Bayside architect recognized for design excellence
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A Bayside architect was just
honored with his eighth award
from the Queens Chamber of
Commerce last Thursday.
Tim Hao was awarded the
Excellent Design Award for rehabilitation,
re-adaptive use, alteration
or addition to a Bayside
home at the 2018 Annual Building
Awards Gala.
According to Hao, he was
one of 14 architects awarded
out of 90 entries for this year’s
competition, which took place at
Terrace on the Park.
Construction on the winning
property was completed in
December 2017 and took a full
year — four months for the design
process and eight months
for construction. Hao teamed up
with builder and property owner
Alex Zhao for the project.
“I feel great for the recognition
of first place award winner,
I tried my best in architectural
design to improve the appearance
of buildings I designed and
to work toward bettering and
beautifying Queens,” Hao said.
“Architecture is the landmark or
symbol of a city and represents
the specific cultural ethos. Appearance
is vital, I tried to provide
designs that create uplifting
spaces for people’s daily lives.”
Last year, Hao won first
place for his work designing a
mini-mansion in Little Neck.
He has been recognized by the
chamber of commerce for his
Hao with Borough President Melinda Katz. Courtesy of Tim Hao
designs since 2011.
The 34-year veteran architect
became interested
in design as a child growing
up in China and studied it
extensively while in school.
He received a degree in civil
engineering at Qingdao University
of Technology, studied
architecture at Xi’an University
of Architecture and
Technology Interior design
and also studied urban planning
at Southeast University
in China.
His goal when designing a
new project is to make use of the
existing structure in order to
create environmentally friendly
designs and lower construction
costs. Hao shared that he gains
inspiration for each project by
visiting each site and taking in
the surrounding area.
“I got ideas and inspiration
for design a contemporary
house when I take a site visit
for surroundings,” Hao said.
“I saw many contemporary
buildings, from a temple and
campus of Queens Community
College nearby. This house
should be a nice addition for
the beautiful campus.”
Currently, the architect is
working on “many projects”
which include residential houses,
interior design projects and
mixed-use buildings around
New York City.
Richmond Hill bar loses liquor license once again
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
The State Liquor Authority
(SLA) has once again
suspended the liquor license
at a Richmond Hill bar with
a history of shootings and
other violations.
Effective immediately, no
alcohol can be consumed or
sold at the Rose Lounge, located
at 89-25 130th St.
The decision came just
three days after an early
morning shooting outside of
the bar that left five people
injured.
At 3:46 a.m. on Dec. 8, an
unknown man opened fire
outside of the Rose Lounge,
injuring four women and
one man. The victims were
taken to local hospitals for
treatment and the shooter
remains at large, according
to authorities.
On the day of the shooting,
the SLA, NYPD and the
NYC Department of Health
(DOH) conducted an inspection
of the premises. The inspection
resulted in 67 violations,
including 14 NYPD
criminal court summonses
and 27 DOH violations.
On Dec. 10, the SLA
charged the Rose Lounge
with 10 additional violations,
including operating
a disorderly premises, employing
unlicensed bouncers,
and becoming a focal
point for police attention,
plus additional health and
safety violations.
According to the SLA,
there is a history of “disturbing
incidents” at the Rose
Lounge, which has been licensed
since March 2018.
Police outside the Rose Lounge April 15 after a double-shooting
outside the club. Photo by Mark Mellone
On March 9, the bar reportedly
hosted a birthday
party for a deceased member
of a gang despite warnings
from the NYPD that similar
events had led to disorderly
crowds and arrests. Later
that same month on March
25, police were called to the
bar for a fight that required
more units to break up.
On April 15, a double
shooting outside of the Rose
Lounge — located at 89-25
130th St. — left two people
injured. Finally, on Nov. 3,
a female patron reported an
attempted rape by a man who
claimed to be a bouncer.
“The continuing violence
and disorder occurring at
this establishment clearly
shows this bar is being run
in a manner that is an imminent
threat to the public
health, safety and welfare,”
said Counsel to the Authority
Christopher R. Riano. “I
commend the Authority for
shutting down this dangerous
bar that has menaced
their neighbors, placed their
patrons in danger and taxed
the resources of the 102nd
Precinct.”
TIMESLEDGER,46 DEC. 21-27, 2018 TIMESLEDGER.COM