Sandbox 1, Sandbox 2, Sandbox 3, Sandbox 4, Sandbox 5, Sandbox 6, Sandbox 7, Sandbox 8, Sandbox 9

LIC History

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Geology and precolonial use

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  • Atlantic Costal Plain, an elevated seafloor.[1]: 4 [2]: 5 

Prior to European settlement, much of what are now Long Island City and Astoria consisted of tidal marsh, with several freshwater creeks and tidal estuaries running through the area. The water bodies and marshland facilitated numerous species of animals, aquatic species such as fish and shellfish, and vegetation.[1]: 4, 8–10 [2]: 17 [3]: 2 [4] The East River shoreline including part of future Hunters Point consisted of a ledge or bluff of rocks,[5][6] similar to the southern tip of Manhattan at that time.[7] The point of highest elevation was a hill located near Newtown Creek, at the modern intersection of Vernon Boulevard and Borden Avenue.[1]: 12 

The large area that would become the Town of Newtown, most of Queens west of present-day Flushing Meadows–Corona Park,[8] was referred to as "Wandewenock" by local Native American groups, translated as "the fine land between the long streams". These streams were Flushing Creek in Flushing Meadows, and either the East River or Newtown Creek.[2]: 11 [9]: 27–28 [10][11]: 47 [12]: 9  Most of this area was occupied by forest,[2]: 11 [12]: 9  and inhabited by the Rockaway, Canarsee, and Mohawk Native American groups.[1]: 4, 8–10 [2]: 17, 53, 55 [9]: 16–17 [12]: 6 [13] Newtown Creek itself and the marshlands of Long Island City were known as "Mespachtes", "Mespacht", "Mispat", or "Mespat" (precursor to Maspeth), meaning "at the bad water place" or "overflowed". Meanwhile Dutch Kills Creek was called "Canapaukah" or "Kanapaukah".[3]: 2 [9]: 27–28 [14]: 2 [11]: 47 [12]: 6 

In spite of the large amount of natural resources available, the marshland that formed much of Long Island City and Astoria is believed to have been uninhabited by Native Americans, with little evidence of formal settlements or permanent trails. Rather, the central settlement of the area was situated at the head of Newtown Creek, known as Mespat in what is now Maspeth.[1]: 8–10 [2]: 17, 53, 55 [12]: 6–9  During Kieft's War in 1643, this village was destroyed.[9]

  • Vernon Boulevard (Vernon Avenue) causeway.[2]: 17 

Initial European settlement

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European settlement of what is now Long Island City began in 1637 during the Dutch colonial period.[4]: 7–2  In 1640, English Reverend Francis Doughty was granted 13,332 acres (5,395 ha) of land at Mespat (Maspeth). This grant included all of the future Town of Newtown including Long Island City. Doughty had came to the Americas seeking freedom of religion.[9]: 27–28 [15][11]: 47–51 [16]: 24–27  In 1643, several tracts of land were sold by the colonial government to settlers. 212 acres (86 ha) of land along the East River and Newtown Creek, which would later become Hunters Point, were purchased from the colonial government by Reverend Everardus Bogardus. Bogardus was the minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam, now Manhattan. The area gained the name Dominie's Hook, as Bogardus was the dominie of New Netherland.[1]: 12 [5][9]: 27–28 [6][13][17] The same year, land at the intersection of Newtown and Dutch Kills Creek was deeded to Richard Brutnell to become the Brutnell plantation.[9][4]: 7–2  Meanwhile, land on the western shore of Dutch Kills was given to Dutch West India Company ship carpenter Tyman Jansen, while German settler Burger Jorissen acquired land along the Kill at what is now Queens Plaza.[3]: 4 [4]: 7–2 [9]: 27–28 [12]: 10  Jorissen established a farm and gristmill on his property, erecting a damn across the Kill and draining the swampland on the site.[3]: 4 [4]: 7–2  The name "Canapaukah", translating to "at the fenced-in water place", is said to be a reference to Jorissen's farm and mill.[14]: 2 [12]: 6 

In 1664, New Amsterdam was ceded to Great Britain, and the area became part of the British Province of New York.[5]: 2 [9]: 18  Long Island Staten Island were combined into a "shire" or county called Yorkshire, which was divided into three Ridings. Western Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island would become part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. At this time, the area of western Queens was given the name "New Towne", or the Town of Newtown. The Ridings were abolished in 1683, and Newtown became part of the newly-created Queens County[4]: 7–2 [5]: 2 [9]: 18–19 [15]

  • Van Alst family, Dutch Kills, 1766.[1][3]: 4 [4]
    • In 1670, two farms including that owned by Tyman Jansen were acquired by Belgian Dutch sailor Joris Stevensen "de Caper van Alst" (the sailor from Aalst"), and his descendants would assume the surname "Van Alst".[3]: 4 [14]: 2 [4]: 7–2 [12]: 10 
    • Also beginning in 1670, a limited road system was created through the marshland, including a road crossing Dutch Kills along the current route of Queens Boulevard, and a road along the present Jackson Avenue.[12]: 10  However, few roads leading to the rest of Long Island left the area isolated, and transport was conducted primarily through boats traversing Newtown Creek and the East River.[12]: 10 
  • American Revolution.[3]: 4 [4]
    • Circa 1776 at the start of the American Revolution, Long Island City was occupied by ten farms, most under 90 acres (36 ha) in size.[3]: 4 
    • During the war, northwestern Queens was occupied by the British from 1776 to 1783. What is now Sunnyside served as a strategic position for the British forces, while their naval fleet traveled via Newtown Creek. The presence of troops in the area eliminated much of the forest of Queens.[4]: 7-2–7-3 [12]: 11 

After several transfers of ownership, in 1740 Dominie's Hook was inherited by William Bennet (or "Bennett"), and by 1780 was wholly-owned by his son Jacob Bennet. The area was given the name "Bennet's Hook" in 1800.[1]: 12 [5]: 2  In 1817, the land was inherited by Jacob Bennet's daughter Annetia and her husband, British Captain George Hunter, becoming the Hunter Farm. By 1825 the area gained the name "Hunters Point".[1]: 12–15 [3]: 4 [5]: 2 [6] The property included 30 acres (12 ha) of land purchased from the Van Alst farm.[3]: 4  Hunters Point was often referred to as an island, due to the surrounding tidal marsh and creeks, and was frequently flooded.[1]: 12–17  During the 1800s, numerous streets in Long Island City were given the names of prominent figures and families in the area, including Hunter and Van Alst.[3][4]: 7–3 [18][19][20][21]

As of the 1840s, much of the area of Long Island City was either undeveloped or used for agriculture, with three farmhouses and the Ryerson tavern making up the only structures. The three major farms in the area were owned by the Hunter, Van Alst, and Payntar families.[12]: 10  In 1854, the New York and Flushing Railroad opened a terminal station at a dock in Hunters Point, and in 1861 the Long Island Rail Road established its terminal station in Hunters Point, both connecting passengers to ferries running across the East River towards Midtown Manhattan. This helped to catalyze development in the area, with the villages of Hunters Point, Dutch Kills, Laurel Hills, Blissville, and Ravenswood being established.[3]: 5 [4]: 7-3–7-4 [5]: 2 [12]: 11–12 [6] The construction of the LIRR through Dutch Kills lead to the demolition of the Jorissen gristmill.[4]: 7–3  Around this time, the remainder of the Van Alst Farm was sold in pieces, with a large portion being purchased by Union College.[12]: 11–12 

As an independent city

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Early 1900s map of Dutch Kills, from Greater Astoria Historical Society
Detail of map of LIC, from Greater Astoria Historical Society

Due to the urbanization of the area, in contrast to the rural character of the rest of Queens at the time, several proposals emerged to turn the area into a new separate township, or to join the City of Brooklyn.[3]: 5 [5]: 2 [4] The coining of the name "Long Island City" is credited to Captain Levy Hayden, a dry dock or marine railway superintendent, in 1853.[11]: 79–80 [16]: 19–20 [22][23] The name was further embraced by a local newspaper called the Long Island City Star, which released its first issue on October 20, 1865.[11]: 79–80 [23]


