New E/G/V subway entrance on Jackson Ave, Long Island City

Around this time last year we started keeping track of the Court Square subway transfer construction and the Jackson Ave beautification project, which are both still currently ripping Jax to shreds. It’s not exactly beautiful yet, but there is quite a bit of progress »

Exterior detail of the Long Island City Public Library at 37-44 21st Street

In the age of the Computer, when some of us barely remember what our handwriting looks like, it’s nice to know that libraries still exist, albeit with increased electronic functionality. Long Island City’s library offerings are somewhat slim, but they offer useful services and and a nice quiet place with free WiFi. Oh yes, and they have books. Remember books? »

Rendering of 10 Court Square, Court Square, Long Island City

We’ll just say it: the future of Long Island City is in Court Square. (Dissenters, take to the comments as usual.) The super-subway-connected area that is undergoing massive change at the moment is only going to be overhauled even further in the coming months. The subway transfer is in progress, Jackson Ave is being, er, ‘beautified’ while new businesses are slowly filling in, the tallest outer borough hotel is set for the area, and interestingly, Rockrose is looking forward to several drastic transformations »

Court Square subway transfer construction progressing, LIC

We took another walk around Court Square, but this time all the way down Jackson Ave to Queens Plaza. Construction (and impending construction) prevails again, so we decided to check in on a couple of projects going on in the area, including MTA improvements, new developments, and, of course, Queens Plaza’s multi-million dollar facelift »

Sign for the forthcoming Burger Garage, Jackson Ave, Long Island City

While the waterfront tends to get all the attention in Long Island City, Court Square (aka Courthouse Square, after the uh… Courthouse) is a serious hub of activity in the hood. Also a sub-section of Hunters Point, Court Square has more development in the hopper than one can imagine… though for sure much is on hold, as it is everywhere. In the meantime though, it’s still constant change and upheaval on good ol’ Jackson Ave.

Some of the change has the potential to be yummy »

Tomato & Wasabi, 25-36 Jackson Ave, Court Square, Long Island City (718) 361-0110

Long Island City really is becoming a nexus for sushi fusion… the latest is Tomato & Wasabi on Jackson Ave at the corner of 44th Drive in Court Square. Taking fusion to new heights (?) by combining Korean & Japanese cuisine with good ol’ NYC pizza. Hence »

Site of new Pestraske saloon, Dutch Kills, 2724 Jackson Ave, Long Island City

A very long time ago, there were rumors that a new Sasha Petraske bar was brewing quietly on Jackson Ave @ Dutch Kills St. Where? Exactly »

Sage General Store, 24-20 Jackson Ave, LIC

Sage General Store, true to Long Island City “soft” opening style, is holding a free tasting tomorrow Thursday, Oct 2nd, from 12-2pm in their new location at 24-20 Jackson Ave, right next to Court Square Wines. The soft opening begins over the weekend, and the new Sage is offering an expanded menu including daily casseroles, gourmet sandwiches, salads, brick oven pizza, soups, Blue Plate Specials, and desserts. Not to mention »

The New York Times magazine this weekend featured a spread on an interestingly decorated apartment at the Arris Lofts. White. From ceiling to floor. No bathroom door or partition. Not quite the NC-17 lobby at the William Beaver House where the the bottom of a glass jacuzzi will also double as the ceiling, but heading in that direction »

Vere Condos, 2626 Jackson Ave, LIC

liQcity welcomes its newest sponsor Vere Condos, the latest condo building to pop up in Court Square at the corner of Purves St & Jackson Ave. We’ve been watching this building for a while, and the general development in Court Square which rivals the Long Island City waterfront in development activity.

Purves St, a small street off Jackson which dead ends at the railroad tracks, is undergoing probably the most major transformation of all the little streets in Court Square.

Vere Condos is hitting the market »