been doing so for quite some time now. Together we are painting the future of our neighborhood and that painting is inspiring to us all. This painting articulates the vision of one peninsula connected through open streets local businesses job opportunities and community gatherings along the waterfront. The inclusion of Astoria Houses residents and other neighbors has paved a solid road a solid foundation for which we will continue to build upon for OUR future together."
Teresa McKinney 37 Year Resident of Astoria Houses said: “Astoria Cove is a great project because it is going to create lots of new opportunities for the entire neighborhood. I am particularly excited about the developers’ commitment to create a cooperatively-owned supermarket. Through this supermarket our community will have access to fresh food and as owners have opportunities to benefit from the infusion of new residents and investment.
I have worked in a supermarket for the past 17 years as a merchandiser and manager. I am eager to be a founding member of this cooperative supermarket and be not just a worker but also an owner.”
Reverend Bobby Moore Pastor and Overseer of the Astoria Baptist Church and Vice Chair of the Long Island City/Astoria Clergy Coalition said: “Economic diversity MUST be a cornerstone of housing development. An economic balance is something the neighborhood currently lacks. With Astoria Cove and the other development promises to create real opportunities for integration and connection. Astoria Cove will have NO “poor doors” that discriminate between a tenant who pays more and one who pays less. The builder committed to making sure that there are NOT two classes of citizen-tenants one who gets great amenities and others who get less. Instead ALL tenants will have equitable amenities. Astoria Cove Development has been years in the making. The solutions to many issues were born from research and ongoing public conversations with local community members about what is truly needed to transform the area that now has a rotting abandoned industrial past into a beautiful residential mixed income neighborhood. Astoria Cove is a solid community housing model that deserves approval.”
David Hammer Executive Director The ICA Group said: “We are excited by the commitment of the 2030 Astoria Developers to invest in the development of a cooperatively owned supermarket and security guard company and are inspired by their commitment to supporting the creation of community wealth. Over the course of the next five years we will work with the Developer and the community to create a sustainable community and worker owned supermarket as part of the proposed Astoria Cove development. This grocery store will seek to create high quality jobs that provide living wages quality benefit packages employ the best democratic management practices; as well as provide consumers with access to high quality locally sourced and healthy produce & prepared foods at a Competitive price point.” (ICA Group is a national not-for-profit whose mission is to expand economic opportunity by supporting initiatives that empower workers build community assets and root capital locally through employee ownership.)
Arthur Rosenfield President of the Long Island City/Astoria Chamber of Commerce said:
“I am here to both recommend and enthusiastically support the Astoria Cove development proposal before you. For 50 years no one has made an investment in this isolated part of the peninsula until now. 2030 Astoria Developers has proposed a development that will breathe positivity prosperity and life to it. It will contribute unique infrastructure so that the western Astoria area neighborhood can truly flourish. We on the local community level support this project and support and want the jobs and economic improvement that will result leading up to and during the construction phase for community residents and that will remain in place serving the community long into the future.”
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From: 2030 Astoria Developers
Media Contact: Butler Associates LLC. -- 212-685-4600
Tom Butler 646-213-1802 TButler@ButlerAssociates.com
Gio Simione 646-213-1387 gsimione@butlerassociates.com
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