Long Island City, a city of its own, was created on May 4, 1870, from the merger of the Village of Astoria and the hamlets of Ravenswood, Hunters Point, Blissville, Sunnyside, Dutch Kills, Steinway, Bowery Bay and Middleton in the Town of Newtown.[4][13][24][25] At the time of its incorporation, Long Island City had between 12,000 and 15,000 residents.[4][24] Its charter provided for an elected mayor and a ten-member Board of Alderman with two representing each of the city's five wards.[24] City ordinances could be passed by a majority vote of the Board of Aldermen and the mayor's signature.[26]

  • Urbanization. Pollution, lack of infrastructure. Marshland.[4]: 7-3–7-5 

Long Island City held its first election on July 5, 1870.[27] Residents elected A.D. Ditmars the first mayor; Ditmars ran as both a Democrat and a Republican.[27] The first elected Board of Aldermen was H. Rudolph and Patrick Lonirgan (Ward 1); Francis McNena and William E. Bragaw (Ward 2); George Hunter and Mr. Williams (Third Ward); James R. Bennett and John Wegart (Ward Four); and E.M. Hartshort and William Carlin (Fifth Ward).[27] The mayor and the aldermen were inaugurated on July 18, 1870.[28]

In the 1880s, Mayor De Bevoise nearly bankrupted the Long Island City government by embezzlement, of which he was convicted.[29] Many dissatisfied residents of Astoria circulated a petition to ask the New York State Legislature to allow it to secede from Long Island City and reincorporate as the Village of Astoria, as it existed prior to the incorporation of Long Island City, in 1884.[29] The petition was ultimately dropped by the citizens.[30]

The Common Council of Long Island City in 1873 adopted the coat of arms as "emblematical of the varied interest represented by Long Island City." It was designed by George H. Williams, of Ravenswood. The overall composition was inspired by New York City's coat of arms. The shield is rich in historic allusion, including Native American, Dutch, and English symbols.[31] Long Island City continued to exist as an incorporated city until 1898, when Queens was annexed to New York City.[32] The last mayor of Long Island City was an Irish-American named Patrick Jerome "Battle-Axe" Gleason.

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Historical Perspectives, Inc. (June 14, 1988). "Hunters Point: Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment Report" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Historical Perspectives, Inc. (May 19, 1988). "West Queens Housing, West Queens High School: Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment Report" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Roberts, William I. IV (May 1991). "Archaeological and Historical Sensitivity Evaluation of the Korea News Project" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Final Environmental Impact Statement for Dutch KILLS Rezoning and Related Actions; Chapter 7: Historic Resources" (PDF). New York City Planning Commission. August 29, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Designation Report: Hunters Point Historic District" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. May 15, 1968. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "Hunter's Point South Park: Highlights". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Skidmore, Howard F. (April 14, 1946). "Battery Tunnel Maw Swallowing Citrus Original Park Avenue: Oldest Neighborhood, Once ihe Best, Laler a Polyglot Village, Awaits Wreckers". New York Herald Tribune. ProQuest, New York Public Library. p. A11.
  8. ^ Walsh, Kevin; Greater Astoria Historical Society (2013). Forgotten Queens. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Armbruster, Eugene L> (1914). Long Island: Its Early Days and Development (PDF). Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. pp. 27–29. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Meade, Elizabeth D.; Dallal, Diane (November 14, 2006). "Phase lA Archaeological Documentary Study: Saint Saviour's Church Property" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. p. III-4. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e Thompson, Benjamin Franklin (January 1918). History of Long Island from Its Discovery and Settlement to the Present Time (III ed.). New York: Robert H. Dodd. ISBN 9780598903136. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kearns, Betsy; Saunders, Cece; Schneiderman-Fox, Faline; Historical Perspectives, Inc. "Long Island City Rezoning: Preliminary Archaeological Assessment" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Hawes, Elizabeth (January 9, 1977). "In Queens, A Blend Of Class And Crass". The New York Times. p. 247. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c LaVigne, Elisabeth A.; Catts, Wade P. (April 2016). "Archeological Monitoring at the Site of the Van Alst Family Cemetery" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Hanac Senior Housing Project: Phase 1A Archaeological/Historical Sensitivity Evaluation" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. June 2005. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  16. ^ a b von Skal, George (1908). Illustrated History of the Borough of Queens, New York City. New York City: F. T. Smiley. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  17. ^ Scoville, Joseph Alfred; Barrett, Walter (January 1865). The Old Merchants of New York City. New York: G. W. Carleton. p. 84-86. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Greenpoint-23Ely-Dec1933 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Street Name Changes in Queens, New York
  20. ^ "Ely Subway Stop to Open – Queens Station on City-Owned Line Begins Service Tomorrow" (PDF). The New York Times. August 26, 1939. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  21. ^ Roberts, Sam (November 3, 2014). "Long in Repose, Last Remnants of a Founding Family Will Leave Long Island City". The New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  22. ^ Hughes, C.J. (May 5, 2017). "Long Island City Grows Ever Skyward". The New York Times. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  23. ^ a b II. "Long Island City" (Morning ed.).  . Vol. 76. November 9, 1916. p. 2 (column 2; top) – via Newspapers.com & Brooklyn Public Library.
  24. ^ a b c "The New Long Island City--Provisions of the Proposed Charter". The New York Times. February 20, 1870. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  25. ^ History of the 108th precinct Archived April 8, 2020, at the Wayback Machine at nypdhistory.com (Retrieved April 7, 2020.)
  26. ^ "Long Island City--Ordinances of the Common Council". The New York Times. August 6, 1870. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  27. ^ a b c "The Election in Long Island City". The New York Times. July 5, 1870. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  28. ^ "Inauguration of the Long Island City Officers--Message of the Mayor". The New York Times. July 19, 1870. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Unhappy Long Island City". The New York Times. February 18, 1884. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  30. ^ "CITY AND SUBURBAN NEWS; NEW-YORK. BROOKLYN. LONG ISLAND. WESTCHESTER COUNTY. NEW-JERSEY". The New York Times. March 8, 1884. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  31. ^ "History Topics: LIC Coat of Arms". Greater Astoria Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  32. ^ Greater Astoria Historical Society; Jackson, Thomas; Melnick, Richard (2004). Long Island City. Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 0-7385-3666-0.
Newcomers High School
 
Location
 
28-01 41 Avenue

,
11101

United States
Coordinates40°45′05″N 73°56′13″W / 40.7515°N 73.9370°W / 40.7515; -73.9370
Information
EstablishedSeptember 1995; 29 years ago (1995-09)[1]
PrincipalLilliam Katcher[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment836 (2019–2020)
Websitenewcomershs.schoolwires.net

Newcomers High School (High School 555) is a high school located in Long Island City, Queens, New York City, United States. It opened in 1995 with Lourdes Burrows as its principal;[1] Orlando Sarmiento is the most recent principal, and was appointed in 2009.[3] This school specializes in introducing new immigrants to American culture, and also teaching English to students.[1] In 2009, it was rated as #6 out of U.S. News & World Report's list of top 500 high schools in the U.S.—making it the highest-ranked school out of 12 New York City public schools on the top 500 list.[4]

Building

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The building currently housing Newcomers High School and Academy of American Studies is located on 41st Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets in the Dutch Kills area of Long Island City. Constructed in 1904, the building originally housed William Cullen Bryant High School from its opening until 1930, and then Long Island City High School from 1930 until 1995.[5][6][7][8][9] The original building fronting 41st Avenue is four-stories tall, with an additional basement and sub-basement for utilities. Its design was inspired by French Renaissance style including a red-brick and limestone façade with terracotta elements, and the building was constructed to be fireproof. It was built with capacity for approximately 1,000 students. Among the original features of the 1904 building was an observatory located on the roof.[5][6][10]

At the rear to the north of the original building are two additional wings, constructed circa 1922. The western wing on 28th Street features a 1,000-seat auditorium on its ground floor, and a gymnasium on the second floor. The eastern wing on 29th Street is four-stories high, featuring a cafeteria, gymnasium, and additional classrooms. Both wings have brick and limestone exteriors matching the original building. The addition doubled the capacity of the school to 2,000 students. The three structures are connected by bridges, and collectively form a "U"-shape.[5][11][12][13][14]

