50 The Queens Courier • buzz • juLY 14, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Bunny speed dates highlight College Point adoption drive BY BRIANNA ELLIS bellis@qns.com/@briinformed If you have a soft spot for beautiful buzz bunnies, hop over to the Rescue Rabbit Adoption Event in College Point this weekend. All About Rabbits Rescue Inc., a nonprofit animal organization, will be hosting their adoption event at Petco, located at 133-11 20th Ave., on Sunday, July 17. Visitors will have a chance to meet and play with the rescue bunnies from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Potential foster families will also learn about rabbit care and are encouraged to bring their current rabbits along for speed dates. Speed dates must be reserved in advance, and those who are interested may email allaboutrabbitsrescue@gmail.com to set up a time. Fellow bunny lovers also shared their support on the All About Rabbits Rescue Facebook page. “Being a foster bunny parent is a great experience!! I have two foster babies and they are just bunderful! I urge everyone who has patience and love in their heart for these furry little creatures to foster and make space for other needy buns that need shelter,” Heather Holt commented. “Great news…I love adoption stories,” New Jersey House Rabbit Society added to a post. Bayside resident managing Ghostbusters firehouse renovation Photo by DW labs Incorporated/Shutterstock.com and NYC DDC The iconic “Ghostbusters” firehouse in Tribeca will be renovated for $6 million. BY BRIANNA ELLIS bellis@qns.com/@briinformed “Ghostbusters” lovers in Queens should be happy to know that the iconic Tribeca firehouse where the hit movie was shot is being renovated in a $6 million project by one Bayside resident. Amir Nossrati, a senior project manager for the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is fully renovating the building in Tribeca. Fire Station Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, located at 14 North Moore St., is famous for its appearance in the 1984 classic. “I’ve worked with so many employees from the FDNY that they spot me while I’m driving around the city,” said Nossrati, who has worked as a DDC employee since the agency opened in 1996 and has been a public servant for more than 28 years. “When you work together for this many years, you become a member of their family. They have entrusted me to care for their facilities and we provide resilient, sustainable construction in return.” Nossrati specializes in firehouse construction for DDC and has overseen more than 85 different firehouse projects throughout the city. He also volunteered with the Fire Department, assisting with recovery and restoration projects after the Sept. 11 tragedy. The Bayside resident will be responsible for supervising the contractors and orchestrating tactics to preserve the historical features of the Tribeca building. The renovation aims to redevelop the firehouse’s apparatus floor, roof, kitchen and bathroom, including a separate restroom for women. Additionally, the administrative offices and mechanical systems will receive upgrades, with partial changes to the electrical and plumbing systems. The project is scheduled for completion by next year, the DDC said. The three-story landmark firehouse was originally designed by Alexander H. Stevens, superintendent of buildings for the New York City Fire Department in 1903. When Varick Street was widened in 1914, the western portion of the building was minimized by 35 feet to accommodate the street expansion. “For decades, firefighters in this historic building have protected lives and property in New York City,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña- Mora in Monday’s press release. “Once the top-to-bottom renovation is complete, the modern functionality of the building will provide a comfortable atmosphere to serve these brave people, including for the first time separate bath and locker room facilities for female firefighters. We look forward to completing a resilient facility in cooperation with the Fire Department for the city’s growing and diverse population.”
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