Parking Plague

Photo Credit: Jesse Winter

Long Island City is a neighborhood on a turbo charged rise, and now facing many problems not only with schooling but PARKING.

As the population swells day to day and more and more housing develops. Many of the residents that do not work in the city and rely on personal means of transportation, might have to seriously think about whether or not this area works for them. 

Right now the East coast development has plans to complete a 500 car parking garage in May 2013, that will be connected to the biggest building of the development. Some spots will be rentals and some will also be for sale but for a very hefty price of about 40,000.00 to buy. According to the selling price we can figure average rental price at anywhere between 300.00 to 600.00 dollars a month. So in that aspect to many, why have a car or why live in this area.

Local politicians have now stepped in and promised a "game plan" in a attempt to resolve some of the scarcity of parking in L.I.C. The first step they said would be, to apply street regulations to all the streets in the area, as some people from what they have been told "abuse free parking by squatting for weeks and months on end". At the moment many ideas are in the works, it is New York's responsibility as a city to provide public parking to its residents and with that said I believe it is only a matter of time before we see a break for those who can not and will not pay for garage parking. 

Courtesy of NY 1

Sources

Queens Chronicle

Education in Mind?

Courtesy of: TF Cornerstone

P.S. 78 at 100%, leaves an empty hole in local public education as the need for a New public school increases with the population.

As the population keeps growing in the Long Island City area, the demand for educational centers for new residents with kids increases. Above is P.S. / I.S. 312 that is currently being built by the TF Cornerstone group as part of an agreement that was made by Bloomberg upon getting the building permits for the East Coast development.

It is still unclear if P.S. / I.S. 312 will be open to the public or only those in the surrounding area and students who will have to take a specialized test or the general public. Many board meeting in the past few weeks have been held to discuss this conflict of interest and will have to be settled soon as the school plans to open by spring 2013.

As local residents begin to apply regardless of who the school will open to, the thing to keep in mind is that there will only be about 100 seats per grade. "The route of the first future problem", as developments keep on course 25% of each building on average will contain residents with kids that will  fill the seats up very quickly.

A solution is needed to be able to provide ONLY the local residents with the guaranteed seats for their kids. Time is of the essence here, as the date of completion for the remaining TF Cornerstone residential buildings is expected by summer 2013.

Sources:
CEDC

Drink Up!!

As winter creeps around the corner, and we prepare for hibernation. What better way to be lured out of the cave then a bar crawl? 

Long Island City is home to some unique local bars. All are similar but different in flavor. So now with the cool weather in the air and nothing but colder temperature to follow. Why not find refuge and hydration in a place that is close to home? 

Upon partaking in a L.I.C. bar crawl whether in search of a good time, a stiff drink, food, music or whatever it is that you heart desires. Make sure you do NOT forget to wear you walking shoes. The distance can be a couple blocks between venues and there are about a dozen or so good bars in witch to choose from. The bars in L.I.C. are all AWESOME and each carries an old world feel with an artsy vibe. 

Here are my top three:

L.I.C. Bar

Courtesy of: L.I.C. Bar

Is Long Island City's most Northern bar, with a turn of the 20th century feel. It offers an impressive selection of single malt scotch's and some finger food.

Dutch Kills Bar

Courtesy of: Dutch Kills Bar

Is Located right on on Jackson ave. (the biggest and busiest street in the area). With Gangs of New York feel to it. It offers hand cut ice and fresh drinks made from scratch. Sorry, but if you have the munchies here there is no help.

Dominies Hoek

Courtesy of: Steve Cherches 

Is conveniently located right of the 7 train stop on Vernon blvd. With a "contemporary feel and a rustic edge". It offers a good food and large beer selection. Keep in mind there are live bands that play here so try and shoot for scheduled nights.  

Other L.I.C. Local Bars:

Lounge 47
The Creek and the Cave

Sources:
New York Magazine

Business Trends

Courtesy of: The Gothomist

Already home to many Tech Start Up's and a couple of big companies like JetBlue, Rolex and lets not forget "founder" Citi Bank. Now Publicis, the huge international advertising agency seems to be coming to Long Island City. 

As the economy struggles back to its feet, aiding to its recovery are many tax incentives that have been implemented by the city, state and federal government. Now, with that said big companies are more willing to take the plunge into a future endeavours and at the same rate provide jobs and economic growth. 

Publicis Plan is to move into a 100,000 square foot space in same building that JetBlue currently rents 200,000 from. The whopping 700,000 square foot building is where MET Life Queens used to completely operate from. Still holding 10 years on their lease MET life in its cut backs has been able to free about 4 floors of space and make money on subleasing to companies like these. Met

The L.I.C. area is essential to businesses because it has mass transportation, a educated work force and housing all in its vicinity. Above all however, is the fact that L.I.C. is still much cheaper than any city rents priced at doller per square foot. Making more and more companies come across the river. 

Sources:

LIC Partnership

Further Reading:

Publicies

The Time is NOW

Photo by TF Cornerstone

The rapidly developing N.Y.C. waterfront community that is being erected from the remains of what used to be an old Pepsi Cola bottling facility in Queens. 

Long Island City or "LIC" is nested along the east river opposite to Midtown Manhattan. In LIC the rise to high rises, seems to be a trend at least in the eyes of developers such as the Rockrose and TF Cornerstone group. What used to be a 11 acre plot of land is now home to, 4 brand new rental apartment buildings with 3 more on the way by end of 2014. In a matter of 10 years a rise in population of about 30,000 people are speculated to inhabit the LIC area with more to follow as other developers are now catching on.

In literally just a blink of the eyes, a new floor is added to whichever building is in the works. Existing businesses are flourishing, new businesses are popping up and the need for more and more is ever growing. As a local resident to the area, I foresee that in about 10 years LIC will be the best new spot to live for those young professionals in Queens in search of somewhere close to the city and family.

Right now LIC in still industrial as a whole but with more and more developers investing in the area along with the rise of new businesses. LIC will one day be a refection of what midtown Manhattan is today. If you look at Williamsburg located in Brooklyn N.Y. you have almost the same situation but a bit more advanced. Interestingly enough instead of having the same flavor as LIC it instead mirrors a downtown Manhattan flavor.

All the buildings almost full occupancy, time is of the essence her ladies and gentlemen, and in my opinion as a "young professional" you may want to seriously think of locking yourself into something here before its to late or to expensive.
Best Local Realty

"As more development has taken place, people's confidence in the future of Long Island City has increased,"says Dan Miner, VP of LIC Partnership (courtesy of Daily News)

"Long Island City has transformed as a neighborhood. In the past few months real estate has been moving and inventory has been going very quickly. As soon as things go up in the market, they are gone." says Arlinda Dine, Modern spaces (courtesy of NY 1 News)

Developer:
TF Cornerstone

Local Realty's:
NestSeekers
Modern Spaces

Sources:
Daily News
NY 1