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Queens Welcomes First-Ever Full-Service Animal Shelter

BQE Admin on September 18, 2024

Courtesy ACC

On September 10, New York City opened the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, its first full-service animal shelter in the borough, offering advanced amenities for up to 300 animals.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

In a landmark development for animal welfare, the City opened its first-ever full-service animal shelter in Queens on September 10. The Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, located at 1906 Flushing Avenue in Ridgewood, aims to enhance the City’s support for its four-legged residents and their human companions.

Spanning 50,000 square feet, the new facility is designed to accommodate up to 300 animals and features state-of-the-art amenities including a kitten nursery, outdoor dog play yards, open roam cat rooms, a wellness wing for sick animals, and private counseling rooms for pet owners. The building also boasts a retractable roof to ensure a healthy environment for its residents.

The Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, named in honor of the late Paul Vallone, a former New York City Council member and advocate for animal welfare, represents a significant expansion of the City’s animal care infrastructure. Vallone, who also served as deputy commissioner for external affairs at the Department of Veterans Services, was recognized for his contributions to improving conditions for animals in New York City.

“Paul Vallone was a longtime friend, but, more importantly, a true public servant who served our city throughout his career,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “Paul was a committed advocate for veterans, serving those who have served our country, and fought to protect those most in need, including animals. The Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center will forever cement his legacy to public service, creating a space for Queens residents to find support and resources to help them keep their pets, and to learn more about helping animals in need.”

“We are so proud of Paul and everything he accomplished,” Anna-Marie Vallone, wife of the late Paul Vallone said. “He will continue to spread the gift of unconditional love to animals and families for generations to come. With heartfelt gratitude, our family has wanted a shelter in every borough for years and Paul was able to make this a reality. With lots of empathy, kindness, and compassion, Paul made this world a better place. Like my daughter, Lea said, ‘I cannot think of an animal that didn’t love him back.’”

The $75 million project, which includes site cleanup funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, received the 2024 Big Apple Brownfield Award for Innovative Purpose. The shelter is part of a broader initiative by the City to establish full-service animal care centers across all five boroughs.

“The opening of the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center represents an enormous opportunity for vulnerable animals who will no longer need to be transported to shelters in other boroughs, which will give local homeless animals their best chances at finding loving homes, facilitate reunions of lost pets with their families, and alleviate pressure on shelter operations at the other facilities,” Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO said. “The ASPCA works closely with Animal Care Centers of NYC to reduce euthanasia, increase adoptions, and improve access to care for New York City’s most vulnerable animals, and we look forward to continuing that longstanding support as ACC expands its services to help even more animals in need in Queens and across the city.”

The Department of Design and Construction is also working on new facilities in Manhattan and the Bronx, and is renovating the Brooklyn shelter. In October 2022, the City opened a new Animal Care Center in Staten Island, which won the Masterworks Design Award for Best New Building of 2023.

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), a non-profit organization founded in 1995, will oversee the new shelter. As the only open-admission shelter in New York City, ACC cares for thousands of homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals each year, regardless of their condition. The organization provides a range of services including adoption, fostering, veterinary care, and community outreach.

“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the City of New York, the Department of Health and everyone who worked so hard to make this new state-of-the-art care center a reality—the first of its kind in Queens. This marks a historic moment for the borough, and we are excited to provide world-class care to animals in need of homes while also serving as a vital resource for the pet-loving community of Queens,” said Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) President and Chief Executive Officer Risa Weinstock. “It is a special honor for ACC to have this magnificent building named for the late Paul A. Vallone, a dedicated advocate for both animals and this community, and a champion of ACC.”

Paul Sanders, ACC’s senior administrator of Governmental and Community Affairs, noted that the organization manages a daily intake of at least 60 animals across its locations. In addition to the new Queens center, ACC operates a Bronx Resource Center and maintains its headquarters in Manhattan near City Hall.

