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The Sunnyside Shines ‘Taste of Sunnyside’ Food Crawl Celebrates 14 Years

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

By William Ruben Helms

The annual restaurant crawl Taste of Sunnyside returned to the neighborhood for its 14th installment on Sunday, October 13, boasting an expanded look with 64 participating venues and a block party. Created and produced by Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID), the event aims to showcase the area as a dining destination. 

During a warmer than normal October afternoon, at 46th Street and Queens Blvd., near the Sunnyside arch, DJ Abraham was spinning a collection of smash hits across a diverse range of pop, hip-hop, salsa merengue and more at an eardrum shatteringly loud volume. Occasionally, DJ Abraham would welcome attendees to Sunnyside and to Taste of Sunnyside. 

Under the 7 train viaduct, a handful of tables were set up in a U-shape. Four were for event registration, The rest were for local sponsors to hand out branded tchotchkes. Small but steady waves of people picked up Taste of Sunnyside badges. If you were of legal drinking age, and wanted to imbibe, you’d have to stop by security to verify your age. But by far, the second most important stop of the afternoon was to grab a Sunnyside map, which featured the location of each participating business and a brief description of the cuisine each served at the business. Or if you were tech-inclined, you scanned the QR code for a digital version of the map. 

If you were like my girlfriend and me, you quickly mulled things over and made a quick plan of action. Nepali or Mexican first? Japanese or Korean fusion? Or maybe the Indian Chinese fusion place? When do we get sweets? Do we split up to tackle places that the other didn’t want to try? Decisions, decisions, decisions. The options were dizzying. Every restaurant had a line of curious and adventurous folks excitedly lining up for a menu tasting. Depending on how busy the business was during your visit, you might have a chance to chat with the owner or the head chef, creating a deeply personal, small town touch. 

“Everybody’s putting their best culinary foot forward to show what’s unique and distinct and wonderful at their restaurant,” explained Sunnyside Shines BID director Dirk McCall. “The food is amazing. Our restaurants are the best in New York.” He added that the crawl, which typically sells anywhere from 40% to 50% of its 1,200 tickets to neighborhood locals, “is a way to get people to come to Sunnyside.”

According to festival organizers, the 14th edition was “bigger and better than ever.” with new elements that attendees enjoyed throughout the afternoon, including a photo booth, live music headlined by a brass band, and a block party under the iconic Sunnyside arch on 46th St. that was DJ’d and emceed by DJ Abraham. Tickets cost $55. “Restaurants and bars,” exclaimed McCall. “And nice food. That’s a steal!” 

The event featured a handful of businesses that just opened this year. Curley’s Bagels, located at 43-04 47th Avenue, opened on July 3.  “Anything that we can do to be a part of a neighborhood event like this — we’re all in right away, one hundred percent,” Curley’s Bagel’s proprietor Mark Curley told the Ledger. When asked what his aspirations were for this year’s Taste of Sunnyside, Curley said that “people coming over and having a little taste of some of our bagels and smears hopefully brings them in.” 

Masa Madre Artisanal Bakery, located on 47-55 46th Street, opened just a few days before Taste of Sunnyside. The business’s head baker and proprietor José Luis Flores shared that his business was three years in the making. And although it took a while, the neighborhood has been very supportive. That’s not surprising. Their artisanal baked goods, which are made with a sourdough starter, take a lot of work – and have a lot of love put into them. He added that participating in the event was an opportunity to collaborate with the neighborhood, and equally to promote his newly-opened business. 

Seoul Bystro, a Korean Fusion restaurant and gastro pub, located at 43-10 Queens Blvd., opened a few months ago. Seoul Bystro’s Alvaro Lopez and Javier Alavardo said that the recently-opened spot is “one of the few, or maybe the only Korean restaurant over here.” Stationed at their tent, which featured attention-grabbing music selections and large portions of food, they joined the chorus of venues in saying that they looked forward to attendees getting to know their restaurant.  

