QPL: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, 917-702-0016, ekern@queenslibrary.orgDDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov 2024) Queens Public Library (QPL) President and CEO Dennis M Walcott and Commissioner Thomas Foley of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) today joined library staff and local elected officials to break ground on a $17.3 million project that will expand and modernize QPL’s Arverne Library at 312 Beach 54 Street in the Rockaways which is expected to be completed in spring 2027 “The new annex underscores our commitment to creating welcoming inspiring spaces that are resilient and environmentally sustainable,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M “At nearly twice the size of the existing branch -- which attracted 60,000 visitors this past year – the building will enable us to serve even more people as the neighborhood grows in the coming years We are extremely grateful to Mayor Eric Adams and the NYS Education Department for securing the capital funds needed to cover the cost of the new structure and to the NYC Department of Design and Construction for managing its construction.” “DDC and the Adams Administration were successful this year in bringing sweeping construction reform to New York City libraries DDC will be able to use the Construction Manager-Build method of contracting at all three of the city’s library systems including all 62 branches of QPL,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley “Building on our great design-build program and other methods of alternate project delivery fewer delays and better use of taxpayer money.” The expansion of Arverne Library will site a new one-story 4,600-square-foot addition in a vacant yard next to the existing 5,400-square-foot library The new annex will feature a large multi-purpose meeting room ADA-compliant bathrooms and spaces for library staff and necessary utilities To increase its environmental sustainability the new annex will include solar panels and several skylights that enhance the use of natural lighting Arverne Library sustained heavy water damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 prompting its closure and a two-year gut renovation To increase resiliency and protection from future storms and flooding the expansion will be elevated and will contain flood vents The sidewalk around the library will also be regraded and new pavers will be installed The design was completed by the firm Rice+Lipka Architects, based in Manhattan. The world-renowned firm has designed several projects as part of DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence Program which pre-qualifies design firms pre-qualifies firms to design public buildings projects reducing the time required to procure design services while ensuring the highest levels of quality and professionalism in construction projects managed by the agency Other projects designed by Rice+Lipka under the program include the renovation of the Nuyorican Poets Café the new NYPD Bomb Squad Operations Building in the Bronx and Hamilton Fish Library on the Lower East Side The project also features a Percent For Art component Valdez’s work is called “The Feeling is Mutual” and will include playful drawings and murals throughout the library inspired by his extensive experience of life and people in the Rockaways It features illustrations turned into “distraction graphics” which will be installed on glass doors and dividers throughout the building as well as drawings and installations that fill all of the library’s bathrooms with dozens of engaging artworks all deeply rooted in and inspired by the Rockaways “The expansion of the Arverne Library represents a major milestone in our efforts to provide high-quality public services to all of New York City With this $17.3 million investment we are enhancing access to educational resources and investing in the future of the community,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer larger library will provide residents with more space for learning Investing in our libraries is crucial to creating thriving resilient communities where all New Yorkers can grow and succeed.” "Few communities in New York City are growing faster and being invested in more than Arverne But behind every strong neighborhood is a strong library and that's exactly what we're delivering with the Arverne branch's brand new 4,600-square-foot addition," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr "I'm proud to have allocated nearly $3.4 million toward this critically important project in support of Arverne families state-of-the-art library to call their own." “The expansion of the Arverne library branch will provide even more services and access to the community,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz They enrich the lives of everyone who walks through the doors providing books to read I recognized the need to expand this branch and allocated funding for the project I want to congratulate Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and everyone involved in making this a bigger and better destination for learning in the neighborhood.” “As a proud supporter of educational and community resources I am thrilled to see the expansion and modernization of the Arverne Library taking shape,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr “Libraries are more than just buildings; they are gateways to knowledge This project is an investment in the future of the Rockaways ensuring our residents have access to a state-of-the-art facility that will serve generations to come." “Assembly District 31 continues to secure critical investment as Arverne Library is next to be expanded!,” said Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson “Our Libraries are the core of our community as they function as a cooling center The Arvene Branch was my childhood library and I am excited to see what it will be like after the recent successful reopening of the Far Rockaway Branch.” “Today’s groundbreaking for the Arverne Library expansion represents a significant milestone for Southeast Queens,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N “Libraries are the heart of our communities—spaces for education and growth—and this new addition will strengthen those opportunities for Arverne residents which reflects the City’s commitment to enhancing public spaces and meeting the evolving needs of our neighborhoods and all partners involved for their dedication to this important initiative.” “We are very excited to be adding another updated library to the Peninsula arsenal for all our constituents to use to be able to provide yet another opportunity to the community to have a way to expand their knowledge base quietly with their peers,” said Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson “We are excited for this new expansion and addition to the community Thank you to the Borough President and the QPL System.” the branch attracted 60,000 visitors and circulated nearly 100,000 items The branch will remain open during the construction period About Queens Public LibraryQueens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.  An independent Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens a technology center located at the Queensbridge Houses the nation’s largest public housing complex and a community learning center at another public housing complex NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.  Things are going swimmingly in the future pool department Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $150 million in capital grants have been awarded to fund 37 projects in underserved communities across the State as part of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative – New York’s biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal $46.1 million has been awarded to NYC Parks $10 million of which will go to developing a brand new Arverne East Aquatic Center “Every region of New York State will soon have brand new public pools to help provide New York families with safe ways to learn how to swim,” Governor Hochul said “There is a clear need and demand for reliable and accessible swimming facilities and these programs will enhance the health and well-being of communities and families all across the State.” The historic $150 million NY SWIMS investment to support pools in underserved communities is New York’s biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal The program provides grants between $50,000 and $10 million to help municipalities design with a focus on supporting disadvantaged and underserved communities that lack access to safe swimming and outdoor recreation opportunities Applications were evaluated on characteristics of project need In addition to various costs to develop swimming areas a portion of NY SWIMS grants can be used to add amenities “Access to safe swimming facilities shouldn’t be a luxury — it’s a necessity especially as climate change makes our summers warmer and warmer,” Mayor Eric Adams said “We’re investing more money in New York City’s pools than at any point in the last 50 years and we’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her partnership in making sure that New Yorkers in all five boroughs can beat the heat and learn to swim in high-quality swimming pools.” According to a press release from NYC Parks “Parks will develop a new aquatics center that features both an outdoor and indoor pool This project will bring the Rockaway Peninsula its first public pool.” This pool would be on the same Arverne East site where NYC Parks’ 35-acre nature preserve opened in May 2023 and where further development is taking place Arverne East is located on the oceanfront between Beach 32nd Street and Beach 56th Place Clare Hilger of the Rockaway Water Safety Coalition asked the Rockaway Beach Civic Association to write a letter of support for a L + M Development Partners LLC the developers of the Arverne East project in the mission to apply for a grant through the NY SWIMS program She advised that the letter request a pool at least 25-meters long so it could serve multiple purposes including swim meets The RBCA overwhelmingly voted to support writing the letter The Rockaway Times reached out to L + M Development Partners LLC for confirmation that a pool will now be a part of the Arverne East site and if more details were available The partners confirmed the news but did not share more details at this time Team Challenge at the Beach Challenges Men to… and website in this browser for the next time I comment independent news source that provides the Rockaways with a unique