“Every borough should have an animal care facility, but for many years, Queens was without one. With today’s opening of the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center, Queens now has a state-of-the-art facility that will provide essential services for our community’s animals,” New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee said. “Together, we are making Queens a safer and more compassionate place for our animals while also supporting responsible pet ownership. The center’s work will strengthen our efforts to protect public health through humane care and education. Thank you to Speaker Adrienne E. Adams whose strong advocacy made the funding for this facility possible, and to Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Ashwin Vasan for their strong support for the completion of this project.”

The new Queens shelter will employ nearly 100 staff members and is actively seeking volunteers for various roles, including veterinarians, admissions counselors, and adoption supervisors. Interested individuals can find more information and apply for volunteer positions on ACC’s website at www.nycacc.org.

“Today we celebrate a long-awaited milestone that reflects our city and our administration’s commitment to maintaining full-service animal shelters in every borough,” Director of the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare Alexandra Silver said. “This beautiful, welcoming new center provides an essential resource to Queens residents, and is named for a remarkably compassionate human being. We can further honor Paul Vallone by adopting or fostering an animal, volunteering at the center, or encouraging others to do so. Congratulations and thank you to the staff, volunteers, and supporters of ACC for their dedication to caring for animals and the people who love them.”

This $75 million facility, named in honor of the late animal welfare advocate Paul Vallone, is a key part of the City’s initiative to expand animal care services across all five boroughs.

MTA Unveils Financial and Safety Priorities at Roundtable

BQE Admin on September 18, 2024

 

Courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA.

The MTA held a media roundtable at the Jamaica Central Control Building, where officials discussed pressing transit issues, including financial strategies, safety measures, and infrastructure improvements.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) convened a significant media roundtable on  September 12, at the Jamaica Central Control Building. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, New York City Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free and Senior Advisor for Communications and Policy Shanifah Rieara addressed an array of pressing issues impacting the city’s transit system. The event provided an extensive overview of ongoing and future projects, followed by a Q&A session.

The roundtable began with a presentation focusing on the MTA’s fiscal strategies amidst a backdrop of financial constraints and evolving policy discussions. Lieber emphasized the MTA’s commitment to financial prudence.

“The MTA’s job is to spend as little money as possible,” Lieber said. “We have to put together the proposal, it’s going to come out in the next couple of weeks, and the board, the MTA board, has to actually vote on it this month. It’s actually happening right now. But after that, then it goes to Albany, and they decide.”

He outlined the multi-layered process involved in securing funding, which includes approval from the MTA Board before progressing to the state legislature in Albany. This process is critical in shaping budgetary allocations and ensuring the effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Lieber addressed the current state of policy considerations, notably the potential exclusion of congestion pricing from upcoming budgets.

“We would prefer that it not come from increases in fares or other impacts to the customer,” Liber said. “What we’ve done is we’ve gone back to what we used to do in the old days, for 12 years, where we just had a two percent or three percent increase a year just to keep up with inflation. But we hope that we won’t have to resort to other major taxes and fees.”

He stressed that the MTA is striving to avoid implementing new major taxes and fees, which could burden riders and impact overall transit affordability. This stance reflects a broader effort to manage financial pressures while minimizing the impact on everyday commuters.

Safety and security were prominent topics during the roundtable, with particular focus on antisemitic hate crimes and general transit safety.

“I would never counsel anybody to hide their identities,” Lieber said. “People have a right to be who they are, whether they’re Sikh and they’re wearing a turban or they’re observant Muslims who are wearing a hijab, or they’re observant Jews who are wearing their traditional attire.”

Lieber affirmed the issue, addressing the importance of protecting all passengers and staff. The MTA is actively working to counter these threats, with Lieber emphasizing that hate symbols and graffiti are addressed with urgency.

 Any hate symbols are removed from the system as soon as possible and affected trains are taken out of service until they are thoroughly cleaned, reflecting the MTA’s commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all riders.

Crichlow expanded on the MTA’s security measures, including the extensive installation of surveillance cameras across the subway system.

“Sixty percent of our cars now have cameras inside,” Crichlow said. “Our partnership with NYPD is really strong, in instances where there is a strong case that needs to be handled, we have a very good relationship with them. They always call and ask for the cameras so they can do the investigation and get closer try to stop it from happening.”