Of course, Taste of Sunnyside featured some of the neighborhood’s more established businesses as well. Empire Shop, a sandwich and smoothie spot located at 47-10 39th Place, opened three years ago. When asked about his participation in the event, proprietor Daniel Astudillo said that he enjoyed “the fact that the whole community is together.” Much like the other participating businesses, he hoped the event would bring in more traffic, while giving people the chance to “come and taste what the Sunnyside taste is.” 

Tangra Asian Fusion, located at 39-23 Queens Blvd., is a neighborhood mainstay. Head chef Sim Lon explained that the restaurant, which infuses Indian herbs and spices into Chinese food, has been open for nearly 19 years. He bemoaned the fact that folks passing through often don’t realize that their restaurant and the cuisine they specialize in exists, echoing other owners’ enthusiasm for the buzz generated by the event.

Taste of Sunnyside offers one of the best opportunities to explore one of the city’s most interesting and criminally unheralded food destinations at an incredibly affordable price point. With a significant portion of attendees coming from the area and from Queens, it keeps money that would often leave the borough, in the borough. At its core, it’s a great, economically sound way to support diverse, local businesses run by our neighbors.  

“Everyone’s been amazing today,” said Mark Curley. “Everyone seems to be having a really great time walking around and experiencing all the food and community of Sunnyside.”

Stephen Dachtera Seeks Queens Civil Court Judgeship in Upcoming Election

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

Stephen Dachtera, a Queens native and St. John’s alumnus, is running for Civil Court Judge in the upcoming election on November 5, emphasizing fairness and transparency in the judicial process. 

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Stephen Dachtera, a Queens native and St. John’s alumnus, is running for Civil Court Judge in the upcoming election on November 5, emphasizing fairness and transparency in the judicial process. 

With a commitment to serving the community and addressing biases within the system, Dachtera aims to create a more equitable environment for all residents.

With the election for Civil Court Judge just weeks away, Stephen Dachtera, a Queens native and St. John’s University alumnus, is campaigning for a position that he believes will allow him to serve his community with fairness and integrity. The election is set for November 5, and Dachtera, running with the Republican Party, is determined to bring a fresh perspective to the bench, addressing pressing issues within the judicial system and fostering a more equitable environment for all.

Born into an Italian American family, Dachtera’s journey has been shaped by a deep respect for tradition and a commitment to public service. Following in his mother’s footsteps, he pursued a law degree while working as a mortgage consultant, focusing on real estate. His early experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic and a desire to make a difference in his community. From a young age, Dachtera was drawn to the idea of teaching and engaging in constructive dialogue, which eventually led him to a career in law.

“I’ve always loved arguing and wanted to do something more in court,” Dachtera explained during a roundtable with the Queens Ledger. 

He believes that judges often arrive at their decisions with preconceived notions. His candid observations reflect a commitment to transparency and accountability within the judicial process. Dachtera argues that judges should prioritize fair evaluations over personal biases, an ethos he intends to bring to the bench.

“I want to serve the community of Queens and to be fair,” Dachtera said.

Dachtera emphasizes the importance of a judge’s role in civil disputes, particularly those involving contract disagreements and boundary issues. Dachtera’s legal philosophy centers on the belief that “the law is written a certain way,” and it should be applied without bias. 

“My job is to interpret the law the way it’s written and apply equally to you, you or you, no matter what your political beliefs are,” he said. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

With a commitment to serving the community and addressing biases within the system, Dachtera aims to create a more equitable environment for all residents.

He aims to demystify the judicial process for everyday citizens, ensuring that they understand their rights and the legal avenues available to them. A significant part of Dachtera’s campaign is focused on addressing the perception of favoritism within the judicial system.

“A big problem is judges favor people,” he emphasized, vowing to break that toxic chain. 

He aims to foster an environment where every individual, regardless of their background or financial means, receives an equal opportunity for justice. 

“I’m color and ethnicity blind,” he said, emphasizing that his commitment to fairness transcends personal beliefs and societal pressures.