Transportation

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The closest New York City Subway stations are the Queens Plaza station (E, ​M, and ​R trains) at Queens Plaza and Northern Boulevard, and the Queensboro Plaza station (7, <7>​​, N and ​W trains) at Queens Plaza and 27th Street. The 21st Street–Queensbridge station (F and <F> train) is located six blocks west on 41st Avenue.[15][16] Numerous MTA Bus/New York City Bus routes operate in the vicinity of Queens Plaza.[17]

School description

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The school has 836 students as of the 2019–2020 school year.[18] Of the students, 23% are Asian, 69% are Hispanic, 1% are Black, 5% are White, and 2% are Native American.[18]

The school's athletic teams include boys basketball, girls basketball, boys handball, boys soccer, boys swimming, boys tennis, girls tennis, boys volleyball, girls volleyball, and co-ed cricket.[19]

Extracurricular activities include chorus, concerts, GSA, hip-hop dance, human rights, international food festival, media/video, Model United Nations, multicultural show, new student orientation, orchestra, peer learning program, ping pong, SAT preparation, SAYA youth leadership program, science research club, stage production, student government, theater, tutoring, and yearbook program.[19]

History

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In March 1995, then-New York City Department of Education Chancellor Ramón C. Cortines proposed an experimental school called the Newcomers School: Academy for New Americans, to accommodate the increasing number of immigrant students in Queens. The new school would move into the 1904-built building on 41st Avenue. The existing tenant, Long Island City High School, was being relocated into a new, larger building in Astoria. The Newcomers School would also relieve overcrowding at nearby William Cullen Bryant High School in Woodside, and Newtown High School in Elmhurst, where the school's first students were recruited from.[20][21] Newcomers High School opened in September 1995.[21] In addition to relieving overcrowding at other city schools, Newcomers was part of a wave of new schools and programs in both New York City and the United States as a whole created to serve the needs recently-arrived immigrants.[1][20][22][23] Enrollment was to be capped at 1,000 students. Incoming freshmen and sophomores would stay at the school for a year before transferring to a mainstream high school, while juniors and seniors would graduate at Newcomers.[1][22] In November 1995, the school began an English and "acculturation" class for parents of students, to help them adjust to life in the U.S.[24]

Upon opening, the school also faced opposition, coinciding with anti-immigrant and anit-illegal immigration sentiments of the time. Shortly after the school opened, the New York Civil Rights Coalition filed a complaint with the U.S. federal government that the school violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, claiming the the rights of the students were being violated by being placed in an all-immigrant school instead of a mixed-enrollment school. The complaint was ultimately dismissed.[25][26][27][28]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Gendar, Alison (March 12, 1998). "Newcomers HS Aids Immigrants". Daily News (New York, New York).
  2. ^ "Administration: Ms. Lilliam Katcher, Principal". Newcomers High School. New York City Department of Education. September 5, 2019.
  3. ^ "Newcomers High School". insideschools.org. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "US News & World Report's 'Best High Schools' survey names Newcomers High tops in city, #6 in country". Daily News (New York, New York). December 9, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2019-2020: Newcomers High School (Old LIC)" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Long Island City's Big New High School". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 26, 1902. p. 9.
  7. ^ "Brooklyn School Board Closes Its Career To-Day". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. January 28, 1902. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Queens Schools Open: Few Part Time Classes". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. September 12, 1904. p. 7.
  9. ^ LaRose, Matt; Leone, Stephen; Melnick, Richard (2007). Postcard History Series: Long Island City. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738555430.
  10. ^ "The Corner Stone Laid". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. September 5, 1902. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bryant High School Wings To Be Started This Month". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. May 1, 1919. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  12. ^ "Bryant High School Additions Started". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. June 4, 1919. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  13. ^ "Completing Work on Bryant High School". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. May 15, 1922. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Marvelous Growth in Queens Follows Transit Extensions". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. March 25, 1923. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "Subway Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Long Island City" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "Queens Bus Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. August 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "School Register: Newcomers High School (Q555)". The New York City Department of Education. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "2018-19 School Quality Snapshot: Newcomers High School (30Q555)". New York City Department of Education. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Belluck, Pam (March 20, 1995). "New School Would Serve Immigrants". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Belluck, Pam (September 7, 1995). "New Country, New School -- Immigrant Student's First Day; Experiment In Teaching Immigrants Gets Rolling". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Schnaiberg, Lynn (November 27, 1996). "Portraits of Passage". Education Week. Long Island City. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  23. ^ Belluck, Pam (March 26, 1995). "Newcomer Schools Raise Old Questions". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  24. ^ Belluck, Pam (February 18, 1996). "New to the U.S., Back in School;Culturally Lost Parents Join Youths at Newcomer High". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Mathews, Karen (October 23, 1996). "Immigrants Aren't Alien to This School". New York Daily News. Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  26. ^ Debenport, Ellen (September 15, 2005). "This school offers an all-American education". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  27. ^ Schnaiberg, Lynn (November 27, 1996). "Verdict still out". Education Week. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  28. ^ Belluck, Pam (November 14, 1995). "Complaint Against Newcomer School". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
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Departments of Education and Transportation Building
 
Former namesQueens Plaza Court Building[1][2]
Electric Building[3]
Pan American Building / PAA Building[4][5]
General information
Architectural styleItalianate
Address28-01–28-19 Queens Plaza North
Long Island City, Queens
Current tenantsNYCDOE, NYCDOT
Year(s) built1912[1]
Renovated1927,[1][6] 1953[1][7]
OwnerNew York City
Design and construction
Architecture firmThompson & Frohling[2]

28-11 Queens Plaza North, originally known as Queens Court Plaza[1] or Queens Plaza Court[2], is an office building located at Queens Plaza North (Bridge Plaza North) and 29th Street in Long Island City, Queens. Currently city-owned, is is used as offices for the New York City Departments of Education and Transportation.

Completed in 1912, it was one of the first office buildings constructed along Queens Plaza, which would evolve into a financial and commercial district.[1][8][9] The building originally housed the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Long Island City Savings Bank, then served as regional offices for Consolidated Edison beginning in 1920. It was expanded from its original four stories into nine stories in 1927. After being used as Army barracks during World War II, the building became the Queens offices of Pan Am. The City of New York began using the building in 1964, and purchased the building in 1974.

Bridge Plaza Description

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The building is located on the north side of the Queensboro Bridge Plaza (Queens Plaza or Bridge Plaza), the Queens approaches to the Queensboro Bridge, between 28th and 29th Streets. Across 28th Street to the west is the Brewster Building.[1][2][10][11] This area on the north side of the bridge plaza is also known as Dutch Kills.[1] The original section of the building fronts Bridge Plaza North, with an addition on the east side of the site at 29th Street; together, the entire building forms an L-shape.[2][10][11]

The building is nine-stories tall, designed in Italianate architectural style. The original 1912-built portion of the building is four-stories tall with a terracotta and limestone facade. Five additional stories were constructed in 1927, featuring a tan-brick exterior. Seven bays or columns of windows on the front (south) face are recessed into the building, topped by arched windows on the eighth floor. The main entrance at the center of the building is bracketed with neoclassical marble columns. The internal structure consists of a steel and concrete frame. The foundation of the original four-story building was designed to support additional floors above.[1][2][10][11] Vaults are located underneath the west side of the building and the surrounding sidewalk.[10][12] On the roof of the building is a large billboard sign, which currently features no advertising.[1][11]

The addition on 29th Street, completed in 1953, extends northward and is seven-stories tall. It includes a parking garage inside.[10][7]

Usage

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The building currently contains offices for the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Department of Education (DOE).[11] The DOE facilities include a Family Welcome Center, to assist new immigrants in enrolling in school.[13]

The DOT facility includes the Traffic Management Center (TMC), co-operated with the New York State DOT and the NYPD, located in a small room on the ground floor. The center monitors traffic and controls traffic signals throughout the entire city, and receives data from roadside censors. Video feed from street cameras is viewed on numerous large monitors. The center was created in the 1960s, and upgraded in 2008 and 2011.[11][14][15][16][17][18] The third floor contained the NYPD Traffic Enforcement Training center for training civilian (non-police) traffic agents,[19] until the opening of the New York City Police Academy in College Point in 2015.[19][20][21]

