4 The Courier sun • AUGUST 18, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Courtesy Kristina M./Yelp Flagship Diner in Briarwood plans to stay open for three more years despite the sale of the property on which it sits. Long-standing Flagship Diner in Briarwood loses its lease, but will stay open through 2019 By Justin Alvarez editorial@qns.com/@QNS The Flagship Diner located at 138-30 Queens Blvd. has been a staple in the Briarwood company for more than half a century. But the diner’s future could be in doubt after the site was sold to White Rock Management Group LLC for $6.125 million last month, according to Department of Finance records. The diner’s owners intend to remain open at the site through the end of its current lease in 2019. Demolitions permits were filed and approved for the site on July 26, and the management group plans to construct a seven-story, 64-unit residential complex in its place. Vincent Pupplo, co-owner of the diner, said he doesn’t see the diner relocating after it lease is up three years from now. “I don’t see any disputes arising within the three years while we are here,” Pupplo said about the restaurant remaining on the land after being sold. MILLIONS ALLOCATED FOR JAMAICA TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS By Michael Tabrizi editorial@qns.com/@QNS New York State has allocated $7.65 million in funding for improvements to the Jamaica Transportation Center Station Plaza. The many improvements that will come about from this state funding “will make the busy downtown Jamaica area safer and more accessible to both pedestrians and motorists,” according to state Senator James Sanders Jr. As Sanders announced this plan, he expressed his hopes that the project will garner “job growth and an increase in the amount of people enjoying the many goods and services available in the community.” This project is a massive endeavor that includes completely changing Archer Avenue. The plan will widen the avenue, creating new bus lanes and bus stops. This change, among others, will help to ease the flow of traffic and eliminate congestion as much as possible. New traffic signals will also be added to make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street. Along with the streets, sidewalks along Archer Avenue will also be widened and less congested. The plan will also create two new MTA subway entrance staircases on the corner with Archer Avenue as well as with Sutphin Boulevard. The particulars of the plan have yet to be released. The State Senate is currently awaiting word from the Department of Transportation on a timeline of the plan and any other information regarding the effect construction with have on traffic in the area. Courtesy The Rockaway Times The Marcal Group is planning to build four nine-story, mixed-used buildings in Rockaway Park. MIXED-USED BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT PLANED IN ROCKAWAY PARK By Justin Alvarez editorial@qns.com/@QNS The Marcal Group announced today its plan to develop four nine-story, mixed-used buildings in Rockaway Park. The Brooklyn based company plans to establish the development called Seaport Landing between Beach 115th and Beach 117th streets in Rockaway. The lot in which the buildings will be constructed is empty, except there is one building occupying the space that has yet to be demolished. According to New York Yimby, demolition permits that will allow work to begin on the property haven’t been filed yet. While the chief executive officer of Marcal Group, Mark Caller, said his company isn’t an affordable housing developer, the new complex is set to feature 158 condominiums that will be affordable to senior citizens. The idea behind the plan is to develop a good residential living situation that will eventually lead to well developed and healthy retail establishments.
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