22 The QUEE NS Courier • business • MAY 2, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com business s Dwight “Dr. K” Gooden greeted longtime New York Mets fans at Ridgewood Savings Bank’s Grand Avenue branch in Elmhurst. Panel discusses a booming LIC BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] The Long Island City real estate community gathered for a morning discussion of the area’s market at a special breakfast on Thursday, April 25. Local real estate entrepreneurs met and shared their ideas over bagels and coffee. At a panel discussion moderated by realtor David Brause, participants shared views on the booming LIC real estate industry’s present and future. Panelists included Eric Benaim, president and CEO of Modern Spaces, Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel Inc., Andrew Nimmer, principal of The Local Hostels, Michael Phillips, chief operating officer of Jamestown and Jason Sheftell, real estate editor for the New York Daily News. The panelists discussed what they believe makes LIC a destination for visitors and people looking to settle down. They noted the easy public transportation access, closeness to Manhattan and the affordability of the community’s real estate. According to Benaim, whose business has gone from residential sales and leasing to project development and marketing, prices for real estate in the area range from about $2,500 to $50,000, “I think Long Island City is the gateway to all of Queens,” said Sheftell. “It’s the very beginning for this neighborhood.” Gooden greets fans Pictured with Doc Gooden is Tracy Lisl, a Middle Village resident and Mets fan since age eight. Ridgewood Savings Bank’s Grand Avenue branch in Elmhurst hosted baseball legend Dwight “Dr. K” Gooden. The pitcher greeted fans and signed autographs. Pictured with Doc Gooden is Kathy Kratzer, a Queens resident and lifelong Mets fan. She was one of hundreds of lucky fans to meet the 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner. WCBS-FM was on hand with radio personality Sue O’Neal to add a soundtrack to the fun family event. Photos Courtesy Ridgewood Savings Bank
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