28 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 23, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
THE QUEENS
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VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA A. SCHNEPS
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AMY AMATO-SANCHEZ
NIRMAL SINGH
EMILY DAVENPORT
KATRINA MEDOFF, ANTHONY GIUDICE, ANGELA MATUA
SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
CLIFF KASDEN, SAMANTHA SOHMER, ELIZABETH ALONI
DEBORAH CUSICK
CELESTE ALAMIN
MARIA VALENCIA
VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA A. SCHNEPS
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Thinking big and growing with Queens
Th ere’s something to be said about a grand idea — a bold vision that will
bring about a powerful change on both a community and the people who
live within it.
Th e Plaxall family, which has owned property on the Long Island City
waterfront for generations, has off ered such a grand idea to transform nearly
15 acres into a real Queens community.
Long Island City has been rapidly changing over the last decade; once a hub
of industry, it’s now home to thousands of residents residing in towers overlooking
the East River. Plaxall’s property is largely zoned for manufacturing
that left the neighborhood long ago, so it’s only fi tting that they’re reimagining
the property as a new residential and retail community.
Th e plan, estimated to cost $3 billion in private funds and take as many
as 15 years to complete, includes the creation of 4,995 residential units —
roughly a quarter of which will be designated as aff ordable housing — new
retail spaces and a waterfront esplanade around Anable Basin.
All of this, right now, remains schematics on paper. Th e plan needs the
approval of Community Board 2, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
and the City Planning Commission before a shovel hits the earth.
We believe, however, that Plaxall’s grand vision will be a real boon to Long
Island City and, in general, Queens. It creates a new community within a
community, providing new opportunities to small businesses and families to
grow and thrive.
Hopefully, those in charge will also see this vision’s potential and clear the
way for it to become a reality.
Help the less fortunate this holiday season
Th ousands of Queens families will gather around their dining room tables
today to give thanks for what they have. We hope all have an enjoyable
Th anksgiving.
Of course, there are many families in our borough and beyond who aren’t
as fortunate. Th ey’re battling economic challenges and other problems that
not only make it impossible to aff ord a Th anksgiving meal, but also make it
diffi cult to aff ord a meal any day of the week.
Th is time of year, many organizations hold food drives for the hungry, and
the holiday season compels residents to empty their cupboards and their wallets
to such causes. It’s a wonderful demonstration of generosity.
But, in a larger sense, we must realize that for the many in need, hunger
isn’t confi ned to a single holiday. It’s an everyday experience none of us
would wish upon our worst enemies.
Many charities across New York City, such as City Harvest, work yearround
to feed the city’s hungry. We encourage our readers to take a few minutes
out of their day — and a couple of bucks out of their bank accounts --
and donate to City Harvest, cityharvest.org, or any other local charity that
serves the city’s hungry.
STORY: Entire Flushing High School staff must re-apply for their jobs
as city conducts complete overhaul
SUMMARY: The city is clearing house at a Flushing school in an eff ort
to “turn around” conditions at the struggling institution.
REACH: 17,705 (as of 11/18/17)