Won't someone please gentrify Rego Park?

From DNA Info:

As a number of buildings with “Manhattan-style” amenities have started to pop up between decades-old red brick apartment buildings in recent years, the dearth of eateries and nightlife in the area is coming into focus.

“I feel like Rego Park ... is the kind of neighborhood that is more suitable for people who are just starting off a family or people who are in their mid 50s or who are senior citizens,” said Steven Feldman, 24, a student at Hofstra University, who lives in Rego Park.

He said that when he and his friends want to go out, they usually head to Astoria, Manhattan or Brooklyn.

Feldman said that among the venues he would like to see in the neighborhood, are lounges and pubs similar to Forest Hills Station House, as well as a bowling alley.

But he said he worried that new spots could face opposition from older members of the community, because, "the kinds of people that make up the neighborhood don’t like us," he said referring to younger residents.

Yes, that's because the arrival of these establishments usually means the people already living in these neighborhoods are going to be priced out shortly. And then you have the typical community board yahoos pining for that to happen...

Frank Gulluscio, district manager of CB6, which covers Rego Park and Forest Hills, said the area, especially along 63rd Drive, is “a prime location for some of the things that [younger residents] might be looking for.”

“It could be Martha’s Bakery, it could be a cupcake store, it could be an upscale wine and cheese place,” he said. “Somebody has to start it, like they did in Williamsburg and Red Hook.”

Yes, I'm sure Rego Park wants to become the next Williamsburg. Here's some news: Williamsburg doesn't even want to be Williamsburg anymore.

But some residents worried that the neighborhood is developing too quickly.

The influx of new residents, she said, may for example lead to more overcrowding at local schools.

“A bigger concern for me is about what that means for our infrastructure,” said Yvonne Shortt, a local activist and the founder of the Rego Park Green Alliance.

STOP MAKING SENSE.

Waiting in vain on Queens Blvd fix

From the Queens Chronicle:

Forest Hills resident Stephen Melnick looks along the business corridor of Queens Boulevard and sees dead trees and overgrown brush, broken curbs and sidewalks, and litter accumulating along traffic lanes and islands that need repaving.

But Melnick said the boulevard won’t shine without the the city’s commitment and the support of local businesses. He toured some of the more unsightly areas last Thursday morning with Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills), Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio and Michael Persaud, deputy chief of staff to Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills).

“This corridor can be an engine for economic development,” Melnick said. “It should be warm and welcoming to people who come out here. But it’s not. Ever since they put in parking meters along the islands seven years ago drivers have been using them as a garbage dump...”

“But there’s no money right now, and that’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Gulluscio said. “And you’re talking about a mile and a half.”

Aren't you sick of hearing the City reps and their apologists say there is no money? There always seems to be money for stupid Bloomberg legacy shit. How about calling him out on that once in awhile?

LIRR lied to Forest Hills community

From Forest Hills Patch:

Roughly a dozen Forest Hills Gardens residents gathered on Burns Street Wednesday morning, including representatives of the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, for a meeting with Long Island Railroad representatives that was not to be.

A representative of the LIRR cancelled an appearance at the meeting, residents said, when he was told that members of the local press would be present.

Frank Gulluscio, district manager of Community Board 6, said the biggest issue right now is that the LIRR has not filled in the previously cut trees with more “track friendly” species, like evergreens, which are safer along tracks because of the lack of falling leaves.

“I think the most important thing is that they never came back to give us ‘track-friendly’ trees,” Gulluscio said. “They knew that the quality of life here was disturbed, very much so.”

In a 2007 release, the transit authority pledged to work with the community, saying “LIRR representatives will be available to discuss replace trees at the Railroads expense with track-friendly trees such as evergreens.”

An LIRR spokesman said last week that currently there are no plans to do any replanting in the area.

Asking questions about Goldfeder

"Looks like "off the record" whispers about Schumer aide Phil Goldfeder securing the party nod are increasing. Times Ledger appears to hint at this.

I do not like how Goldfeder is handling this. Maneuvering behind the scenes for the support of the party leadership, he refuses to publicly comment on his run. Why is Goldfeder silent? Why does the local press have to settle for anonymous sources to comment on Goldfeder's candidacy? Why the secrecy? Why is Gulluscio silent about his alleged support for Goldfeder? Doesn't the public deserve to know why he is leaning towards Goldfeder?

This is not how a democracy works, where a well-connected young political insider gets the nod, while longtime party activist and community figure Lew Simon is again hung out to dry by the party leadership."

anonymous.

As predicted, snow hearing a joke

From Forest Hills Patch:

Members of the New York City Council's Queens delegation arrived at Queensboro Hall Friday afternoon to get an earful from residents still steaming about the Dec. 26 blizzard that crippled the borough.

Many residents were also upset that despite the failure of the Department of Sanitation and the Mayor's office to coordinate a successful snow response, no executive or administrative presence was there to greet Queens residents.

Trying to find solution for Austin Street parking problem

From the Daily News:

Civic leaders long have tried to address the scarcity of spaces near the Austin St. retail stretch - centered at 71st-Continental Ave., a block from the subway.

But the "Queens Parking Crunch" series is renewing calls for solutions so locals can awaken from their spot-search nightmare.

In interviews with Queens News, locals suggested everything from angled parking to making Austin St. one way to erecting a municipal lot close by.

But resolving the vehicular vexation first requires an understanding of why finding a spot in Forest Hills has become so difficult.

Customers frequent the Midway Theatre on Queens Blvd., Barnes & Noble and a diverse mix of eateries and clothing stores that line Austin St. from Ascan Ave. to Yellowstone Blvd.

If motorists venture south into Forest Hills Gardens, it compounds their stress because only residents of the private enclave and visitors with passes can park there.

On the other hand, crossing Queens Blvd. leads to stretches of apartment buildings, houses and offices where the demand for parking outweighs the supply.

"It's a major concern in the district - very frustrating riding around the block looking for a spot," said Frank Gulluscio, manager of Community Board 6.

Sounds like you need a bike lane!

Eric Ulrich retains 32nd Council District seat

With 100% of precincts reporting, Eric Ulrich 59%, Frank Gulluscio 41%.

Republicans feel the time is ripe

From the Daily News:

The primary election may be over, but the battle for several City Council seats in Queens is just getting started.

Republicans are hoping to hang onto their one seat and gain another two. Democrats, still recovering from a bruising primary, want to regroup and keep their overwhelming majority.

Three races in particular will be in the spotlight:

Councilman Eric Ulrich, the only Republican from Queens and one of three in the Council, is running to keep the 32nd District seat he won in a nonpartisan special election earlier this year. He replaced Joseph Addabbo, who’s now in the state Senate.

Ulrich faces Democrat Frank Gulluscio, district manager of Community Board 6 and a former Addabbo aide.

Former Republican Councilman Thomas Ognibene, who served as minority leader, is fighting to regain his old seat. Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, a Democrat, won the spot in November after losing a previous special election.

Newcomer Kevin Kim, an aide to Rep. Gary Ackerman, beat out several well-known Democrats for a chance to succeed Tony Avella in District 19.

But Republicans think candidate Dan Halloran has a chance of winning back the seat the GOP held before Avella was elected in 2001.

3 candidates booted off ballot in 32nd CD

From the Daily News:

Elections commissioners voted today to remove from the ballot six of the 22 candidates who filed petitions to run for three vacant City Council seats in the Feb. 24 special elections.

The [Queens] candidates bounced were:

- Frank Gulluscio (Community First), 32nd CD.

- Glenn DiResto (Families First), 32nd CD.

- Sam Dibernardo (Independent), 32nd CD.