From Crains:The landmarked but badly rundown RKO Keith's Theatre in the heart of Flushing, Queens will be reborn as a huge apartment complex with 357 rental units and 360 parking spaces, according to a new filing by the project's developer, Patrick Thompson.
Developer Shaya Boymelgreen, the previous owner of the site, had planned to build a condominium tower there. Last month, Mr. Thompson submitted an application with the city's Board of Standards and Appeals for changes to the development, which he first proposed after taking over the property last year.
His new application calls for a big increase in the number of units and a slight increase in commercial space, to 17,460 square feet from 10,957 square feet. Previously, the development, located on Northern Boulevard, was approved for 200 units and 229 parking spaces. The 314,000-square-foot project is estimated to cost $160 million.
The BSA is expected to vote on the amendments in March after Community Board 7 meets and provides its recommendation for the plan on Jan. 18. CB 7 approval is not needed for BSA approval, but it will be taken into consideration, said Howard Goldman, Mr. Thompson's land use attorney for the project.
From the Daily News:
Thompson and architect Jay Valgora are revising the plans of Huang's successor, developer Shaya Boymelgreen, to place a senior center, retail and apartments there. They envision two floors of stores and 14 levels of residences.
"We want to really overcome the tragic side of this story and create a new landmark for Flushing," Valgora said.
As a tribute to the site's legacy in film and vaudeville, Valgora designed a "curtain of glass" facade that he hopes will display the landmarked lobby to passersby on Northern Blvd. at Main St.
Valgora plans to protect the lobby during construction by threading steel around its distinct features. Crews will demolish the ruined structure around the lobby in a process he described as architectural arthroscopic surgery.
Inside the three-story lobby, Valgora wants to rebuild a long-lost Moorish fountain that once greeted moviegoers. He said he will restore the staircase and a painted sky on the ceiling.
He vowed to base his restoration on renderings by noted theater architect Thomas Lamb, who first imagined the RKO Keith's in the late 1920s.
Thompson is set to present his plans to Community Board 7's land use subcommittee on Jan. 26 and the full board on Feb. 14.
The land use chairman, Chuck Apelian, said Thompson's plans for 357 apartments and 360 parking spaces at the H-shaped building would be too dense for already bustling downtown Flushing.
But Assemblywoman Grace Meng, state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and City Councilman Peter Koo have all expressed support for the transformation.
61 comments:
It seems the asians own the CB7 now. CB7 also passed the variances for 2 highrise hotels in downtown Flushing, 132-15 Roosevelt Av & 36-27 Prince St. Talking about over-development? Guess nobody cares anymore.
And wasn't this the plan all along?
Hundreds of small apartments in one building in Flushing = instant Asian ghetto slum.
"Talking about over-development? Guess nobody cares anymore."
People do care it's just that our rulers don't care what we think or what we want.
At this point this project better get built, especially that they have the money to do so. Otherwise the RKO Keiths is just a memory and the property will continue to be a drag on everything else in the area which is seedy and crowded anyway. I am not sure who would snap up residential units here (dumb investors?) as the Moss mega apartments on College Point Blvd are not seeing buyers. Get this property back on the tax rolls while fools are looking to spend their $$ on it.
Fixing up that Keiths?
That old gag. They need some new material.
www.forgotten-ny.com
Such a shame. That whole building is gonna be smelling like boiled fish heads in no time
Get this property back on the tax rolls while fools are looking to spend their $$ on it.
Well, some of us, the more thoughtful and educated and cultured of us, are starting to look at cities as a little more than a West Virginia coal pit.
Better get used to the asians. They gonna take over the globe in the next 30 years. A billion here, a billion there. Soon, you need a place to put them.
Over-development or over-population?
You DON'T get to decide!!!
Notice the oversized chinese writting in the sample drawing. Than what appears to be the only caucasion couple living in floo-shing
They don't want Flushing to be an Asian slum.
Look at the efforts to move the Asisan community further east down Northern Blvd. (into bayside and further).
Flashy new Condos, subway line into the city; this is hte next williamsburg or Astoria, filled with college aged transplants and hipsters who will overtake an ethnic neighborhood. The hipsters will take over, paying MUCH higher rents than the current Asian tenants ever could.
They don't want Flushing to be an Asian slum.
They who?
Too late!!!
Who has an interest in that development? Kelty, Bitterman, Appelian, Vallone, Sweeney, Royce?
Mostly all racist comments here. I wish Crappy would filter these out like he did in the past. There's plenty of room for constructive debate and not this stupidity.
Then again, I do acutely feel the anger and frustration myself.
Unless you have a tidal wave of opposition ... $$$ talks.
Anon No. 14 -- In all likelihood, yes.
How long has Apelian been land use chairman? is there no one else? was he elected or nominated?
I see the over sized Chinese writing in the sample but what with the 2 walking: Male in black T and work pants with a short woman in a slutty top
"Hundreds of small apartments in one building in Flushing = instant Asian ghetto slum."
