The Uncertain Future of the Astoria Cove Complex

 

A proposal to build a five-building complex called Astoria Cove on the East River waterfront of Astoria is causing some indignation among local residents before construction even begins.

Those who question the project are concerned about an influx of a great many new residents, causing crowded roads, subways and classrooms, and about the prospect of gentrification.

They also point with alarm at the fact that the developer has reduced the number of affordable apartments set aside in its initial proposal. They worry that the change is an indication that the development will eventually leave low-income residents behind.

Alma Realty, the developer, filed an application in March to reduce the number of affordable units to 295 from the 340 previously promised.

The project needs more affordable apartments, not fewer, said Sandra Martins, a real estate broker who has specialized in Astoria for the past four years. “Many residents of Astoria are leaving the area because they can’t afford the expensive rent anymore,” she said. “Two years ago, you could rent a one bedroom apartment in the area for $1300. Now, it’s hard to find for less than $1700. This is a serious issue.”

Others, too, are concerned with the influx of higher buildings charging higher rents. “I am fond of the area but I’m saddened how development has changed the fabric of the neighborhood,” said Colin Olm, a journalist who grew up in the neighborhood and lived close to Astoria Park for nearly 10 years. “Streets that were lined with single and two-family homes are now gone and have been replaced with large “luxury” buildings that are full of small overpriced-apartments. Many long-time residents cannot afford the soaring rents or have to move to a cheaper area,” he continued.To win permission to build higher than the zoning would ordinarily permit, developers must make 20 percent of the apartments affordable, according to city rules. “But of course the interest of the development company is to include as little affordable housing as they can–only enough to get the project approved,” said Marcos Steuernagel, a college professor and resident of Astoria since 2008.

According to Howard Weiss, chair of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron’s, the law firm and lobbyist representing the project’s developer, the complex will bring benefits to Astoria, since it is to be built in an isolated areaoccupied now by old warehouses.

Residents, though, question the location as well as the size of the project.. “I find it interesting that these luxury towers are being build right next to the Astoria housing projects. The juxtaposition between the affluent and those of lesser means will be an interesting story to follow,” said Olm.

In addition to HOW MANY? apartments, the project will include a supermarket, a public school and a waterfront park, open to the public, according to Alam Realty..

According to Donegan Jay, 58, who was born and raised in Astoria, if offering affordable housing was the goal, “individual houses may be a better idea with affordable housing, like the townhouses that were done in Brooklyn.”

When Geraldina Souza comes home from work, she sometimes has to wait more than 20 minutes for the bus to take her to Upper Ditmars. She and other residents of Astoria Park fear the growing population will make matters worse. “The buses don’t run as often as we would like and they stop running around 1 a.m. If a large number of people move here, the trains will be more crowded and lines for the buses that run on Ditmars Boulevard even longer,” Souza said.

But there are those who are showing more positive expectations towards the construction. “I support the project and the renovation of the area,” said Fernanda Coutinho, a designer who lives in Manhattan. “I lived near Astoria Park for two years and because it’s a bit far from the train I never felt really safe. I believe this complex will come with more public transportation, safety and other benefits to the community.”

Steuernagel said that “the important thing is that the population keep the pressure on the politicians, so that the benefits of the development can at least to some extent serve the lower-income population that already lives there, while knowing very well that this is not the intention of the development companies.”

The local community board still has to approve the proposal, which will then head back to City Planning Commission and the City Council for a final decision.

Much More Than a Simply Feijoada

 

The smell of fresh ingredients being cooked was everywhere when I entered the kitchen located on the 4^th floor of Astoria Complex Catering Hall, a location where Feijoada do Marcao, in english, Marcao’s Feijoada, a Brazilian event is held weekly in Astoria, a neighborhood that is home of a large Brazilian community. Despite its easy access to goods from Brazil, a different approach to the traditional Brazilian food is taking the neighborhood by storm and is attracting attention of immigrants who are traveling from places as far as Massachusetts and Connecticut, just to eat the famous dish.

The event was created six months ago, It began as a small gathering at a local Greek Bar in Astoria for friends who appreciate the Brazilian culinary and wanted to have a good time. But the event quickly outgrew the location.

