TIMES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 • 24 Move Over Hollywood: Film & TV Studio Buys Glendale’s Atlas Terminals Newsweekly on Tuesday, Dec. 2. “We look forward to working with local officials as we develop our plans to draw on all of the energy around Atlas Park, bringing new jobs, business growth and economic development to Queens.” City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley—whose office is located at the adjacent Shops at Atlas Park—sounded an optimistic note over the deal in an email sent to this paper Tuesday. “I am excited for the potential jobs and new cultural opportunities that may come as a result of this sale,” she stated. “While we still do not know all of the details, I will be working diligently to make sure any new development benefits our community.” “Though we only have preliminary information at this point, I am pleased to hear Broadway Stages could bring a film studio and industry services to our community,” State Sen. Joseph Addabbo added in a statement emailed to the Times Newsweekly Wednesday, Dec. 3. “In addition to the cultural advantages, the renovation and upkeep for a studio could provide job opportunities for my constituents. Both during my tenure in the City Council and now in the State Senate, I have supported tax credits for film production, which has significantly increased jobs and revenue. Also, the new studio’s location next to The Shops at Atlas Park could promote the Shops’ businesses, and overall contribute a boost to our local economy.” On its website, Broadway Stages bills itself as “one of New York’s largest full-service film, television and music production facilities ... equipped to handle every conceivable size, style and type of production, whether it is for film, episodic television series, television pilots, miniseries, music, commercials or studio photography.” The company also boasts its role in producing various television shows such as CBS’ The Good Wife, Unforgettable and Blue Bloods; USA Network’s Royal Pains; HBO’s How to Make it in America; and feature films including It’s Complicated from Universal Pictures and The Brave One from Warner Bros. Broadway Stages is based on Meserole Avenue in Greenpoint; its co-founder, Gina Argento, is also the owner of Maspeth’s Knockdown Center, an arts and entertainment venue that generated controversy earlier this year in its unsuccessful quest for a liquor license. Civic leaders opposed their application, claiming large-scale concerts held there—attended by hundreds—would pose qualityof life problems such as excessive noise, traffic and disorderly behavior for nearby residents. Meanwhile, the deal apparently brings down the curtain on Atlas Terminals, a center of industry for generations that employed thousands of people. Opened in 1922 by Henry Hemmerdinger, the facility at its peak encompassed more than 20 acres and leased space from 40 buildings to large and small businesses. As industry left the area, Atlas Terminals evolved in the last few decades into a warehouse and distribution facility. In the last decade, half of the site was redeveloped into The Shops at Atlas Park, originally a high-end shopping and lifestyle center. Macerich—the retail company that operates Queens Center mall in Elmhurst—purchased Atlas Park after the facility fell into foreclosure following the economic crisis that gripped the nation in 2009. As previously reported in this paper last December, Atco Properties and Management— which previously owned Atlas Terminals and developed Atlas Park—had planned to work with developers on creating a second shopping center on the remaining section of Atlas Terminals. Several businesses that occupied the area—including K-9 Caterers and Tiles Unlimited— were relocated as preparations were made for an environmental cleanup of the site, a known brownfield. However, according to Community Board 5 Chairperson Vincent Arcuri, the shopping center plan eventually fell through. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- Masked Bandits Steal Phones, $ -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. No injuries were reported. Various police units conducted a search of the surrounding area for the suspects and evidence. Despite those efforts, it was noted, no arrests were made. Letters To The Editor this very bleak reality in the form of those martyred- beheaded- and of their last breaths before the savage act to come. We wish we knew the answer. But as with most regions that have long-standing hostilities among its people, the conflict between the factions in Iraq is at the center. The previous prime minister did not create the expected representative government upon his election in 2006. And it is thought that the breeding ground for militant ISIS grew partly from this offense. The Kurds in the eastern region of Iraq desire to ultimately live without conflict and in a democracy. It is thought by some that to support the Kurdish troops would weaken ISIS. Can a representative government in Iraq of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds truly be achieved? Can our country assist with that again (as was supposed to happen after American troops left) in an advisory role? What I know for sure is that as we reflect on heroes and what sacrifice means, we must never forget these humanitarians and journalists. Their lives have been about delivering food, medical supplies and hope to refugees. They have stood in harm’s way as aid workers to save lives. They have also stood in harm’s way as journalists to document the atrocities for the world. In harm’s way is where they kneeled knowing the barbaric act that was to come. We must never forget them. Ann Michitsch Glendale Letters from readers are invited and should be sent by regular mail to Times Newsweekly, P.O. Box 860299, Ridgewood, N.Y. 11386-0299 or by e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All letters must be accompanied by the writer’s full name and address, which will be withheld upon request. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters are subject to editing. The opinions expressed in each letter are not necessarily those of the Times Newsweekly or its staff. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- The case was presented to the 104th Precinct Detective Squad for further investigation, police said.A nyone with information regarding the holdup that could prove helpful is asked to call the 104th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-386-2735; all calls will be kept confidential. Pol Inspired By MTA Report Supporting More Rail Lines recommendation for an aggressive expansion of the existing transit system to meet the needs of growing ridership and create new travel patterns between growing outer-borough neighborhoods under-served by current MTA services. In order to achieve this, the commission recommends taking advantage of unused rail line rights-of-way, such as the Rockaway Beach rail line, as a way to quickly add new rail service. By increasing capacity, the report emphasizes, the MTA can also increase resiliency in the face of major storm events, such as Hurricane Sandy, by increasing riders’ transit options when service to lines is down or overburdened. “The MTA Reinvention Commission is on the right track by calling for reconstructing underutilized rights-of-way to create more affordable public transit options,” said TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen. “Reactivating the Rockaway Beach Line is the ideal place to start. It is the most sensible and practical solution to transportation inequality in southern Queens. It will not only improve inter-modal connectivity throughout the borough, but it will also multiply benefits for the city in quality union jobs, regional economic development, and fare revenues from up to half a million daily riders.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo formed the commission in May to consider changes in customer expectations, commuting trends and extreme weather patterns as the MTA develops future Capital Plans. The commission is co-chaired by former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey, and includes 22 board members with national and international transportation expertise. In June, the commission held three public input sessions calling for recommendations from the communities on how to improve transit. Goldfeder testified that reactivation of the Rockaway Beach rail line—which was taken out of the Long Island Rail Road system in 1962—as the best way to ease traffic on existing roadways, improve transit options for Queens families, and spur economic growth. Goldfeder has long made transportation and the restoration of the Rockaway Beach Rail Line a top priority. In February of 2012, he called on Cuomo to immediately restore the line to ease commutes for Queens residents. In May of that year, Goldfeder launched a petition that garnered nearly 7,000 signatures that were later delivered to Cuomo, the Port Authority, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in support of bringing the line back to life. Most recently, the assemblyman joined Queens College in releasing a student-led comprehensive and objective study of reactivating the Rockaway Beach rail line. That study found that the line could generate up to 500,000 trips a day and that reactivation could cost less than $1 billion. The assemblyman’s proposal to reactivate the line has generated a coalition of support among elected officials, union leaders and transit advocates. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING! Help New Yorkers Who Are In Need. Donate To Your Local Toys-For-Tots Drive. Give Non-Perishable Food Items To A Local Charity.
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