“I value my faith, so to me, I want to be fair to everyone. I don’t care if you’re Jewish, if you’re a practicing Muslim, I don’t care,” Dachtera said. “To me, my boss is the man upstairs. That’s who I report to. So when I go to sleep at night, I want to make sure that I treated people fairly.”

Dachtera recognizes the challenges faced by the Queens judicial system, particularly regarding the increasing backlog of cases. He has been actively engaging with local civic associations, including the South Ozone Park Civic Association, to discuss the judicial system’s impact on residents. 

His approach to the position is rooted in the belief that he doesn’t submit to anyone but the law, while leaning toward principles that align with fairness and integrity.

As an alumnus of St. John’s, Dachtera also holds a strong sense of responsibility toward maintaining traditions, both in education and in the broader community. He believes that preserving the legacy of institutions like St. John’s is essential to fostering a sense of identity and purpose among new generations.

Tom Principe, a partner at Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore, first met Stephen Dachtera during a lecture at St. John’s in 2012, and they have since connected at various Queens Bar Association events, sharing a passion for St. John’s basketball. Principe praised Dachtera’s pro-bono work and his experience as a housing court attorney, noting that he is “very attuned to the community.” He emphasized that Dachtera embodies the values of St. John’s, stating, “Service to others — he fits that to a ‘t,’ besides being a delightful man.”

“Stephen impressed me right from the start. He’s very dogged, he just keeps at it,” Principe said. “He’s got a delightful personality — that’s why I think he’d be a terrific judge, he treats people with dignity and respect. I’ve never seen him raise his voice or get angry with anyone. He’s a natural for the civil court. We need good candidates to run, Republican or Democrat, and he certainly fits the bill.”

Dachtera’s vision for the role of Civil Court Judge extends beyond simply adjudicating cases; he aims to be an advocate for the community. He believes that judges should be approachable figures who take the time to understand the nuances of each case. 

“I like to take my time with people and cases,” Dachtera said. “All that matters is are they telling the truth on the stand?”  Dachtera said. “No one should not be judging based on political beliefs.”

As the election date approaches, Dachtera is focused on communicating his vision to voters. He aims to ensure that Queens residents understand the role of a Civil Court Judge, which often involves resolving everyday disputes that affect their lives.

“I’m always going to be giving you a fair shake,” Dachtera said. “One, because I owe it to you as a human being. And two, because I don’t care about playing politics, because, as I said, my boss is God. When I sleep at night, all I’m to say is, these people came before me, I gave them a fair shake.”

In a political landscape often marred by division, Dachtera’s message of unity and fairness resonates deeply with voters seeking change. With his unique background and dedication to the community, Stephen Dachtera wishes to bring a fresh approach to the Queens Civil Court. Voters will have the opportunity to support him on November 5, as he strives to become a judge who truly listens and serves the people of Queens.

Residents of Glendale Struggle with Neglected City Trees

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

Residents of 66th Place in Glendale are alarmed by neglected city-owned trees that pose safety risks and have caused property damage.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A growing sense of distress among residents on 66th Place is reaching a boiling point as they grapple with hazardous conditions caused by neglected city-owned trees. The issue, led by concerned neighbor Douglas Weiss and his neighbors, has resulted in property damage and safety concerns, with residents calling for immediate intervention from the New York City Parks Department.

During a discussion among neighbors about the ongoing issues with city-owned trees, frustration centered around the inadequate management of the Parks Department.  John Schweickert, a long-time resident of the block, expressed frustration over the lack of maintenance, noting that the last significant tree trimming occurred nearly eight years ago.

“Over the last two years, we’ve had many branches fall and come down,” he said, recounting incidents where tree limbs nearly struck pedestrians and damaged vehicles. “This is something that could happen anytime, anywhere on the street.”

The community has reported multiple incidents of fallen branches causing severe damage to homes and vehicles, with one resident’s car totaled after being struck by a large limb.