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance safety and deter vandalism, complementing efforts to improve overall transit security. The integration of new screens on subways to display anti-hate messages is another step towards fostering a safer environment and combating discriminatory behavior.

The roundtable also covered the MTA’s capital program, which includes significant upgrades to the aging rolling stock. Lieber discussed the importance of maintaining a regular replacement cycle for trains.

“We are committed to using this capital program to dramatically increase investment in rail cars, so that we put ourselves on a path to having a 40 regular replacement cycle, so that cars do not go beyond their useful life,” Lieber said.

The team provided an update on the Inner Borough Express, a major project aimed at enhancing transit connectivity within Queens. He reported that the MTA has completed an important round of planning outreach, including over 50 events.

Another major topic of discussion was the transition to the OMNY fare payment system. The MTA employees highlighted the system’s potential to reduce fare evasion and improve operational efficiency.

The new payment technology is expected to help streamline fare collection and reduce instances of fare evasion on buses. They emphasized the importance of integrating students into the new system.

“It’s a good sign that that people are so excited about OMNY, because you didn’t hear anybody getting excited about bus passes in the past,” Lieber said. “So now we have it at 24/7, 365, four rides a day. Used to be three, and people are excited because it helps kids really use the city and get around. Now, part of the reason we’re doing this is we want to get the students in the habit of tapping and swiping and being MTA customers, not get in the habit of fair evading.”

The team then provided insights into the Queens bus network redesign, a large-scale initiative that aims to revamp the bus system serving over 800,000 residents. The redesign process has involved extensive outreach, with many events held to engage the community and gather feedback. The initiative is poised to bring significant improvements to bus service in Queens, addressing long-standing issues and better meeting the needs of local residents.

The issue of subway surfing, a dangerous activity where individuals ride on top of moving trains, was also addressed. Rieara addressee this topic stating that the MTA started a campaign a year ago to warn students about the dangers of subway surfing using digital messages and voice recordings. While the campaign has been effective, they plan to update it with a new version to further strengthen the safety message. They stressed that ongoing outreach and working with social media companies are crucial because if the message doesn’t reach a wide audience, it won’t be as impactful.

The roundtable offered a detailed look at the MTA’s current priorities and ongoing efforts to enhance the transit system. The discussion highlighted key insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the MTA, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving safety, modernizing infrastructure, and addressing community needs.

Courtesy MTA

Key topics included the MTA’s efforts to manage funding without major fare increases, enhance security with increased surveillance, and implement new technologies like OMNY and the Queens bus network redesign.

Queens Teachers Celebrated with FLAG Award Nominations Now Open

BQE Admin on September 18, 2024

Courtesy of FLAG Awards

Nominations are open until November 24, with winners receiving $25,000 and their schools awarded funds to support arts programs, culminating in a ceremony in June 2025.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence is once again inviting the public to celebrate outstanding educators as nominations for its sixth annual awards program are now open. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional public school teachers across New York City who inspire learning through creativity, dedication, and innovation. This year, the program has expanded to include teachers from 3-K through 12th grade, broadening its scope to honor educators at every stage of their students’ academic journey.

Nominations are open until November 24 and can be submitted by students, parents, school faculty, and other community members through the FLAG Award website. The awards will culminate in a ceremony in June 2025, where six grand-prize winners—one from each of New York City’s five boroughs and one from the 3-K through 5th grade category—will be honored with $25,000 in cash. In addition, each winning teacher’s school will receive $10,000 to support arts-based programs inspired by the winners’ initiatives. Finalists will also be recognized with $10,000 each, and their schools will receive $5,000.

This year’s FLAG Award cycle promises to build on the program’s impressive legacy. Since its inception, the FLAG Award has honored 157 teachers and distributed over $1.5 million in prizes, making it the largest teacher recognition award in the city. The awards aim to spotlight educators who not only excel in their classrooms but also positively impact their school communities and inspire students to become engaged and thoughtful citizens.

