No. 7 train will grace these tracks again this weekend, LIC

We have never used the word ‘woohoo’ in a title, but in this case, it probably doesn’t even do the news justice. It seems that our friends over at the MTA (yes, now they’re our friends) have finished the 7 train repairs three weekends ahead of schedule, and Long Island City’s precious chariot will operate on its regular weekend schedule, starting this coming weekend. That deserves another woohoo »

It appears this morning, a man was touring the Avalon Riverview North luxury rental building at the LIC waterfront, and unexpectedly jumped off a balcony on the 25th floor of the building. As in suicide. There are a few stories circulating about the specifics, but it does appear that a man jumped to his death today from the 25th floor of Avalon North.

UPDATE 3/7/10 »

The ‘Flower Tower’ Condos, as imagined by architect Karen Bausman — photo

Wow. Say hello to the ‘Flower Tower’ condo project. Curbed has the scoop on Long Island City’s latest new development, mysteriously slated for a ‘location near the East River’. Bye-bye curtain wall. Hello Solar Panal facade.

The brainchild of Karen Bausman, who says about the project: “As its name suggests, Flower Tower’s façade is designed to operate like a wall of morning glories—adjusting to sunlight throughout the day, both regulating light and gathering solar energy.”

From the website »

Start with a brownfield, add two parts human labor and one part sod, and… Insta-Park! The expansion of Gantry Park into the East Coast compound (and around the astroturf ‘park’) has made some serious progress – just in time for Spring to finally show up »

Signage for the forthcoming Z Hotel, Long Island City

In some places, the first sounds and sights of Spring are birds singing and flowers budding. In Long Island City, it’s jackhammers pounding and real estate developments sprouting. Though this season’s crop is blighted by the economy, there’s still some interesting new growth »

Powerhouse Condos, 2nd St & 51st Ave, Hunters Point, Long Island City

Over at Curbed, where they love the juicy goings-on of the LIC real estate market, they received notice of condos gone rental at the Powerhouse. Nothing too surprising there, considering the sales slump, except that upon investigation, it seems the building is not officially offering any units for rent, but a private buyer who purchased many units.

Here’s the offering »

Vanessa Beecroft at Deitch Studios, Armory Arts Week, Long Island City

On Friday, liQcity checked out the art studios and galleries in Long Island City participating in the Armory Arts Week. There was so much happening at once, it was hard to catch it all. Despite skipping legacies like Noguchi, PS1, Sculpture Center, the studios and galleries visited revealed a remarkably wide spectrum of contemporary art available in the hood, from the internationally acclaimed to the local and underground. All of it within walking distance of each other and inside the elusive boundaries of LIC.

At the Deitch Studios, interspersing white nude female sculptures with live nude models painted white, international sensation Vanessa Beecroft brought some high-concept art to the table with her performance and sculpture exhibit ‘VB64′. The viewing scene was just as interesting as the exhibition: against the night skyline backdrop, hundreds of people walking back and forth on 44th Drive, and hovering poker faced around the performance. The live models resembled the static statues interspersed among them, and would move occasionally, giving the visual effect of sculpture in motion.

Beecroft frequently collaborates with Kanye West, who was also rumored to have been in attendance. The sculpture exhibit is still on display, with video of the live performance from Friday.

Another highlight of the show »

View from the Ravel Hotel rooftop, Long Island City

Morning linkage right this way »

Idiotarod raced over the Queensboro bridge this weekend, LIC – photo

Did you see any heavily costumed people running around Long Island City with elaborately decorated shopping carts this weekend? If you didn’t catch the Idiotarod, which ran from the Upper East Side over the Queensboro and through LIC to Greenpoint, Brooklyn Vegan has a zillion great shots, and an explanation courtesy of Wikipedia »

7 train, Court Square, Long Island City

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My. Actually, it’s the MTA again… everyone’s favorite local transportation authority.

It’s been a long time since liQcity’s inbox has been slammed with complaints about the same topic (read: never), but the MTA’s proposed shutdown of the 7 train between Times Sq and Queensboro Plaza for the next consecutive 9 weekends seems to have struck more than a few nerves in Hunters Point.

In fact, on Sunday there was an organized protest by local politicians and community members against the MTA calling for increased reparations to our forsaken village »

Marathon runners make their way down Vernon Blvd this past weekend, LIC

Holy Linkage! Well, we’re playing a bit of catch up, and as usual lots of activity in Long Island City.

The Queensbridge Theatre Cafe is progressing in its development in the little village of Ravenswood, just north of the Queensboro Bridge. Gothamist interviewed one of the owners about the dying nightscene in the LES and the consequent decision to open a venue in LIC, which is currently scheduled to pop in February 09.