During its use as Consolidated Edison offices, the ninth floor of the building served as a cafeteria.[22] Under Pan American Airways, the ninth floor was used as a ballroom and meeting space called the "Skyline Room" or "Skytop Roof".[4][5][23][24] The upper floor was also used for meeting space following city takeover.[25]

In the past, a bank branch was located at the southeast corner of the building, utilizing the ground floor and basement.[1][8][26][27][7] The most recent tenant of this space was a Citibank branch which closed in July 1990,[26][28][29] around the time the nearby One Court Square tower opened with its own Citibank branch.[30]

YWCA

Bridge Plaza Nearby points of interest

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In addition to the Brewster Building to the west, the former Corn Exchange Bank Building (now the Q4 Hotel) built in 1911 is located across the street to the east. The historic Chase Manhattan Bank Building is located two blocks to the east, adjacent to the modern Sven apartment tower. Dutch Kills Green park is located in front of the Chase Manhattan Bank Building in the median of Queens Plaza. Newcomers High School and the Academy of American Studies are located one block north at 41st Avenue.[8][26][31][32]

Bridge Plaza Transportation

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The elevated Queensboro Plaza subway station is located in the median of Queens Plaza, with entrances at 27th Street one block west. The underground Queens Plaza station is located two blocks east at Northern Boulevard and Jackson Avenue. The 21st Street–Queensbridge station is located to the west at 21st Street and 41st Avenue. Numerous MTA bus routes operate in the area, including the Q32, Q60, and Q101 operating across the Queensboro Bridge into Midtown Manhattan, and the Q102 to Roosevelt Island.[8][31][32]

Bridge Plaza History

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Early history

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A 1913 illustration of the Queensboro Plaza station, showing the original four-story Queens Plaza Court Building and the Brewster Building.

The Queensboro Bridge between Long Island City and East Midtown, Manahttan was completed in 1909.[1][33][34][35] During the project, the road feeding into the bridge, originally called Jane Street, was widened from 60 feet (18 m) to 150 feet (46 m) and converted into a tree-lined boulevard and park plaza known as the Queensboro Bridge Plaza.[1][33][36]: 87−88 [37] The 1,152 feet (351 m) plaza featured service roads on the north and south side leading into the bridge, with a wide landscaped park in the center.[1][36]: 87–88 [37] The opening of the bridge and the LIRR East River Tunnels into Manhattan immediately catalyzed activity and development in Long Island City.[1][33][36]: 85  Shortly after the opening of the bridge, the Brewster Building was opened on Bridge Plaza North in 1910.[1]

  • Dutch Kills Creek.[1]
  • Payntar homestead.[1]

On August 9, 1911, it was announced that the Queens Plaza Court Company purchased land along Bridge Plaza North across from the Brewster Building between Radde (28th) and Academy (29th) Streets, at the cost of approximately $175,000. The company planned to construct a "modern fireproof office building" on the site, which measured 200 feet (61 m) (along Bridge Plaza North) by 70 feet (21 m).[38][39][40] The president of the company was W. Elmer Payntar, with part of the land purchased from the estate of father George H. Payntar. The Payntar family had significant holdings in the Dutch Kills area prior to the 20th Century.[1][38][39][41] Another portion of the plot was purchased from the Queensboro Corporation.[38]

The building was opened in 1912.[2] The structure of the building was designed support up to eight additional floors, to be erected at a later date.[1][2] In September 1912, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1911, was relocated from Jamaica to the building.[3][42][43][44] That same month, the Long Island City Savings Bank relocated into the building from their original offices at 21 Jackson Avenue in Hunters Point, anticipating more business at the Bridge Plaza.[1][2][45][46] The Manhattan and Queens Traction Company and the New York Telephone Company (now Verizon) leased space in the building in 1913.[47][48] In 1914 under Police Commissioner Arthur H. Woods, the NYPD established a headquarters for the detectives force of Queens in the building, including office space and a dormitory.[49][50] With the construction of Queens Plaza Court and other nearby office and bank buildings, and the completion of the Queensboro Plaza station in 1917,[8][36]: 82 [51][52] Queens Plaza would become the financial hub of Long Island City, and a major financial, political, manufacturing, and transportation center within Queens.[8][9][1][33][36]: 94 

In February 1919, the Queens Plaza Court Building was acquired by the City Real Estate Company. At the time it was referred to as "Long Island City's largest office building".[53][54][55] In August 1919, the Long Island City Savings Bank planned to move their offices out of the building.[56] The space would be occupied by the New York and Queens Electric Light and Power Company, a predecessor to and later subsidiary of Consolidated Edison,[57][58] who planned to construct a fifth floor atop the building.[56][59] The building also housed offices of the East River Gas Company, another Con Edison predecessor.[60][61] For these reasons, the Queens Plaza Court Building would become known as the "Electric Building" or "Electrical Building".[1][3][27] Long Island City Savings would relocate to a new building across 29th Street in 1920,[8][9][26] with the bank branch in the Electric Building leased by the American Trust Company.[8][27] The Queens Chamber of Commerce would leave the Electric Building in September 1925, and move into the nearby Crescent Plaza Building, to make room for the expanding operations of the Power Company.[44][62][63] In 1927, five additional floors were constructed atop the Electric Building.[1][6]

World War II and Pan Am takeover

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In August 1944 during World War II, the Army Corps of Engineers opened a 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) Army Post Office on the site of the former Madison Square Garden Bowl, at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard along Sunnyside Yard. The facility would be used to send Christmas packages to soldiers deployed overseas, and was constructed from May to August over the course of 116 days.[22][64] As part of the project, the Army's New York Port of Embarkation took over the Electric Building, and renovated it for use as barracks for the 2,000-to-4,000 soldiers working at the post office. The Power Company vacated the building, moving operations to its Astoria offices.[22][65]

Following the war, in February 1946 New York State Assemblyman Alexander Del Giorno proposed that the state acquire the Electric Building, to use as hub for the state agency offices of Queens.[66] By June of that year, the building had been ceded back to Con Edison, who were looking to sell the building.[67] In November 1946, Pan American World Airways moved into the upper eight floors of the Electric Building, leasing the building for 20 years. The building would be used for the company's systems offices, training departments, and its New York City reservations unit.[1][68][69][70] This was in addition to the company's main headquarters in the Chrysler Building in Manhattan,[71] and a Central Receiving Depot on Van Dam Street near Sunnyside.[72] The building would become known as the "Pan Am Building" or "PAA Building",[4][5] while the company referred to it as the "Long Island City Building" or "Queens Plaza Building".[24][72][73] The "Skyline Room" or "Skytop Roof" on the ninth floor was opened on February 21, 1947.[23]

On October 21, 1948, Pan Am debuted an automatic communications network developed by AT&T Long Lines, to improve ticket transactions between multiple airports. The central "nerve center" for the system was a telephone exchange in the Long Island City building.[74] By September 1951, most of the Atlantic Division offices of Pan Am were relocated from LaGuardia Airport to the Long Island City building, with others moved to Idlewild Airport (now JFK Airport).[75] In 1952, Pan American announced a project to create a seven-story addition to the back of the building, adding 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) of space and an interior parking garage. The original structure would also be modernized, and the exterior facade would be cleaned.[7]

City operations

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In 1963, the City of New York began negotiating to lease space in the Pan Am Building for the Bureau of Buildings, Design and Construction of the Board of Education.[76] In April 1963, Pan Am began vacating the Long Island City building, moving operations to their new corporate headquarters (now the MetLife Building) on 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan.[77] In August 1963, it was announced that the city Department of Traffic would move into the Long Island City building, along with the Board of Education's design and construction division and division of maintenance and operation.[78][79]

The city agencies moved into the building in February 1964. The Board of Education divisions relocated from 42-15 Crescent Street on the south side of Queens Plaza, taking up the second through sixth floors in the building. The Traffic Department, relocating from 100 Gold Street in Lower Manahttan, would occupy the seventh and eighth floors.[79][80][81][82] In September 1964, the New York City Board of Estimate approved a ten-year lease of space in the Pan Am Building for both agencies.[83]