Last year’s awards showcased remarkable talent and dedication among Queens’ educators. Aaron Lober, a STEM teacher at Halsey Middle School 157, received the grand prize for his innovative approach to STEM education. Initially trained in special education, Lober pursued additional qualifications in computer science to establish a comprehensive STEM curriculum at his school. His efforts included developing curricula in collaboration with Exploring Equity in Computer Science and implementing engaging projects that integrate coding with critical reflection on historical narratives. Lober’s work has significantly enriched the educational experience for his students, fostering skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Alicia Marcinkowski, an ENL/Art teacher at PS 120, was awarded the grand prize in the new category for Pre-K through 5th grade educators. Marcinkowski’s unique integration of art history into English Language Learner (ELL) education during the pandemic transformed her classroom environment. By incorporating art history into her lessons, she created a dynamic and culturally enriching learning experience that resonated with her students. Her innovative approach has since been formalized into the school’s curriculum, reflecting her dedication to enhancing students’ educational experiences through creativity and cultural engagement.

Nominations for the FLAG Award are now open and will close on November 24, 2024. The process is designed to be inclusive, allowing nominations from various members of the school community. Full-time teachers in NYC public schools, grades 3-K through 12 with a minimum of five years of teaching experience, are eligible for consideration. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate how they meet the FLAG Award’s CREATE criteria, which includes challenges and inspires students, reaches out beyond the classroom, embraces their role with dedication, acknowledges the full potential in each student, teaches through example, and engages in continuous self-improvement.

The selection of winners is conducted by an independent jury, which this year includes Emilie Jones, a 2024 FLAG Award winner; Kate Levin, head of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts program; Seth Pinsky, CEO of 92nd Street Y; Heidi Holder, Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Chair of Education at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; and Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education & President of the State University of New York. This esteemed panel is tasked with evaluating nominees based on their impact on students and their contributions to education.

As the FLAG Award continues to celebrate and support the outstanding work of NYC public school teachers, it underscores the vital role educators play in shaping the future of their students and communities.

Glenn Fuhrman, Co-Founder of The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, emphasizes the significance of recognizing teachers who go above and beyond in their roles.

 “This award recognizes the transformative impact that public school teachers make in the lives of their students,” Fuhrman said. “New York City’s educators are unsung heroes who so often go above and beyond to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character they need to live fulfilling lives and make our world a better place.”

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence remains committed to highlighting and supporting the exceptional educators who make a difference every day. For more information on the nomination process and to submit nominations, visit FLAG Award Nominate Your Teacher at flagaward.org.

Courtesy Aaron Lober

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence is now accepting nominations for its sixth annual awards, celebrating exceptional NYC public school teachers from 3-K through 12th grade.

Newtown Creek Superfund Cleanup Center Stage at Community Board 5 Discussion

BQE Admin on September 18, 2024

Courtesy CB5

At the CB5 meeting, David Haury provided an update on the ongoing cleanup efforts at the Newtown Creek Superfund site, detailing significant contamination issues and current remediation plans.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The latest Community Board 5 meeting brought forward a range of local concerns and initiatives, including community safety, cycling activities, and legal system outreach. The meeting featured speakers from diverse backgrounds, each addressing important issues impacting the community.

At the meeting held on Sept 10, David Haury, Senior Associate at Anchor QEA, provided a detailed update on the Newtown Creek Superfund site, shedding light on ongoing cleanup efforts and future plans for one of New York City’s most polluted waterways. Haury represents the Newtown Creek group, a coalition of industrial parties working under the EPA’s direction to address the contamination issues at the site.

“We are involved in the Superfund site at Newtown Creek, and I’d like to brief you tonight on the progress and upcoming steps in the cleanup process,” Haury said.

Haury explained that Newtown Creek was designated a Superfund site by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2010. This designation triggered a comprehensive investigation to determine the extent of contamination and the associated risks.

“As some of you may know, Newtown Creek, in its entirety, was listed as a Superfund site in 2010 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that sets off a comprehensive investigation of the creek and leads to decisions about remedies. I want to talk to you a little bit about where we are in that process,” Haury said.

The remedial investigation concluded about two years ago, revealing significant contamination primarily through the ingestion of fish and crabs from the creek.

 “It was concluded that there are unacceptable risk to human health, that we are to human health primarily through ingestion of fish and crabs they’re caught and consumed from the creek,” Haury said.

