Mar. 19, 2024 By Ethan Marshall Five neighborhoods in Queens were found to be among the 10 areas citywide that have the smallest median condo size, according to a recent report by the real estate firm PropertyShark. The neighborhoods included South Astoria, Maspeth, Old Astoria, Long Island City and Kew Gardens Hills. South Astoria, which the report defines as the southeast section of the neighborhood, was ranked as having the smallest median condo sizes in all of New York City, at just 631 square feet. Maspeth placed fourth on the list with a median condo size of 671 square feet;…
Read More
Author: schnepsrestagent
Ridgewood group launches petition calling for pedestrian and cyclist safety changes
Mar. 18, 2024 By Anthony Medina A group of residents who have formed Ridgewood Rides — an advocacy group of bicyclists that calls for safe streets — have launched a petition demanding safer access for cyclists and pedestrians to the Ridgewood Reservoir. The Ridgewood Reservoir, located within Highland Park, is situated on the border of Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods, including Bushwick and Cypress Hills. The group has garnered approximately 800 signatures in its quest to make access to the 1.18 miles of park space safe to enjoy the neighborhood’s greenery. Advocates of the petition are calling for protected bike lanes and…
Read More
Queens DA, elected officials highlight recent scams targeting older adults, add advice on self-protection
Mar. 18, 2024 By Bill Parry Two days after Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced she had brought charges against a Flushing man for scamming more than $600,000 from seniors across the country, her office hosted a presentation at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center on Mar. 12 to coach participants on how they can avoid being victims of similar schemes. “Education is key to preventing fraudulent activity, particularly among the senior population,” Katz said. “To this end, my office has been actively engaging with senior centers across the borough, providing insights on the warning signs of common scams.” Fei Liang,…
Read More
Ridgewood civic leaders release survey identifying 2,400 locations where trees should be planted
Mar. 15, 2024 By Anthony Medina A group of Ridgewood civic leaders have conducted a tree-planting survey and have identified nearly 2,400 locations in the neighborhood where additional trees should be planted. The results of the tree-planning survey—put together by Paul Kerzner, Luis Rodriguez, and Ted Renz—were delivered to Council Member Robert Holden earlier this week, with a tree-planting project expected to take place over the next two years. The survey results come at a time when Holden has been pushing for tree-planting initiatives. “Trees are incredibly important for our communities, offering numerous environmental and health benefits, and beautifying our neighborhoods,”…
Read More
Animal Care Centers of NYC to bring unique full-service animal shelter to Ridgewood this spring
Mar. 15, 2024 By Anthony Medina The Animal Care Centers (ACC) of New York City is expected to open a first-of-its-kind, full-service animal shelter in Ridgewood, according to an announcement made by ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Risa Weinstock on Wednesday, Mar. 13. At a recent Community Board 5 general meeting, an informative presentation unveiled key details of the forthcoming 50,000-square-foot facility. Highlights included innovative building infrastructure designed to enhance pet care and the promise of new job opportunities. The new full-service shelter facility, located at 19-06 Flushing Avenue, at the intersection of Flushing and Woodward Avenues, is expected…
Read More
New York legislators and transparency advocates call for stronger Freedom of Information Laws
Mar. 14, 2024 By Athena Dawson and Czarinna Andres New York State Senators John Liu and Brad Hoylman-Sigal, along with State Assembly Member Steven Raga, joined forces with a broad coalition of journalists, civic organizations, and transparency advocates in Albany on Tuesday to call for crucial enhancements to New York’s Freedom of Information Laws (FOIL). Liu, represents Northeast Queens while Hoylman-Sigal, covers much of the west side of Manhattan. Raga represents several neighborhoods in Queens which include Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Middle Village. The legislators, in collaboration with the New York Coalition for Open Government and several…
Read More
$117 million federal grant boosts QueensWay Project: A 3.5-mile greenway connecting six neighborhoods in Queens
Mar. 13, 2024 By Bill Parry
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and members of the Queens Congressional delegation announced a $117 million federal grant for the QueensWay project’s Forest Park Pass section, which includes 9 acres stretching from Union Turnpike through Forest Park to Park Lane South.
Average rental price in Queens rose over 3% year-over-year in February 2024: report
Mar. 13, 2024 Ethan Marshall The average rental price of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in Queens all increased from February 2023 to February 2024, according to a report by the real estate firm M.N.S. Real Estate. The overall average cost of rent for these types of units increased 3.1% over this span, from $2,715 in 2023 to $2,800 in 2024. The Ridgewood neighborhood saw the largest month-over-month rental price increase at 5.32% . Studios experienced the most significant increase in rental price. The average rental price for these units in Queens rose 6.11% year-over-year, from $2,169 last year to…
Read More
Crunching the Queens crime numbers: rapes rising across the borough, grand larceny decreasing in northern Queens
Mar. 13, 2024 By Ethan Marshall The number of rapes across Queens increased during the 28-day period from Feb. 9 to Mar. 10, compared to the same period of time last year, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD Monday. However, northern Queens has experienced a significant decline in grand larcenies over…
Read More
Attorney general’s office opens investigation into NYPD fatal shooting in Rego Park on Friday
Mar. 12, 2024 By Bill Parry
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) on Tuesday launched a probe into the police-involved fatal shooting of 46-year-old Djamshed Nematov on March 8 following an encounter with the NYPD in Rego Park.