MASPETH MIDDLE VILLAGE: OUR NEIGHBORHOODS MIDDLE VILLAGE No one would ever confuse it for JFK or LaGuardia, but once upon a time, Middle Village was a stopover for business travelers. The neighborhood’s name and origin date back to the Jamaica and Williamsburgh Turnpike, a toll dirt road opened in the 19th century that would later evolve into Metropolitan Avenue. Farmers from Jamaica and points east would use the road to and from a ferry connecting to Manhattan to reach the various markets for their goods. There were no trains or trucks at that time, only horse-drawn c a r r i a g e s - - and the trip between Long Island and M a n h a t t a n took more than a day to complete. Travelers would stop for a meal and rest at the taverns and inns that cropped up at the midway point of the turnpike-- a community that was named Middle Village. The advent of the trolley-- fi rst horse-drawn, later steam-powered and fi nally electrifi ed-- would transform Middle Village from a destination of the past to the dwelling place that it is today. The trolley made it possible for people in Brooklyn and Manhattan who wanted to get out of the city to settle in a more leisurely setting. Even in the 21st century, Middle Village remains an urban residential oasis in the heart of Queens. There are times when it’s easy to forget that the neighborhood is part of New York City-- especially walking down the quiet, residential blocks set away from the main roadways. M i d d l e Village remains a stable and strong community. The median income is $71,393, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Real estate values are through the roof; StreetEasy.com currently has 15 residential listings with a median price of $688,000, or about $444 per square foot. One-bedroom apartments in the area are going for a minimum of $1,600 per month. Whatever a Middle Village resident could want, they could seemingly fi nd it on the neighborhood’s version of Main Street: Metropolitan Avenue between 73rd Place and 80th Street. The strip boasts several meat markets, fruit and vegetable stands, real estate brokers, banks, pharmacies, restaurants, delis, pizzerias, laundromats, medical offi ces, a supermarket, a hardware store and (more recently) a Salvation Army thrift store. Residents of Middle Village care deeply about their community. They take part in regular meetings of civic groups such as the Juniper Park Civic Association and the Middle Village Property Owners/ Residents Association, both of which actively work toward keeping an eye on both the neighborhood and government affairs. The Middle Village Chamber of Commerce continues its efforts to protect small businesses along Metropolitan Avenue and keep them fl ourishing in good times and bad. The Kiwanis Club of Middle Village, a relatively new branch of Kiwanis International, advances the organization’s charitable causes both at home and around the world. Two local houses of worship also serve as hubs of activity: St. Margaret Church and Our Lady of Hope Church. There the faithful turn not only to pray but to participate in community events including youth sports, social affairs and charity drives helping those less fortunate. At the heart of the community lies what many Middle Villagers call the crown jewel of New York City parks. Juniper Valley Park is 55 acres of rolling hills, well-manicured fi elds, tall trees and lively playgrounds where young and old gather to play, to relax, to enjoy nature and to have a good time. Add it all up, and it’s no wonder that so many people think of Middle Village as being not just a nice place to visit, but also a wonderful place to live. LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN Quick Midville facts Note: Census fi gures based on 2010 stats for the Middle Village ZIP code of 11379 Population: 34,821 Median age: 42.4 Male population: 16,529 (47.5%) Female population: 18,292 (52.5%) Average household size: 2.48 Total housing units: 14,649 Occupied units: 13,881 (94.8%) Median household income: $71,393 Foreign-born population: 11,767 Individuals below poverty line: 9.8% Students attaining at least a high school diploma: 84.8% NYPD 104th Precinct 64-02 Catalpa Ave., Ridgewood Phone 718-386-3004 Representatives in government Congress: Grace Meng Assembly: Catherine Nolan, Margaret Markey and Andrew Hevesi State Senate: Joseph Addabbo City Council: Elizabeth Crowley 6 TIMES • MAY 26, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com
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