58 The Queens Courier • december 12, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com FEMA releases flood insurance rate maps BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com Preliminary flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) were released last week as the next step in FEMA’s coastal Flood Insurance Study. Insurance rates could go up by hundreds of dollars for homeowners in flood-prone areas, specifically those in south Queens who fell victim to Sandy. Maps will go into effect in 2015. A 90-day appeal and comment period will be opened in spring 2014. Those interested will be able to submit comment to the city online. Once the appeal period is over and all issues are resolved, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination (LFD) to the city that will initiate a six-month adoption period, before the maps become effective. The city has also revised building codes to require standards that reflect new and substantially improved structures as detailed in the preliminary FIRMs. FILE PHOTO FEMA is studying flood-prone areas and has released preliminary flood insurance rate maps for property owners in those areas. TF Cornerstone selected for Phase II of Hunter’s Point South project BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queenscourier.com TF Cornerstone, a real estate developer that has erected several buildings along the Long Island City waterfront, has been selected to build Phase II of the city’s Hunter’s Point South project, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced. Together with Selfhelp Community Services, TF Cornerstone will develop a total of 1,193 new apartments in two high-rise buildings at the Long Island City site. Of those units, which will be a mix of studio, one- , two- , and threebedroom apartments, 796 will be affordable, with 100 reserved for low-income senior citizens, according to HPD. “When TF Cornerstone broke ground on our LIC Waterfront project more than 10 years ago, we envisioned the creation of a multi-faceted, familyfriendly community with diverse retail options, top-of-the-line schools and expansive park space. This designation by HPD enables us to continue our pursuit of these goals in what is now an already-thriving LIC waterfront, while creating greatly needed affordable housing,” said K. Thomas Elghanayan, chairman and co-founder of TF Cornerstone. The buildings will feature a fitness facility, rooftop gardens and decks, children’s playroom, an on-site senior recreational center and other amenities, said the HPD. There are also preliminary plans for a pre-kindergarten, a medical facility, a rock climbing gym, and new restaurants at the site’s 20,000-squarefeet of commercial space. It also has 10,000-square-feet of new community space that will be “programmed with local arts-based community groups.” Additionally, the site design incorporates numerous community green spaces, according to HPD. Designed by ODA, the buildings will also have impressive features. Their design “enhances the Queens skyline” with “stepped terraces that echo the Art Deco skyscrapers of Manhattan.” Renderings Courtesy of ODA TF Cornerstone has been selected to build Phase II of the city’s Hunter’s Point South project, PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES Local clergy members, state and elected officials cut the ribbon to the new Catholic Charities Peter J. Striano Residence for seniors and people with developmental disabilities. Ribbon cut on new HB senior residence BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com Howard Beach welcomed a new residence that the area’s seniors can call home. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens cut the ribbon to the Peter J. Striano Residence, which offers nearly 100 new affordable-housing units to both seniors and persons with developmental disabilities, on Wednesday, December 4. “Many of the seniors I spoke to were excited about their new location,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo. “The residents are enjoying all the amenities under one roof, including the relocated Howard Beach Senior Center and a Meals-on- Wheels program, while being close to banks, shopping, health care facilities, public transportation and restaurants.” The Cross Bay Boulevard site is made up primarily of studio and one-bedroom apartments for low-to-moderate income seniors, and also features oneto two bedroom apartments reserved for the developmentally disabled. The center additionally has a community room, pool table room, art room and community kitchen. Each floor is decorated with a different theme, including the beach and park. “The Peter J. Striano Residence is the kind of transformative project that is key to revitalizing communities and bettering the lives of the most vulnerable,” said Darryl Towns, Commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, a partner in the project. The location has on-site social services, disaster case management services, Citymeals-on-wheels delivery service and an on-site senior center, available also to the larger Howard Beach community. Total development for the center and its amenities was roughly $31 million, largely funded by federal and state lowincome housing tax credits. “Our seniors deserve the opportunity to stay in their own neighborhood and look forward to their golden years knowing that there will be a safe and affordable place they can still call home,” said Councilmember Eric Ulrich. “There is no doubt in my mind that it will have a positive impact on the Howard Beach community for generations to come.”
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