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 »

7-train, Queensboro Plaza, LIC

In a bizarre twist of news from the MTA, apparently you can thank the snowstorm for something:

[Via CB2] “This is to advise you that all service diversions scheduled to take place on the 7 line in support of track and tunnel work in the Long Island City area on the February 27-March 1, 2010 weekend has been CANCELLED due to the snowstorm affecting the New York Metropolitan Area. Work is scheduled to resume on the March 6-8 weekend »

LIC exhaust fans from above – Photo

LIC’s recent Town Hall stirred up everyone in attendance over the 7 train shutdowns, but that wasn’t the only MTA-related issue under fire. The noise of the exhaust fans parked on 50th Ave between 2nd & 5th St – which seem to be right up there with the LIRR drone on the list of extreme LIC annoyances – is back in the spotlight »

Apparently things got pretty heated last night during the 7 train Town Hall at LIC’s Manducatis Rustica. In a packed house, MTA reps came face to face with locals – all frustrated, some straight-up irate – who sounded off on the 7 train but also on the infernal noise of the MTA exhaust fan. According to Fox, Van Bramer is demanding a follow-up meeting with the MTA to move forward »

Phantom 7 train, Queens Plaza, Long Island City

Hot on the heels of the B62 debacle and the G train blues comes more disappointing news for LIC from the MTA: 7 train service is being suspended for 7 consecutive winter weekends, from January 29th through March 29th, 2010. Hunters Pointers can rejoice in the return of the nabe’s favorite MTA shuttle bus from Vernon/Jackson to Queens Plaza. Aah, fun times. And so convenient too! »

New B62 bus stop at Jackson Ave and 11th St, Long Island City

Well it finally happened. The legendary B61 bus route, which ran from Red Hook (Brooklyn) to Long Island City has been split into two routes, and the brand new B62 line now runs a humble route from Downtown Brooklyn to Queens Plaza. Though the intention was to ease congestion and improve bus service, the general consensus about the B62 has been quite… unsatisfactory. The MTA disappoints? Shocking »

Sunset over the LIRR on Borden Ave, Long Island City

Today we received an email from a local tipster who informed us that a letter was sent to the LIRR by residents at One Hunters Point, who, as we all know, have been legitimately tormented by the endless train idling. Turns out they actually received an “encouraging response from the LIRR which articulates a full set of actions to address the complaint.” Check it out »

Sheila Lewandowski of the Chocolate Factory Theater, Long Island City, laments the decline of attendance to the weekend 7-train shutdown.

Long Island City’s struggle with the 7-train is still in the news. Very in-depth NYT article chronicling the repeated annual shutdown of the 7 train, and how Queens residents deal with the cold blow »

Hunters Point North Pole, Long Island City

Not that Dubya! This one. Oh yes, more news from the MTA and it’s just as peachy as ever. The beleaguered and unloved Dubya (the W train is really called that) is following the suit of its namesake and leaving us forever. They held a mock funeral downtown for the demise of the Z train. Mourners cried out for the loss of the crosstown M8. But no love for the death of Dubya.

Queens, however, is moving forward (without Dubya), says borough president Helen Marshall »

Hello liQcity readers. If you’ve noticed since the holidays posting has been sparse, it has. It will continue to be so until the end of Jan, picking up steam as some new contributors and partners come on board in Feb. We’ll throw some linkage and vitals out to you as we can, and please stay tuned for a greatly improved liQcity thanks mostly to all of your feedback. LIC is a great community and we are proud and honored to be a part of it.

Speaking of LIC community, a group of LIC business owners and residents are actively campaigning to get the City to help LIC business and general activity continue on the weekends while the 7 train is shut down for the next two months. (Seems they have wisely given up on our very disappointing transportation authority.)

An LIC business owner and resident writes »

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 »