If they did that - they are making a huge mistake - the Asians like and HAVE MONEY and like luxury. If they don't get what they want here - they won't buy.
Mostly all racist comments here. I wish Crappy would filter these out like he did in the past.
Are you a slant eye?
no I'm not.
AND I would be willing to bet my last dollar that the racist comments are being made by ONE poster posing as many . . .
I have the same feeling, Babs, both about the racist comments and the anti-semitic ones.
"Hundreds of small apartments in one building in Flushing = instant Asian ghetto slum."
Pathetic.
You've just described Manhattan apartments. Is Manhattan a ghetto?
Manhattan has a history of slum tenement buildings filled with what ethnicities? European immigrants.
It's kind of sad but the anti-asian posts just reinforce that inhabitants of Queens that are white are bitter racists.
It's kind of sad but the anti-asian posts just reinforce that inhabitants of Queens that are white are bitter racists.
And the racist comments in the Asian media are OK. Right?
The Chuck and Gene continue, they were both re elected as "dumb"(Chair) and "dumber"(Vice Chair), and from what I understand they are appointed to Committee chairs by the CB Chair and Vice Chair. Wonder why he gets the Land use Chair? Hmmm? The boys club gets richer. How much property do the people mentioned above own and have prospered from his Committee Chairmanship?
WE ARE DOOMED...
"At this point this project better get built, especially that they have the money to do so."
I hope you are not from the developer's!....
There is only ONE RKO in Flushing. It would be a terrible mistake to have it detroyed by some greedy developers like Tommy Huang.
I would rather wait for a more responsible developer. We don't want a box with sleek facade. Instead, we want a part of the significant history of Flushing to be preserved and the quality of life should be undisturbed.
This Gene Kelty?
http://nyc.gov/lobbyistsearch/search?client=Flushing+Willets+Point+Corona+LDC
Look for:
Flushing Willets Point Corona LDC
41-61 Kissena Blvd Suite B
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 670-1781
01/01/2009
12/31/2009
Flushing Willets Point Corona LDC
Nicholas Roberts
Anne Marie Boranian
Claire Shulman
Flushing Willets Point Corona LDC
41-61 Kissena Blvd Suite B
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 670-1781
Claire Shulman
Target: Robert Lieber, Felix Ciampa, Robert Goldrich, Eliot Sander, Jeff Kay, Gary Ackerman, Eugene Kelty, Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez
Subject: Local Law
Compensation Reimbursement
P1 $39,083.00 $0.00
P2
$39,083.00
$0.00
P3
$39,083.00
$0.00
P4
$3,921.00
$0.00
P5
$1,953.00
$0.00
P6
$1,953.00
$0.00
Total
$125,076.00
$0.00
"Councilman Peter Koo (R-Flushing), state Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and state Sen. Toby Stavisky announced their support for the project", according to the news.
I don't know if these local politicians have really talked to the Flushing residents?
I don't know if these local politicians have really talked to the Flushing residents?
Why the hell should they? We don't pay their salar...oops. My bad!
AND I would be willing to bet my last dollar that the racist comments are being made by ONE poster posing as many . . .
You mean like Babs pretending to be an intelligent human being? Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I needed a good laugh. Got anything else, Babs?
1965 IMMIGRATION ACT...'NUFF SAID
RKO looks more like An Kor Wat without visitors. It is an eyesore.
Wanna see me do a trick with chopsticks?
Hint: They disappear.
Would rather see this go up than that huge buildout they're planning for in the main parking field there.
Can't wait for that shitstorm of traffic/parking gridlock it's gonna cause.
Who the fuck would want to live near 2 highways and on a busy blvd?
"I needed a good laugh. Got anything else, Babs?"
yeah . . . go fk yourself mental midget.
Duh!!!
Velvethead said...
Would rather see this go up than that huge buildout they're planning for in the main parking field there.
Let's keep building. Why not both?
Dibs on the chopsticks!
Id -
you bring down the integrity of the thread and the ENTIRE blog with your constant jealous tirads.
You are turning people OFF to the blog.
You are turning people OFF to the blog.
Actually...YOU ARE!!!
Get a life. Don't go away mad (cause you already are) but do go away!
What about the chopsticks?
Just look how many people are against the RKO projects at this web site, those local politicians should really think again if they should still support the project.
It's all about density...and we're not referring to Babs.
"Actually...YOU ARE!!!
Get a life. Don't go away mad (cause you already are) but do go away!"
HAH! I sorry but this is a free country AND we have freedom of speech in SPITE of idiots like yourself.
Your opinion is different than mine - FINE! That's live Id and the sooner you learn that the better off you'll be.
What you do to ME, you do/will do to others - people who enjoy good commentary or who enjoy engaging in debate are NOT going to come to this site to read your abusive comments - they're mostly about YOU no matter what the topic. You put your emotions and your ego into every post - it's like you're a 12 year old.
Your incredible HATRED towards others is a joke too - you hate every ethnic group - every politician - you're a complete mental case.