voice The paper is distributed for free throughout the peninsula and is available online at rockawaytimes.com Arverne Group: Start of Construction of Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant in Alsace PAU, France–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Regulatory News: a French industrial company specialized in the production of renewable underground resources reaches a new milestone by launching construction of the Direct Geothermal Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant for its project in Alsace this demonstrator will play a key role in assessing lithium resources as well as the technical and economic performance of the innovative DLE technology in real conditions It will validate the process for extracting lithium from geothermal brines in the Rhine basin Initiated in 2024 with studies and pre-orders the construction of the demonstration plant is supported by BPI France1 a project financed by the Government as part of France 2030 and by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan2 The equipment has been designed in collaboration with DG SKID following the pilot phase carried out by Lithium de France3 in the laboratories of Equinor in Norway a long-standing partner of the Group and co-shareholder of Lithium de France The demonstration plant will be installed in Northern Alsace whose work is scheduled to start in the coming months subject to official authorization for drilling founder and Chairman & CEO of Arverne Group The construction of the geothermal lithium extraction demonstration plant marks a key milestone in the pre-industrial phase of our strategic project “We are pursuing our roadmap to reach an annual production capacity of 4 TWh of geothermal heat and 27,000 tonnes of geothermal lithium meeting the growing needs of the electric mobility and energy storage markets.” READ the latest Batteries News shaping the battery market Arverne Group: Start of Construction of Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant in Alsace, source Pure Lithium Announces Engagement with Kingston Process Metallurgy to Scale Lithium Metal Anode Production BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pure Lithium Corporation Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining Announce Amendments to Merger Agreement BELMONT N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Piedmont Lithium Inc (“Piedmont,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL) Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining Announce Merged Company Name and Board Nominees Combined business to be renamed Elevra Lithium upon merger completion Elevra Lithium Board of Directors Nominees named with four members.. COPYRIGHT POLICY DISCLAIMER TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY We love meeting interesting people and making new friends The 21-year-old was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina when he died in a car accident in his private vehicle Colon was driving on I-95 in NC when he collided with a parked tow truck and was declared dead at the scene He was assigned to the 3rd Aviation Regiment 82nd CAB Many loved ones who offered condolences to Colon’s father called him “a great friend.” an Army veteran and fleet service clerk for American Airlines is assisting with his arrival to New York this Thursday and state patrol for his escort into Rockaway Galarza says Colon’s remains will arrive at JFK Airport at 6:07 p.m so he requests that Broad Channel residents and others line up along Cross Bay Boulevard between 7 p.m to pay their respects as Colon and his family pass by on their way to Rockaway Colon’s wake and funeral service will be held at Denis S O’Connor Funeral Home (91-05 Beach Channel Dr.) Friends and family will gather again at O’Connor’s on Saturday morning before continuing to Rosehill Cemetery in Linden Shamrocks & Sunshine for the 50th Annual St.… Queens Public Library (QPL) President and CEO Dennis M Walcott and Commissioner Thomas Foley of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) joined library staff and local elected officials to break ground on a $17.3 million project that will expand and modernize QPL’s Arverne Library at 312 Beach 54 Street in Arverne “The new annex underscores our commitment to creating welcoming inspiring spaces that are resilient and environmentally sustainable,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M “At nearly twice the size of the existing branch — which attracted 60,000 visitors this past year – the building will enable us to serve even more people as the neighborhood grows in the coming years and to the NYC Department of Design and Construction for managing its construction.” “DDC and the Adams Administration were successful this year in bringing sweeping construction reform to New York City libraries DDC will be able to use the Construction Manager-Build method of contracting at all three of the city’s library systems including all 62 branches of QPL,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley The expansion of Arverne Library will site a new one-story 4,600-square-foot addition in a vacant yard next to the existing 5,400-square-foot library ADA-compliant bathrooms and spaces for library staff and necessary utilities To increase its environmental sustainability Arverne Library sustained heavy water damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 The sidewalk around the library will also be regraded and new pavers will be installed The design was completed by the firm Rice+Lipka Architects The world-renowned firm has designed several projects as part of DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence Program Other projects designed by Rice+Lipka under the program include the renovation of the Nuyorican Poets Café the new NYPD Bomb Squad Operations Building in the Bronx and Hamilton Fish Library on the Lower East Side Valdez’s work is called “The Feeling is Mutual” and will include playful drawings and murals throughout the library inspired by his extensive experience of life and people in the Rockaways It features illustrations turned into “distraction graphics” which will be installed on glass doors and dividers throughout the building as well as drawings and installations that fill all of the library’s bathrooms with dozens of engaging artworks “Few communities in New York City are growing faster and being invested in more than Arverne But behind every strong neighborhood is a strong library and that’s exactly what we’re delivering with the Arverne branch’s brand new 4,600-square-foot addition,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr “I’m proud to have allocated nearly $3.4 million toward this critically important project in support of Arverne families state-of-the-art library to call their own.” “As a proud supporter of educational and community resources I am thrilled to see the expansion and modernization of the Arverne Library taking shape,” State Senator James Sanders Jr “Libraries are more than just buildings; they are gateways to knowledge ensuring our residents have access to a state-of-the-art facility that will serve generations to come.” “Assembly District 31 continues to secure critical investment as Arverne Library is next to be expanded!,” Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson said “Our Libraries are the core of our community as they function as a cooling center The Arverne Branch was my childhood library and I am excited to see what it will be like after the recent successful reopening of the Far Rockaway Branch.” “Libraries are the heart of our communities—spaces for education and growth—and this new addition will strengthen those opportunities for Arverne residents,” New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N which reflects the City’s commitment to enhancing public spaces and meeting the evolving needs of our neighborhoods and all partners involved for their dedication to this important initiative.” “We are very excited to be adding another updated library to the Peninsula arsenal for all our constituents to use quietly with their peers,” Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson said “We are excited for this new expansion and addition to the community Thank you to the Borough President and the QPL System.” The library will remain open during the construction period Rockaway Resource Helps Declutter Homes and Give to… Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. PS 106 and The Arverne East Development Team announced the new name for the Arverne East Welcome Center Fifth grade PS 106 students elected to name the building the “Coastal Conservation Center,” befitting the center’s proximity to the 35-acre Arverne East Nature Preserve Borough President Richards and Councilmember Brooks-Powers presented the students with a certificate of recognition “As a place where people can come together to learn about vibrant local ecosystems or simply to spend time with one another in a beautiful the newly named Coastal Conservation Center is a community staple of the Rockaways,” Councilwoman Brooks-Powers said “The ceremony today represents an exciting step forward – raising up the young community members who chose this excellent name and celebrating this new chapter together with our neighbors.” “The Arverne East Project has been and has the potential to be transformational for the families of the eastern Rockaway peninsula From high-quality affordable housing to a pristine nature preserve to the newly named Coastal Conservation Center what we are creating together will improve the lives of our neighbors for generations to come,” Borough President Richards said “Thank you to the brilliant students of PS 106 for their contributions to a brighter future for Rockaway!” “We are so excited that The Arverne East Development Team Councilmember Brooks-Powers and L+M Development Partners took our suggestion to involve the children from PS 106 to come up with the name of an institution that is close to them and will benefit them and the school for years to come,” Felicia Johnson “We look forward to continuing Lighthouse Elementary’s relationship with the Coastal Conservation Center and are grateful that our students had the opportunity to make an impact on this important community hub,” Althea Balsdon The Coastal Conservation Center and nature preserve were constructed as the $30.3 million first phase of the ambitious Arverne East project Arverne East Nature Preserve restores and promotes native ecology across five distinct maritime environments The welcome center includes a community meeting space crew headquarters for Parks staff and