“It’s bringing the community closer,” said Cassia Christine, one of the event’s coordinator who lives in Manhattan. “Many Brazilians come every Sunday with their families to enjoy the event. Before they wouldn’t find a place like this to celebrate our heritages.” The event is so informal, there is no dress code and customers said that the event reminded them of carnival in Brazil, when they can leave their problems outside and enjoy the party. And good music is another item they added to the event’s agenda a few months ago. ‘Turma do Samba’ (Samba’s gang) and DJ Alex Carioca are now performing every Sunday, bringing music and entertainment for Brazilian families. “We do everything to keep things casual and entertain. We celebrate birthdays every Sunday, we have a cake and we sing for all customers at once, Brazilian style,” said Cassia.

For only U$15 customers are served the famous feijoada, a dish made of beans and meat with mix of flavors, typical of Brazil. You can also order traditional drinks, like “caipirinha,” a mix of Brazilian “cachaca,” sugar and lemon. The event promises to bring the best of Brazilian tradition to one place, with food and entertainment.

According to Fabio Gomes, 30, who has been living in New York for the past six years, in a busy day, over 100 portions of feijoada are served. Some people come just for the appetizers and now, the music. Gomes has been working assisting chef Ernani for the past two months. He is enjoying the new job and said he had no previous experience as a cook. “I was a real state broker in Brazil but I also was married before so I know something about surviving in the kitchen. When I moved to New York I worked in a restaurant for a while and today I work six days a week in construction.” Despite the lack of free time he has no regrets in spending his only day off in the kitchen.

Elaine Costa, 33, a Jackson Heights resident who moved to America two years ago, said she loves the event! “I was working with Marcos in the beginning, helping him promote the event,” she said. “I did it for free, for the joy of being involved with the community, our people! And I love samba, It reminds me of Brazil. One of the best things about it is the chance we have to network with other people we probably wouldn’t know if It wasn’t for the feijoada!”

And if things continue as well as they are, the event will only get bigger. “I feel this brings the community together, as immigrants we work really hard in this country, people deserve to have fun with their families and this is the place,” said Gomes, before going back to his duties assisting the chef.

The Preliminary Budget Hearing

On March 5^th, in the Chambers Room at City Hall, the Office of Management and Budget met with Council members to discuss and clarify the capital budget for the next New York Fiscal Year in front of reporters, politicians and citizens interested in learning more about the plans for the city.

Dean Fuleihan, director of the Office of Management and Budget, clarified items and answered questions of interest of the public. The topics varied, a few that were brought more often were related to health and education and how they will affect the different neighborhoods of New York, including Queens.

Still, the major topic seemed to be the Universal pre-K program, which aims to be a high-quality, full day pre-kindergarten for every eligible 4-year old child in New York City. The subject has been causing a certain disagreement between the State and the city. Mayor De Blasio is planning on taxing those who earn more than $500,000 a year to fund the program and the State is offering existing funds that aren’t enough to cover the expenses of the program.

As a resident of Astoria, Queens, a family oriented neighborhood, I know that there are thousands of households with working parents who would benefit from the success of the universal pre-K program, since parents will be able to cut extra expenses with child care, have a schedule that allows them to have better or full-time jobs and the kids will have more exposure to learning and continue their studies with a more solid base.

So far the funds dedicated to the program are U$340,000,000 and council members questioned Dean Fuleilhan how this amount will be distributed. Council member David D. Greenfield, representing the 44th council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Bensonhurt, Borough Park and Midwood in Brooklyn, asked about the enhancements of the program and where all the money dedicated for It is going, since It isn’t really clear, according to the information in the agenda they had in hands. Dean Fuleilhan replied that there will be improvements and training for the teachers to certify the quality and success of the program. “We know everyone will be watching us, we are oversubscribed already and we haven’t even started! The mayor is working hard on It, and we are delighted to do this,” Fuleilhan said.

Other council members took education issues seriously as well asking more details about the plans for other programs such as the After School Childcare and the Summer Youth Employment Program, that provides paid entry-level jobs to students with age 14 to 24 in the months of July and August, for up to six weeks. The program didn’t achieve It’s goal last year, only a small portion of the students who applied were employed, due to financial issues. “Those programs are very important but in the context of setting priorities and finding places to save, this is the kind of the thing we have to work together on,” replied Dean Fuleilhan.

Council members were encouraged to bring more questions on March 18^th,when the Preliminary Budget Hearing for Education is schedule to meet.