1. Message from JHBG President, Edwin O’Keefe Westley
The State of Jackson made this a reality as one of the action Brooklyn. We met with him on Mon-
items of the Green Agenda for Jack- day, January 16th and discussed
Heights son Heights. We are about to sign the many of the neighborhood con-
Part 1 permit issued by the NYS Dept. of cerns. He was very receptive to our
Transportation. concerns and we pledged to work in
partnership to implement some rem-
“Our greatest weariness edies.
The Jackson Heights Canine Recrea-
comes from work not done.” tion Exercise Wonderland (JHCrew)
Eric Hoffer Volunteers, under the leadership of Lori Expansion of Open Areas
Longbotham, have been maintaining This has been a high priority be-
We have all sat through the endless the Dog Run/Park on the NW corner of cause we are ranked 50th out of 51
speeches about the State of the Un- 69th street at 35th avenue for the better Council districts with the lowest
ion, State, County and District; this is part of two years. This is also a NYS amount of open space for its resi-
the beginning of the conversation on Dept. of Transportation permitted effort. dents.
Jackson Heights. The challenge is to select a proper sur-
face for our canine friends. ‘Schoolyard to Playground’
‘Green Zone’ Under the leadership of PS 69 prin-
Created on 69th Street by Nuala Jackson Heights Transportation cipal, Martha Vazquez, PS 69 play-
O’Doherty, the zone covers from Study Late summer 2011 implementa- ground is now open to all our neigh-
37th Ave. and Northern Blvd. Over tion began covering from 73rd street to bors after school hours. IS 145 prin-
the last several years, this area has 82nd street primarily along 37th avenue. cipal, Dolores Beckham is leading
been a target of our volunteers from The pros and cons of the changes are a similar endeavor at IS 145 and is
our Clean Streets committee. We planned to be discussed during March planned to start in the near future.
have received over $3,000 in grants 2012. Discussions center on the re-
over the last several years from the routing of bus traffic from 73rd street to 78th Street Play Street
Citizens’ Committee for NYC to as- 75th street. Some feel it has simply Over the last several years, we
sist us in this effort. Recently a signif- moved the traffic congestion. The hot have partnered with the Jackson
icant area bordering the BQE was button issue has become the creation of Heights Green Alliance (JHGA) to
revitalized with a new garden. Daffo- the 37th Rd. Pedestrian Plaza. Many of provide more recreation space for
dils will rise in the spring in honor of the merchants want the road re-opened children during the summer months.
our first responders on 9/11. to vehicular traffic because it has limited The NYC DOT recently announced
access to 74th street and caused a sig- that the application submitted by the
nificant decrease in business. STAY JHGA has been accepted and the
‘Composting Area’
TUNED! street will be turned into a year
As you move north on 69th Street at
round street plaza. We expect to
the SW corner of 35th Avenue our
82ND Street Business Improvement continue the partnership. A Town
first ever composting site is sched-
District Seth Taylor is the new manag- Hall meeting is scheduled for Mon-
uled for a Spring/Summer opening.
er who comes to the position deep in day, March 5th to discuss.
Len Maniace and his merry band of
master composters and volunteers BID experience in Manhattan and
President’s Message…..………….1 82nd Street BID…………………….5 Clean and Green…………………...9
New from the Heights…………..2-3 Graffiti Busters……………………..6 Letters to/from Editor…………….10
Street Plazas………………….…….4 Composting………………………….7 Membership………………………..11
Clean Streets Flyer………………...8
Views - Winter 2011 - Page 1