On December 17, 1964, what is now the Traffic Management Center was opened as part of a new citywide computerized traffic monitoring system. The center included a UNIVAC 1004 card processor computer.[14][84] In 1974, the building was purchased by the city for $5.25 million. It was determined to be less expensive to acquire the building outright rather than continue leasing it.[85][86]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y The Louis Berger Group Inc.; AKRF, Inc.; Philip Habib and Associates. "Final Environmental Impact Statement for Dutch Kills Rezoning and Related Actions; Appendix M: Phase 1A Cultural Resource Assessment" (PDF). New York City Department of City Planning. p. 102-103. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Queens Plaza Court Building". Architecture and Building. 44 (1): 448–450. January 1912. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Queens and the Chamber, How They Grew Together". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. June 5, 1996. p. 34. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Sale of Dance Tickets Begins". Pan American Clipper, Atlantic Division. 5 (37): 1. February 5, 1947. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Burke Urges Wide Support for Fund Drive". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. April 17, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "New York-Queens Power Company 'Live' Institution". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. October 20, 1927. p. 8. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Pan-American Building To Get 7-Story Addition". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. August 6, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Willis, Walter I. (1920). Queens Borough, New York City, 1910-1920: The Borough of Homes and Industry. Queens, New York: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. pp. 66−77, 136−138, 232−233. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Matt LaRose; Stephen Leone; Richard Melnick (2007). Greater Astoria Historical Society (ed.). Long Island City. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 92−93. ISBN 9780738555430. Retrieved November 14, 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2021-2022: 28-11 Queens Plaza North" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. February 11, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "New York City Departments of Education and Transportation Building". Six to Celebrate. Historic Districts Council. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "President Connoly Will Permit Signs". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. November 14, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants: Resource and Referral Guide, July 2019" (PDF). Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. July 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Automation Gets Green Lights". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. December 16, 1964. p. 31. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Seabrook, John (August 25, 2002). "The Slow Lane". The New Yorker. p. 120. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  16. ^ Neuman, William (November 13, 2008). "Traffic Center Opens ('All Clear, Mr. President')". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Antos, Jason D (July 20, 2011). "'Real Time' Management". Queens Gazette. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Henely, Rebecca (July 26, 2011). "Changing midtown signals in LIC". QNS.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Philip Habib & Associates. "Police Academy, College Point, Queens: Final Environment Impact Statement; Chapter 1: Project Description" (PDF). New York City Police Department. pp. 1–4, 1-8−1-9. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "NYPD unveils $1 billion state-of-the-art police academy". WPIX-TV. December 15, 2015.
  21. ^ Dunlap, David W. (March 16, 2016). "$950 Million Police Academy Simulates the Mean Streets". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "New G. I. Postoffice Will Open Friday". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. August 29, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Holiday Dance to Open Skytop Roof". Pan American Clipper, Atlantic Division. 5 (39): 1. February 19, 1947. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "The Yule Tides". Pan American Clipper. 3 (8): 6. January 1956. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "Teacher Meetings". New York World-Telegram. Fultonhistory.com. September 17, 1964. p. 38. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c d City of New York (January 17, 1949). "Oral Decision of Van Siclen, Official Referee". Supreme Court; Appellate Division-Second Department: 86. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  27. ^ a b c "American Trust Opens New L. I. City Quarters". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. September 28, 1920. p. 16. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "Don't Get the Wrong IRA!". The Journal News. Fultonhistory.com. April 11, 1985. p. D5. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  29. ^ "Thomson Bank Directory, Volume 2". Thomson Financial. 1993. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  30. ^ Weiss, Lois (May 5, 2005). "CITI TO SELL L.I.C. TOWER FOR $470M". New York Post. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Long Island City" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Queensboro Plaza". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d "Bank Of The Manhattan Company Building, Long Island City" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. May 12, 2015. pp. 2−3.
  34. ^ Staff (March 31, 1909). "Queensboro Bridge Opens to Traffic" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  35. ^ Staff (June 13, 1909). "300,000 See Queens Linked to Old City" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  36. ^ a b c d e Greater Astoria Historical Society and Roosevelt Island Historical Society (2008). The Queensboro Bridge. USA: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5488-4.
  37. ^ a b "QUEENS BRIDGE APPROACH.; Attractive Park Spaces Planned for Plaza in Long Island City". The New York Times. October 25, 1908. p. 15. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  38. ^ a b c "$175,000 Realty Deal; Big L. I. City Plot Sold to Queens Plaza Court Company". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. August 10, 1911. p. 12. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  39. ^ a b "Big Queens Transfers Show Realty Activity". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. August 19, 1911. p. 3. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  40. ^ "$400,000 Office Building; To Be Erected in L. I. City". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. October 11, 1911. p. 6. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "W.E. Payntar Is Accused". Brooklyn Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. October 25, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  42. ^ "Commerce Chamber Moves". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. September 6, 1912. p. 5. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  43. ^ "Queens Commerce Chamber With 400 Members Is Known Nationally for Enterprise". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. September 30, 1925. p. 22. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  44. ^ a b "Queens Commerce Chamber Moves Into New Home". The Richmond Hill Record. Fultonhistory.com. June 5, 1925. p. 12. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  45. ^ "Local Financial; Savings Bank to Move". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. September 3, 1912. p. 18. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  46. ^ "Move Funds of L. I. City Bank to New Quarters". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. September 2, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "New Concern in L. I. City". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. August 16, 1913. p. 18. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  48. ^ "New Telephone Office". The Newtown Register. Fultonhistory.com. July 24, 1913. p. 4. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  49. ^ "New Detectives' Office; Headquarters Established on Queens Bridge Plaza". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. July 11, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  50. ^ "Queens Detectives to Have Fine Quarters; Suite at Long Island City Being Prepared". Brooklyn Times-Union. Newspapers.com. July 13, 1914. p. 8. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  51. ^ "New Subway Link" (PDF). The New York Times. November 5, 1916. p. XX4. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  52. ^ "First Train Runs On Elevated Line to Astoria Section". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 1, 1917. Retrieved June 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "Real Estate Field; Queens Plaza Court Building Sold". The New York Times. Fultonhistory.com. February 12, 1919. p. 20. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  54. ^ "Long Island City's Largest Office Building Bought by Investing Syndicate". New York Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. February 16, 1919. p. 7. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  55. ^ "Big L. I. City Office Building in Deal; Queens Plaza Court Sold". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. February 12, 1919. p. 16. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  56. ^ a b "Improvements and Realty Activity". Daily Long Island Farmer. Fultonhistory.com. August 27, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  57. ^ "$3,183,795 CLEARED BY UTILITY IN YEAR; New York and Queens Light and Power's Net Compares With $3,310,882 in 1937". The New York Times. March 15, 1939. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  58. ^ Brown, Kim (January 6, 2005). "Contamination Cleanup To Begin At Former Con Ed Site". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  59. ^ "Movies Set Up Shop Here; Other Notes of Industry; Power Company Adds Another Story". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. August 30, 1919. p. 4. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  60. ^ "Ground Broken in Astoria for Gas Co. Building". Long Island Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. September 1, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  61. ^ "Impression of Space Given by Layout Of Company Headquarters of L. I. City". Long Island Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. May 17, 1930. p. 18. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  62. ^ "'There Ought To Be Fewer Laws,' Editor Tells Queens Chamber at Housewarming in New Quarters". Long Island Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. September 18, 1925. p. 4. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  63. ^ "$500,000 is Paid for New Building on Bridge Plaza". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. May 19, 1925. pp. 1–2. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  64. ^ "ARMY MAIL DEPOT READY ON FRIDAY; New Postoffice Concentration Center in Queens Built in Record Period". The New York Times. August 29, 1944. p. 30. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  65. ^ "Queens Building to House 2,000 Soldiers". Brooklyn Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. September 7, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  66. ^ "L.I. City Site Suggested For State Offices". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 19, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  67. ^ "Light Building Sale Reported". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. June 14, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  68. ^ "PAA Takes Over Bldg. In Long Island City". Pan American Clipper, Atlantic Division. 5 (25). Pan Am: 4. November 6, 1946.
  69. ^ "Pan American Leases Queens Office". American Aviation Daily. 47. 1946. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  70. ^ "PAN AMERICAN IN LEASE; Acquires 70,000 Sq. Feet in Long Island City Building". The New York Times. January 21, 1947. p. 40. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  71. ^ Clausen, Meredith (2004). The Pan Am building and the shattering of the modernist dream. MIT Press. p. 357. ISBN 978-0-262-03324-4.
  72. ^ a b "Telephone Address Directory; New York, January 1950". Pan Am. January 1950. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  73. ^ "Telephone Directory; Atlantic Division, August 1956". Pan Am. August 1956. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  74. ^ "Pan American First Airline to Install Automatic Communications Network". U.S. Sales Clipper. 2 (11). Pan Am: 3. November 1948.
  75. ^ "Division Offices Have Benn Moved". Pan American Clipper, Atlantic Division. 10 (10): 3. October 1951. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  76. ^ "City Quietly Eyes Civic Center Sites". Brooklyn World-Telegram and Sun. Fultonhistory.com. April 30, 1963. p. B2. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  77. ^ Arbisi, Anthony (April 27, 1963). "Pan Am Moves Over River". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. p. 1. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  78. ^ Golden, Arthur (August 17, 1963). "Barnes Selects 'Backyard' Hq". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  79. ^ a b "Traffic Dept, Bd of Ed Move OK'd". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. September 27, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  80. ^ "City Traffic Agency Moving Next Month To Ease Congestion". The New York Times. January 13, 1964. p. 19. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  81. ^ "Traffic Dept. Moving Set". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. January 13, 1964. p. 2. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  82. ^ "The Plaza's The Place for It". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 5, 1964. p. 4. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  83. ^ "Map Shifts Clear Way For Rikers Bridge". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. September 25, 1964. p. 13. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  84. ^ "Computerized Records of Traffic Lights". Digital Computer Newsletter. 17 (2). April 1965. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  85. ^ "City Delays Buying Building in Queens On Propriety Issue". The New York Times. February 8, 1974. p. 35. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  86. ^ "Metropolitan Briefs; City Purchase of Building Authorized". The New York Times. April 10, 1974. p. 45. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
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Leavitt Field
Flushing High School Field
 
