State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (c.) at John Bowne High School
Farm Courtesy of Assemblywoman Nily Rozic’s offi ce
New hydroponic
program at John
Bowne High School
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
John Bowne High School
is Flushing is receiving
funding to benefit its first
hydroponics program.
Assemblywoman Nily
Rozic announced on June 17
that she allocated $35,500 in
funding for John Bowne’s
hydroponic program, an
alternative method of
growing plants without
soil by using water-based
nutrient solutions.
The use of hydroponics
is part of John Bowne’s
agriculture program
which has been nationally
recognized for its urban
agricultural education
offerings including classes in
plant and animal sciences. It
is the only school in New York
City with a four-acre farm.
“John Bowne’s agriculture
program provides students
with learning opportunities
and internships paving the
way for their future careers
as veterinarians, laboratory
technicians, urban farmers,
landscape architects and
much more,” said Rozic.
“Hydroponics and aquaponics
are an important part of
sustainable agriculture,
especially in space-scarce
urban areas. It is with great
excitement that I am able to
provide state funding for their
cutting-edge hydroponics
program that will keep their
students at the forefront of
the agriculture industry.”
The funding provided by
Rozic for the program, John
Bowne Assistant Principal
Steven Perry said, teachers
will be able to provide handson
instructions to students
in hydroponic systems and
crop production.
“This instructional
exposure could easily lead
to some students going on
for further study in this
field as well as immediate
employment in the many
urban and rural operations
currently in production,” said
Perry. “The assemblywoman
has always been a great
supporter of our program
and often visits with our kids
and faculty, whether on-site
or in Albany where she has
hosted us when the Assembly
is in session. We are greatly
appreciative for all she has
done for our department.”
John Bowne’s agricultural
program provides students
provides students with
a work-based learning
approach that prepares
them for admission into
agricultural and technical
colleges across the country.
Last year, the program was
recognized by New York state
as a Career and Technical
Education Model Program,
which allows the program
structure and curriculum
to be shared with other
schools across the state for
potential implementation.
Reach reporter
Carlotta Mohamed by
email at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4526.
Zara buys $80 mil. buildings
Realty company charged with mistreating tenants
140-60 Beech Ave. Photos via Google Maps
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A Jamaica-based realty
company recently purchased
two multifamily units in
Flushing to the tune of
$80 million.
The Real Deal first reported
that Zara Realty bought a pair
of buildings; a $37.5 million
building at 140-60 Beech Ave.
and a $42.5 million building at
140-30 Ash Ave. According to
the report, the firm purchased
the properties from real estate
agent Ilias Theodoropoulos,
who has owned the
buildings since 2005 and
2008 respectively.
Zara reportedly wants
to keep the neighboring
apartments as long-term
assets. Both buildings span
a total of 250,000 square
feet and contain about 266
apartments total.
Many have vocally
criticized Zara Realty for
illegal and unfair treatment
toward tenants living
in their rent-stabilized
apartments. The company
currently owns 58 buildings,
which total 2,500 rent-stabilized
apartments in Jamaica and
surrounding areas.
Back in March, State
Attorney General Letitia
James sued the landlord for
charging illegal fees to 38
tenants in rent-stabilized
apartments. Eighty tenants
rallied with James based on
her lawsuit charging Zara
with “signing improper
leases, illegally raising
rents as well as denying
tenant rights.”
“For years, Zara Realty
has engaged in an egregious
pattern of tenant harassment
and exploitation,” said James
in a statement. “Evading
our rent regulation laws and
forcing low-income tenants
to pay exorbitant fees for fake
services is deception of the
worst kind. This is a notice
to all unscrupulous landlords
who seek to hurt New
Yorkers, we will not tolerate
this behavior.”
In May, Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams joined
community organizers in
speaking out against Zara
for improperly using Major
Capital Improvements (MCI)
to evict tenants.
According to Williams, the
abuse of MCIs could lead to
tenants being priced out of their
homes. The public advocate
called on the state to support
legislation which would no
longer allow landlords to use
MCIs to force renters to pay for
building repairs.
But the real estate
company defended its use
of MCIs, saying that they
are approved by the Homes
& Community Renewal
office after “a lengthy and
thorough review” and that
tenants can also review and
comment on MCI plans before
construction begins.
Reach reporter Jenna
Bagcal by email at jbagcal@
qns.com or by phone at (718)
224-5863 ext. 214.
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