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Eyes on the Street: Filling the Void Left By Astoria’s Missing Plaza
Last month, Queens Community Board 1 voted down DOT's proposal for a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of 30th Avenue, 33rd Street and Newtown Avenue, opting instead for curb extensions that will keep the block open to vehicle traffic.
October 2, 2012
How Will Soccer Fans Get to Proposed MLS Stadium in Queens?
A proposed Major League Soccer stadium in the middle of Queens’ largest park might have some cheerleaders in Albany, but lots of questions must be answered before the first game can be played. Perhaps the biggest issue is the stadium's transportation plan, the details of which -- those that have been made public, at least -- differ from what neighborhood advocates say MLS is telling them.
September 20, 2012
The New Corona Plaza, One Frame at a Time
In existence for just a few weeks now, the pedestrianized Corona Plaza has the makings of a livable streets success story. Check out this time-lapse video from DOT depicting the evolution of a new community space.
September 17, 2012
Astoria Community Board Votes Against Plaza, Will Get Curb Extensions
DOT went before Queens Community Board 1 on Tuesday to propose a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of 30th Avenue, 33rd Street and Newtown Avenue. The audience at the meeting was split on the proposal, but CB members were not: They voted against the plaza 25 to 7.
September 13, 2012
Tonight: Important Queens Community Board 1 Meeting on Astoria Plaza
The intersection of 30th Avenue, 33rd Street and Newtown Avenue was the site of DOT's first-ever one-day demonstration plaza. Will it get a permanent public space enhancement?
September 11, 2012
Corona Plaza: A Community Gathering Place Rises in Queens
Something special is happening in Corona, Queens. Last week, Streetfilms visited Corona Plaza -- the city's newest car-free space, next to the 103rd Street stop on the 7 train -- and found it already packed with families, children, and shoppers.
August 30, 2012
Eyes on the Street: The Weekend Scene at Corona Plaza
It hasn't been open a week yet, and Corona Plaza is already a popular gathering spot. In the next few days, Streetfilms will be posting a video about the new plaza featuring Council Member Julissa Ferreras. In the meantime, enjoy some more photos of the plaza getting lots of use over the weekend courtesy of Clarence. "It was almost like a mini Summer Streets," he said.
August 28, 2012
Astoria Gets a One-Day Plaza Demo as Community Board Vote Approaches
Facing a small but influential opposition to a permanent plaza in Astoria, DOT installed a one-day demonstration on Saturday to give neighborhood residents a sneak peak of how the street could be transformed. The demo, a first for DOT, was installed before Queens Community Board 1 votes on the proposal on September 11.
August 27, 2012
Eyes on the Street: First Signs of the New Corona Plaza
A pedestrian plaza that garnered support from local business, a unanimous vote at Queens Community Board 4 in June, and the backing of City Council Member Julissa Ferreras is being installed in Corona. The project is on the site of a service road that functioned as a parking lot for moving trucks. Now the space is host to planters and movable chairs, where people are already relaxing. Installation should be complete in the next few days. Later this year, DOT will meet with community members to evaluate the plaza. If the project gets a thumbs-up, DOT will begin working on a long-term redesign.
August 22, 2012
Eyes on the Street: The Not-So-Barren Jackson Heights Plaza
Business owners in Jackson Heights have done more than just take over maintenance of the plaza on 37th Road. They've rechristened it "Diversity Plaza," and they staged a community celebration that concluded on Monday to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, the breaking of fast at the end of Muslim holy month Ramadan. It seems the plaza was anything but empty that night. Eid Mubarak to all!
August 22, 2012