FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com MARCH 3, 2016 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3 Leasing begins at Astoria’s luxury rental development The Grove BY ANGELA MATUA amatua@qns.com/@AngelaMatua A seven-story luxury rental that pays tribute to its former incarnation as a lumberyard is offi cially open for lease. The Grove, located at 30-40 21st St., is a 62-unit development near the Astoria waterfront. Each studio and one- and two-bedroom apartment is equipped with maplewood fl oors, which pay homage to the property’s past life as Tri-Star Lumber. Prices range from $1,900 to $3,800. The development sits at the intersection of 30th Road and 21st Street near the Van Alst Playground. The units also feature washers and dryers, kitchens with Italian cabinets and Caesarstone countertops and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and rain head showers. Amenities include a gym with private fitness training sessions, a virtual doorman, a package room and a landscaped rooftop with lounges and sunbathing areas. Bike and car parking is also offered. A rendering of The Grove Tsilo Group is the developer responsible for The Grove and brokerage firm Modern Spaces is the leasing agent. Greg Kyroglou, head of leasing at The Grove, is a lifelong Astoria resident. “Astoria is a culturally diverse neighborhood with a true sense of community,” Kyroglou said. “The Grove is what the local rental market has been waiting for as it provides new, spacious apartments in a location that shows residents why this established neighborhood is so special.” Congresswoman to concerned citizens: Fresh Meadows post offi ce is not going away BY ALINA SURIEL asuriel@qns.com/@alinangelica The Fresh Meadows post offi ce plans to stay where it is after the current lease runs out in 2018, according to Congresswoman Grace Meng. Fresh Meadows residents expressed concerns at Community Board 8 meetings about losing their local post offi ce after property owner Federal Realty Investment Trust proposed replacing the old facility with a new two-story building that would have 28,000 square feet of retail and offi ce space. According to Community Board 8 records, Federal Realty was “not seeking to throw out the USPS” but instead were “concerned that with the nationwide reduction in mail that they may not renew their lease.” The post offi ce is located at 193-04 Horace Harding Expressway, and the lease expires on April 30, 2018. Meng asked the Postal Service about future plans for the facility earlier this month and received a letter from the federal agency stating that offi cials intended to renew the lease after it expired barring the occurrence of an unexpected event which could impact operations. Meng said she welcomed news of the lease renewal for the Fresh Meadows post offi ce. “Area residents made it clear that they do not want to lose this facility,” Meng said. “It provides important postal services at a convenient location, and has served the neighborhood well for many years.” James Gallagher Jr., president of the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association, said Fresh Meadows residents are extremely grateful for Congresswoman Meng’s support and efforts to renew the Fresh Meadows Post Offi ce lease. “It is essential that the post offi ce remains at its current location which is convenient to the area’s seniors and all who reside in the community,” Gallagher said. Maria DeInnocentiis, of Community Board 8, said the Fresh Meadows Post Offi ce has been an integral part of the Fresh Meadows community since it fi rst opened. “It is second to the main offi ce in Flushing and meets our needs for mail, packages and retrieving certifi ed mail,” DeInnocentiis said. “It is an institution that needs to be retained and I thank USPS for keeping it in the community.” Image courtesy of Modern Spaces File photo Fresh Meadows residents feared the loss of their local post offi ce after hearing a proposal for a new building at the site.
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