The PepsiCola sign »

There’s lots of Halloween activity going on tonight in Long Island City:

2:00 – 6:00pm Subdivision Boutique is hosting games and a trunk show. 48-18 Vernon Blvd

5:00 p Kids Parade down Vernon Blvd starting at Tournesol 50-12 Vernon Blvd

6:30 p (sharp) A Scary Witch tells a story at Manducatis Rustica, with apple cider and treats 46-35 Vernon Blvd

8:00 pm Lounge 47 is hosting a pumpkin carving party 47-10 Vernon Blvd

Radiant Movement Yoga and Pilates Studio at the Arris Lofts is hosting a Halloween Movement Feast tonight from 6-9pm, RSVP required.

If there are any other happenings tonight or this weekend for Halloween, feel free to post in the comments.

Painted building on Jackson Ave, next to Dutch Kills bar entrance, LIC

To kick off the linkage, there’s tons of press about the shooting that occurred this week on 21st St near 41st Ave in Long Island City.

In other LIC media sightings »

View from the Prestige Condos, Hunters Point, Long Island City

The Fall condo bloom in Long Island City is continued by the Prestige Condos, formerly known as Greenview. Low-rise building and open lofts with more than decent views. Virtual doorman, rooftop gym, built in apt speakers, storage, and standard luxury applicance offerings. You know.

Clocking in »

LIC Corner Deli is no more. Vernon Blvd, Hunters Point, LIC

In case you were wondering what happened to the LIC Corner Deli »

New Development Long Island City/Astoria, near Vernon Blvd

Some quick LIC linkage coming at you right now »

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 »

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 »

Hunters Point Greenmarket, LIC

The Hunters Point Community Development Corporation is hosting a Eco-friendly Crafts Fair tomorrow at the LIC Greenmarket.

“Local crafts people will blend with the farmers who sell locally grown produce to create an Eco-friendly shopping and buying environment. Eco-friendly crafts are not just goods made with sustainable material like help or bamboo, but also include items that are handmade or refashioned from recycled or reusable products.”

Happening tomorrow »

NYC Hurricane Evacuation Map

With all of the recent hurricane activity, looks like analysts are calculating the risk for NYC in the unfortunate case that we get hit by a CAT3 or worse. It looks like the first to go under would be lower Manhattan, followed by riverfront neighborhoods heading northward… which includes our little town, especially Hunters Point. In fact, according to the hurricane evacuation map, all of Hunters Point is either Zone A or B, meaning we’re the first to have to evacuate in the case of hurricane.

“Several recent studies have suggested »

Prestige Condo Development, 5th St & 50th Ave, Hunters Point, LIC,

The Prestige Condos (formerly known as Greenview) at the corner of 50th ave are hitting the market in the fall. Loft units in a low rise building, with staggered roof-decks and rolling Hunters Point views… and of course, the skyline of an other unmentioned borough, as per the standard luxury amenities in LIC »

Swoon’s ‘Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea’ at Deitch studios, LIC — photo credit

Don’t let it be said that development is depriving LIC of its artist community… ok, well someday that might happen, but for now LIC still has some un-condofied industrial spaces currently left to the whims of local artists »

Queens West remediation, Hunters Point, LIC

There seems to be some continuing issues with the toxic remediation of the remaining portion of the Queens West site at the Hunters Point waterfront. There’s been a growing number of complaints about petroleum-like odors emanating from the site and causing illness in the neighborhood. This week on Vernon Blvd, the fire department responded to suspected gas leak. None were found, and it was concluded that the callers had mistaken fumes from the nearby development sites (OCA as well) for the gas leak.

Joe Conley of CB2 and Paul Januszewski of Queens West Development Corp are requesting LIC residents to confirm the presence of odors/fumes emanating from the site, and/or any suspected related illnesses »

Mainco building on 51st Ave to host MetFoods, Vernon/Jackson, LIC

Yes, the rumors about MetFoods coming to the old Mainco elevator building on 51st Ave between Vernon & 5th St are true »

Casa Vizcaya – circa Aug 2008, Hunters Point, Long Island City

Last we checked into Casa Vizcaya, they were having some trouble regarding damage to a neighbor’s home. Work on the new dev was shut down for a couple months, and we checked in with the sales office and the neighbor for an update on where things are.

Casa Vizcaya has 4 units left for sale, all 1-2BRs with 1000+SF of space. Looks like the sales office on Vernon is being transitioned by Corcoran for another new condo project further down Vernon in Astoria/LIC, called the Orient.

And what’s up with the neighbors? »