Wednesday, August 10, 2011

New RKO Keith's too tall?

From the Daily News:

Christian Kellberg, a former Queens resident who posts regularly on a Facebook page devoted to the moviehouse, said the RKO Keith's site is cleared only for development up to 136 feet.

"What really stands out about this is it's the biggest thing they've ever built close to LaGuardia," said Kellberg, adding the RKO Keith's is about 7,000 feet away from a runway.

When Boymelgreen sought a zoning switch to allow his planned development of the RKO Keith's site in 2005, he said he had FAA consent to build high.

But Kellberg forwarded the Daily News a recent email exchange in which a FAA official suggested to him that Thompson must file a new application.

Thompson insisted yesterday he has FAA approval. Thompson spokesman Mike Nussbaum added the project "is 100% complying with the FAA."

FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac did not return phone calls inquiring whether Thompson has the agency's go-ahead.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

"FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac did not return phone calls inquiring whether Thompson has the agency's go-ahead."

Translation: How much $$$ will Thompson offer (under the table, of course!).

Anonymous said...

Thompson insisted yesterday he has FAA approval. Thompson spokesman Mike Nussbaum added the project "is 100% complying with the FAA."

--------------------------------------------

Is that Mike Nussbaum of Queers Tribune fame?

FlooshingRezident said...

In which alternate universe would Northern Blvd. ever look like that?

Where are the sick puppy stores? Where are the fumes from the cement businesses? And don't forget the live poultry stores!

Who would want to live there? I see another hooker hotel in the heart of lovely, downtown Flooshing!

Anonymous said...

There is no "New RKO Keith's...". All that remains is a fragment of what was once a truly magnificent theatre.

Gary the Agnostic said...

Nah, couldn't be. Nussbaum wouldn't be involved with something like that...

Anonymous said...

Is that Mike Nussbaum of Queers Tribune fame?

---------------------------------

Yes and more importantly, the DONALD MANES fame.

Thompson is an idiot for having Mikey as his spokesperson. Unless of course, sex clubs are part of the proposed project, then Mikey is the right man for the job.

Anonymous said...

does the FAA even still hold jurisdiction there anymore? I don't think the Chinese would like us telling them what they can build in their colony.

Jerry Rotondi, Comm. to Save Keith's Inc. said...

A need
for some clarification in order.

I'm sorry, but crying "wolf" is not going to accomplish anything at this late date.

Mr. Kellberg's interest in the site is commendable, but he wasn't present at any of the CB#7 committee meetings while Shya Boymelgreen owned the theater.

Our committee was there and participated at every step of the proceedings.

At those meetings it was established that the FAA had no objections to the height of Boymelgreen's proposed new building which would replace the Keith's.

Since its current owner, Patrick Thompson, is not increasing the height of his building---
and since the exterior design is generally adhering to Boymelgreen's original plan---then it follows that it should comply with the FAA's height restriction.

Technically speaking, Thompson might have to indeed file a new application, but if the height is the same---it passes FAA muster.

Chris we've spoken about the feasibility of restoring the Keith's before on the phone---
and how heartbreaking its loss is---
but you're tilting at windmills since there really is no theater left to restore.

Have you been inside the "theater" recently?

Have you got approximately $100,000,000 to put into restoring it after you buy it from Mr. Thompson?

Our only concern at this point is that the landmark ticket lobby and grand foyer get restored and take on its new role.

It's too bad that then Borough President Claire Shulman didn't see fit to support landmark status for the theater's complete interior in 1986---when we submitted over 3,5000 petition signatures to her requesting this---by certified return receipt mail.

In fact she had the unmitigated gall to say to my face that she had never received those petitions.

So there you have it.

The fix was in against the Keith's, beginning with the king of corruption Donald Manes and continued by his accomplice Claire Shulman.

Chris, the whole community weeps along with you for what could have been.

Alas,
the curtain has come down and there will be no revival performances.

RIP, RKO!

Anonymous said...

That's Mike Nussbaum....
Donald Manes' "bag man"....as the press has referred to him.

Why do you suppose that Thompson needs Nussbaum as his mouthpiece?

Might the Keith's be flipped to another owner?

Is Thompson just a front?

Mysteries continue to play at RKO Keith's Flushing Theater!

Anonymous said...

Maybe one of Tommy Huang's shell companies will take title to the Keith's and we're back to square one!

Maybe John, Tommy's other son will become its new owner.

His #1 son, Henry....in too much hot water lately....make bad cup of tea!

JO said...

Does it matter if they have approval? If they build it, are they really going to make them take it down?

Anonymous said...

There is a requirement on the books of the LPC that all workers must be fluent in the English language that work on the Keith's site.

That was put into effect while Tommy Huang owned the building.
Go and read it for yourself.

That covers any,
"Solly for damage but no speekie Engrish too good" BS that a Chinese construction firm might try to pull.

Anonymous said...

Alas, the curtain has come down and there will be no revival performances.

RIP, RKO!

---------------------------------

It will be 25 years, this Labor Day, since the notorious Huang Family closed the RKO Keith’s Theatre. The Committee to Save the RKO Keith’s Flushing Theatre has done a remarkable job by making sure that what is left of the old theatre remains intact. They deserve a standing ovation for nearly 30 years of volunteer service in trying to preserve this NYC Landmark. BRAVO!!!

Anonymous said...

If he had cared for Flushing, Ackerman could have allocated long ago federal funds for fixing the RKO Keith. He represents Flushing in Congress, but shows up only at election times, to support party hacks.

Anonymous said...

The FAA has been shut down for the past couple weeks.
The Obama gang didn't have the funds to keep them going. Its a free for all right now

Anonymous said...

I don't get you Jo.

If they have the approval to build....then why would taking it down ever be an issue?

Anonymous said...

Some idiot wrote: "The Obama gang didn't have the funds to keep them going. Its a free for all right now"

Perhaps Fox didn't cover this for you, but the FAA has been funded by temporary means for the 20th time since 2007.

http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/nationworld/la-na-faa-20110805,0,1085414.story

Seems your republican buds think that the "free market" should apply to airline safety regs too.

Anonymous said...

The owner's address is 15 West 39th St. 8th Floor... and guess whoelse share the same address...Sam Suzuki.

Anonymous said...

Sam Suzuki??!! Oh, Bownetree, the builder of 143-17 38 Ave.

Anonymous said...

They should rename this the Helen Marshall / Donald Manes Luxury Apartments.

Mike N said...

"New RKO Keith's too tall?"
Nah! You're all too short.
Hahahahahahahahahaha!

Joe said...

To build this high and large your talking 8 months of Pyle driving into the bedrock.
It will damage many structures within 300-400 feet of it. You also have both ancient and interstate major Gas and water lines below Northern Blvd.
The grassy median is not there for ascetics, its also a service hub with 100 year old valves and manifolds.
Great Neck wanted to Eminent Domain (steal) a Shell station and put up another "medical research tower" for N Shore LIJ on Northern & Lakeville. Driving 100s if pylons for 8 months it was simply to dangerous.