FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 30, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11 Sneak peek of new ferry landing in Astoria BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected] @AngelaMatua Work is underway at Hallets Cove in Astoria to ensure that the landing is up and running in time for Citywide Ferry Service, which is expected to launch this summer. Th e president of the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), along with Councilman Costa Constantinides, representatives from Community Board 1, Hornblower and the Astoria Houses Tenants Association gathered near the landing at Vernon Boulevard and 30th Road to provide updates. Th e barge has been installed and the remaining piles are being installed in the bedrock beneath the water, according to EDC President and CEO James Patchett. Th at work should be fi nished by next week and next steps include installing an electrical connection along the esplanade and gates and railings along the gangway. “We’re in really great shape in Astoria,” Patchett said. “Th is service is our response Photos by Angela Matua/QNS to the fact that we need more and more The ferry landing in Astoria is currently being installed for Citywide Ferry Service, which will launch transportation options for our citizens. this summer. As I was pointing out to the local community throughout the planning process, said this was a “transformative moment for this peninsula.” “I know how hard we fought to see transportation options added,” he said. “Th is has been a transportation dessert. Even though its only 1,515 feet, not that I’ve checked on Google Maps, but this is one of the longest commutes of our district and for the residents of public housing who can look out their windows every day and have no connection to this water and to be reconnected, to get to their work every day, it’s a watershed moment.” Patchett said the city has been asking second-graders around the city to come up with names for each ferry, which will have on-board amenities and seating for 150 people. “Some of the names we’ve gotten so far are Lunchbox and Friendship Express so we’ve got a lot of options for boat names,” he said. “Some of the names we got are names associated with some of the famous elements of marine history from the city.” Th ere will also be a canopy equipped with heating, seating and a wind screen installed on shore for riders waiting to be picked up. MetroCard machines will not be located on-site because the MTA is looking to roll out new technology that will make the machines obsolete in the next two years, Patchett said. Th e city has not released a timeline for the offi cial opening but the services will be staggered with the Rockaway route opening fi rst. Florence Koulouris, district manager of Community Board 1, said the Astoria route may be fully operational sometime in August. Higher rates now and an option to catch rising rates! 30 Month IRA CD 1.60% APY* Discover Queens Locations ���������������������������������� 42 Month IRA CD 1.79% APY* |SINCE 1960 ® 37-60 82nd Street 34-05 Broadway 100-20 Queens Boulevard Th e distance between Hallets Cove and Manhattan is only 1,500 feet, but for many residents who live along the water, the commute to the city takes up to an hour and a half. Constantinides, who has worked with Astoria Houses Tenants Association �� DISCOVER THE PONCE DIFFERENCE: THE CONVERTIBLE IRA CD members here it took over 100 years to build the Second Avenue Subway so we have to look at creative solutions to addressing transportation challenges our citizens are facing and ferries is a great solution for that.” *The Annual Percentage Yields (APY) shown are effective as of 02/01/2017. Minimum opening deposit is $500.00 to qualify for the promotional offer. These promotional IRA Certificates of Deposit allow a one-time conversion to any other IRA CD type without penalty during the term. Promotion will expire on 4/18/2017. Rates and provisions subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. Early withdrawal fees may apply. For more information, visit your nearest branch.
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