FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 16, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 19 ACES TOO WILD, TOO OFTEN Senator calls for closure of LIC nightclub after shootings BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected]/@AngelaMatua A strip club in Long Island City that has been the scene of gang-related shootings Main Street in Downtown Flushing gets a redesign BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI [email protected] @smont76 Main Street in downtown Flushing is being resurfaced and redesigned for the fi rst time in 20 years, and drivers should expect some traffi c changes while the work is being done, city agencies announced. Th e Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the project, which includes plans to resurface the street and widen the sidewalks on Main Street between 38th and 41st avenues, last July. To facilitate the sidewalk-widening component of the project, southbound limited access to Main Street is in eff ect 24 hours a day, as of March 7, and will remain in place until further notice. Southbound access to Main Street between 37th Avenue and 40th Road will be limited to emergency vehicles, buses and local deliveries; all other southbound vehicles are expected to use alternatives routes, and follow the regulations specifi ed on the on-street signage. “We appreciate the support and patience of the local community as this vital street reconstruction is underway,” said Nicole Garcia, NYC DOT Queens Borough Commissioner. “As a vibrant commercial corridor and key transit hub, the vast majority of people traveling along Main Street in this area are either walking or are taking transit. Th is limited-access street helps ensure that the Downtown Flushing core functions as well as possible for the most number of people during construction.” Th e $7.8 million project will also replace manholes, fi re hydrants, sewers, catch basins and water mains in the area. “Th is week kicks off the beginning of the most diffi cult phase of the Main Street reconstruction and sidewalk widening when southbound traffi c will be restricted between 37th Avenue and 40th Road,” Councilman Peter Koo said. “While construction is ongoing, I encourage the community use public transportation when possible and budget ample time for your commute.” The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce welcomed news of the long-delayed infrastructure improvements. “We are extremely pleased that our sidewalks will fi nally be widened,” said Simon Gerson, president of the nonprofi t. “We are the city’s second busiest pedestrian intersection; only Times Square sees more people travel by foot each day. It is foot traffi c that drives our economy here, not cars, and we are extremely grateful to the Department of Transportation for following through on their promises to invest in our community’s transportation infrastructure.” Offi cers from the 109th Precinct were out in the area on the day the new traffi c rules went into eff ect to inform drivers. and has caused nearby residents to complain of quality-of-life issues should be shut down, according to a local lawmaker. State Senator Michael Gianaris sent a letter to the State Liquor Authority (SLA) on March 10 asking the agency to deny the club’s cabaret license. Located at 31-10 37th Ave., the nightclub failed to comply with its license in 2016, the senator said. It was also temporarily shut down in May 2016 aft er a gang-related shooting took place there. According to Captain Peter Fortune, commanding offi cer of the 114th Precinct, a man was shot in the foot outside of the club on May 14 at about 3:20 a.m. Soon aft er, the club was shut down aft er receiving dozens of summonses and not complying with its cabaret or liquor license. Neighbors who live in the area attended a Community Board 1 meeting in May to urge board members to help get the club shut down. James Woods, who lives on 32nd Street between 37th and 38th avenues, said that four to six squad cars are parked at every intersection surrounding the club from 2 to 4 a.m. every night. He said patrons stop in front of his building to urinate or vomit on the sidewalk before going into their cars to “do drugs or have sex.” According to Gianaris, 252 “911” calls were placed in 2016 to report issues and criminal activity occurring at the club. ACES also failed to display its license and employed unlicensed security guards among other violations, he wrote in the letter. “Aces is notorious for its ongoing troubling activity,” Gianaris said. “Residents deserve to live in a community where they feel safe, with a robust quality of life. It’s time we get rid of this bad adult establishment once and for all and apply our resources towards protecting our schools, small businesses and families.” Th ere are at least three other night clubs within the vicinity of Aces New York including Club Purlieu, Palladium Club and Club Mist. Club Purlieu was also the scene of several violent incidents and was shut down. According to Fortune, the 114th Precinct has nine gentlemen’s clubs within its confi nes. Save the date! Brownstoner Real Estate Conference is May 3 BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF [email protected]/@QNS Brownstoner is your source for info about the past, present and future of Brooklyn — and now events for those in the real estate industry. The Brownstoner Real Estate Conference will take place on Wednesday, May 3, at Weylin in association with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). Th e event will feature a networking breakfast and a keynote by James Patchett, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, followed by panels on residential and commercial real estate. Th e event provides an opportunity to network and hear from top-level real estate executives doing business in Brooklyn. Weylin is located at 175 Broadway, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Formerly the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, it is now a masterfully restored venue and event space in the heart of Williamsburg. It is in walking distance of the J, M, Z and L subway lines, with valet parking available. Breakfast and networking will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Initial corporate sponsors include Two Trees, PropertyShark, Flushing Bank, Movers, Not Shakers!, and BMW’s new premium car sharing service, ReachNow. Early bird ticket pricing is $85 per person and available through March 31. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.brownstoner.com/bkreconference. For sponsorship, speaking or exhibitor opportunities email brad@brownstoner. com. Photo via Twitter/NYPD109Pct New signage posted at 37th Avenue and Main Street. Photo courtesy of Aces New York Senator Michael Gianaris is calling on the State Liquor Authority to help shut down Aces in Long Island City.
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