public restrooms The overall Arverne East development will include 1,650 units of housing — 80 percent affordable and 20 percent market-rate The project will also include diverse neighborhood retail Pizzeria to Return to Beach 129th Street with… Arverne is about to have a place for young kids to play Arverne by the Sea has brought a host of new offerings to the peninsula that will include a place for parents to bring their little ones for some indoor fun With the beach not being an ideal option as it gets colder Rockaplay Social Club brings the beach and all things by the sea inside for young children to enjoy through open play and structured programming It’ll also serve as a space for parents to meet while keeping an eye over their little ones and even prep mothers to be with offerings like pre-natal yoga and more it’s only fitting that Rockaplay SC offers everything by the sea From a lifeguard stand that kids can climb to a boat setup where children can feel like a captain to even a construction site sand pit where tots can pretend they’re future Army Corps of Engineers owners Emily Arikian and Corinne Sommer had Rockaway in mind when creating their vision for Rockaplay SC Arikian is a lifelong resident with a clinical social worker’s background who spent 12 years working with children at Camp KidsmART bringing with her knowledge of what kids enjoy Sommer is a renewable energy engineer with a background in construction bringing her brain to the construction aspect of the buildout But both have personal experience of what it is to be a mom in Rockaway which can lack things for young children to do especially when the beach closes for the summer Both mothers to two-and-a-half-year-old boys the new moms met in March 2023 at Miss Linda’s music class for moms and babies in Belle Harbor creating your network is an essential piece and finding people that you like in a similar area with similar aged kids is a beautiful trifecta With limited resources for young kids in Rockaway the moms started bringing their boys to a gym in Lynbrook “One day the gym was closed so we went to a play space instead and I said to Emily we used to have parent hangouts at the Rockaway Brewery and one day the kids were splashing in a keg filled with water on top and I thought Our kids deserve better.’ As our kids got older the brewery became less appropriate and eventually it closed so we needed a space where there’s structure and we can foster a connection with other parents That conversation took place about a year ago Arikian and Sommer decided to explore spaces in their neighborhood of Arverne by the Sea With the full interest of Arverne by the Sea CEO Gerard Romski wanting to add a space for kids to the many offerings in the area and when PSE&G decided the close their office the moms signed the lease for the space in June and got to work “This space was appealing because it’s central to a lot of things,” Arikian said speaking of the large public lot available behind the storefronts transforming the office space from floor to ceiling with the help of contractors making their vision come to life they’ll officially open their doors for parents and kids to see what they offer for open play they’ll begin their first pop-up event with a Boo Bash Halloween party for 11 a.m where costumed kids can enjoy a dance party That will be followed by a series of programs like a Toddler Music Movement class on Tuesdays for ages 1 to 3 a Sensory Theater Play workshop on Wednesdays for ages 2 to 5 and their first author event on November 9 with Michelle Chiusano reading her children’s book “Champ’s Day Out.” All programs will be led by professionals who have been vetted parents and kids can take advantage of 90-minute open play sessions where they can enjoy toys and climbing aspects that they wouldn’t have at home through individual sessions or with 10-packs or monthly subscriptions They are also available for private parties and already have a few booked parents or caretakers are required to be on site with their children during all play sessions and programs They also plan to eventually have offerings for parents and parents to be “We’ll have a yoga instructor come in for prenatal yoga and we have a café in front with a coffee bar and baked goods from Rockaway Beach Bakery for purchase,” Arikian said “We want to be a support system for parents.” They also have a desk space for parents to get work done or enjoy their coffee Arikian and Sommer are ready to open their doors on Friday It’s going to be beautiful,’” Arikian said Rockaplay Social Club is located at 68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations for open play, and especially programming, is encouraged at rockawayplaysc.com or by phone at 718-635-1752 Rockaway Republican Club Provides Help for Hurricane Helene… Arverne Cinema is ready to take “Flight.” On Friday bring your flying creature persona and join Anonymous Ensemble for a unique one-of-a-kind live film experience with music performances and connection with others in coastal areas of Australia Reserve your free tickets and head to Arverne Cinema at 72-02 Gouverneur Ave for “Flight.” La Cevicheria will be serving up their Peruvian goodies with a Venezuelan twist for purchase before the live film experience begins at 8:30 p.m And don’t forget to come up with your flying creature name whether it’s a type of bird or flying insect to more fantastical creatures from Pegasus to a dragon or something reminiscent from a Katy Perry song—a plastic bag as this show has some interactive elements for willing participants The special performance is being presented by Anonymous Ensemble a New York theater and performance company that has been working together for more than 20 years “’Flight’ is a live film.” And although there have been many iterations and each live film is different “A lot of it is this idea of flight and migration and borders and a lot of things that can fit within the world of flight,” Weinstein says “The premise is really different for each piece because it’s based around the collaborators We work with three or four people all around the world and we start out by talking about things going on in their lives and we create these prompts that we write around an empty flight that is filled with whatever collaborators bring to the project,” said Eamonn Farrell the artistic director that handles the video and live editing with effects for “Flight.” Friday’s “Flight” is being performed in a live audience “We had an idea for this project with a live audience and a virtual audience with performers in different places around the world so we were rehearsing on Zoom a year before the pandemic,” Weinstein said with 13 full episodes filmed during the pandemic each collaborating with three to four other people from around the world “Flight” had its first live audience iteration at Five Myles in Crown Heights Now “Flight” is ready to come to Rockaway for its second live film experience in front of an audience and the crew is taking full advantage of Rockaway’s unique flight-themed elements from nods to its coastal shorebirds to even using JFK Airport who normally handles the lighting for these live films will be getting ready to board a flight to Norway on Friday Also through Zoom will be collaborators from Australia making use of the set that the Arverne Cinema provides Liz Davito will be scoring the film with live music and Farrell will be editing it all together for the live film that will be presented on the big screen at Arverne Cinema as it’s happening across the world With collaborators in Venezuela and La Cevicheria serving up food the live film will feature both Spanish and English captions so Spanish speakers are encouraged to be a part of the magic has been the home of the Rockaway Film Festival and its events since 2021 With the idea of bringing film back to Rockaway which hadn’t had a movie theater in 20 years Rockaway Film Festival was formed in 2018 by Sam Fleischner Weinstein had previously worked with Fleischner who was eager to bring “Flight” to Rockaway as part of the Rockaway Film Festival “We’re really impressed with what Sam and Courtney have done out there It’s amazing and really beautiful,” Weinstein said And Anonymous Ensemble is eager to share what they’ve created with “Flight.” “Anybody that has been a part of our experience comes with a sense of wonder and something new and different We mix a lot of technologies and we’re working with folks from different parts of the world and we create life experiences and Jessica brings it all together here while connecting with our collaborators abroad So anyone that has a sense of playfulness and wonder can come and enjoy all these different elements to create this one-time film It’s gonna be magical and fantastic and extraordinary and we’re ready to have people in different parts of the world connect with this one idea,” Briceno said “This is going to be a very special performance,” Muller said “Come be a part of a live film,” Weinstein said “Flight” can be experience live at Arverne Cinema, or through Zoom. While the event is free, participants are encouraged to register for tickets in advance at: www.rockawayfilmfestival.org/event/flight The crew behind Rockaway Tiki Bar is steering a brand-new ship—Pilot House The new sports bar and grill is now open at The Tides in Arverne by the Sea Sit back and catch the latest baseball game or EURO soccer match grab a beer or cocktail and let the pilot house burger steer your stomach towards fullness as you enjoy the hearty 8oz patty covered in mozzarella cheese pickled peppers and a chipotle mayo on a Martin’s roll cooked just how you like and bursting with flavor Maybe the Philly cheese steak with grilled ribeye melted cheddar on a hoagie roll has your mouth watering start it off with crispy fried jumbo wings in a homemade sauce of your choice a giant Bavarian pretzel with mustard and beer cheese a house salad or a wedge or a vegan treat like an oyster mushroom po boy Those are only a few of the choices on Pilot House’s menu with plenty of elevated American cuisine choices that pair perfectly with sports there’s a kid’s menu at this family-friendly establishment there’s a full cocktail menu with some summertime favorites like a Surfside Sipper starring Surfside Iced Tea and Tito’s vodka buck drinks with Tiki’s signature ginger syrup On both floors of Pilot House at 190 Beach 69th Street with access to almost any sports event you can dream of from the latest boxing match to a surfing competition with the Olympics coverage right around the corner and a sound system that can make you feel like you’re at