28 The Queens Courier • OCTOBER 17, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Casino stop may be in the cards EXIT STAGE LEFT RIDGEWOOD THEATRE SET FOR RESIDENTS, RETAIL BY LIAM LA GUERE [email protected] It’s a wrap for the Ridgewood Theatre. Bushburg Properties LLC, which bought the near century-old landmarked building earlier this year, has applied to the Department of Buildings to convert the upper floors of the existing structure to 40 units for residential use and the first floor for retail space. The filing came to the dismay of many residents, including members of Community Board 5 (CB5), which recently met with Bushburg to express that the neighborhood wanted to see the building used for entertainment again. “We want some kind of commercial use and preferably some kind of entertainment venue, because that’s what brings other people,” said Ted Renz, executive director of the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District and a member of CB5. The Ridgewood Theatre has served generations of moviegoers in the community since it opened in 1916. The theatre closed in 2008 after ticket sales went south. The building’s exterior was landmarked in 2010, meaning that the owners are limited to modifying the interior. A Bushburg official estimated that after the application process the construction to convert the building will take from 18 to 30 months. The structure will not be expanded and the owners have not decided if the apartments will serve low-income residents. In the application to the city’s buildings department, Bushburg left the first floor open for retail use. The group has BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] Resorts World Casino is looking to stake a claim on its subway stop. The Aqueduct Racetrack station was recently established as a year-round stop on the A-line after a $15 million upgrade. Now, casino operators want to buy the station’s naming rights. A Resorts World spokesperson said the group has had “some very preliminary conversations with the MTA” about the matter, but “nothing more at this point.” Prior to the renovations, the subway stop was an antiquated facility that only operated on race days. Now, the racetrack station allows the A train to pass through 24/7 from the Rockaways up to Inwood. Additionally, a SkyBridge walkway connects the stop to the casino through an enclosed, temperature-controlled path. FILE PHOTO The Ridgewood Theatre will be converted to apartments and one floor of retail space. met with some potential businesses, but has not finalized anything and is open to feedback from the community. “We’re open for suggestions. We are trying to accommodate the community THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre with the first floor,” said Israel Hirsch, a Bushburg partner. “We’re not looking to maximize the dollar value we do want to give something back to the community.” Resorts World Casino operators want to buy the naming rights to the Aqueduct Racetrack subway station. BELISSIMA! CELEBRATING ITALIAN HERITAGE Astoria got together this past weekend to celebrate the 36th Annual Christopher Columbus Day Parade. On Saturday, October 12, together with Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., former Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and other local officials, the procession marched from 34th Avenue down to Astoria Boulevard and 33rd Street. The Grand Marshal of the parade, which is presented by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc., was Minister Natalia Quintavalle, Italian Consul General of New York. Photo Courtesy of Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.
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