“It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s dangerous,” Schweickert said. “Last year, a branch almost hit the mailman crossing the street, and then one went into my neighbor’s roof.”

Frustrated with the Parks Department’s lack of action, they are urgently seeking intervention.

Neighbor Terri Vazquez recounted a troubling experience when a branch from a city tree crashed onto her property during a rainstorm. While watching TV, she heard a loud crash and discovered the branch had fallen onto the outside of her house, narrowly missing the ceiling. The fallen branch caused damage to her brother’s house and the gate, prompting police to tape off the area for safety.

Terri reflected on a previous incident where a gigantic dead branch—a clear symptom of what was to come—almost struck a mailman. This very same tree, which had active service requests on it, ultimately fell completely, causing significant damage. The sequence of events was alarming: first, a massive dead branch nearly killed the mailman, and then the entire tree came crashing down. If the Parks Department had addressed the issue sooner, she believes the recent damage could have been avoided.

After the incident, Terri faced delays with insurance adjusters who needed to assess the damage, complicating the repair process. 

Ultimately, Terri emphasized the need for a more proactive approach from the Parks Department. She understands their staffing challenges but insists that earlier intervention could prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of residents.

The current system creates a cycle of insurance claims that not only affects individual homeowners and car owners but also raises insurance premiums for the entire community. When a resident’s car is totaled by falling branches, the resulting insurance claim is substantial, putting further financial strain on the system. This scenario reflects the broader issue where repeated claims linked to city tree damage drive up costs for everyone in the area.

Moreover, the lengthy process of submitting claims to the NYC Comptroller exacerbates the situation. Homeowners can’t afford to wait for reimbursements while managing immediate repair needs, forcing them to rely on their insurance for quick fixes. This reliance leads to additional claims, perpetuating the cycle of increased premiums and financial strain across the community. The residents are frustrated by this “robbing Peter to pay Paul” scenario, as they seek urgent action to address the tree hazards instead of navigating a complex and burdensome claims process.

Despite their advocacy, they feel unheard and demand better tree management to ensure safety.

Despite repeated requests for action through the city’s 311 service, residents have seen little improvement. 

“They come, take a look, and say there’s really no danger,” Schweickert said, only for more branches to fall later.

Residents have expressed frustration with the tree maintenance process in NYC, noting a systemic issue where, despite the city’s investment in training and certifying arborists, their pay is significantly lower than in the private sector, leading to high turnover as they are hired away by private companies. The process for addressing tree concerns begins with filing a complaint through the 311 system, which assigns a Service Request ID that is forwarded to the Parks Department. There, a certified arborist assesses the situation and assigns a priority grade from A to D, with A being the highest. However, the criteria for prioritizing work orders on any given day remain unclear to residents.

The residents understand the Parks Department’s staffing challenges, attributing the neglect to budget constraints. However, they feel a sense of urgency for a solution. “The ultimate solution would be for the city to come down, inspect the street, and take care of the dangerous trees,” Schweicker said.

Weiss, who has spearheaded efforts to address the issue, echoed these sentiments. 

“We’ve been asking for years for the Parks Department to do their job, but it seems to fall on deaf ears,” Weiss said. “We just want to feel safe in our own neighborhood.”

The group lamented the lack of effective management compared to past administrations, particularly under former Mayor Bloomberg, who actively monitored service requests. They pointed out that current staffing levels in the Parks Department are alarmingly low, with only a fraction of the required climbers and pruners available to address the backlog of work orders.

Residents recounted dangerous incidents involving falling branches, including one that nearly hit a mailman and another that caused significant damage to a neighbor’s home. They criticized the Parks Department for failing to respond promptly to prior warnings about unstable trees, suggesting that a more proactive approach could prevent future incidents.

During a walkthrough of their block, Weiss and neighbors highlighted the alarming condition of city-owned trees, focusing on several indicators of decay, such as hollowed trunks. Hollowed trunks occur when the inner wood of a tree decays, often due to disease, pests, or environmental factors. This deterioration compromises the tree’s structural integrity, making it more susceptible to falling or breaking during storms or high winds.