2. News from the Heights
By Daniel Karatzas
New Building Proposed Here is how this building was de- Because this landmarked building
scribed in the Landmarks Preser- is located in the Jackson Heights
for Historic District vation Commission (LPC) designa- Historic District, it cannot simply be
tion report for the Jackson Heights demolished to make way for a
At the end of January, the owner of
Historic District: huge, new structure. The owner
the commercial property on the
th will have to obtain approval from
northwest corner of 37 Avenue
This one-story commercial build- the LPC to pursue demolition. If
between 85th Street applied to the
ing, designed by Boris Dorfman in the LPC does not approve the
Department of Buildings to demol-
the Moderne style, is characteristic demolition, the owner could then
ish the current one-story commer-
of the commercial development of apply for a hardship, claiming that
cial structure and construct a sev-
37th Avenue in the 1940s and com- he cannot make a reasonable re-
en-story mixed-use building. This
plements much of the architecture turn from his building.
building, which currently houses
of the neighborhood. Located at
storefronts with addresses from 84
the northwest corner of the avenue There is no reason this building,
-11 to 84-23 37th Avenue, is adja-
and 85th Street, the brick building which is integral to the Queensbo-
cent to the one that burned to the
has a curved corner bay, a ro Corporation’s original architec-
ground two years ago, and thanks
stepped parapet with both smooth tural vision for Jackson Heights,
to the our fire department, survived
and fluted coping, and vertical should be demolished. 37th Avenue
the fire unscathed. You know it be-
stretcher courses of brick. Store- was meant to be a pleasant com-
cause of the wonderful curved cor-
fronts are located along 37th Ave- mercial street, with a variety of
ner that has been there since
nue and the corner storefront commercial and some residential
1945.
wraps around to the 85th Street el- buildings, complementing the gar-
evation; in addition, the brick side den apartment and garden homes
street elevation has four openings that surround them. Allowing for a
with grilles and a bricked-in door seven-story building will create a
opening. cavern-like 37th Avenue and de-
stroy the character of our historic
district. We will need your support
to make sure that this building is
not allowed to be demolished. We
will keep you informed as to how
and when you should contact our
elected officials and the LPC.
Views Winter 2011 Page 2

3. News from the Heights (Continued)
By Daniel Karatzas
Guggenheim Museum in architects who are responsible for Jackson Heights. How do its resi-
the Jackson Heights program: Sol- dents, who often have roots else-
Jackson Heights id Ojectives – Idenburg Liu (or SO where, achieve a sense of home
– IL). Founded in 2008 by Florian and localness in a post-national
Late last year the JHBG was con-
Idenburg and Jing Liu, SO – IL is living situation? And what urged
tacted by the Guggenheim Muse-
an idea-based practice with that them to leave their old households
um to participate in stillspotting
combines philosophies and design and countries in the first place?
nyc, a two-year multidisciplinary
aesthetics from Asia, especially
project that takes the museum’s
Japan and China, with those from In Transhistoria, SO – IL dives
Architecture and Urban Studies
Europe. In 2010, SO – IL was se- deeper into these transformative
programming out into the streets of
lected as the winner of MoMA personal narratives through a se-
the city’s five boroughs. Every
PS1’s Young Architects Program ries of stories, commissioned from
three to five months, “stillspots” are
for its Pole Dance design, which Queens-based narrators, including
identified, created, or transformed
provided a playful yet pleasing renowned poets, priests, and au-
by architects, artists, designers,
aesthetic experience in PS1’s thors. Each will create an oral his-
composers, and philosophers into
courtyard in Queens. tory about personal transition and
public tours, events, or installa-
finding home in Jackson Heights.
tions. This will be its first program
Here is how the Guggenheim’s During the four weekends in April
in Queens, after having sponsored
website describes the program: and May, Jackson Heights resi-
sites in both Manhattan and Brook-
Jackson Heights, in the northwest dents will recount these stories
lyn. The Jackson Heights stillspot-
of Queens, is a quintessential around several neighborhood still-
ting event, called Transhistoria, is
melting pot of cultures. With 138 spots as varied as a former enter-
planned for four consecutive week-
languages spoken among several tainment space and an intimate
ends: April 14-15, April 21-22, April
global communities, the borough is home. In two-hour self-guided
28-29, and May 5-6.
considered one of the most diverse tours starting from the Broadway-
neighborhoods of New York. For Roosevelt transit hub, Transhisto-
The JHBG suggested a number of
Transhistoria, SO-IL wonders how ria visitors will encounter three of
potential sites and individuals to
one finds calm and inner peace in these personal transhistories.
the stillspotting team, including the
a disparate environment such as
Did you know....?????
The principals of top-ranking city schools got their annual bonuses last month, adding as much as $25,000 to some
school leaders’ pay.
The bonuses, guaranteed under a city agreement with the principals union, went to administrators at schools with the
highest scores on the city’s progress reports. A total of 275 principals and their assistant principals received bonuses
totaling more than $5 million!!!
Our local schools on the list are: P. S. 149 , the Christa McCauliffe School, P.S. 152, P.S. 212, P.S. 228, I.S. 227 The
Louis Armstrong School, P.S. 89 (District 24). The Principal at each of these schools received a $7000 bonus and the
Assistant Principal a $3500 bonus.
Source: GOTHAM SCHOOLS (an independent news source about the New York City public schools)
Views Winter 2011 Page 3