 
Address34-42 Leavitt Street
Flushing, Queens, New York, 11354
United States
Coordinates40°46′3″N 73°49′45″W / 40.76750°N 73.82917°W / 40.76750; -73.82917
OwnerNew York City Department of Education
TypeMulti-purpose
SurfaceTurf
Construction
Renovated2010
Tenants
Flushing High School
TypePublic park
Area7.5 acres (3.0 ha)
Created1912
Operated byNew York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Leavitt Park, also known as Leavitts Park or Levitts Park,[1] is located at Leavitt Street and 32nd Avenue in Flushing, Queens. Formerly a public park site, most of the property is owned by the New York City Department of Education and used as the Leavitt Field athletic complex for the nearby Flushing High School. Small sections of the park continue to be operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, including the site of the Lewis H. Latimer House.[1][2]

Leavitt Description

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The turf baseball and football field of Leavitt Field.

Leavitt Park is located on an irregular five-sided site, bound to the east by Leavitt Street, to the north by 32nd Avenue, and to the west by 137th Street. The park is situated two blocks north of Northern Boulevard, where Flushing High School is located, and one block north of Queens Academy High School (former Public School 23) on 35th Avenue. The park is located just north of the major business and transportation hub of Downtown Flushing, also known as Flushing Chinatown.[3][4][5] Nearly the entire property is used by the high school for the Leavitt Field athletic complex, which features two artificial turf fields. The largest and westernmost field contains a high school baseball field overlain with markings for football and soccer. The smaller eastern field is used for softball. At the south end of the park are handball courts, tennis courts, and a field house.[3] The current layout of the complex was created from 1990 to 1991, when the fields were converted from dirt and grass to artificial turf.[3][6][7][8][9] The turf fields were renovated in 2010.[3]

Prior to the creation of the current design, the western baseball/football field was originally circumscribed by a cinder running track, in a similar layout to other high school fields in the city. Handball courts and a girl's hockey field occupied the northeast corner of the park, where the softball field currently lies. Eight tennis courts occupied the southern corner of the complex.[10]

Leavitt Field is one of two athletic complexes used by the high school. The other, Flushing Memorial Field, is located farther east at 149th Street and Bayside Avenue.[4]

Lewis H. Latimer House

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At the south end of the site is the current location of the Lewis H. Latimer House.[5][11] The house is currently operated by the Parks Department and the Historic House Trust of New York City.[12] It is named after African American inventor Lewis Howard Latimer, who resided in the house from 1902 until his death in 1928.[11] The house was originally located at 137-53 Holly Avenue, just west of Kissena Boulevard near Kissena Corridor Park West. The house was relocated to Leavitt Park in 1988 to prevent its demolition.[11][9] The house was designated a New York City Landmark in 1995, and later restored into a museum.[11][12][13]

Leavitt History

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Early history

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An 1873 map of Flushing, showing Leavitt Park labeled as "The Park", and adjacent lands owned by Rufus W. Leavitt.

Prior to modern development, the site of Leavitt Park was part of the large undeveloped meadow north of Downtown Flushing.[14] The land consisted of marshland fed by springs, with a brook flowing north through the site towards Mill Creek in College Point, eventually reaching the Flushing River.[14][15][16][17][18] The brook initially drained the Flushing Town Pond, located at Main Street and Northern Boulevard, until the pond was filled circa 1843. The underground springs, however, continued to feed the marshland.[14][17][19] The tract later became a part of the estate of Rufus W. Leavitt.[14][20] Leavitt Street was originally known as Spring Lane, due to the presence of the springs that fed the marshland and provided water to Flushing residents.[14][21]

In 1863, the Flushing Skating Pond Association was formed, purchasing or renting a section of the Leavitt estate for use as an ice skating pond. The pond was created by erecting dikes to collect water from the springs. The association operated for five years.[14] In the 1870s, the land was given to the Town of Flushing by businessman Conrad Poppenhusen, to be developed into a public park. When Queens was consolidated into the City of New York in 1898, the property came under city ownership.[22][20][23][15][24][25] Landscape architect Samuel Parsons drafted plans for the future park, including curved walkways lined with trees and shrubs.[14] The gift by Poppenhusen contained a deed restriction, which would cede the land back to the Poppenhusen estate if it was not used as a park.[16] However, the official documents giving the land to Flushing were later lost, putting its legal status in doubt.[26][27]

After the land was ceded to Flushing, the park was partially developed with proper paths, but eventually reverted back to marshland.[26][28][29] During winter months the Leavitt Park site was again used as an ice skating pond, by flooding the marshland.[16][21][30] During summer months, the Walter L. Main Circus would perform on the site.[14][31] In August 1902, bacteriologist Dr. William A. Payne of the New York City Department of Health identified the site of the skating pond on Leavitt Avenue (Leavitt Street) as a major breeding ground for mosquitos. Dr. Payne recommended draining and filling the pond site, and the rest of the meadows between Flushing and Whitestone, suggesting the use of tidal gates to prevent the marshland from returning.[32] In 1903, the skating pond was planned to be closed in order to drain the site to eliminate the mosquito breeding grounds. At the time, George W. Saxe claimed to be the owner of the land.[33][34] Saxe was a carriage builder who operated a carriage and harness shop at Broadway (Northern Boulevard) and Union Street.[35][36]

Acquisition of park site

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Beginning in 1905, local residents led by the Flushing Association campaigned for the city to take proper ownership of the Leavitt Park site and develop it as a proper park. As there was no formal deed for the land, other parties began making claims to the property including members of the Leavitt and Poppenhusen families. Prior to this, the land had been considered of minimal value due to its marshland characteristics.[16][37][38][39] In 1912, the site was officially deeded to the city via condemnation, and assigned to the New York City Parks Department. The site measured over 7 acres (2.8 ha), and was appraised at around $15,000.[16][40][37][41] At this time, the site was variously referred to as Leavitt Avenue Park, Leavitt Street Park, and Flushing Common.[16][40][42][43] Prior to the city taking possession of the park,[14] a sewer had been constructed through the site, to drain the park and receive sewage from the local neighborhood.[14][42][43] This open sewer or ditch was considered an eyesore and health hazard by the community, and was replaced with an enclosed wooden sewer following city takeover.[43][44][45][46][47] In addition, the land was also used as a public garbage dump, in part to fill the marshland.[14][48]