Weiss emphasized the significant danger posed by the gigantic overhanging branches that have grown alarmingly close to homes, creating substantial risks. Unlike another block where blue sky is visible between the tree canopy and the houses, their block lacks that space; the limbs are literally hanging over the homes, raising serious safety concerns.

As they compared their street to others, it became clear that some areas were much better maintained, with fewer overhanging branches. Weiss argued that the Parks Department should adopt a more efficient approach, addressing the most problematic trees first rather than reacting only after incidents occur. He noted the need for a thorough evaluation of each block to prioritize safety.

The tree concerning Weiss and several of his neighbors has been dubbed the “widowmaker” due to its dangerous condition and proximity to homes, with a hollowing trunk indicating a severe risk. This situation mirrors Terri’s house accident, as residents have submitted photos of the widow maker to the Parks Department, and an arborist has also documented its state. While the trainees who visited were eager and the foreman expressed sympathy, they lacked the authority to take action outside of their assigned tasks.

Despite the community’s ongoing advocacy, including appearances at meetings, they expressed frustration that the department often fails to act on service requests or to recognize immediate dangers. Weiss stressed that while they appreciate the presence of trees, it’s critical to maintain healthy ones and address the unhealthy ones before they pose a life-threatening risk, especially to children and residents in the area.

He pointed out that tree maintenance is often sidelined in favor of new plantings, which receive more public attention and funding. Ultimately, the neighbors hope their efforts will inspire others to advocate for better tree management and safety in their own communities.

The overarching sentiment was a call for better budget allocation and management practices to ensure trees are properly maintained, emphasizing that while they value the presence of trees in their community, safety must come first. The group concluded that increased funding and a focus on maintenance could significantly improve the situation.

As the community continues to advocate for action, they hope to raise awareness of the dangers posed by these neglected trees and prompt the city to prioritize their safety. With the stakes high and frustration mounting, the residents of 66th Place remain determined to seek the support they need to protect their homes and their lives.

NYC Kicks Off Halloween Season with ‘Trick-or-Streets’

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has launched its third annual “Trick-or-Streets” program, bringing a series of car-free events to neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn throughout October. This year’s initiative features over 100 events designed to celebrate Halloween while prioritizing community engagement and safety.

 

The NYC Department of Transportation is casting a spell of car-free delight, transforming our streets into a Halloween haven! With vibrant, traffic-free playgrounds, NYC provides children with a magical backdrop for festivities and fun,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “The visionary ‘Trick-or-Streets’ initiative allows families to walk, play, and connect safely—showing that our city can be both lively and secure for everyone.”

 

Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the expanded program, emphasizing its role in creating joyful spaces for families.

 

 “‘Trick-or-Streets’ is back and bigger than ever—and we invite all New Yorkers to take part in an event this month!” Rodriguez said. “Our streets serve all New Yorkers—and ‘Trick-or-Streets’ is a great example of how we can use them to bring joy and greater safety to so many children.”

 

In Brooklyn, residents can look forward to several signature events, including the Berry Street Open Street on October 27, which runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature Halloween-themed activities produced by The Horticultural Society of New York. Kensington Plaza will host its event on October 19 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering programming from Broadway for Arts Education. Additionally, the W 9th Street Open Street will take place on October 26 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., also organized by Broadway for Arts Education.

 

“Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is thrilled to partner with DOT and Broadway for Arts Education to transform RHI’s West 9th Open Street into a Halloween carnival,” said Michael Partis, executive director, Red Hook Initiative. “The Trick or Streets program is a continuation of our commitment to create safe and accessible open space for the Red Hook neighborhood.”

 

Queens will host its share of festivities as well, with the 165th Street Open Street set for October 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., produced by Street Lab. The 31st Avenue Open Street will occur on Halloween, October 31, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., organized by The Horticultural Society of New York.