AND NO - this blog does NOT reflect the HONEST opinions of the people in Queens towards the RKO building plans.
AND NO - this blog does NOT reflect the HONEST opinions of the people in Queens towards the RKO building plans.
And there you have it! Babs seems to be short for Baboons!
I resent the comparison!
Well, at least you all realize it's always about
ME!
ME!
ME!
Our Committee to Save The RKO Keith's Theatre Of Flushing Inc. initially promoted the creation of a performing arts/conference center at this site well over a quarter of a century ago.
Unfortunately we were met with an extremely hostile political environment which originated from Queens Borough Hall.
First it was the corrupt Donald Manes who preferred to see the theater razed.
Afterward, his protege Claire Shulman followed in her boss' footsteps.
She continually stonewalled all of the community's efforts to re-landmark the entire interior of the Keith's back in 1986.
This enabled the notorious criminal "developer" Tommy Huang to violate and destroy portions of the auditorium, lounges, mezzanine and other important interior spaces.
In fact, we tend to hold Shulman even more responsible than Huang for this shameful travesty.
As a public official it was she who should have protected us from the likes of Huang.
Furthermore, when once asked to pursue Tommy Huang in exacting more severe penalties for his continual lawbreaking and destruction---she coldly spat in the faces of her constituents by replying with the following:
"Hasn't he (Huang) suffered enough? He hasn't been able to build on the site".
Now all of our local politicians seem to be lined up and on board with developing what has become an "eyesore".
Too bad---and who made it so---not just Huang by his lonesome.
If everyone had really given their full measure of devotion and pulled out all of the stops to preserve this architectural treasure decades ago---we wouldn't be witnessing a need to "develop" this former showpiece which was the gateway to Flushing.
Those of you city officials who just gave lip service---or any of you politicians who feigned concern for the Keith's by just issuing statements (in lieu of taking any real action) are also Tommy Huang's accomplices and equally guilty in the RKO's demise.
There is no need for naming any of those individuals---for you know who you are.
Sleep well you lazy cowards!
As for the remains of a once beautiful theater---has anyone out there---about a hundred million dollars necessary to restore it to its pristine condition of 1928?
If not---then perhaps developing the site---while respecting and restoring the landmark spaces----is the way to go.
I think at this point we are at a loss for feasible ideas and should think realistically---before the ticket lobby and grand foyer rot beyond repair.
every time i read posts about flushign and read some of these racist comments a little faith in me dies. I lost faith in the people in general. I don't want to major in premed, pharm d OR anything health care RELATED anymore. why should i help and save the life of someone who may be a racist and who may hate me?Just hope you guys aren't going to need medical treatment at the hospital i will be interning at. bigots!!
every time i read posts about flushign and read some of these racist comments a little faith in me dies. I lost faith in the people in general. I don't want to major in premed, pharm d OR anything health care RELATED anymore. why should i help and save the life of someone who may be a racist and who may hate me?Just hope you guys aren't going to need medical treatment at the hospital i will be interning at. bigots!!
Grammar much? Is that a bigoted comment?
I don't want to major in premed, pharm d OR anything health care RELATED anymore.
Thank goodness. At least one life has been saved!
I don't want to major in premed, pharm d OR anything health care RELATED anymore. why should i help and save the life of someone who may be a racist and who may hate me?Just hope you guys aren't going to need medical treatment at the hospital i will be interning at.
Boy, some medical provider you'll be. Maybe your the one with the "attitude" cause you are doing something that you admitted you don't want to do anymore. By the way, ever hear of spell check (you can't spell Flushing?) and grammar? Your post makes you sound like a moron. Are you related to Babs?
Right on, Jerry!!!
I don't want to major in premed, pharm d OR anything health care RELATED anymore. why should i help and save the life of someone who may be a racist and who may hate me?
--------------------------------------------
Are you Chu-ish?
"If not---then perhaps developing the site---while respecting and restoring the landmark spaces----is the way to go.
I think at this point we are at a loss for feasible ideas and should think realistically---before the ticket lobby and grand foyer rot beyond repair."
Totally agree Jerry - and thanks for the brief but excellent account of the enormous efforts of a select few.
Being that you are one of those people - I thank you for the work you have done in trying to perserve our beloved RKO Keiths.
Nuke Flushing & start anew, what a dump its turned into, those people are so weird..wonder if they will start moving back to China because the economy is booming over there???? they carry those red plastic bags around everywhere..aliens attack!!
Why did no one object to tearing down the thrice older Whitestone Epworth?
It just cause me pain and heartache reading the ways these comments are made. Opinions are part of our rights but mixing in racist comments is just disappointing and repulsive.
These remarks turn readers off this site and not take these opinions, which mostly have good reasons behind them, seriously.
All races, ehtnicities, religions and creeds have bad apples. Just give me any one race or ehtnicity, I can named you tens of famous rotten apples.
A wonderful place to raise a family. And get hit by a car.
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