24 DECEMBER 30, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Queens’ top stories from November 2021
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
CMOHAMED@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
As 2021 comes to an end, QNS has
compiled a list of the biggest
stories, events and people of
Queens that grabbed our attention
this year.
Here’s a look back at the top stories
for the month of November.
OLDEST GAY BAR IN
QUEENS TO REMAIN IN
JACKSON HEIGHTS
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was
held in November at Queens’ oldest
gay bar, Friends Tavern, that will
remain a cornerstone in the Jackson
Heights community aft er the owner
purchased the building in which it
has operated for more than three
decades.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz
had connected the owner, Eddie
Valentin and his business partner
Casimiro Villa, with the Queens
Chamber of Commerce. That led to
an introduction to representatives
from TD Bank and a mortgage.
For three decades, Friends Tavern
has been a refuge for the LGBTQ
community, not only from the U.S.
but from many countries around the
world. According to Valentin, they’re
looking forward to the next 30 years
of creating friendships and giving
love back to the community.
FOREST HILLS AND
REGO PARK RESIDENTS
REJECT DEMOLITION OF
TOWER DINER & TRYLON
THEATRE
During the Community Board 6
Land Use Committee hearing held
in November, Forest Hills and Rego
Park residents were opposed to the
demolition of the Tower Diner and
Ohr Natan Synagogue to make way
for a mixed-use development on
Queens Boulevard.
The applicant, RJ Capital Holdings
under Trylon LLC, presented a redevelopment
plan to erect a 15-story
building on the triangular block
of the Trylon Theater that houses
the synagogue at 98-81 Queens Blvd.
and Tower Diner at 98-85 Queens
Blvd.
The developer is seeking to
construct a 153,000-square-foot
development, which includes 144
total units with 44 of those units as
affordable housing under the city’s
Mandatory Inclusionary Housing
Program, 136,000 square feet for
residential space, and 17,400 square
feet for commercial space, with 45
parking spaces, including bicycle
parking on site.
Friend’s Tavern will remain a cornerstone of the Jackson Heights gay community after the owners purchased
the Roosevelt Avenue building it has operated in for more than three decades.
Photo courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce
FIVE ARRESTED AFTER
RIOTS ERUPT IN MIDDLE
VILLAGE FOLLOWING
KYLE RITTENHOUSE
VERDICT
Police officers arrested five individuals
in Middle Village following
the verdict of the high-profile Kyle
Rittenhouse trial in November that
sparked riots in the neighborhood.
A jury found Rittenhouse not
guilty of homicide, attempted homicide
and other charges relating
to the 2020 shootings in Kenosha,
Wisconsin.
According to police, about 40 to
50 people were gathered in Crowley
Park in Elmhurst going from town
to town wreaking havoc.
Law enforcement had observed a
group of people marching through
Middle Village, screaming and
throwing garbage cans into the
path of police vehicles to prevent
officers from following them. The
group also ran up to several houses
to remove American flags, break
mailboxes and damaged multiple
parked cars.
BOE RELEASES
UNOFFICIAL ELECTION
RESULTS FOR RACES IN
QUEENS
New Yorkers went out to cast
their votes during the consequential
general election in November,
which included voting for who will
become the next mayor of New York
City, as well as other citywide races
for comptroller and public advocate.
In District 19, three candidates
— Democratic candidate and
former Councilman Tony Avella,
Republican candidate Vicki Paladino
and Conservative candidate
John-Alexander Sakelos — looked
to replace term-limited incumbent
Councilman Paul Vallone.
In District 32, three candidates —
Democratic candidate Felicia Singh,
Republican candidate Joann Ariola
and Community First candidate
Kenichi Wilson — also battled it out
to represent the southern Queens
area.
Queens residents also voted
for borough president, having to
choose between Democratic incumbent
Donovan Richards and Republican
candidate Thomas Zmich.
OFF-DUTY COP BUSTED
IN OZONE PARK FOR
SELLING STEROIDS IN
UNDER COVER STING:
DA
An off-duty cop out of the 84th
Precinct in Brooklyn, was arraigned
at Queens County Criminal
Court in November for selling
steroids from the parking lot of the
Coliseum Gym in Woodhaven.
Police officer Maurice Lemelin,
33, a Queens resident, was charged
with possessing and selling a controlled
substance after he allegedly
sold anabolic steroids to an undercover
detective in a sting operation
in October and November, according
to Queens District Attorney
Melinda Katz.
Lemelin is scheduled to return to
court on Jan. 27, 2022. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
LOTTERY LAUNCHES
FOR GOTHAM POINT
DUAL-TOWER PROJECT
IN LONG ISLAND CITY
Plans were unveiled for the dualtower
residential project, Gotham
Point, located in the Hunters Point
South neighborhood of Long Island
City.
The development, announced
two years ago, consists of two
towers that will include 1,132 total
residences with 75% of units priced
at affordable rates, senior housing,
shared amenities, community facility
and retail space.
Gotham Point’s South Tower, or
Parcel G, will be 33 stories tall and
is estimated to be completed this
year between Second Street and
Newtown Creek. The North Tower,
of Parcel F, will stand at 57 stories
and is expected to be completed in
2022.
YEAR IN REVIEW
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