 

“The Hort is excited to continue our collaboration with DOT for another year of Trick-or-Streets, bringing vibrant fall plant activities and providing essential maintenance support to this much-loved event,” said Sara Hobel, executive director, The Horticultural Society of New York. “Trick-or-Streets is a hallmark of fall in our city, offering families a festive, safe, and community-building way to celebrate Halloween. We are proud to play a part in enhancing the experience by offering Harvest w/ The Hort, where our plant-focused fall activities for New Yorkers of all ages will help everyone get into the spooky fall spirit.”

 

These events are part of a broader effort to utilize the city’s Open Streets and Plaza initiatives, allowing local organizations to transform streets into festive, car-free environments where community members can safely enjoy Halloween activities. For a full list of Trick-or-Street events and car-free locations, residents are encouraged to visit nyc.gov/trickorstreets.

 

“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with the NYC DOT to turn plazas and commercial corridors into fun-filled Halloween destinations,” said Jessica Chornesky, executive director, NYC Kidsfest. “Kids and their families can enjoy pumpkin patches, giveaways, live music and performances, interactive workshops, arts & crafts, face painting, balloon animals, and plenty of spooky surprises. These vibrant spaces will capture the spirit of the holiday while providing a safe and festive atmosphere for all.”

Friends of Greenpoint Library Hosts Annual Fall Book Sale

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

By Taylor Dennis

Friends of Greenpoint Library, a local group of organized volunteers who help the neighborhood library through advocacy, fundraising and promotion, hosted their second annual fall book sale on October 19, located at 107 Norman Ave. at Leonard St. Brooklyn, NY. 

Days prior to this bustling book sale, the library collected second-hand books from the community from October 6 through October 16. These books, all in new or near-new condition, were collected over ten days, organized, and set up on the second floor of the library. 

Starting at noon, locals quickly filed in and began their search for their newest and latest reads. Each table was organized by genre and even included a small children’s area for kids to play, read, and hangout while their parents shopped. Genres included Thriller, Romance, Young-Adult, Children’s, Self-help, How-To, Foreign Language, and Travel, just to name a few. 

Within thirty minutes of opening, the room quickly filled up with people from all around Brooklyn and Queens, causing organizers to form a line of people waiting to get in. Lots of shoppers, equipped with their own bags and boxes, shuffled through the hundreds and hundreds of books. Once books began getting bought from the tables, organizers quickly refilled each table with a seemingly never-ending abundance of donated books. 

At check-out, shoppers were able to not only purchase their books for one-dollar each, but the chance to enter local raffles or purchase a printed tote bag, made by local Greenpoint Artist, Steve Wasterval, for twenty-dollars. Raffles included gifts from local Greenpoint businesses such as a fifty-dollar gift card to The WonderMart, a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar gift card to Subversive Tattoo, a one month All Access pass to East River Pilates and many more. 

Greenpoint Artist, Steve Wasterval, graciously donated these printed totes for free of cost to Friends as a way to help raise money for the community. Those who chose to purchase this unique tote, which showcased a painted print of the library, had the ability to fill up the tote with as many books as possible for a total of twenty-five dollars.  

All proceeds made from this book sale go towards funding various library programs.

“We offer programming for all ages, kids, adults, teens, older adults. We’re very interested in supporting our fiber arts programming right now, which has been very successful, and children’s programming as well,” said library employee Abby. 

Looking around, event goers struggled to carry their armfuls of books out with them, with almost every person purchasing over twenty books. Children, adults, and teens rummaged through the tables and tables of books. 

Volunteers were thrilled to have received so many book donations, with this year’s numbers outdoing last year’s, and to have so many people not only visiting the event but purchasing books.

NYCC 2024 Celebrates Pop Culture in Style

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2024 concluded with an electrifying atmosphere, drawing over 200,000 attendees to the Javits Center from October 17 to 20. This year’s event showcased an impressive lineup of stars, comic book creators, and industry legends, celebrating the diverse worlds of comics, television, film, and gaming. 

