Rendering of the future K-8 school for Queens West, Long Island City

Long Island City – the new Park Slope? For those of us who were living in Hunters Point pre-2005, aka the start of the condo boom, we know that LIC’s kiddo population has grown probably about 100 fold. Prior to the condo development, yes of course there were children in the neighborhood, but since the space-laden primo luxury apartments have nestled in, young families and pre-families have dominated the newly arrived demographic.

And why not? The exodus from Manhattan across the East River was originally owned by Brooklyn, but the rezoning of Long Island City opened up Queens to the flood of Manhattanites seeking more space for their future progeny. Ok that’s slight oversimplification, because Long Island City’s new ‘immigrants’ hail from not only Manhattan, but also further out in Queens and Long Island. REGARDLESS – a quick walk around the neighborhood including the mondo and skyline-adjacent Gantry Park playground, very prominently displays LIC’s growing contingency of munchkins.

But where will they go to school? According to the latest NYDN article, Long Island City’s only K-8 school is already beyond maxed out »

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 »

Duane Reade opens Friday, corner of 5th St & 47th Rd, LIC

Queens West sprouts another soft opening this Friday, courtesy of Duane Reade, at the corner of 47th Rd & 5th St. (You can’t miss it. It’s shiny.) And this is no ordinary Duane Reade, mind you. It’s the LX model. Cosmetics counter, fancier appearance, etc. According to the store’s rep, more “high-end”.

And up on Vernon Blvd »

Duane Reade manifesting on 47th Rd @ 5th St, Long Island City

Queens West continues with its late summer bloom, as Duane Reade catches up with its neighbor, foodcellar, which has been open since Wednesday and already starting to pick up a decent bustle. The store is still being stocked, and there is a lot of grumble »