Community News
Changes on By Angela Matua
18 FEBRuary 2017 i LIC COURIER i www.qns.com
Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
“This will, after more
than 80 years, return
waterfront access to the
residents of Astoria.”
Astoria councilman announces eco dock on
Astoria waterfront, changes to Steinway Street
Councilman Costa Constantinides
outlined his vision
for Astoria in his State
of the District speech on
Jan. 31 and it included some
big projects, such as an eco
dock to connect people to
the waterfront and changes
to Steinway Street, which
has seen a large number of
traffic injuries.
Constantinides announced
his plan to construct an eco
dock on Hallets Peninsula
in 2015. The dock, which
is currently in the design
phase, would replace a
rotting pier off of Vernon
Boulevard and also allow
for nearby students to study
marine wildlife and environmental
science.
The current pier was
constructed in the 1950s
but has not been used for
decades because of its
dilapidated state. Funding
for the eco dock has been
provided by the councilman,
Queens Borough President
Melinda Katz and Mayor Bill
de Blasio. A total of $5 million
has been allocated for
the project, which will also
include shaded seating and
boat storage.
According to the counciman’s
office, the dock is
tentatively scheduled to be
built by 2019. Eco docks are
resilient during storms and
are built on pylons so that
the dock moves with the tide.
“This will, after more than
80 years, return waterfront
access to the residents of
Astoria,” Constantinides said.
Also included in his plans
are steps to transform
Steinway Street into a safer
thoroughfare for drivers and
pedestrians and make it a
gateway to “the next great
meeting space in Western
Queens.”
“Steinway Street has long
been the beating commercial
heart of Astoria,” he said.
“As you traverse it from 34th
Avenue to Astoria Boulevard
and beyond you see people
from all walks of life mingling
as they frequent a wide variety
of establishments from
big name brand stores, salons,
and restaurants from all
corners of the globe.”
But the thoroughfare has
also been the scene of 249
traffic-related injuries and 95
pedestrian injuries in the past
5 years. Part of the problem,
Constantinides said, is the
configuration of the crosswalks.
The blocks along the
street are long and many
times pedestrians will cross
in the middle of the street
Costa Constantinides
Councilman
