FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com APRIL 25, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11 GO FOR A RIDE SCHUMER PUSHES FOR EXPANDED FERRY SERVICE TO ASTORIA BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] Senator Charles Schumer has asked the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize funding to bring the East River Ferry to Astoria, the Upper East Side and Brooklyn Bridge Park. “The East River Ferry expansion project can become a ‘Nerd Boat’ that connects our rapidly-expanding tech hubs like Dumbo and the Brooklyn Navy Yard with the new Cornell-NYC’s applied science campus,” said Schumer. “It will also maximize ferry use throughout the city and better connect these waterfront neighborhoods to public transportation, benefi tting the local economy.” The East River Ferry expansion is one of fi ve New York City projects that Schumer is singling out for a chunk of $1 billion in transit funds allocated to New York in this year’s Federal Transportation Bill. The FHA and DOT have fi nal say on which projects will receive the funding. If they pick the East River Ferry expansion, additional services will reach Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hallets Point in Astoria and the Upper East Side. The expansion also entails a new ferry to Roosevelt Island to accommodate students at Cornell’s applied science campus. Schumer said private developers are planning to build nearly 4,000 housing units on Hallets Point’s waterfront in 2015. He added that expanding the ferry service would benefi t the new residents. The East River Ferry pilot program began in June 2011 and has since served over 1.7 million commuters. The ferry currently transports almost 150 passengers per trip connecting Manhattan with Long Island City, Brooklyn and Governors Island. Recently, there had been a push to move the service from Hunters Point in Long island City to Gantry Plaza State Park. Schumer is also pushing to get funding for projects including the Lower East Side/Brooklyn Greenway expansion, construction on the Cross Bronx Service Roads, HOV extensions on the Long Island Expressway and expansion of underground rail tunnels to Grand Central Terminal. WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE ROOSEVELT AVENUE The 82nd Street Partnership joined members of Immigrant Movement International on Saturday, April 20 in Jackson Heights to develop plans to improve the neighborhood. They held a workshop called Designing Roosevelt Avenue. Residents, business owners and local community stakeholders shared their visions of public space improvements along the street. Suggestions included graffi ti removal and installing more street benches and bike racks along sidewalks. To plan the future of the Jackson Heights-Corona Business Improvement District (BID), the 82nd Street Partnership has been working with Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Make the Road New York, Immigrant Movement International and other civic groups. Checking that earns like savings. BestRate Checking 1.00APY1 % On balances of $5,000 or more. Plus, get up to $ 1 5 0 when you open a new checking account.2 Additionally, a BestRate Checking account provides you with: Free online banking and bill pay, Free Mastercard® ATM/Debit card, Free direct deposit and more. For more information or to find a branch near you, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. 1 New accounts and new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. New money is defined as money not currently on deposit with Flushing Bank. 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