Following the investigation, the EPA initiated a feasibility study to explore various cleanup alternatives. Haury focused on the ongoing remediation efforts in the East Branch, a tributary of Newtown Creek identified as one of the most contaminated areas.

The selected remedy for the East Branch, known as EB-D, involves a combination of sediment removal, capping, and long-term monitoring.

The remedy includes removing contaminated sediments, placing an engineering cap over the area, and establishing a long-term monitoring program to ensure effectiveness and address ongoing contamination sources.

Haury emphasized the Newtown Creek group’s commitment to transparency and community engagement.

Addressing questions from the audience, Haury discussed the potential use of various remediation technologies and future plans. He clarified that while the current focus is on sediment removal and capping, other methods like aeration systems may be employed in the future based on evolving needs and conditions.

The aeration system, which was implemented to address oxygen levels in the creek, will continue to operate during remediation activities and be adjusted as necessary.

A representative from the local cycling group, Tammy Green of the Jackie Robinson Parkway Security Block Watch Association, detailed the organization’s dedication to advocating for cycling as both a healthy and eco-friendly transportation option. The group hosts community bike rides every Thursday at 7 p.m. and every other Saturday at 11 a.m. This Saturday, the group will travel to Park Slope for an annual bike jumble, which is essentially a bike flea market featuring custom bike parts and accessories.

Green also expressed gratitude to the board for their support in improving access to Highland Park. Green highlighted the safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians navigating the area.

Tammy Green’s presentation was followed with her concerns about recent incidents of violence and the need for increased public safety measures in Highland Park.

 “Unfortunately, we had a murder on July 5 in Highland Park, and one month went by and no one in the Parks Department knew about it,” Green said. “Public safety is a human right, when visiting any of our parks in the five boroughs in New York City, no one should anticipate being killed when visiting a park.”

Green urged Community Board 5 to advocate for enhanced park enforcement and improved safety measures.

“We’re asking for increased Park enforcement so that people can enjoy the beautiful scenery, including the reservoir and other great programs,” Green said.

Highland Park also has a program which provides urban youth with opportunities for education and scholarships. Green also called for attention to other issues, including tree maintenance and the installation of security cameras.

Jasmine Valle, a Principal Court Attorney from the Unified Court System Queens Equal Justice, shared information about an upcoming community event.

“This month, we will be hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month program that will be open to the public,” Valle said. “The event is scheduled for September 18 at 1 p.m. in front of the Queens Supreme Court Civil Court Building at 88-11 Stuphin Blvd. We’ll have a live band and will be distributing free icees for free on a first-come, first-served basis,” she said.

The meeting also featured a resident raising concerns about a significant sewer issue. “I’ve had to pay $16,000 to fix a problem on my block due to the lack of sewer services,” the resident explained. They sought assistance from the board to address the ongoing issue and alleviate the financial burden.

For more information on upcoming community events and initiatives, residents can visit the Community Board 5 website at nyc.gov/site/queenscb5/about/contact.page or attend future board meetings.

Courtesy CB5

Tammy Green of the Jackie Robinson Parkway Security Block Watch Association highlighted the need for increased public safety measures in Highland Park.

New Public Library Could Be Coming to Court Square

BQE Admin on September 18, 2024

 

5PointzLIC apartment building.

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

The Queens Public Library has reached a tentative agreement with 5PointzLIC in Court Square to build a new location on the building’s second floor, according to a press release. 

The new branch will replace the former LIC library at One Court Square, which closed in 2020. The Queens Public Library negotiated a fifteen-year lease with a five-year renewal plan with the development owner, G-M Realty L.P. 

The lease is expected to be finalized in the Fall and construction is estimated to be two years starting Summer 2025. 

This deal comes after the Mayor’s office and LIC Councilmember Julie Won continue to advance the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, a comprehensive planning process to develop a vision for the future of the area.

“Court Square is a rapidly growing neighborhood and this new library will give our neighbors access to countless books, technology, and vital, free programming,” Won said.

5PointzLIC is an apartment building on Jackson Ave. 

 

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