what's new SUNNYSIDE WELCOMES FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC PLAZAS BY CHRIS BUMBACA It’s pure bliss in Sunnyside. Bliss Plaza, the first of two new public plazas constructed in Sunnyside, opened July 29. The project was spearheaded by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID). Last year, the Sunnyside Shines BID submitted an application to the New York City Plaza Program and with the support of local leaders such as Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, the application was accepted this April. “Bliss Plaza is an oasis for pedestrians along busy Queens Boulevard and will be a fantastic place to have an outdoor lunch,” said Rachel Thieme, Sunnyside Shines BID executive director. “This is a huge benefit to neighborhood residents and businesses. We are thrilled with the high quality of work that the NYC Department of Transportation has put into this project and extremely grateful to Councilman Van Bramer and our other partners for supporting our application.” Bliss Plaza is located at the intersection of 46th Street and Queens Boulevard under the elevated No. 7 train. The plaza has transformed an otherwise useless underpass into a lively and public space. The area includes tables, chairs and decorative planters. The project included leveling out a street to create a one-level pedestrian area and was completed by the city’s Department of Transportation in early July. “I commend the city’s Department of Transportation for all the work it has done to make this new neighborhood plaza a reality and I thank the 10 august 2014 i LIC COURIER i www.queenscourier.com Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District for initiating this project and for its commitment to maintaining the plaza and to providing the programming there,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. The second plaza, the Lowery Plaza at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard, is expected to open this fall. It will also be located under the No. 7 train and will have the same amenities as Bliss Plaza. “These new public plazas have transformed the space under the 7 train with green space, ample seating and cultural programming,” Van Bramer said. “Tens of thousands pass these spaces every day but with these changes they will use them to meet friends, enjoy their neighborhood and create community.”
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