the game you’ll find a retro arcade to keep the kids busy or to relive some nostalgia with games like Pac Man But the rooftop is adults only as a 21+ spot with an outdoor bar for ready to drink beverages and a limited menu to enjoy as you take in the views while enjoying a Miami-like vibe so when an opportunity opened with the closing of Bar Marseille across the street the partners of Beach Boulevard Hospitality Group so we wanted to make use of this bigger space and wanted it to be in the hands of local people,” Tichenor said So they jumped aboard and started putting work into their next dream as they build their hospitality brand the idea of bringing a good sports hangout that gives tailgate vibes before was at the back of the mind for the business partners “I grew up in Philly and we went there for Game 7 to watch the Phillies and my partners said “So we wanted to open a sports bar but wanted it to have this feeling where you can tailgate and watch the game and get this group excitement about it where people are cheering on their teams and they play good music during commercials to keep the vibes up It’s hard to find something like that unless you go into the city.” transforming it from a formal French dining establishment into a family-friendly establishment for sports fans Paying homage to Rockaway’s boaters and fishermen as the restaurant sits a block down from the ocean named after the area at the helm of a ship where a captain steers and navigates some of the airline pilots that call The Tides home or visit Rockaway during layovers from JFK But the crew aboard Pilot House are mostly made up of locals from some well-known bartenders from around the neighborhood to local kids home from college It was great to see so many people from all over the peninsula come out We did over 400 tickets and everyone was saying how beautiful it is and how different it is and the food got a lot of compliments,” Tichenor said She added that they’ve opened with their lunch menu But they’re happy to open their doors in time for July and we had four months to turn this around and I think people are impressed with how we transformed the place We didn’t cut any corners with the quality of the TVs “The opening gave everyone a good idea of what this place is and what’s to come.” it seems Pilot House is and will continue to be a welcome new addition but it’s nice that we offer a 21 and over spot where people can be with friends We want this to be your go to place to watch your favorite teams and enjoy that high-energy sports bar vibe,” Tichenor said Pheffer Amato Named ‘Legislator of the Year’ by… This series goes deep with some of the most compelling figures in commercial real estate: the dealmakers the city-shapers and the larger-than-life personalities who keep CRE interesting Building high-density affordable housing on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean is something that might intimidate most developers a managing partner at L+M Development Partners the idea was an exciting chance to challenge conventional wisdom about what can be built and where The project involves raising the building above storm surge levels — by 16 feet or more — but L+M also saw opportunities to incorporate field-leading sustainability standards So the developer set about creating solar roof gardens, building to Passive House standards, installing geothermal energy systems for heat and cooling plus using porous pavements and native plants to absorb water when the tide rises or a storm sweeps through the bay L+M went one step further when thinking about how to get the existing Far Rockaway community to buy into the development: around 80% of the units will be reserved as affordable housing including some for formerly homeless New Yorkers Levenson has been with the firm for seven years all while Arverne East has been taking shape She sat down with Bisnow to talk about working on one of NYC’s most ambitious housing projects of the 21st century and what the future holds for sustainability-focused development This interview has been edited for length and clarity Bisnow: You started in city planning agencies, including the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development Between those and a stint at a real estate consulting firm it seems like you’ve always had a strong interest in real estate Levenson: I went to Clark University and got a degree in urban geography and sociology with a concentration in international studies I really had no idea of what I was really interested in I thought after Clark I was going to go and get an architecture degree or an urban design degree I had this great professor who pulled me aside and said “I think your interests probably span much more than just architecture Maybe you should think more about the city planning or the real estate side of things.” It was probably the best advice I had gotten as a very young student I worked in a different industry for a couple years and I went to Columbia to get my master's in city planning where I fell in love with real estate and housing I went back and got a certificate at NYU in real estate finance and investment and got exposed to a lot of other students and professors who were from around the country and around the world working on all sorts of different deals What were the biggest changes you encountered when pivoting from something that seems more straightforward — real estate consulting — to a more specialized firm with its focus on social responsibility as a component of what it does Levenson: I think it was the timing was right and it made a lot of sense in my career just by the nature of the work that they had done in New York and the work that we had done together in the affordable housing space finding the right fit from a development company was very important My personal goals and values align quite well with the firm’s but also there were a bunch of us who had come from public service or agency work There's always a bigger picture with everything that we do I think that aligned really nicely with how I was already thinking about general real estate or community development projects It has a construction cost of almost $1B and is expected to become one of the largest Passive House projects in the whole country by the time it’s done Levenson: The project has approximately a 10-year build We did start work in 2020 and 2021 on the more public works aspects of the project the welcome center as a not-for-profit-run urban farm and native plant nursery and we're wrapping up our first phase of infrastructure work at the end of the year The first residential component of the project is currently in design and slated to start construction next year which is super exciting given all the work that we've done over the almost past eight years The project will be built Passive House. We're also leveraging our rooftop solar and the space that we have on the site for carport solar. Ultimately we will be producing more renewable energy on site than we are consuming, making it the first net-zero community in New York City That's really exciting because we're going to be directly offsetting our consumption on-site We're not purchasing [renewable energy credits] in order to meet that I think it's really important, not just for development in New York City or coastal development, but for resiliency. We don't go a day on the Arverne East project without thinking about resiliency or energy efficiency and so to be able to make sure that you're developing responsibly to not further exacerbate the climate issues and continue to keep your site resilient — not just for those of us here today but our children and our future generations — is pretty exciting you’ve needed to upgrade storm and sanitary sewers The road work and infrastructure improvements began in July last year Levenson: The infrastructure upgrades are doing great thanks to our partnership with New York City Department of Transportation We are on schedule to complete the first phase of infrastructure by the end of the year We're currently working on finishing sidewalk and hopefully we'll be finishing the utility work as well in the last quarter of this year Bisnow: My understanding is this is one of the largest projects in the country to attempt to use geothermal energy to power housing Tell me about the ways that L+M has been designing the energy infrastructure for Arverne East Levenson: We are deploying a district geothermal system which effectively means that all of the components within the project are going to be connected via ambient piping A fundamental of geothermal is that during the summer you're dumping heat into the ground and you do the reverse during the winter The whole idea is that the ground is staying at a relatively constant temperature are spending as much energy to either heat or cool where you're hyperinsulating a building so the interior ambient temperatures will stay fairly constant throughout the year your systems are not working as hard or spending as much energy to either heat or cool There's also a system that we use in Passive House that is continuously circulating fresh air into the building as well That provides superior air quality and comfort Bisnow: I want to talk in a little more detail about the logistics of geothermal Levenson: Due diligence, due diligence, due diligence! First and foremost, it was making sure you knew what was beneath your site. Are you within 200 feet of MTA assets because that will be an additional approval It's a little bit different because we are drilling under streets but we've worked very closely with the agencies to navigate around the infrastructure is to understand what's underground but also understand what you're next to and within several hundred feet of The geothermal industry has really advanced over the past several years with their drilling techniques and how they execute We have heard there's directional drilling where there's co-op owners in Manhattan that have decided that they were going to drill geothermal under their existing building having the right consultant and doing the proper research Bisnow: I ask in part because I've heard developers recently say ‘We want to start doing geothermal,’ and talking about it as if it's easy Levenson: I'm encouraged to hear that the development community is beginning to think there's some ease associated with this have a special sauce — how they like to build But once the industry sees others doing it and coming out on the other side I think it gives a little bit of ease to the larger community Maybe it is not as scary or as difficult as we once thought.” I would never want to tell my colleagues who work in that industry day in But I think they’re probably whispering in my ear saying it's not hard!’ Doing the research first on the modeling side understanding your equipment and having the right consultants and contractors do the design and installation is probably the biggest thing when you think about geothermal from 30,000 feet So I always encourage those who haven't done it before to give it a shot Bisnow: I’m also interested in hearing more about the construction materials and the ways in which L+M designed for storm resiliency and coastal flooding we’ve approached this at three different levels So we looked at it from a site planning perspective we looked at it from a topographical expected perspective for elevations and then we looked at it from an individual asset perspective they think Rockaway and they think major storm inundation But it's really interesting because you're kind of sandwiched here so water is always moving subterranean in Rockaway Being able to handle nuisance flooding or something that could be tidally influenced is just as important From a site planning perspective, we're elevating the site anywhere between 3 to 8 feet depending on location, supporting all of our first floors, lobbies, access points over the 500-year floodplain. That has involved us importing over 400,000 cubic yards of clean fill onto the site. We're in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation and the Clean Soil Bank They have been great partners in connecting us with other donors throughout the city to make sure that we are meeting our soil delivery needs the first-floor elevation that we're setting is incredibly important to ensure over the 500 years We keep checking and making sure with every phase that we design that there has been no movement or there doesn't need to be an alignment and that we’re keeping all of our mechanical spaces above that elevation Bisnow: Have you applied for any funding through the recent infrastructure laws passed Bisnow: Are you concerned that there will be less funding available for coastal resiliency projects and other efforts targeted at combating climate change in the next administration especially when one administration was very supportive of something Bisnow: I’m also curious what sort of impact you’re expecting the next administration to have on affordable housing Levenson: I think we'll just have to wait and see Bisnow: We’re almost at the end of this calendar year Give us a bold prediction for the industry — especially as it pertains to sustainability goals — for the next 12 months Levenson: I think that the industry is beginning to see the benefits of these methodologies and technologies: the benefits for ownership the benefits that are provided to residents and also the benefits for the future of our planet everyone is going to continue to stay the course I'm hopeful that more colleagues in this space will continue to join us in deploying these strategies throughout projects wherever possible Bisnow: Since this is the Weekend Interview We always try to have this little tradition where we always make a special breakfast whether it's making muffins or waffles or something different Our weekends are usually filled with a mix of soccer and making something really delicious together You are subscribed to the Bisnow New York Newsletter or click here to copy link to clipboard We will email you a link to reset your password Upcoming regulations in the European Union require us to show this pop-up and ask you to agree to keep using Bisnow.com We want to take 15 seconds to tell you what's going on: Welcome, Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog Out2 swimmers rescued from the RockawaysByEyewitness News Sunday 2024The FDNY says the swimmers have minor injuries Queens (WABC) -- Two swimmers were rescued from the water tonight in Queens It happened at Beach 67th Street in the Rockaways around 6:30 p.m The FDNY says the swimmers have minor injuries Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Following our previous visit to New York-based OLI Architecture, we are keeping our Meet Your Next Employer series in Manhattan this week to explore the work of WXY Architecture + Urban Design Over on Archinect Jobs, the firm is currently hiring a Senior Project Architect to join their New York City studio For candidates interested in applying for the position or anybody interested in learning more about the firm’s output we have rounded up three waterfront projects by WXY that exemplify the firm’s ethos As we reported in April of this year WXY completed a new welcome center at the Arverne East Nature Preserve in Rockaway The project represents the first phase of New York City’s “first net-zero residential community” of 1650 units and contains a community meeting room and space for the Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Park Rangers program and the Campaign Against Hunger “Arverne East represents a unique and innovative path forward for the Rockaways — one rooted in honoring local knowledge and an ongoing practice of community stewardship,” WXY founding principal Claire Weisz said about the scheme “The sustainable and resilient architecture creates an inviting accessible space to connect with nature — a promontory for everyone from beachgoers to community organizers to Parks Department staff.” The Beach 30th Pavilion forms part of a wider revitalization of Far Rockaway Beach with 28 acres of new and existing park landscapes renovated and enlivened to improve public access and amenities Three unique structures were designed as part of the project: a performance lawn The Beach 30th Pavilion serves as a shelter and rest stop for beach activities comprising a 3000-square-foot structure with an exterior lounge The shelter’s design mixes skylights and oval cutouts with the largest porthole containing a planted area to introduce the dune landscape to the pavilion Slender columns hold light fixtures to activate the pavilion in the evening while glazed brick in five different tones of green results in a palette that reads as an urban dune “camouflage.” WXY designed three buildings for the Hudson River Park a major waterfront park being developed along five miles of Manhattan’s West side The structures respond to the area’s former industrial role while bringing new uses such as a miniature golf and snack bar “The designs draw on the local vocabulary of robust marine structures and reinterpret the pragmatic nature of utility building with a sculptural gesture,” WXY says about the scheme “Angling roof lines and 3-dimensional signs animate the composition The buildings are zinc-clad and equipped with broad overhangs for shade and shelter Glimpses of hard-wearing glazed brick at their bases and openings punctuate their components with vivid color.” Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site Your comment will be visible once approved Thirty-five acre public nature preserve & Nature Center comprise $30.3 million first phase of ambitious resilient and sustainably focused Arverne East project on Rockaway Peninsula Mixed-use development will feature 1,650 units of housing market rate and homeownership opportunities Arverne East will be one of the most environmentally conscious developments in the United States achieving net zero and eliminating the need for fossil fuels on site Arverne East rendering courtesy of Local Office Landscape/Bernheimer Architecture  the Bluestone Organization and Triangle Equities have closed on $30.3 million in financing for the first phase of Arverne East socially and economically transformative project that will revitalize a vacant 116-acre oceanfront site in the Arverne and Edgemere neighborhoods in Queens' Rockaway Peninsula and set a new standard for resilient and energy efficient development in coastal areas Funding for the first phase was provided by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development a 35-acre nature preserve between Beach 44th Street and Beach 56th Place is designed to restore and promote native ecology It will include a new building featuring a welcome center and a community center that will be owned and operated by RISE a non-profit organization that provides civic engagement and youth development programs that advance social equity and the physical well-being of the greater Rockaway community RISE will provide educational programming to the community and work with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to steward the nature preserve WBE firm Starr Whitehouse is the landscape architect for the nature preserve and WXY which will set the energy efficiency and sustainability bar for the entire project by utilizing geothermal technology and an extensive photovoltaic array that will produce more power than is utilized on site “In moving forward with this long-envisioned plan for Arverne East we are ushering in a more resilient and inclusive future for the Rockaways community,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll “More than 1,300 affordable homes will follow this nature preserve breathing new life into a site that has gone undeveloped and unused for decades We’re proud of the hard work and ingenuity from our development partners and staff that went into making this possible.” “As committed members of the Arverne and Edgemere communities for over a decade we are proud to bring this site to life through a project that will set a new standard for sustainable and resilient development," said Sara Levenson Senior Director at L+M Development Partners "Arverne East will provide a host of long-awaited neighborhood resources and further support the economic revitalization of the central and eastern sections of the Rockaway Peninsula This project exemplifies how much can be accomplished for New Yorkers through thoughtful public-private We appreciate the unwavering efforts of our partners in helping us achieve this important milestone for Arverne “We are excited to see these vacant lots transformed into a high-functioning ecosystem for the people that call Rockaway home,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff “The preserve will add parkland in an underserved community with pathways to provide safe and convenient connections between the Edgemere community and the boardwalk.” “Arverne East is a true community-first and environmentally-friendly project that will bring much-needed housing community space and other amenities to a long-neglected neighborhood,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr “The fact that Arverne East will include an innovative nature preserve and be the City’s