The government of course either wants to turn it into a construction staging area, a sewage treatment plant, or both.
Area residents of course have not been informed of these plans. So I wrote this up in hopes of creating some public discourse on this matter, and to promote the idea that maybe - just maybe - it should be made into a park since the area surrounding it is woefully devoid of green space.
For more information, I've written up the whole story here - complete with links to city planning documents." - Joseph Anastasio
31 comments:
Hmm..link this with the Steinway Mansion and the Riker House.
Heard the Tommy Huang has made a bid for this property.
Perfect view of Rikers Island.....
Why are all those trucks there? Isn't that illegal to have commercial trucks park on the street like that?
The reality is that it is a rat infested heap of toxic rubble - a park is a great idea but it is going to need a heap of remediation.
Modern sewage plants do not stink and if it replaces the current plant that Vallone did nothing about (except tell everyone the smell came from someone else's district in Manhattan) it will be a big plus.
In any event, its a lot better than all those power plants that flourished under the Vallones.
They should not lower the pile as it acts as a sound barrier to the airport.
And yes, this would be a great idea for the Steinway mansion.
Wow Astoria residents are always getting the shaft. Something fishy going on in Astoria's council.
That's not the Steinway Mansion - they left a long time ago.
Nothing matters to those people in that community but the dirt.
It is an acre of build-able land that just needs a little prep.
I suggested moving the Steinway Mansion to this exact site so it would be more accessible to the public and what I got from GAHS was, "How dare you suggest that the mansion be moved to another community!" (But it's the same community.)
Don't see that information on their website, Christina, so perhaps you are confusing that with some inquiries, rumor has it, to move it to an upstate location if the local elected officials and community doesn't step up to the plate.
Lets look at the facts:
Moving it just two blocks to a pile of rubble in a former dump really does not make it more "accessible." The cost of buying, dismantling, prepping the new site, and moving the house a hundred feet is several times the cost of simply buying it in place.
But it is something that might float because everyone knows Queens and its capital budgets, don't we?
Seriously, keeping it near the factory, an international tourist destination, will bring it a lot more attention and support than moving it to any other location.
But I do like the idea for a history trail linking both the mansion and the Riker House in their current locations, just a few blocks on either side of it.
I'm not confusing it with anything. I still have the e-mails from their director castigating me for suggesting it be moved. They don't put his rants on their website. I haven't heard anything about it being moved upstate.
Used to ride my bicycle up there in the '70's. Got up there through a hole in the fence. Might make good mountain biking terrain.
(BTW Hamilton Grange was moved twice already over the course of its history. Now sits quite pretty in a park right underneath the Engineering Building at CCNY>)
suggested moving the Steinway Mansion to this exact site so it would be more accessible to the public
interesting - accessible to whom?
share with us your vision.
It's on a major road, 2 bus lines stop right outside the property, plus there is a parking lot and room for more parking if necessary, for school trips and such. I'd say that makes the site a whole lot more accessible to the public than its current location.
Easy to move a frame house but one constructed out of granite?
Joe Moretti,
I explored this area in 2010 for forgotten-NY. I believe this area allows for trucks to park legally because it is an IBZ. Check it out: http://forgotten-ny.com/2010/10/bowery-baynorth-astoria-queens/
Christina,
Putting an old Victorian mansion atop this hill with views of Rikers Island would be so Addams Family. I love it!
It's on a hill now, overlooking a sewer plant. Moving large heavy buildings is really no big deal nowadays. Check out this one.
Sergey: All overnight truck parking is illegal in all zones. During the day, it's ok.
The truck parking is somewhat legal. The signs on the street indicate 48 hour unattached trailer parking. Reality is there's usually a truck or three there with the cab attached (& probably with the driver sleeping inside). I'm not sure if NYPD ever tickets over there though (far easier to ticket residents via the ridiculous alt side rules around here).
I just don't believe there is anything toxic in this ground. PA claims it is rock from construction of the 3rd lincoln tunnel tube - though I'd like to see some proof - and if there is no proof, someone should drill and find out. Because just leaving it there if there is something hazardous in it all these decades is not kosher at all. At the moment it's all just guesses and rumors - I want to see proof.
I'm all for any reuse of this property that preserves as many trees as possible and creates a green space. Astoria park is not at all close to this area, and the 2 local playgrounds are basically concrete pads devoid of greenery.
If it would fix the smell problem, maybe they can take some of the land at the back where there isn't as much rock to remove and build a modern treatment plant that controls the odors.
My understanding from growing up a few blocks away was that much of it was excavation from the foundation of World Trade Center, which makes sense, as this is PA land.
Move the Mansion???!!! With what money.Yours.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Re the toxicity, I hope it was just normal excavation--we used to climb on it routinely as kids. It also was either much higher, or just seemed so as we were much smaller.By appearance it was mostly rock fragments-schist etc. If it was toxic, I should be getting the cancerous growths by now. Let me check in the mirror.
I went up there as a kid in the 80's and had a Great time exploring + the view was beautiful. We as a community need more of a green space.
Seems to me that relocating the Steinway mansion to a 17 acre park would make it a far more interesting place for most people to visit than leaving it in the dreary location where it is now.
BTW, does anyone know if they ever did reconstruct St Saviors in that cemetery, which they were supposed to do?
Come on Astorians speak out and do something for your community. Demand change these politicians work for us.
Rumor has it that the mansion is not under contract.
Is it a cover? - to buy some time and derail the Friends?
You heard it here first peeps!
Great time exploring + the view was beautiful:
1. sewage plant
2. Rikers Island
3. airport runways/noise
Don't get out much do you?
Yes, the current view from the mansion is so much more desirable.
well frankly, yes, the view is much more beautiful when it is buffered by 17 acres of dense woodlands than if it's on a one acre lot right on the same street as the sewage plant. Totally different experience. I think the mansion, housing a neighborhood historical collection would be an ideal anchor for a park there and would likely draw a lot of visitors.
would likely draw a lot of visitors.
---
Sure, a private clubhouse in the middle of nowhere for Astoria Heights
vs
A block from the Steinway Piano factory which has a 6 month waiting list for tours.
The proposed location would be a whopping 3 blocks from the piano factory. Try a better argument.
Re: Anonymous said...
Great time exploring + the view was beautiful:
1. sewage plant
2. Rikers Island
3. airport runways/noise
Don't get out much do you?
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Yes, it is a great view! I guess you don't know how to turn around at look at things at a full 360. From the top of the hill you can see a beautiful view of Queens/Manhatan ----- it seems you don't get out much!
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