8 THE QUEENS COURIER • MAY 20, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Astoria community leaders call for approval
of ‘crucial’ $2 billion Innovation QNS project
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th e developers behind the $2 billion
Innovation QNS proposal for transforming
fi ve blocks of “vacant or underutilized”
property near Kaufman Astoria Studios
into a “vibrant hub of activity and a new
anchor of opportunity” in the neighborhood
are gearing up for its fi rst public
hearing in the city’s public review process.
Th e project would bring more than
2,800 units of mixed-income housing and
offi ces for startups and other businesses
in the creative and tech sectors, supported
by more than 5,400 on-site jobs, including
1,700 permanent jobs and more than
3,700 during construction.
Proponents of the massive project
frame the investment as key to Astoria’s
renaissance during the COVID-19 pandemic
economic recovery.
“For many years we have been advocating
for the jobs and the amenities that this
project will bring for our neighborhood,”
Astoria Tenants Association President
Claudia Coger said. “We don’t have them
now when they are desperately needed.
It’s crucial that Innovation QNS continues
to move forward, so we know that in the
future they will be here for our children
and families in Astoria.”
Coger joined several key Astoria business
owners and restaurateurs, community
based nonprofi ts and clergy, all urging
approval of the Innovation QNS project.
“Employment, education and poverty
are signifi cant issues facing many in our
community, and it’s more important than
ever that we fi nd ways to address these,”
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement
Executive Director Chris Hanway said.
“Innovation QNS is not overlooking the
residents of western Queens. It’s actively
engaging us. It’s not looking to replace
our neighbors. It’s truly inclusive, something
that I feel stands out, and will bring
opportunity and enrichment to our community
and will off er access and community
empowerment through educational
and other programming for residents
of all ages.”
Th e development is a collaboration
between Kaufman Astoria Studios,
Silverstein Properties, and BedRock Real
Estate Partners. Th e project team devised
Innovation QNS following three years of
dialogue with local stakeholders, and the
plan includes 700 permanently aff ordable
apartments for individuals earning
an average of $50,000 including dedicated
aff ordable housing for seniors.
“Th ere is a tremendous need for housing
in New York City, and in Astoria, that’s
especially true for our seniors,” HANAC
Executive Director Stacy Bliagos said.
“By providing not only dedicated senior
housing, but also community health and
wellness facilities and a wide range of
shops and amenities in walking distance,
Innovation QNS will allow our parents,
grandparents and older neighbors to age
in place with dignity.”
Th e project also has more than two
acres of public open space that will be
programmed with input from the community.
Th ere are also plans for a new
state-of-the-art cinema and community
arts and culture hub as well as a full-service
grocery store at the site, which spans
fi ve blocks and is centered at the intersection
of Steinway Street and 35th Avenue.
“What’s most exciting about the expansion
of the Kaufman Arts District is the
partnership with nonprofi ts that will
make the arts more inclusive and equitable,”
said Rev. Corwin S. Mason, pastor of
the Community Church of Astoria. “We
are creating opportunities for African
American artists and curators to join the
growing mosaic of arts and culture in
Astoria and opening the door for young
people of color in our community to learn
about, experience and create.”
David Kilmnick, the president and CEO
of the LGBT Network — which moved its
headquarters into the Kaufman Astoria
Studios in January — added his endorsement
to the project.
“Innovation QNS is an initiative that is
going to bring together opportunities for
jobs and housing and entertainment and
support for Astoria’s nonprofi t organizations
and cultural institutions, and the
LGBT community is going to be a core
component of that,” Kilmnick said.
Th e Department of City Planning will
be holding a hearing in the coming weeks
to determine what environmental components
will be examined prior to certifi cation
of the project into the city’s ULURP
review and approval process. Innovation
QNS hopes to enter that public review
process in late 2021 with fi nal approval by
the fall of 2022.
“When I look at the neighborhood, I see
a need for more opportunity so our neighbors
— from children to seniors — can
stay here,” Cronin & Phelan’s Restaurant
Owner Mike Peacock said. “We are all
going to need to work together to keep
our resources and our dollars local, while
bringing in new residents, visitors and
investment that can support our existing
Courtesy of Innovation QNS business.”
Courtesy of Innovation QNS
A fi ve-block area of Astoria would be transformed by the $2 billion Innovation QNS development, which is approaching the city’s public review process.
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