8 THE QUEENS COURIER • FEBRUARY 11, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com storm pho- The Tribeca collapsed crane is owned and operated by Queens companies BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected]/@robbpoz The tower crane that collapsed on a Manhattan street on the morning of Feb. 5 and killed a pedestrian is owned and operated by fi rms based in Queens, according to the mayor’s offi ce. Long Island City’s Bay Crane owned the huge rigging device operated by Maspeth’s Galasso Trucking and Rigging Inc. that fell onto Worth Street in the Tribeca section of Manhattan at 8:24 a.m. on Feb. 5. The mayor’s offi ce indicated that workers were moving the crane into a secure position when the accident happened. This was done, sources said, because winds were approaching 25 mph in the middle of this morning’s snowstorm. The collapse claimed the life of a Manhattan resident; three others suffered injuries. No buildings suffered structural damage. According to the mayor’s offi ce, the crane fi rst went into operation at the location on Jan. 30 “to replace generators and air conditioners on the building roof.” Buildings Department inspectors checked the crane at 6:20 a.m. on Feb. 4 “and found it to be in full compliance,” it was noted. The investigation is ongoing. QNS reached out to both Bay Crane and Galasso Trucking and is awaiting responses. On their websites, both companies noted their more than 60 years of service in the construction and logistics industries. Community leaders weigh in on Brooklyn Queens Connector plan BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected]/@AngelaMatua Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plans for a streetcar along the East River from Sunset Park to Astoria garnered many opinions from community leaders in the “World’s Borough” from high praise to great concern. QNS reached out to community leaders in Astoria, Long Island City and surrounding areas to ask them to weigh in on this proposal: “I am excited to learn of plans for a Brooklyn Queens Connector streetcar that will allow New Yorkers to travel more directly and quickly between the neighborhoods of western Queens and the Brooklyn waterfront. Queens and Brooklyn are no longer simply Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Queens Connector Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled plans for a streetcar to link Brooklyn and Western Queens at his State of the City address. ONSITE DOCTORS • EYE EXAMS • CONTACTS • 1 HOUR SERVICE • VISION PLANS ACCEPTED • SUNGLASSES • LOWEST PRICES st of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place WE ARE A GVS & DAVIS VISION PROVIDER Love Your Eyes BAY TERRACE SHOPPING CENTER 211-51 26 AVENUE • BAYSIDE, NY 11360 718.631.3699 *FREE Eye Exam with the purchase of glasses. 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Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details Expires 3/8/16 $100 OFF Buy 1 Pair of Prescription Glasses and GET 2nd Pair FREE Includes: EYE EXAM. (From select group) Some restrictions apply. See Store for details. In stock items only. Expires 3/8/16 Varilux Progressive Lenses Includes: EYE EXAM (no-line Bifocals) w/metal frames $16599 Select frames with clear plastic no line lenses +/-4 sph., 2 cyl. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details. Expires 3/8/16 CONTACTS EYEGLASSES homes for people who work in Manhattan but are destinations in their own right. This new streetcar will help people from Queens and Brooklyn commute back and forth as well as enjoy the many fi ne restaurants and cultural institutions on the east side of the East River without having to cross the waterway twice in each direction. As this proposal moves from concept to reality, I look forward to working with the city to ensure the specifi cs of this plan will be benefi cial and not harmful to our communities.” -State Senator Michael Gianaris “There is no question that improved north-south transportation along the waterfront both within Queens and between Queens and Brooklyn is very much needed for the economic and cultural vitality of Long Island City, its residents and businesses, and we applaud the mayor for proposing a visionary solution and look forward to participating in the community process going forward.” -Elizabeth Lusskin, executive director, Long Island City Partnership “This could be a game-changing solution to the current transit problems as we know them in Brooklyn and Queens. A Brooklyn Queens Connector could potentially provide more career and job opportunities for the residents of those boroughs. As someone who lives in Brooklyn and have been commuting to work in Queens for the past 15 years, I fi nd it frustrating to have to travel to Manhattan to get to work. And I am not alone. This project, however, needs to be further evaluated to determine fi nancial sustainability, and whether the proposed fee for the riders makes sense. In addition, a sound environmental impact survey must be conducted that addresses any potential headaches for the roadways in the affected communities.” -Yoselin Genao Estrella, executive director, Neighborhood Housing Services of Northern Queens “Historically, this has been an isolated, underserved area. With the proposed light rail, Ferry, Citibike and additional bus routes and frequency, we will fi nally be integrated into the fabric of the rest of Astoria, and New York City in general. Also, this provides a much-needed additional corridor between Brooklyn and Queens, which today consists primarily of the BQE and G train.However, until the specifi c details are determined, such as routes, equipment, frequency, fees, taxes and funding sources, etc., we cannot fully comment or endorse the proposal.” -Richard Khuzami, president, Old Astoria Neighborhood Association “The light rail could potentially be the single largest catalyst to future development along the Astoria waterfront. Growth along the light rail will revitalize a long derelict section of western Queens into a vibrant, mixed-use community that rivals the very best neighborhoods in the fi ve boroughs.” -Brett Harris, Aki Development “While I agree in concept, I am very concerned how this will affect traffi c on 21st Street, the main route from the Grand Central Parkway to the Queensboro Bridge.” -Joseph Vaccaro, local developer “The proposal by the de Blasio administration to create a light rail/streetcar connector between Queens and Brooklyn while laudable and visionary given the paucity of reliable transportation options between the two boroughs outside of the G train, is mistimed and Pollyanna. While infrastructure projects are most defi nitely needed, the current slate of ongoing projects (east side access, Second Avenue Subway, MTA station rehabilitation projects and general capital improvement needs) along with the wish list of transit proposals recently fl oated by Governor Cuomo and Amtrak simply makes the mayor’s proposal look like an attempt to look proactive in an area already oversaturated with expensive ‘wish list’ projects. There is no doubt such a project would be benefi cial, but given the current environment this project is more pomp than circumstance.” – David Fernández, public fi nance attorney of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC
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