🌱 Queens Development Not Moving Forward + Van Wyck Down To Two Lanes

Hello, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 47 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories today in Queens:

1. Some city leaders are calling on Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA to do more for New Yorkers after the opening of Grand Central Madison. Advocates are calling for improvements to the bus and subway service — including free city bus rides and having trains run every six minutes at all times, every day. While the MTA welcomes the ideas, they stated that they need a reliable funding stream to make improvements. (NBC New York)
2. A development planned near the 30th Avenue train station in Astoria will not be moving forward. The construction of an 11-story building, which was initially to be developed by Long Island City-based MEDREP Associates, will not move forward for at least two years. The property at the corner of 31st Street and Newtown Avenue was previously occupied by Max Finkelstein Inc., a tire company; it is now available for rent until construction begins. (Queens Post)
3. Starting Monday, the Northbound Van Wyck Expressway will be down from three to two travel lanes between Exit 1A (Nassau Expressway) and Exit 1B (No Conduit Ave) in Queens. According to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the closure will last through September 2023; however, inclement weather could cause the closure to be rescheduled. The closure is due to sewer work that's part of the NYSDOT's Van Wyck Expressway Capacity and Access Improvements Project. (QNS)

Today in Queens:

• Miffy Presents Lunar New Year At Queens Botanical Garden (12:00 PM)
• From Here: Film Screening And Conversation At Queens Museum New York City Building Flushing Meadows Corona Park (2:00 PM)
• Virtual Event: A Powerful Conversation With Dr. Beals On The Little Rock Nine At Queens Public Library (2:00 PM)
• The One: A Valentine's Day Musical Revue (In January) At Immaculate Conception Church Parish Hall (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• LIC's Studio 41 is hosting an opening reception for the James Seffens exhibition today, Jan. 28! The event is free. Learn more about the artist here. (Queens, New York via Facebook)
• New York's LGBTQ protections receive high marks! The city ranked among the 20 states in the country that has some of the strongest protections for the LGBTQ communities in the country, according to the Human Rights Campaign and the Equality Federation Institute. (Spectrum News NY1)
• Do you recognize this man? Police are looking for a suspect who broke through the front door of Kings Smoke Shop in Astoria on Jan. 17. Photos of the man are available at the link. (Queens Post)

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Events:

• Furniture Liquidation Sale Office & Home Furniture (January 28)
• Br. Kenneth Robert, FMS Memorial Mass and Reception (January 28)
• Open House Personal Tours (January 29)
• Berkeley College Master of Business Administration Information Session (January 31)
• Chinese New Year Celebration (February 1)
• Seminar: Fashion Merchandising & Management and Marketing Communications (February 1)
• Vampire Cirque Cabaret Dinner Show (February 11)
• Big Game Sunday at Bourbon Street (February 12)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you around!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.