Overhaul for World's Fair Marina

From the Queens Chronicle:

Plans are in place for the World’s Fair Marina to receive a $32 million makeover, including a complete reconstruction of one of its piers.

The improvements to the marina, located on Flushing Bay in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, will focus on the deteriorating Pier 1. The pier, which is closed to the public, will be demolished and completely rebuilt under the plan.

Officials from the Parks Department told Community Board 3 at its Nov. 15 meeting the pier is “in pretty bad shape” and “in need of reconstruction.”

The Parks Department was in front of the community board looking to secure a letter of support before it puts its plan in front of the city’s Public Design Commission. Due to the snow that fell that day, the board did not have the required number of members present at the meeting to vote.

The construction budget of $32 million includes funding from City Hall as well as federal dollars designated for Hurricane Sandy repairs. The World’s Fair Marina was battered during the 2012 hurricane and suffered considerable damage.

Catering hall's finances are mismanaged

From the Daily News:

The World Fair Marina restaurant is so riddled with fiscal mismanagement that the city should kick out the current operators - or at least put in a monitor - according to a scathing new audit by city Controller William Thompson.

Auditors said the restaurant and banquet facility, run by Food Craft Inc., didn't keep proper receipts and invoices, didn't operate a restaurant and failed to distribute tips to its waiter staff.

If the Parks Department decides to continue its agreement with the operator of the Flushing facility, it "should assign a Parks employee to closely monitor Food Craft's operations through the remainder of the contract period," according to the audit, to be unveiled today.

Parks officials said they are sticking with Food Craft but following some suggestions from the audit.