FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com december 18, 2014 • The Queens Courier 37 QueensWay gets $443,750 state grant for park design By Queens Courier Staff [email protected] @QueensCourier The campaign to turn an abandoned railroad line into a new park running through Queens got a huge lift with a $443,750 grant from the state that was announced on Dec. 12. The project, called QueensWay, will be able to use the funding from the New York City Regional Economic Development Council toward the design of the first phase of the proposed park, officials said on Dec. 12. “This vital grant brings us one step closer to making the QueensWay a reality,” said Rep. Joe Crowley. “I thank Gov. Cuomo and the New York City Regional Economic Development Council for their steadfast commitment to building a unique park in our borough that will not only provide great health and environmental benefits to the surrounding communities but also the potential to spur significant economic growth in the area.” Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi said the governor’s economic council targets funding to projects that will have an impact on the local economy. “The QueensWay is one of those projects and I’m glad to support the great effort of The Trust for Public Land and Friends of the QueensWay to bring this transformative project to our community,” he said. Funding, which goes jointly to the Friends of Queensway and The Trust for Public Land, will be used to design the park’s “Northern Gateway” section, beginning in Rego Park, near Forest Hills. “This site, at the north end of the QueensWay, is an ideal way to begin to connect the residents to a portion of this 47-acre corridor,” read a statement announcing the grant. “The section will retain and feature a large number of mature trees and will include a nature-themed adventure playground, large bioretention basins and other green infrastructure that can absorb large quantities of stormwater, and access paths to adjacent streets.” QueensWay calls for converting the 3.5-mile-long former rail corridor into a “linear park and cultural greenway.” While the project enjoys the support of many elected A rendering of plans for the proposed QueensWay. officials, it also faces opposition from other city and state lawmakers who want the MTA to return rail service that they say is desperately needed to link southern Queens with Manhattan. “I am deeply disappointed with the Regional Economic Development Council’s recent decision to grant funding for a park proposal on Rockaway Beach Rail Line right-of-way. Our tax dollars are being wasted on overpriced out-of-borough consultants that shove their one-sided studies and expensive designs down our Rendering courtesy of thequeensway.org throats. The Council has once again ignored the needs of real Queens families who struggle with our lack of transit options,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “It’s clear that reactivating the Rockaway Beach Rail Line is the best and most cost-effective way to expand transit in Queens while easing commutes, creating jobs, cleaning the environment and expanding our economic development. I will continue to fight until this becomes a reality and our families in Queens have the transportation options they need and deserve.” Former Council Speaker Peter Vallone’s portrait unveiled for his 80th birthday BY THE QUENS COURIER STAFF [email protected] @QueensCourier Former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr. got a surprise birthday party to remember last week at City Hall, where his family gathered with hundreds of friends and colleagues to unveil his official portrait. Vallone, who served nearly three decades in the Council representing Astoria, turned 80. Joining Vallone on Dec. 9 were Mayor de Blasio, former Mayor David Dinkins, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Letitia James and former Council Speaker Gifford Miller. One of the most widely respected city officials in recent years, Vallone was the first member of the Council to hold the post of speaker, which made him the second most powerful elected official in the city from 1986 until he stepped down from the Council at the end of 2001 when term limits went into effect. “I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for making tonight such a special night for my family and especially for my father, Peter F. Vallone, Sr. It was incredible to see so many of my father’s friends, family and former colleagues join us in celebration of his 80th birthday as well as the unveiling of his portrait in City Hall,” said Councilman Paul Vallone, who along with former Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr., has followed in his father’s footsteps in the Council. After singing “Happy Birthday,” Vallone’s portrait was unveiled in the members’ lounge, where it will hang for years to come. “To Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Mayor David Dinkins, Public Advocate Letitia James, Speaker Gifford Miller and all of my colleagues in the City Council, I thank you for speaking so highly of my father and of the work he was able to accomplish during his time as speaker. Happy birthday, Dad!” said Paul Vallone. Vallone presided over the Council as its powers and size were expanded following the revision of the City Charter that ended the old Board of Estimate. The lifelong Democrat also played a central role in establishing the Safe Streets, Safe City program along with Dinkins that added 7,000 officers to the NYPD during the worst crime wave in city history. The program, funded by a temporary tax surcharge that has since expired, was a major success and played a role in the historic drop in crime. Since his retirement, Vallone has practiced law and taught political science. Photo courtesy of Councilman Paul Vallone’s office Peter F. Vallone with his wife and family
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