4. A Tale of Two Pedestrian Plazas
By Len Maniace
A permanent 78th Street Play- The issue is not a simple one. The 78th Street Playstreet/
street/Pedestrian Plaza is mov- The plan is more than a pedes- Pedestrian Plaza has had over-
ing ahead with the blessing of trian plaza. Council Daniel whelming support from the
Community Board 3 and massive Dromm’s office said the changes neighborhood. Changes on the
support from the Jackson have sped bus service and re- street will take place in stages.
Heights community. But more on duced the number of traffic acci- First the street will be closed on
that later. dents near the troublesome in- Sundays for the Greenmarket.
tersection of Roosevelt and Then its expected then its ex-
Meanwhile the 37th Road Pe- Broadway. Pedestrian plazas pected that the city will close the
destrian Plaza, which is part of can be great assets to a com- southern half of the street (that
a larger traffic improvement plan mercial street, but one has to part closest to the Garden
by the city, has had a bumpy wonder about this plaza’s chanc- School), with city landscaping of
ride. Despite support from promi- es for success if the merchants the plaza coming later.
nent players in the South Asian are determined not to support it.
commercial district, and unani- The pedestrian plaza would af-
mous approval of Community Many supporters of the plan, in- fect only half the street in order
Boards 3 and 4, opposition has cluding me, wonder if the mer- to serve the Garden School. The
grown. chants aren’t being short sight- private school uses 78th Street to
ed, and missing a chance to add drop off its lower grade children
Many South Asian merchants a major amenity to their shop- and also has a small garage
complained about a loss of busi- ping district. It isn’t hard to imag- near the middle of the block.
ness which they blame on the ine a landscaped plaza filled
closing of 37th Road to cars. The with trees, tables and chairs, The Garden School figures
reasons they cited: The loss of and diners from nearby restau- prominently in a separate but
parking; the elimination of a bus rants. The stretch could become related open space initiative.
stop on the street; and a change a major attraction not only peo- The city plans to the purchase
in traffic patterns that makes it ple in the surrounding area but the school’s athletic field, which
impossible for motorists to circle other city neighborhoods for stretches from 78th to 79th
the block looking for parking. The whom 37th Road is an easy trip Streets. Together with the pe-
changes were put in place by the by transit. destrian plaza, this field could
NYC Department of Transporta- then become a contiguous ex-
tion, which has been successful- Instead the merchants seem tension to Travers Park.
ly creating popular pedestrian more worried about business
plazas around the city, including from the suburbs, a market that The Jackson Heights Beautifi-
Herald and Times Squares. could disappear if someone cati8on Group and its Green
buys a failing suburban shop- Agenda for Jackson Heights
The city DOT will continue to ping strip along a highway and Committee has been working
consider comments from the turns it into a South Asian mar- with the Jackson Heights
community on the plaza and re- ket center. It would be closer to GREEN Alliance the two 78th
lated changes, a spokes person home with ample parking. Street area initiatives, which
told Views from the Heights, add- have been strongly supported by
ing the agency “will begin a com- Councilman Dromm.
prehensive monitoring program
in the spring to evaluate all of the
treatments related to the Jack-
son Heights study.”
Views Winter 2011 Page 4