In May 1914, a request was made by students from Flushing High School for the creation of a baseball diamond at Leavitt Park.[49] In response, in June 1914 then-Queens Parks Commissioner John E. Weier announced plans to develop playgrounds, and baseball and football fields on the park site.[43][44][50] By 1916, the site had been filled using an estimated 20,000 cubic yards (15,000 m3) of excavated earth and ashes. Much of the fill came from the construction of new schools in the Flushing area, including the construction of the new Flushing High School building on Northern Boulevard.[25][43][51][52] At this time, a cinder running track and a baseball diamond were completed, used by the high school.[51] When Flushing Memorial Field was completed in the 1920s, it became the preferred venue for the high school.[31]

Beginning in 1925, local Flushing civic groups lobbied the city government to develop Leavitt Park into a proper park. These groups included the Women's Civic Club of Flushing, the Flushing United Association, and the Flushing YMCA.[25][53][54][55][56]

In 1926, Leavitt Park was described in a Parks Department report as "a sunken field...a marshy, ugly sight which provides a fine breeding place for mosquitoes and other pests."[57]: 28  At this time, the site contained a rudimentary baseball field and football goal posts. A formal plan for developing the park featured a proper baseball field and tennis courts, a field house, park paths, improved drainage, a children's playground, and an artificial pond to be used for skating in the winter. Additional landfilling would be required to raise the grade of the park.[57]: 25, 28, 34 

Creation of athletic complex

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By 1929, the local civic groups advocating for the park's improvement, dissatisfied with the work from the Parks Department, instead began campaigning for the site to be turned over to the New York City Board of Education, and be developed into an athletic complex for Flushing High School.[54]

In July 1930, it was proposed to rename the park "Poppenhusen Park" by the Poppenhusen Institute in College Point, as an acknowledgement of the donation of the land by Conrad Poppenhusen.[23][58]

That year, the New York City Board of Estimate transferred the park site to the Board of Education, with the intent of creating a proper athletic complex for Flushing High School.[59][60]

and in 1933, then-Queens Borough President George U. Harvey announced plans to develop the park into Leavitt Field, a proper athletic field for Flushing High School. At this time, "thousands of cubic yards" of earth had been deposited to fill the marshland.[61] This included dirt excavated from the construction of the IND Queens Boulevard subway line.[31] The project would construct a baseball field and football field, a running track, playing courts including tennis and handball courts, a hockey field, and a field house.[10][62][63] It was also proposed to erect playgrounds or a recreational park on the site, to be used by the local community and by the nearby Public School 23.[53][64][65]

Around January 1936, construction proceeded on the facility, with funding from the Works Progress Administration.[66] The work included installing sidewalks and trees around the perimeter of the site.[67][68] However, by July 1936, work on the park was halted as WPA funding dried up. However, work periodically stopped due to lack of WPA funds.[67][62][69]

Work resumed on the project in 1937.[63][70] But by 1939, the athletic field project remained unfinished, and Leavitt Park was described as "a muddy vacant field...upon which not even grass takes root".[14] Plans for the athletic field reemerged after World War II.[71] Leavitt Park was also one of five sites proposed for the creation of a housing project in Flushing in 1948. This project eventually became the James A. Bland Houses at Roosevelt Avenue and College Point Boulevard.[72]

Later use

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Proposed to return to Parks Dept, 1966.[73][74]

Latimer House.[11][75][76][77][78][79][80]

  • The Leavitt Park site was selected, as it was across the street from the NYCHA Latimer Gardens Houses, also named after Latimer.[11][75] The project would cost approximately $50,000. $25,000 would come from a LaGuardia Airport impact fund paid for by the Port Authority, while another $25,000 would be donated by Latimer's former employer General Electric, with an additional $10,000 from the developers of the Holly Avenue site.[75][81] The move was opposed by the Flushing High School Athletic Department.[75]
  • On December 13, 1988, the house was physically towed from its Holly Avenue location to Leavitt Park, traveling 5 to 10 miles per hour (8.0 to 16.1 km/h) through Flushing. The trip required telephone and power lines along the streets to be cut and street trees to be trimmed to accommodate the width of the house.[75]

The Leavitt Field athletic complex was renovated beginning in 1990, reopening in September 1991. Upon opening, it was called "the second largest synthetic field in the City."[6][7][8][75][82]

Latimer House landmark, 1995.[83]