first net zero community makes this development truly transformational in every sense of the word I am very pleased that this ambitious project is moving forward quickly and I look forward to seeing the residents of the Rockaways enjoy all of its benefits.” “I am pleased to see the Arverne East project staying on schedule as the first phase is approaching its final stages,” said State Senator Joseph P “This project is extremely important to the development of Arverne by getting rid of the vacant properties which have been a blight to the community it creates jobs through the construction of the project and with the new retail space that will be coming I will continue to work with my colleagues in government to ensure that this project progresses and is completed on time.” “With the first phase of this historic Arverne East project complete we look forward to the expansion of truly affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for families on Far Rockaway,” said Assembly Member Khaleel M “My role as the Assembly Member is to ensure that the developers honor their commitment to our community in prioritizing affordable housing I look forward to continued partnership with my colleagues in government and the developers to ensure the community has a voice in this project.” “As an MBE with strong ties to New York City Urbane is thrilled to join the Arverne East development team and contribute to the creation of the region’s first Net Zero community,” said James Johnson-Piett “Majority-minority communities like Edgemere and Arverne have borne the brunt of decades-long environmental degradation and economic disenfranchisement We see this new venture as an opportunity to reset the narrative with a development centered on local Rockaway talent and culture that puts economic and environmental resilience at its core Urbane has built a platform dedicated to strengthening community wealth that co-creates solutions with residents and small businesses in every part of the community and economic development process Arverne East is an unprecedented opportunity for large-scale equitable development and a pathway to community wealth generation for the Edgemere and Arverne communities.” The overall Arverne East development will include 1,650 units of housing -- 80 percent affordable and 20 percent market-rate -- serving low-income to middle-income individuals and families a set aside for formerly homeless and market-rate townhouses and bungalows connecting the 36th Street A train subway station to the beach will be anchored by a new full production brewery and restaurant operated by the Rockaway Brewing Company as well as a beachfront hotel responsive to community needs and promoting local businesses MBE firm Urbane will join the tri-venture and serve as a development partner on the project spearheading the curation of retail and small business within the development to promote the growth of new and existing local The project will also include a community center and numerous outdoor public open spaces As the Rockaways continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 climate change remains an existential threat to the entire Peninsula Arverne East is designed to meet the challenge head-on – from an elevated topography to buildings that produce more renewable energy than they consume making Arverne East the first net zero community in the city The project plans to achieve net zero status through a number of strategies including passive house construction which will create buildings that are highly insulated and airtight while also bringing in fresh filtered air through new energy efficient mechanical systems At the heart of these mechanical systems will be a campus wide district geothermal loop that uses the earth’s ambient temperature as a source for heat transfer allowing for efficient heating and cooling photovoltaic panels across the development will produce enough energy to offset the energy used in the new buildings allowing the project to achieve net zero status Nature PreserveThe development team worked with award winning landscape designers and WBE firm Starr Whitehouse along with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s Natural Resources Group to create an innovative public preserve equipped with critical resiliency infrastructure that will protect the fragile maritime ecology of the Rockaway Peninsula Existing native trees have been tagged and protected and will anchor the new proposed plantings for this area Pathways throughout the preserve have been designed to provide public access from the street and to the boardwalk directly to the south Nature CenterThe nature preserve will be supported by an approximately 6,000 square foot building that will provide offices for Park Rangers storage space for maintenance equipment and public restrooms RISE will operate a welcome center for the park providing resources and educational opportunities to the public To support the ongoing success of the nature preserve raising seedlings and saplings to replenish the landscape of the nature and dune preserves The Nature Center will be located on the eastern side of Beach 44th Street and will be a model in resilient and sustainable practices while a rooftop solar array will generate power to supply the building and provide additional energy to low-income residents in the neighborhood A parking lot with approximately 30 spaces will also be constructed with a permeable asphalt system and a system of detention tanks and bioswales are designed to handle all storm water on site Urban FarmThe Campaign Against Hunger will expand its urban farming production on the site with approximately 1.5 acres of farming area plus an indoor aquaponic system Aquaponics is the symbiotic farming of aquaculture (fish for food) together with the hydroponic growing of fruits and vegetables The Campaign Against Hunger provides free and low-cost healthy food to the community through local farm stands as well as its new healthy café and indoor farm stand Beach Dunes Eats & Arts located two blocks away Storm ResiliencyThe new development portion of Arverne East is located between Beach 32nd and Beach 41st and will be elevated to protect against sea surge portions of the development area will be elevated from three to eight feet above the existing grade higher than the flood waters of Superstorm Sandy and exceeding the New York City required Design Flood Elevation by four feet Water management strategies also include the use of rainwater for on-site irrigation and indigenous plantings to both beautify and create storm buffers for the area Arverne East will create a coastal buffer zone with its densest portions concentrated along Edgemere Avenue (Shore Front Parkway) at elevated grades Each residential building of the development will be constructed using Passive House design standards Other resiliency features at Arverne East will include a district geothermal ambient loop which will tie into building systems for increased efficiency and reduced consumption solar panel arrays will be placed throughout the community generating approximately 12.7 megawatt hours of renewable solar energy Many of the resilient and energy efficient measures set to be implemented at Arverne East were first piloted at nearby Beach Green Dunes I & II Both are 100 percent affordable mixed-use residential developments by the development team which opened in 2017 and Beach Green Dunes II are two of the most energy-efficient and resilient projects in New York City and served as a proof of concept for Arverne East Beach Green Dunes II was recently awarded the 2021 ULI Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing Development Arverne East is the result of a public-private partnership led by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development the Arverne Urban Renewal Plan was adopted to facilitate the removal of structurally substandard housing for development of new low- and moderate-income housing the City acquired and cleared most of the Urban Renewal Area for redevelopment the site has sat predominately vacant and underutilized for approximately the past 50 years The Project received Uniform Land Use Review Procedure approval in 2003 Appeals FOIL Immigration Specialist LEOW Civic Awareness Community Engagement Office of 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the driver in the head causing Gyimah to fall and hit his head on the pavement where he lay motionless as Amos and the others fled District Attorney Katz said: “Kutin Gyimah was brutally beaten and left for dead by Austin Amos and his codefendants after being confronted by Gyimah when the group ran off without paying their cab fare I thank our prosecutors and the members of the NYPD who helped bring this defendant to justice.” pleaded guilty in May to manslaughter in the first degree Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant sentenced the defendant today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision pleaded guilty in October 2023 to attempted gang assault in the second degree in connection with this incident He was sentenced in February to two years in prison followed by three years post-release supervision of the Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Whitney and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark To learn more about the full range of services available to you, visit the resources section Disclaimer To learn more about the QCDA Website Accessibility Statement, visit the accessibility page Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information A rendering of the Arverne East development which will be lined by a boardwalk on the south side.  Credit: Bernheimer Architecture/Local Office Landscape & Urban Design  A swath of oceanfront land in the Rockaways will become a test bed for climate and economic policies promising affordable housing and other amenities to a region hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy.  XLinkedInEmailLinkGiftFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftBy March 4 2022 at 7:00 AM ESTBookmarkSaveAlong 116 acres of vacant oceanfront land development has begun on what could become New York City’s first and largest community to reach a goal of net zero carbon emissions The roughly $1 billion project on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens could be a proving ground for a host of climate and economic policies. The development will incorporate geothermal heating, passive house design to optimize energy efficiency and a plan to raise the storm surge elevation given the land’s vulnerability to flooding Borough President Donovan Richards tours the Arverne East nature preserve after the ribbon was cut on the project. Photo via Borough President Donovan Richards  An area of Rockaway Beach once known as an overgrown dumping ground is now a natural oasis after officials cut the ribbon on the Arverne East nature preserve on Wednesday The 35-acre nature preserve is part of the massive Arverne East development project in the Rockaways which aims to transform 100 acres of underutilized space and become the first net-zero development in the city officials cut the ribbon on the new nature preserve which hosts five different maritime ecosystems providing a safe home for diverse local flora and fauna Pedestrian pathways weave through the preserve offering New Yorkers a new way to observe and appreciate these natural environments including accessible connections to the Rockaway boardwalk and beach A new multi-purpose building was also constructed as part of this project which will house a community meeting space crew headquarters for Parks Department maintenance staff and public restrooms who had lauded the project throughout his tenure in office called Wednesday’s ribbon cutting another historic step overgrown illegal dumping ground for decades is now a stunning hub of wildlife and a successful example of what community-centered sustainability work looks like,” said Richards “I could not be prouder of this project or of the Arverne East development as a whole which represents transformational change for a community that had previously been ignored for generations Thank you to all of our public and private partners for making this day a reality and I look forward to spending many summer days spent enjoying this peaceful preserve with my family.” The Arverne East Nature Preserve is a 35-acre natural area preserve designed by Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects There are five ecological communities within the preserve: maritime grassland Visitors to the preserve may see different shorebirds using the swale and migrating songbirds using the forest and shrublands seaside goldenrod will fill the site with color Locally sensitive plants such as beach sedge and Gray's flatsedge will also call the nature preserve home “By establishing the new Arverne East Nature Preserve we’re not only protecting our natural environment but also providing fresh opportunities for New Yorkers to engage with the rich diversity of plant and animal life that enriches our city,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue “As custodians of over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs helping local wildlife thrive while making our city more beautiful this new nature preserve is a great resource for the Rockaway community.” The nature preserve also features the approximately 6,000 square foot welcome center while a rooftop solar array generates power to supply the building and eventually provide additional energy to low-income residents in the neighborhood Arverne East will eventually be the site of a massive housing development commercial spaces and 1,650 units of housing Home / Law / Crime / Politics / Communities / Voices / All Stories / Who We Are / Terms and Conditions By: 7:30 am on December 18 L+M Development Partners, Bluestone Organization and Triangle Equities have closed on $30.3 million in financing to complete the first phase of Arverne East a forthcoming master-planned community in the Rockaways The entire community will occupy 116 acres spanning both Arverne and Edgemere sections of the Rockaway peninsula Phase one of the development is located on a 35-acre nature preserve between Beach 44th Street and Beach 56th Place Designed by WXY the scope of construction includes a new welcome center The community center will be owned and operated by RISE a non-profit organization that provides civic engagement and youth development programs in the Rockaway area The organization will also provide educational programming and collaborate with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to steward the nature preserve Renewable resources powering the building include geothermal technology and an extensive photovoltaic array that together will produce more power than is utilized by the building Similar technologies will be deployed throughout Arverne East which is expected to debut as the city’s premiere net-zero energy community “As committed members of the Arverne and Edgemere communities for over a decade we are proud to bring this site to life through a project that will set a new standard for sustainable and resilient development,” said senior director at L+M Development Partners Sara Levenson “Arverne East will provide a host of long-awaited neighborhood resources and further support the economic revitalization of the central and eastern sections of the Rockaway Peninsula.” the city acquired and cleared most of the Urban Renewal Area for redevelopment The project then received Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) approval in 2003 “In moving forward with this long-envisioned plan for Arverne East we are ushering in a more resilient and inclusive future for the Rockaways community,” said HPD commissioner Louise Carroll “More than 1,300 affordable homes will follow this nature preserve breathing new life into a site that has gone undeveloped and unused for decades.” The overall development will eventually create 1,650 apartments a diverse mix of local retail and dining destinations 80 percent of the residential volume will be designated as affordable housing This will include approximately 1,320 units affordable reserved for the formerly homeless Plans also specify the creation of one parking space for every housing unit created “I am pleased to see the Arverne East project staying on schedule as the first phase is approaching its final stages,” said New York state senator Joseph P “This project is extremely important to the development of Arverne by getting rid of the vacant properties which have been a blight to the community it creates jobs through the construction of the project and with the new retail space that will be coming.” The development’s commercial corridor connects the 36th Street A train subway station to the beach and will be anchored by a new full production brewery and restaurant operated by the Rockaway Brewing Company as well as a 60,000-square-foot beachfront hotel Urbane Development will help curate the remaining retail spaces with a focus on small All of the new buildings will be elevated three to eight feet above grade to help protect against rising sea levels the structures will sit higher than the flood waters of Superstorm Sandy and exceed the New York City-required Design Flood Elevation by four feet Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates Like YIMBY on Facebook Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews One would think with the ample open land and the A train Rockaway Branch being consistently under-capacity they would be constructing actual highrises That’s a ridiculous amount of parking In essence low income housing on the ocean Oceanfront property should have high end hotels that will bring in revenue and not low income housing Why do homeless or low income need ocean front housing How lovely to treat lower income people with as much respect as higher income people and to provide lower income people with the peace of mind they desperately need and normally would never have been able to afford This is an awesome and thoughtful and generous development plan I hope more people appreciate it as much as I do ga('send', 'event', 'beautyofblock', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Standard_336x280-100-2.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ADVERTISEMENT ga('send', 'event', 'PCRichards Builders Division', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PCR_Beko_Compact_YIMB_336x280.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ga('send', 'event', 'yimby+', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png', { nonInteraction: true }); Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC YIMBY IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF NIKOLAI FEDAK / NEW YORK YIMBY LLC By: 6:30 am on July 26 Permits have been filed for a five-story residential building at 60-14 Beach Channel Drive in Arverne, Queens. Located between Beach 59th Street and Beach 62nd Street, the lot is near the Beach 60 Street – Straiton Avenue subway station, serviced by the A train. Matthew Ahdoot of United Developers is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 56-foot-tall development will yield 74,849 square feet designated for residential space most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 741 square feet The masonry-based structure will also have a 44-foot-long rear yard Badaly Architects is listed as the architect of record Demolition permits have not been filed yet An estimated completion date has not been announced For longtime Rockaway resident Melody Mobley working hands-on in the construction of the Arverne East Nature Preserve wasn’t just about a dollar And for her and fellow locals enrolled in the workforce program of the multifaceted mega development they not only received a variety of free certified trainings required to step foot onto not just Arverne East And I’m not one to turn down free resources Do you know how much it costs to get OSHA training and to do it right in your neighborhood for free?” Arverne East—touted as NYC’s first upcoming net zero community—is a multi-faceted development on the trajectory to transform the 116-acre vacant oceanfront site between Beach 32nd Street to Beach 56th Place along Edgemere Avenue into an oasis of long-awaited comforts the project’s massive scope includes: 1,650 units of mix-income housing bungalows and mid-rise multifamily residences); a main retail corridor connecting the 36th Street A train subway station to the beach anchored by a full-production brewery and restaurant operated by the Rockaway Brewing Company; and a beachfront hotel The recently completed and fully opened 35-acre Nature Preserve which Mobley initially worked in landscaping between Beach 44th Street and Beach 56th Place senior director of the project at L+M Development Partners the crown jewel of the project is community engagement especially in leveraging the construction careers and continued gainful employment of locals like Mobley “On any given day from a development standpoint we’re constantly thinking about resiliency and energy efficiency we also think quite a bit about economic development and what this project is going to mean for the community