5. Big changes expected on 82nd Street
By Len Maniace
Despite a special fee on building The 82nd Street BID is a good One thing the street does not lack
owners to pay for extra services, deal smaller – only two blocks in is foot traffic, an essential ingredi-
the 82nd Street commercial district length – from Taylor’s previous ent for all city commercial districts,
never lived up to expectations. assignments. It stretches from the Taylor noted. The 82nd Street sta-
Graffiti lingered on buildings and north side of 37th Avenue along tion brings nearly 15,600 custom-
litter blew through the streets until 82nd Street south to Baxter Ave- ers to the street everyday, accord-
city officials had had enough. nue on the other side of Roose- ing to the MTA. Elmhurst Hospital
velt Avenue. Center just south of the district is a
After complaints by residents and source of many potential custom-
local City Council members, the The two blocks have very differ- ers, with more than 4,000 employ-
head of the 82nd Street Business ent personalities. The northern ees and 560,000 outpatient visits
Improvement District was fired block is part of the Jackson every year.
late last year and a new execu- Heights historic district and con-
tive director appointed. tains generally staid signage and
some large storefronts
The new boss on the street is such as banks and
Seth Taylor, 32, a veteran of four chain pharmacies.
major Business Improvement Dis- The southern street
tricts in New York City. He served has no landmark sta-
as project manager for the 34th tus and is filled with
Street Partnership and the Bryant small stores whose
Park Corp.; business services building fronts are
manager for the Downtown plastered with signs. It
Brooklyn Partnership; and direc- looks louder, more
tor of economic development at energetic and con-
the Union Square Partnership. tains more food stores
and eateries. Both
Basic housekeeping is the first have their appeal,
task, Taylor said, getting rid of Taylor said.
graffiti, cleaning the streets and
removing empty planters that After dealing with
contain only trash. His first step basic housekeeping,
down that road is to bring in a Taylor wants to im-
new maintenance company by prove the Dunning-
mid-March. ham Triangle Park at
the district’s southern
“You will start to see improve- end with additional
ments to the street. They will be plantings and perhaps
cleaner and there will be less small tables and
graffiti and that, hopefully, will chairs. The exterior of
show off the great architecture of the 82nd Street sub-
these buildings.” way station could be New BID boss, Seth Taylor, vows crackdown on
an opportunity for art, graffiti that scars 82nd Street.
he said.
Views Winter 2011 Page 5

6. Graffiti Busters Report
By Jim Riccio
JHBG's volunteer graffiti- Web site for the "Graffiti-Free days to contact The City to
cleaning squad (Basil Safos, NYC" program sponsored by decline graffiti removal ser-
Josh Weiss, Jim Riccio, the NYC Economic Develop- vices or request an exten-
and new recruit, Tom Rus- ment Corporation: sion. If the property owner/
sell) made their way methodi- representative takes no ac-
cally through the neighbor- www.nycedc.com/graffiti tion within 35 days, we will
hood this year to clean nearly remove the graffiti free of
50 graffiti spots on apartment Here's what they say: charge. If you are witnessing
buildings and storefronts, a graffiti crime in progress or
plus countless lamposts and Anyone can report graffiti on existing graffiti you believe is
mailboxes. They cleaned any property in New York City. a gang or hate sign, call 9-1-
from 70th Street to 87th Simply call 3-1-1 and The City 1 and you will be routed to
Street, between Northern will mail a Notice of Intent to NYPD's Citywide Vandals
Boulevard and Roosevelt Av- Remove graffiti to the proper- Task Force.
enue. ty's address as well as the
owner's address if different Please help us keep Jackson
But don't leave all the fun to from the property in question. Heights graffiti-free!
the JHBG! Did you know that Once the notice is delivered,
NYC will also clean graffiti-- the property owner/
for FREE? Check out the representative will have 35
Volunteer, Matthew Riccio ,helping the JHBG "graffiti-busters" clean
the neighborhood.
Views Winter 2011 Page 6

