35 new to the area ASTORIA WELCOMES AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Some Astoria seniors now have a safe, comfortable and affordable place to call home. City and state Housing representatives and local elected officials gathered with the community on November 15 for the grand opening of the affordable Hellenic-American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC) - Presbyterian Church of Astoria (PCA) Senior Residence, located at 31-34 33rd Street. The six-story, $24 million project was built on the site of the former Presbyterian Church of Astoria, which had reached out to the nonprofit HANAC organization and Enterprise Community Partners after facing financial difficulties. “HANAC-PCA Senior Residence is a critical example of how underutilized, faith-based sites can be used to create new housing in a city where land is scarce and the need for affordable housing is great,” said John Kaiteri, HANAC executive director and CEO. Since last October, 90 tenants have moved into the affordable housing development, which targets low-income seniors. The building includes 56 one-bedroom units, nine studio apartments and a superintendent’s unit. The development also includes a community room with a full kitchen, vegetable garden, bocce ball court, social service offices, an on-site service coordinator and large balconies, where seniors can step out and lounge. The building was designed to meet all guidelines for people with disabilities. Since the facility worked with green design partners, it includes a high efficiency heating system, water conserving fixtures and landscaped gardens with native trees and plants that minimize water usage. Residents’ exclusive use of Energy Star label appliances will decrease energy use by 20 percent. The development was primarily funded through the city, state and Borough President Helen Marshall. Photo Courtesy NYPD Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney was appointed as the new Commanding Officer of the 114th Precinct. New top cop at the 114th Precinct BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney will draw on his close to 22 years of NYPD experience to lead the 114th Precinct on the right path. “I’m looking forward to being here at the 114th Precinct, ultimately making it a be tter place for people to work and live,” Maloney said. Maloney assumed his position o n November 1 and is re placing Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, who served the 114th Precinct for more than thre e years and w as recently assigned to the NYPD’s Of fice of the Chief of Department. “The community has been very supportive, very receptive,” said Maloney. “Everyone has be en very welcoming. I’m loo king forward to working with them as we go forward.” The 22-year NYPD veteran said he recognizes the precinct and pre - vious commanding officer’s accomplishments in reducing crime and hopes to continue the trend. “The 114th is o n the right path. The ir crime reduction this year is one of the top in the city,” he said. “ We’ll continue to build on that.” Maloney plans to use his e xperience from his tw o years at the NYPD Housing Police Department to focus on reducing crime in the area’s three major public housing projects: the Astoria Houses, Woodside Houses and the Queensbridge Houses. The new commanding officer is also aware the area has a large nightlife component, for which he plans to balance the concerns of residents and businesses to “make everyone happy as best we can.” Maloney also plans t o work with re sidents, community leaders and local elected officials to create connections within the neighborhoods. Before accepting his cu rrent position, Maloney was the commanding officer of the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway for more than a y ear. He also served as the Queens Narcotics Group Captain and spe nt time at the 61st, 67th, 71st and 85th Pre cincts in Brooklyn. The Deputy Inspector was formally welcomed at the 114th Precinct Community Council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 26 at Ricardo’s, located at 21-04 24th Avenue in Long Island City. “Everybody speaks highly about the cops here,” he said. “I look forward to building a relationship and getting to know the people of Astoria.” THE COURIER/ Photo by Angy Altamirano Officials and seniors celebrated Astoria’s grand opening of the affordable HANAC-PCA Senior Residence.
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