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LIC072013

44meeting BID says LIC is ‘flying’ BY ROSA KIM Long Island City is on track to become the “it destination” in the borough, developers say. Speakers at the LIC Business Improvement District’s (BID) eighth annual meeting commented on LIC’s growing commercial districts and booming real estate markets. Noting LIC’s assets, such as the short subway ride into Manhattan and the thriving restaurant district on Vernon Boulevard, Stephen Kotler, Chief Operating Offi cer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, drew a comparison between LIC and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “We think that the same thing that’s happened to Williamsburg will happen here,” said Kotler. “I think if you looked at the development from Manhattan to Brooklyn and from Manhattan to Long Island City, Brooklyn’s almost become an extension of Manhattan. You see that people don’t look at it as an alternative anymore as much as being a part of it. I think with Long Island City, you’re going to see the same thing.” According to Kotler, it “makes a huge difference” in continuing to develop the area with companies like MetLife, JetBlue, Fresh Direct and Citigroup having their offi ces in LIC. Other plans such as the possibility of establishing a technology center to be New York’s answer to Silicon Valley and installing public Wi-Fi were also discussed. “We submitted a proposal for free public Wi-Fi working with an international service provider,” said Gayle Baron, executive director of the LIC BID and president of LIC Partnership. The LIC BID also presented awards to members of the community for their contributions in maintaining LIC’s green spaces and cleanliness, as well as promoting the arts in public spaces. Patrick DeSimone, principal at Atlantic Maintenance, received the Streetscape Ambassador Award. Both Richard Mazda, artistic director of Secret Theatre and Karen Dimit, an LIC-based sculptor, received the Community Impact Awards for their leadership in the LIC Arts Open. The consensus at this year’s meeting was that LIC holds a lot of promise for developers and residents alike. “LIC is not just taking off,” said Baron. “It’s fl ying off as fast as possible.” JULY 2013 I LIC COURIER I www.queenscourier.com Gary Kesner, Gayle Baron, executive director of the LIC BID and president of LIC Partnership; David Brause, Stephen Kotler and Justin Elghanayan. Dana Frankel (center) with Richard Mazda, artistic director of Secret Theatre, and Karen Dimit, an LIC-based sculptor, who received the Community Impact Awards for their leadership in the LIC Arts Open. THE COURIER/PHOTOS BY ROSA KIM


LIC072013
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