The new 6-acre expansion of Gantry Park, Long Island City –photo

The 6-acre waterfront Gantry Park extension opened this morning with a public ribbon cutting, hosted by the Parks Dept and local government. Not to mention Rockrose and Queenswest Corp who were also in the mix, and contributed greatly to the execution of the new park space. Just in time for a Long Island City Fourth of July without fireworks. And who cares? The park is amazing. For those sticking around, it should be a very peaceful weekend, and what better way to spend it than swinging on a hammock at the East River? »

Anable Basin, Long Island City, Queens waterfront.

The City is taking a new approach to resuscitating the Queens waterfront:

“The new Waterfront Text Amendment, which is being reviewed by Queens community leaders, would allow developers who build along waterfront areas to provide more lush promenades, better seating and improved lighting.

For the past 15 years, developers who have built certain structures along the waterfront have been required to provide access areas. But those regulations forced them to follow a series of rigid guidelines. Under the new regulations, developers would have more flexibility. They would even be allowed to open cafes and boat launches.”

Other Long Island City linkage »

The View at East Coast condos, advertising on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City

If you thought it would be a cold day in hell before condo developers in Long Island City gave money back guarantees on sales…. well that day might be today. Cold Indeed.

Rockrose Development Corp, the developers behind The View at East Coast condos, are offering their version of a Money Back Guarantee to the next crop of buyers »

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 »

foodcellar market, 47th Rd between 5th St & Center Blvd, Queens West, LIC

Happy Daze. The long awaited foodcellar (formerly known as and still owned by Amish Market) is opening TOMORROW at 7am. It’s a soft opening, but as you know soft ice cream is still ice cream, and if there is food on the shelves that we can buy, it’s a grocery store »

Proposed map of Hunters Point South Development (4.4MB)

Yesterday, we took a look at the proposed future of Jackson Ave and Queens Plaza, today we have a peek at the promised promise-land of Hunters Point South. Again, brought to us by the NYC Economic Development Corporation:

“The purpose of the proposed action is the implementation of a large-scale, mixed-use development plan, Hunter’s Point South, that provides a substantial amount of affordable housing on publicly owned land and allows for the residential redevelopment of a privately owned adjacent site, Site B. The development of the Hunter’s Point South site would be an integral part of the City’s plan for the provision of affordable housing over the next 10 years. In addition to housing, the Hunter’s Point South site would also include retail uses, community/cultural facility space, a public school, public parkland and other public and private open spaces, and accessory parking. Redevelopment of the privately owned site would include public waterfront access.”

This map is not really news, nor is the development – but in the coming weeks we’ll be taking a closer look at the major development plans in the works for LIC, and there’s so much info to this one, we could do a whole blog on it. But don’t worry, we won’t.

• Hunters Point South