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QUEENS WEEKLY, JULY 5, 2020
Flushing artist creates new mural inspiring
hope at Queens Place Mall in Elmhurst
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
A new mural at Queens Place
Mall in Elmhurst is inspiring
hope during these uncertain
times.
The mural, which is in close
proximity to Elmhurst Hospital,
was designed to spread the
message that we are all “in it
together.”
Madison International Realty
commissioned the original mural
by Flushing graffiti artist, Stae2,
of the MAC Collective, a graffiti
and mural company that specializes
in branded artwork with authentic
graffiti roots.
Evan Walke, portfolio manager
of Madison International
Realty, said the company commissioned
the mural because
of its interest in public art and
the presence it can have in the
community.
“We welcome the opportunity
to provide artwork at our properties
as a way to bring authenticity
and inspiration to the neighborhood.
Queens Place Mall is
an integral part of the Elmhurst
community and we believe in supporting
local artists. We hope that
this mural conveys the message
that we are all “In It Together” as
we navigate the current crises of
a global pandemic and social injustices,”
Walke said.
The mural, located at 88-01
Queens Blvd., took about two
full days to complete, according
to Stae2. The artist said the opportunity
came at a perfect time
as he was hoping to contribute
to the community during some
challenging times.
“It meant a lot to me that I
would be able to paint the mural
in the borough I have called home
for most of my life,” Stae2 said.
“I wanted to convey a colorful
message that despite our differences,
we have always been ‘in it
together.’”
Stae2 combines his background
in street art with traditional
elements of typography
and graphic design. His mural
designs often focus on a word or
phrase, and, in this case, he wanted
to focus on the word ‘together,’
he said.
“I planned on the word being
BOLD but also wanted to dissect it.
My intention was to create layers
using various colors and shapes
to draw a parallel to Queens’ cultural
layers, as the nation’s most
diverse county, Stae2 said. “This
diversity is what makes Queens
so special to all of us.”
For Stae2, it’s a delight to see
his artwork displayed and viewed
by the public.
“Unlike a planned museum
trip, there is something special to
me about seeing unexpected artwork
on your day to day,” Stae2
said. “I also enjoy the painting
process where I interact and hear
what the community has to say
first hand. Though it’s not always
sweet, I feel as an artist I come
away more educated with these
experiences and interactions.”
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed
by e-mail at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com or by phone at
(718) 260–4526.
The mural at Queens Place Mall, which is in close proximity to Elmhurst Hospital, was designed to spread the
message that we are all “in it together.” Photo courtesy of Madison International Realty
Council revs up cycling boom with legalization of e-bikes, e-scooters
BY MARK HALLUM
The New York City
Council adopted its own
legislation Thursday approving
the use of e-bikes
and e-scooters, six months
after the state approved its
own bill requiring helmets
and speed limits.
The city’s legislation
lifts the prohibition on ebikes
with top speeds under
25 miles per hour and
e-scooters with top speeds
under 20. It also lowers
fines for unlawful operation
of either of these from
$500 to $250.
Advocates have viewed
the fines as particularly
burdensome for low-income
immigrants in the
city working as delivery
workers. With many of
them over the age of 40, a
primary complaint from
transit groups and delivery
workers has been
impounding fees of over
$1,000, among other effects
of what they view as overpolicing.
“By legalizing e-scooters
and e-bikes, while
mandating adherence
to state and local safety
laws, we are meeting the
needs of people in transit
deserts, people not served
by bike-share programs,
people who need e-bikes
and scooters for work and
reducing the number of
cars on our streets,” Bronx
Councilman Fernando Cabrera,
who sponsored the
bills, said.
Also passed was legislation
to launch a year-long
pilot for shared e-scooters
in transit-starved neighborhoods
which have yet
to be served by bike share
programs such as CitiBike
or Revel. The city
Department of Transportation,
however, will be
required to sign off on this
program.
“The e-scooter pilot
will allow us to develop
the best practices for
scooter-share programs in
underserved communities
with options for people
with disabilities,” Cabrera
added. “Over the past year
and a half, we’ve heard the
concerns of diverse constituencies,
including the
delivery workers who have
kept people fed during the
coronavirus pandemic.“
Not all were keen on
e-bikes and scooter share
programs, however.
Intro. 1250-a passed 39-8
in the Council, followed by
Intro. 1264-a with 42-5, and
Intro. 1266-A with 38-9.
Queens Councilman
Rory Lancman said he had
safety concerns regarding
the riders of e-bikes
and scooters saying that
the speeds at which they
travel could be dangerous
on New York City’s carchoked
streets.
“I’m going to vote no
on 1250 and 1266 relating
to the e-scooters, I just
think there are important
safety issues for the riders
and pedestrians that have
to be resolved. We’re reimagining
how our streetscape
is going to look and
I think we need to do that
deliberately,” Lancman
said. “I wish that we were
talking about a modest pilot
with the public’s ability
to use the scooters, but going
from zero to 60 – if you
don’t mind the transit metaphor
– is a little too much
for me.”
Manhattan Councilwoman
Helen Rosenthal
was in favor of these
bills but pushed for better
enforcement of how
they are operated safely,
namely people going to
the wrong direction down
one-way roads and riding
through parks. One
tool for this would be the
NYPD’s facial recognition
technology, she said.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn/
Queens Councilman Antonio
Reynoso approved the
bills while asserting that
there should be a discussion
on how to dispose of
e-bikes and scooters given
their limited lifespan —
and the effect that could
have on the environment.
Reach reporter Mark
Hallum by e-mail at
mhallum@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718)
260–4564.
File photo
/schnepsmedia.com
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