7. JHBG Wins Permit for Compost Center
By Len Maniace
The state Department of Trans- waste collected from residents at Jackson Heights, a grassroots
portation has issued a permit that the Jackson Heights Greenmar- community planning effort in
will allow the operation of a com- ket on Sunday mornings. This which more than 400 residents
munity composting center under material is now driven to com- participated.
an elevated portion of the BQE in posting centers in Astoria and
Jackson Heights. Long Island City where it is used. This effort to bring a composting
The center also might be used for center to Jackson Heights was
Run by JHBG volunteers the cen- short-term storage of trees and led by Lenny Olsson, Melissa
ter is expected to open by the plants as part of the city’s Million Zavala and Julian McNamara
spring, taking mainly fruit and Trees Program. and is the result of about 18
vegetable waste, as well as months of work.
leaves and garden waste that The center is to be located south
otherwise goes to distant landfills of 35th Avenue on the west side JHBG plans to host composting
at significant economic and envi- of 69th Street, not far from a programs this year that will teach
ronmental costs. Instead the ma- JHBG-operated dog park that residents about the benefits of
terials will be biologically broken was the group’s first effort to use composting and how to compost
down into compost, a natural fer- land under the BQE in coopera- in one’s yard. If you are interest-
tilizer and soil conditioner for use tion with the state Department of ed in volunteering to help with the
in Jackson Heights. Transportation. compost effort please contact
A composting center was one of JHBG.
The opening of the center should the recommendations contained
allow for a major increase in in the 2010 Green Agenda for
Additional information about composting is available at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/compost/edu_outdoor_materials.shtm
Views Winter 2011 Page 7

8. You Can Make a Difference
Saturday
April 21, 2012
10 AM – 1 PM
Jackson Heights Beautification Group
Clean Streets Clean Up
Special Planting Event
Fall project to clean and green the area next to the BQE on
70th Street between 37th Avenue and Northern Blvd.
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Meet at White Castle Parking Lot on 34th Avenue
and 69th Street
What: Wear you old clothes and help with cleaning
and greening the area.
Why: Help make a statement in favor of a cleaner
neighborhood! Shovels, brooms, gloves, and
other equipment are supplied. Free refreshments.
Who: All are welcome! Please bring your kids, parents,
neighbors or friends.
Views Winter 2011 Page 8

9. JHBG SPRING CLEAN AND GREEN
By Fionnuala O'Doherty
On April 21, 2012, from 10:00 area under another section of the  Cut down weeds along the
a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we will hold BQE. BQE
our Spring Clean and Green
event. We will meet at the White This small strip of unoccupied  Apply mulch to the area
Castle parking lot on 34th Ave- land has not been cared for in the planted last year
nue and 69th Street and clean past. There are no houses or
from Northern Boulevard to 37th businesses, so over the winter  Plant spring flower, remove
Avenue. (See flyer on previous the trash piles up. Each spring, graffiti, and
page.) JHBG has a big clean up and
JHBG volunteers do follow up  Care for the street trees by
The Jackson Heights Beautifica- cleaning during the warm months loosening the dirt and apply-
tion Group has been working for to keep the area litter free. ing mulch.
the past few years on using our
public spaces better. Since we Last year we began transforming We meet at the White Castle
are a neighborhood starved of the area by planting about 1000 Parking lot at 10:00 a.m. to pick
public green space, we have square feet of the space into a up gloves, trash bags and sup-
been working on turning the garden. Over the summer, the plies. We work until 1:00 p.m.
small strip of land that runs along garden area was not covered in and then go back to White Cas-
the BQE from a dumping ground litter and was generally kept tle to have so hamburgers for
to a usable green space. clean, while the un-kept area was lunch.
still used as a dumping ground.
Over the years, we have put in a Our goal is to change the strip Children are welcome and by
dog run under the BQE. Last into a desirable area where peo- the end of the day you can really
year we planted a small garden ple would not think of littering. see the impact made. We hold
in a strip of unused land next to the clean and green rain or
the BQE. This year we with the On April 21, 2012, we plan to: shine.
approval of the NYS Department
of Transportation we will begin  Pick up trash from Northern
work on a community compost Blvd to 37th Avenue
TULIP GARDEN RETURNS TO JACKSON HEIGHTS
By Finnuala O’Doherty
During the winter months, the Street. This tulip garden was spring, so keep a eye out for the
area where 37th Avenue crosses planted as part of the BQE re- show.
the BQE is a windy wasteland, construction. Volunteers from the
but come spring something JHBG come out in March and If you would like to help, we will
amazing happens. clear the leaves, trash and de- be cleaning the garden on Sat-
bris that litter the garden in the urday, March 10th starting at
Each spring, hundreds of tulips cold winter months. 10:00 AM. All are welcome to
poke up from the ground just be- join us. If it rains, we will be out
hind the black iron fence at the With just a little help, the tulips the next day at the same time.
corner of 37th Avenue and 70th make their grand debut each
Views Winter 2011 Page 9