 

With fans flocking to the Big Apple from all corners of the country, the convention not only highlighted the vibrant culture of fandom but also contributed an estimated $80 million to the city’s economy, according to New York City Tourism + Conventions.

 

Throughout the weekend, fans engaged in a myriad of activities, from meeting beloved celebrities to hunting for rare comic books and collectibles. Cosplay was a major highlight, with attendees showcasing their creativity by dressing up as iconic characters from their favorite franchises. In addition to the bustling exhibit halls filled with must-have merchandise, attendees connected with fellow enthusiasts, forging friendships and networks that transcend the convention itself. 

 

NYCC 2024 was a testament to the power of pop culture, leaving fans buzzing with excitement and anticipation for next year’s gathering on October 9-12, 2025.

 

DEP brings its Cloudburst Hub Project to Kissena

BQE Admin on October 24, 2024

By Etta Badoe

 

It’s been a long time coming, but Kissena residents remain skeptical that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Cloudburst Project will solve their community’s severe flooding. 

At a town hall meeting held at PS24 in Kissena on Oct 17, the DEP, along with New York City Emergency Management, and AECOM, the infrastructure consulting firm selected to design services for the project, hosted a series of events from video presentations to discussions, and even a board game. The goal? To highlight the benefits of the Cloudburst Project for the Kissena community and listen to community feedback. However, residents expressed concern that this was little more than a temporary solution to a problem that required a long-term fix. 

“I appreciate they have a long-term view, but we need a solution now.” Dorothy Woo, a member of the Hollis Civic Association and a co-founder of the Kissena Corridor Park Conservancy, said. She has lived in Kissena since 1974. “The sewer was built in 1948 and even though the population increased, and housing increased, the sewer system remained the same. Woo explained. “So, people are suffering.”

The Cloudburst Project utilizes hubs designed to reduce flooding in high-risk neighborhoods during cloudburst events, sudden, intense rainstorms, which can cause severe flooding. By incorporating green (trees and rain gardens) and gray (sewers and underground storage tanks) infrastructure in a network of systems designed to absorb, store, and transfer excess stormwater, further strain on the current sewer system is avoided. 

“This area has had a lot of flooding. We’ve seen with recent climate change that the rainfall happens really quickly and in a short amount of time and our sewers can’t really handle it.” Roopesh Joshi, Acting Assistant Commissioner of the NYCDEP said. “What we’re doing is providing the infrastructure, assets to absorb that water or detain it and keep it till that intense rainfall event has passed, and the sewer has more capacity to take all that.”

Katie, a consultant with AECOM, further added, “In the case that the sewer system does get overloaded it will also be connected to measures and it can backflow into these measures instead of flooding basements or streets.” 

The project, which is still in the “visionary phase” and not expected to start construction until 2026, is partly funded by a $50 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program and is estimated to cost $80 million. NYC Emergency Management not only helped support the application process and implement the grant. Their team attended the meeting to discuss the funding and advise attendees on emergency preparedness.

The need to increase surface and subsurface storage units to accommodate the cloudburst hubs will inevitably disrupt the area’s landscape. “We’re doing this work in the park and there’s going to be construction, and we have to excavate, but we want to put stuff back.” Mark, a landscape architect with AECOM explains. A board game not only provided attendees with a little fun for the evening but also allowed them to suggest improvements they wanted to see by placing cards on the board. “The community is looking for more pathways, more lighting, more site lines through the park” among other improvements and preservations.

Joshi says the response has mostly been positive. “They’re really happy we’re doing something about it” referring to the heavy flooding that has plagued the area for decades. But he acknowledges that while cloudburst hubs will be the solution for some communities, for others it might not. “This won’t resolve every flooding issue, but this is a good step forward.”

Still, residents doubt the Cloudburst Project will solve Kissena’s severe flooding issues.

“I don’t understand why they can build a sewer for Bay Side, College Point, Whitestone, why they can’t do the same for our neighborhood,” Minnie Zen, a community local said. “Storage is not a solution.”

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