FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com february 26, 2015 • The Queens Courier 3 City collecting proposals for Sunnyside Yards feasibility study BY LIAM LA GUERE [email protected]/@LiamLaGuerre Mayor Bill de Blasio is moving full steam ahead with his plan to create 11,250 housing units over Sunnyside Yards, although Gov. Andrew Cuomo has voiced opposition to it. The city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced on Feb. 20 a request for proposals for a yearlong comprehensive feasibility study for building over the rail yards. The agency is collecting proposals until March 20. The study will examine the prospect of decking the enormous rail yard, and building homes, schools, open spaces and community facilities for the neighborhood as well as improving public transportation and infrastructure, while not interfering with train operations in the yards. “This is the first step in understanding whether development of the Sunnyside Yards is possible, and what it could contribute to the city and surrounding communities,” de Blasio said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to deliver on our vision of a more affordable city and smart development that responds to the needs of surrounding neighborhoods.” De Blasio first announced his plan for the yards during his second State of the City address in January, but hours later Cuomo disagreed with using the yards because of long-term plans for it. But Cuomo is not the only politician to oppose developing Sunnyside Yards. When an idea to build a new Jacob Javits Center over the rail yards surfaced last year, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan didn’t immediately respond favorably to that plan. Both shared concerns of major development in the area without first addressing issues current residents are facing, including lack of sufficient public services. State Sen. Michael Gianaris addressed Community Board 2 earlier this month about the proposal as well, and stated similar concerns. “Any talk of thousands of new housing units at Sunnyside Yards should be secondary to meeting our significant existing infrastructure needs,” Senator Gianaris said. “Western Queens is already in need of many more schools, parks and open spaces, and vastly improved mass transit, particularly on the 7 line. As this process unfolds, I look forward to working with the community to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear when it comes to Sunnyside Yards.” Building over the yards is a key part to de Blasio’s goal of building and preserving 200,000 affordable housing units — 80,000 of which will be new construction — in the next 10 years. There are nearly 200 acres of land at the site, 113 acres that are owned by Amtrak, 66 by the MTA and the remainder by private owners, according to the EDC’s request for proposals. The EDC is working with Amtrak, which is in favor of development over its section of the yards. Photo via NYCEDC Sunnyside Yards Feasibility Study RFP Flushing Chamber of Commerce to launch English language classes for growing immigrant population BY ERI C JANKIE WICZ [email protected]/@EricJankiewicz The new Flushing Chamber of Commerce is launching a program to address the growing demand for English language classes to help waves of new immigrants in the area who need help learning the language of their adopted country. “Language is one of the major challenges facing our business community,” said Simon Gerson, co-chair of the chamber, “and we are proud to take a leadership role in addressing this issue.” The program “English Now!” will begin in April with a 12-week semester. The classes are meant to bridge the gap for immigrants seeking jobs in the American market. While Flushing continues to expand as an economic powerhouse, many of the new residents and businesses are forced into isolation triggered by language barriers, according to the chamber’s spokesman. By teaching the newcomers English, the chamber hopes to integrate Flushing’s residents and businesses into the larger economy of Queens and the city. Participants must commit to two six-hour classes per week. The class will be held in Monroe College, which is a member of the chamber. The college-level class will be offered for $40. The chamber created the program in response to a new wave of immigrants who don’t speak English very well. The trend is being seen all across the state, according to the Center for an Urban Future, but funding for English as a second language classes, known as ESL, has lagged behind the explosive demand. The number of state-funded ESL seats has declined by 32 percent over the last nine years, from approximately 86,000 seats in 2005 to 59,000 in 2013, according to the center. “We feel there is a need within the immigrant communities of Queens for a quality ESL program geared to professionals seeking to advance their careers,” said Evan Jerome, senior vice president at Monroe College. “This program will be geared to students with an intermediate level of ESL to advance both their written and oral communication skills.” Class topics will be geared toward students who want to become better at speaking English for the purpose of getting jobs. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 20. Registration forms are available by calling 914-740- 6614 or emailing [email protected].
QC02262015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above