Astoria Street Cleanup Efforts Are Getting A Boost

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Cleaner streets will be coming to Astoria.

The Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless is ramping up its initiative to hire homeless men and women to sweep sidewalks throughout Astoria with a $225,000 grant from City Council Member Costa Constantinides' office.

The Long Island City-based nonprofit, known as ACE for short, provides individuals with job opportunities to help them overcome homelessness and substance abuse disorders.

ACE workers currently sweep parts of 30th Avenue, Ditmars Boulevard, Shore Boulevard and Hoyt Avenue North.

"These jobs are an opportunity for many to provide important services to the community that keep the vibrant streets of Queens beautiful and break the cycle of poverty," ACE executive director James Martin said in a statement.

Constantinides, who represents Astoria and part of Jackson Heights, is also devoting $35,000 to the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition for neighborhood beautification efforts, $20,000 to the Queens Economic Development Corporation for graffiti removal and at least $9,000 to the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

The Department of Sanitation is getting $10,000 for extra garbage pickups by Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street.