and our local efforts to empower residents: Leveraging the project from a workforce standpoint from a community standpoint; making sure that we’re delivering a high-quality project that is energy efficient and provides the services and opportunities residents deserve and need.” Jennifer Fraticelli is the Workforce and Contractor Diversity Senior Manager at L+M Development Partners and has been overseeing the development’s workforce program “Our general contractor for the just-completed Nature Preserve is Royalton Development Corporation This project was not typically something we would do as L+M’s bread and butter is really affordable housing this was something that was completely different for us and they hired 12 people in the local community directly from our target zip codes: 11691 And four of those individuals have found permanent homes with Royalton They are now working on the fence and farm portion of Arverne East and another is working elsewhere with Royalton on another project outside of Rockaway he’s going to come back to his home in Far Rockaway all of them who came through our training program have received permanent positions.” all 12 recruits for the workforce program came through local community-based organizations (CBOs) Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) Church of God Christian Academy and Ocean Bay CDC Brooks-Powers held a Construction Hiring Hall event at which L+M representatives were in attendance with six of their subcontractors representing the following trades: superstructure concrete/foundation L+M also coordinated with CBOs to speak with community members interested in OSHA training and L+M is currently organizing a construction training cohort in January for these individuals a critical complement of the workforce program was also to incorporate “soft skills” training “We want applicants to get familiar with resumes how to interview and what it means to have full time employment We look at each applicant’s individual situation at home We ask questions like: ‘How are you going to get to the job site?’ ‘Do you need childcare?’ “The goal is to provide them with the support and additional structure that is required to succeed and attain sustained careers Our goal is to train as many people as possible and give them the leverage they need not to just get a job As for why Mobley’s dream was to work in construction “My dad was a jack-of-all trades and I loved learning and working with him when I heard about this workforce program through RDRC “I always recommend young people to take advantage of these programs When you complete the courses and get those certificates I just wish more people would take advantage of these opportunities when they come along My advice is just make sure you have the passion and love for what you decide to do You have to not just like it but love it.” For current updates on the Arverne East project, visit: https://www.arverneeast.com/news. And to find out about L+M’s Workforce and job training and opportunities, visit: https://www.arverneeast.com/contracting-jobs The Little North Pole to Get the Hallmark… Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Rockaway Times is a community-based, independent news source that provides the Rockaways with a unique voice. The paper is distributed for free throughout the peninsula, and is available online at rockawaytimes.com. © 2023. The Rockaway Times . All rights reserved. “What was once a vacant, overgrown illegal dumping ground for decades is now a stunning hub of wildlife and a successful example of what community-centered sustainability work looks like,” Richards said. Pathways allow visitors to experience the diverse flora and fauna these habitats support. The nature preserve also features an approximately 6,000 square foot welcome center, designed by WXY, with a community meeting room and adjacent oceanview terrace, offices for Urban Park Rangers, storage space for Parks maintenance equipment, and public restrooms. To the east of the welcome center, local non-profit organization RISE will operate a native plant nursery, raising locally adapted native plant seedlings and saplings to support ongoing revegetation of the nature preserve, dunes, and other natural areas around the coast. Nearby, an urban farm operated by the Campaign Against Hunger will provide nutritious local produce. The welcome center is fossil fuel-free. A closed-loop, geothermal system provides heating and cooling, while a rooftop solar array generates power to supply the building and eventually provide additional energy to low-income residents in the neighborhood. A parking lot with approximately 30 spaces has been constructed with a permeable asphalt system and bioswales for stormwater. “I am excited that community organizations like RISE and The Campaign Against Hunger will be operating at the preserve and showing our youth on the peninsula that they can have a career in agriculture and other green jobs,” Pheffer Amato said. “I look forward to the completion of Arverne East Nature Preserve, especially as the nearby Arverne East continues development. The community can have affordable housing and environmental sustainability while enjoying local flora and fauna,” Anderson said. This project represents phase one of Arverne East, a transformative project that will revitalize a vacant 116-acre oceanfront site. Cops Called Amid Dayton Beach Park Election Drama Molly Fitzpatrick Rockaway Beach Super Burrito makes San Francisco style burritos at Beach 97th Street in Rockaway Beach Pizza Arverne but it’s worth the walk up the road to grab a few slices of some of the best pizza in the Rockaways AmericanBurgers Rippers is a Rockaway Beach boardwalk staple serving burgers All of our favorite restaurants and bars near Rockaway Beach and Jacob Riis Park Molly is a writer and reporter from New Jersey who now lives in Queens She is clinically incapable of shutting up about either place The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that construction has begun to transform three roadway medians in Arverne into lush green infrastructure to better manage stormwater and reduce chronic neighborhood flooding The new green infrastructure roadway medians will feature large-scale bioretention areas subsurface stormwater storage and pedestrian ramp improvements along Beach 67th Street between Almeda and Thursby Avenues The new medians will be capable of absorbing a significant volume of stormwater and the project is estimated to cost $1.2 million “As our climate continues to change and we see rainstorms intensifying across the five boroughs we must remain dedicated to looking for any and all locations to build green infrastructure,” said Mayor Adams “Turning this crumbling median into a beautiful natural sponge will improve both public safety and quality of life for our neighbors in Arverne most aggressive green infrastructure program in the country and New Yorkers can expect to see a lot more of these nature-based solutions in the coming months.” “Transforming these medians into working green infrastructure elements will reduce any standing water after storms along Beach 67th Street while also augmenting drainage capacity throughout the neighborhood,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T “In just the last several years we have constructed more than 11,000 green infrastructure assets that absorb stormwater and beautify neighborhoods and we will continue to aggressively expand this critical work that is making our city more resilient to the changing climate.” “As the epicenter of extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida Queens knows just how critical resiliency and sustainability efforts are to the well-being of our families We must leave no stone unturned when it comes to upgrading our green and grey infrastructure and this median transformation project in Arverne represents another step forward in our fight against climate change,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr “From flood reduction to neighborhood beautification and beyond Arverne will be well-served by this project and I look forward to its quick completion.” “I am all for making our community a greener and more beautiful place I myself have embarked on a 100k tree-planting project,” said Senator James Sanders Jr “These medians will be both aesthetically pleasing while serving a very important purpose which is to help mitigate the flooding that has plagued the surrounding areas.” “I am thrilled that the first project in New York City to transform such large roadway medians into green infrastructure is piloted in the Arverne portion of the 31st Assembly District I feel confident that these modifications will be received well by my constituents who have seen the unfortunate result of climate change with rising sea levels and flash flooding,” said Assembly Member Khaleel M “I would like to thank DEP for heeding this community’s concerns after joining myself and the Offices of Councilwoman Brooks Powers and State Senator James Sanders in touring this part of my District in April of 2021 I look forward to continued partnership and collaboration across agencies and elected officials.” “With the instillation of green infrastructure assets along Beach 67th Street our community has another tool in its arsenal to fight against chronic neighborhood flooding and stormwater runoff “Beautification projects like this one enhance my District’s environmental resiliency and encourage residents to utilize outdoor open spaces Thank you to Commissioner Aggarwala and DEP for implementing a resilient and ornamental roadway median that creates a lush green oasis for residents of the 31st Council District.” Work will include the reconstruction of the three current medians and the construction of the Green Infrastructure elements such as bioretention and detention structures The landscape work will include the addition of native plants ornamental grasses and perennial wildflowers which will also help absorb stormwater and enhance the aesthetic value of the surrounding area To ensure that stormwater will drain towards the medians the project includes the reconstruction of the sidewalks and curbs and resurfacing of the roadways Openings along the curb of the new medians will allow the stormwater to drain into the bioretention and subsurface detention systems and now green medians have been added to the City’s stormwater management toolbox All of these green installations intercept stormwater before it can drain into the sewer system thereby creating additional capacity to help reduce flooding and sewer overflows into local waterways