10. VIEWS FROM THE
HEIGHTS
Letters To/From the Editor
Volume 23 Number 2
Winter 2011
By: John Petrozino
Jackson Heights
Beautification Group
Post Office Box 720253 I would like to take this oppor- You can also contact us
Jackson Heights, NY
11372-0253 tunity to thank each of the through our new Facebook
718-565-5344 writers for their contributions. page:
Email: info@jhbg.org
Without them, there would be www.facebook.com/jhbgny
Editor
no Views From the Heights.
John Petrozino I’d also like to thank our read- Please like us if you haven’t
ers, for without you, we’d already, so you can get in-
Writers and Reporters
have no one to read them! stant, timely information to
I would also like to thank the upcoming events in the
Daniel Karatzas
Len Maniace
previous editor, Doris Wurgler neighborhood.
Finuala O’Doherty for her kindness and patience
James Riccio
Edwin O’Keefe Westley in helping to prepare me to The next issue is slated to
take over as editor. come out in May and hope-
fully one more in July before
Transitioning roles within the our summer break! Then
Graphic Design
organization, especially for a we’ll be back on schedule
James Stonebraker small, local, all-volunteer non- with our Fall issue in Sep-
JHBG OFFICERS profit, can be a particularly ar- tember and Winter again,
Edwin O’Keefe Westley, duous task. As such, we ask come December.
President
Len Maniace,
for your patience and under-
1st Vice President standing as we finalize this Until the next issue….
John Petrozino, process.
2nd Vice President
Janet Kelly, Treasurer
John J. McCaffrey, Jr., News/Feedback is always
Secretary
welcome. If you would like to
us an article or letter to the
JHBG DIRECTORS editor, you can be submit
Leslie Elliman them via email or snail mail
Nelida Florez
Darryl Hoss
to the addresses on the left.
Daniel Karatzas
Janet Kelly
Barbara Kunkel
Lori Longbotham Stay Connected: Now on FACEBOOK!
Len Maniace
Carlos Martinez
John J. McCaffrey, Jr. In addition to the JHB official website, www.jhbg.org, you can now
Finuala O’Doherty follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jhbgny.
John Petrozino
Jim Riccio
Basil Safos
Send e-mails to info@jhbg.org or
Edwin O’Keefe Westley Leave a message at 718-565-5344.
Doris D. Wurgler
Founding Director
Maire Breen Views Winter 2011 Page 10

11. Membership: Jackson Heights Beautification Group
Your annual membership in the JHBG helps us fund neighborhood activities,
demonstrates your commitment to a better community, and permits us to be your voice
in the revitalization of Jackson Heights. Your support is important to the future of our
neighborhood. The JHBG is 100% volunteer-run, and there is no paid staff. The JHBG is
a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible.
Please make checks payable to Jackson Heights Beautification Group. You will be
mailed a receipt for tax purposes.
Please fill out this page and return it with your payment to:
JHBG—Membership
Box 720253
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
1. Please circle membership level:
Individual—$25 Business—$50
Sustaining—$100 Patron—$250
Benefactor—$500 Sponsor—$1,000
Other: ______
2. Please print the following:
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address (including Apt. #): ________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: _________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone (optional): _________________________________________________
Evening Phone (optional): _________________________________________________
3. Are you interested in being contacted about any of the following JHBG activities?
If so, please circle the appropriate one(s):
Clean Streets Friends of Travers Park
Garden Club (including flower planting) Graffiti Busters
Halloween Parade Historic Weekend
Membership Building Newsletter and/or Website
Town Halls Other: __________________
4. Suggestions? Comments?
THANK YOU! If you have any immediate questions or concerns, contact the JHBG
by phone (718-565-5344) or email (info@jhbg.org).
Views Winter 2011 Page 11

12. Current Events
Do you have a local event happening
in the near future?
Let us know by sending us information at
info@jhbg.org or posting directly to our
Facebook page: facebook.com/jhbgny
Be sure to include “Current Events” in your
subject line (if sending by email)!
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