edit





References

edit
  1. ^ a b Shepard, Laura A. (August 14, 2013). "Latimer House set to be reimagined: Wants more programs for public". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "NYC Parks Offers Enchanting Public Art Nestled in Plant Beds and Gardens". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. March 6, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2020-2021: Flushing High School Athletic Field: Levitts Field" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. December 14, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Flushing" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Neighborhood Map: Flushing–Main Street". Metropolitan Transportation Authority, WalkNYC. April 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Kaplan, Jerry (September 15, 1988). "A Bad Move". Queen Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. p. 6. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Manning, Joshua (August 7, 1997). "Education A Big Issue In Flushing Council Race". Queens Tribune. p. 11. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Josephs, George (September 26, 1991). "Officials Fear Loss of School "Wizard" Will Slow Construction". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Fried, Joseph P. (August 6, 1988). "A Campaign To Remember an Inventor". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Work Under Way On Leavitt Field". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 19, 1937. p. 2. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Lewis H. Latimer House" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. March 21, 1995. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Lewis Latimer House Museum". Historic House Trust. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  13. ^ Rhoades, Liz (November 9, 2000). "Latimer House Opening Is Delayed By Lack Of Curator". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lawlor, Mary Ryan (April 7, 1939). "Olde Flushing". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. p. 14. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "College Pt. School Earth Not Checked At Delivery Point". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 20, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Six Years Fighting; Results in Acquisition of Leavitt Avenue Park By the City". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. June 19, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Kadinsky, Sergey (June 7, 2017). "Town Pond, Queens". Hidden Waters Blog. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Kadinsky, Sergey (2016). Hidden Waters of New York City: A History and Guide to 101 Forgotten Lakes, Ponds, Creeks, and Streams in the Five Boroughs. New York, NY: Countryman Press. ISBN 978-1-58157-566-8.
  19. ^ "So! This Is Flushing". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. April 15, 1937. p. 10. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Lawson, Harriet Dondero (1952). Olde Flushing. Dondero Lawson Co. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Halleran, George S. (January 15, 1932). "Present Jefferson Democratic Club, Old Landmark in Flushing, Once Home Of District Attorney Benjamin Downing". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. p. 8. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  22. ^ Driscoll, James; The Voelker Orth Museum Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden (2005). Flushing: 1880–1935. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub. p. 29. ISBN 0738538426. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "To Ask Change in the Name of Leavitt Park: Tract of Land Should Properly Be Named After Conrad Poppenhusen, It Is Said". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. July 28, 1930. p. 9. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "Let's Have a Show-Down on Leavitt Park". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. April 8, 1933. p. 4. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c "Double-Check Leavitt Park Fill". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 20, 1931. p. 4. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Larger Kissena Park, Flushingites Demand". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. October 24, 1911. p. 6. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  27. ^ "New Park for Flushing: It Is Likely to Be Laid Out on Myrtle Avenue-Six Acres in Tract". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. November 8, 1909. p. 9. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  28. ^ "Park Com'r Eliot Talks; Addresses Members of the Flushing Ass'n Monday Night". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. October 25, 1911. p. 8. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  29. ^ "New Park for Flushing". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. November 8, 1909. p. 9. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "2 Decades On the North Shore; 30 Years Ago". North Shore Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. January 21, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  31. ^ a b c "Flushing High's Alumni To Work For Sports Field". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. April 7, 1933. p. 14. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  32. ^ "Flushing's Mosquito Crusade". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. August 1, 1902. p. 8. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  33. ^ "All Over the Borough". The Newtown Register. Fultonhistory.com. May 14, 1903. p. 8. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  34. ^ "Queens". Brooklyn Daily Standard. Fultonhistory.com. May 18, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  35. ^ Halleran, George S. (August 27, 1929). "Bygone Days Recalled in Photo Of Humble Flushing Harness Shop". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. p. 2. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  36. ^ "Fall Kills Flushing Man". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. March 12, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Sanction Leavitt Ave. Park". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. June 19, 1912. p. 5. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  38. ^ "Begins Work of Fall Season: Flushing Association Starts Out With Zeal And Enthusiasm". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. September 20, 1910. p. 1. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "New head for Business Men: Flushing Association Holds Annual Meeting and Elects Offices". Greenpoint Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. 1908. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  40. ^ a b "1912 Department of Parks, Borough of Queens Annual Report: Part 1" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. December 26, 1912. pp. 288, 298, 299. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  41. ^ "Has Taken Possession of Leavitt Park". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. July 3, 1912. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  42. ^ a b "1912 Department of Parks, Borough of Queens Annual Report: Part 2" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. December 26, 1912. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  43. ^ a b c d e "1914 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report: Part 3" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. 1914. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  44. ^ a b "To Have Playground Where Sewer Runs; Will Build Playground in Leavitt Avenue Park". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. June 13, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  45. ^ "Will Replace Open Drain Through Leavitt Park". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. July 24, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  46. ^ "Boys Sail Boats in Open Sewer's Slime in Flushing's 'Park'". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. June 12, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  47. ^ "To Close Sewer In Park; Contract Awarded for Improvement in Flushing". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. September 4, 1914. p. 12. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  48. ^ "Start Fight to End Open Sewer in Park". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. June 11, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Want Park for Ball Field: Flushing H. S. Boys Ask Use of Leavitt Avenue Park". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. May 19, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  50. ^ "Playground Plans Ready". New-York Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. June 14, 1914. p. 6. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  51. ^ a b "1916 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report". New York City Parks Department. 1916. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  52. ^ "Aid of Bacon Asked to Finish Leavitt Pk. Job". Long Island Sunday Press. Fultonhistory.com. May 22, 1932. p. 12. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  53. ^ a b "Women's Civic League Took Pioneer Role in Advocating Leavitt Park Playground". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. May 14, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  54. ^ a b "Groups United to Get Action on Leavitt Park". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. March 6, 1929. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  55. ^ "Flushing Asks Fund to Battle Mosquito Pest". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. October 6, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  56. ^ "Flushing". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. April 24, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  57. ^ a b Butler, James. "Annual Report of the Department of Parks, Borough of Queens, 1926" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  58. ^ "Flushing Wants to Rename Park". Brooklyn Standard Union. Fultonhistory.com. July 28, 1930. p. 5. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  59. ^ "City O.K.'s Transfer of Leavitt Park to Board of Education". Long Island City. Fultonhistory.com. June 14, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  60. ^ "Reports of Committies: No. 22" (PDF). The City Record. 58 (17312). May 8, 1930.
  61. ^ "Flushing to Get Athletic Field". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Newspapers.com. April 11, 1933. p. 23. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  62. ^ a b "Work Is Halted On Sport Center At Leavitt Field". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 26, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  63. ^ a b "Work Under Way On Leavitt Field To Cost $150,000". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 19, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  64. ^ "Plan for Leavitt Park Improvement Awaits Conference". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 2, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  65. ^ "Alumni To Seek Athletic Field For High School". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. June 28, 1933. p. 5. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  66. ^ "Leavitt Park Work Under Way: WPA Project Will Transform 3 Acre Plot". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. January 6, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  67. ^ a b "May Quit Leavitt Pk. Rebuilding; WPA Unable To Give Definite Word On When Work Will Be Resumed". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 15, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  68. ^ "WPA Administrator Ridder Tells Of Work Done In Queens By Jobless Men On Federal Projects". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 17, 1936. p. 12. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  69. ^ "A Needed WPA Project". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 16, 1936. p. 6. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  70. ^ "A Good WPA Job". North Shore Daily Journal. Fultonhistory.com. July 21, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  71. ^ "16 Schools to Get Better Play Space". New York Sun. Fultonhistory.com. September 17, 1945. p. 11. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  72. ^ "4 Alternates Proposed for Flushing Site". Long Island Star. Fultonhistory.com. September 21, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  73. ^ "Form NS Boys Clubs Assn. To Improve Junior Baseball". Bayside Times. Fultonhistory.com. January 27, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  74. ^ "New Baseball Fields On Tap for Queens". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. May 2, 1966. p. 17. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  75. ^ a b c d e f Kobel, Rich (December 8, 1988). "Latimer House Set For Big Move On Tuesday". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  76. ^ Mandulo, Rhea (September 3, 1988). "Group raises $53,00 to save scientist house". New York Amsterdam News. Fultonhistory.com. p. 41. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  77. ^ "Latimer House Move Set". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. October 6, 1988. p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  78. ^ "Group is seeking to have inventor's home landmarked". New York Amsterdam News. Fultonhistory.com. July 30, 1988. p. 31. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  79. ^ "Inventor's house is moved as Shulman hails his works". New York Amsterdam News. Fultonhistory.com. December 31, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  80. ^ "Latimer House Move Set". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. October 6, 1988. p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  81. ^ "New Life For Latimer Home". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. August 11, 1988. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  82. ^ Shulman, Claire (January 24, 1991). "The State of Education in Queens: Borough President's Outlook". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. p. 21. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  83. ^ Gelhaus, Lisa (February 9, 1995). "Queens Landmark Candidate Span The Centuries". Queens Tribune. Fultonhistory.com. p. 5. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
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Campus

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On March 24, 1970, the NYC Board of Higher Education approved the former Ford Instrument Company building on Long Island City's Thomson Avenue as the location for the College. At this time, Joseph Shenker was named president of the proposed college.[1][2]: 10 [3][4][5] Renovations to the five-story, former factory began the same year.[3] This building would serve as the Main building of the new college—renamed Shenker Hall in 2008 in honor of the College’s founding president.[1][6]

The Ford Instrument Building was intended to be a temporary home for the college.[4] On September 22, 1972, the school received from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, for payment of $1, a 5.2-acre (21,000 m2) site in Astoria that had formerly been the U.S. Army Pictorial Center, with the intention of moving the college to a campus on the new site. Originally the Famous Players-Lasky film studio, the complex consisted of 15 buildings.[2]: 27 [7]: 25, 40−41 [8] However, in 1974 during the city's fiscal crisis the site had to be sold off, as the expense of maintaining it in the interim was too high.[2]: 38 [9] The Army Pictorial Center would later become Kaufman Astoria Studios.[10][11][12]

The current campus including Shenker Hall is located at the east end of Long Island City near Sunnyside. The area is physically separated from the rest of Long Island City by the Long Island Rail Road's Sunnyside Yard. The campus runs between Thomson Avenue to the north and 47th Avenue to the south, extending east from 28th Street near the Queensboro Bridge approach to Van Dam Street.[13][14][15]: 160 [16]: 13 [17][18] The buildings of the campus consist of former Long Island City factories and warehouses converted for school use.[19][20]: 12 [21]: 89, 196 

The closest New York City Subway station to the campus is the 33rd Street–Rawson Street station on the IRT Flushing Line.[17][18]

Current buildings

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C Building

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At the far west end of the campus is the C Building or Center III, located between 29th and 30th Street near the Queensboro Bridge approach.[13] The ten-story former factory was constructed in 1912 as the Loose-Wiles Sunshine Biscuits Building. Due to its size and numerous windows, the building was dubbed the "largest factory in Long Island", "world's largest bakery", and the "Thousand Window Bakery".[22][23][24][25][26][27] The building was designed by architect William Higginson, with a reinforced concrete frame, and a glazed white terra cotta facade produced by Atlantic Terra Cotta.[28][29][30] A spur track from the nearby Long Island Rail Road fed into the rear of the building, allowing freight cars to load and unload inside the facility.[31][21]: 89, 196  The complex also included a two-level garage for the storage of delivery trucks.[32][31][33] The biscuit factory was erected as part of the Degnon Terminal area of Long Island City, created by developer Michael Degnon.[24][25][34][21]: 21, 23, 89, 196  Degnon's firm was the contractor that excavated the Steinway Subway Tunnel to Midtown Manhattan.[34] He also proposed and partially developed a major industrial port revolving around Flushing Bay, which later became Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.[21]: 30–34 [35]

By the 1970s, the building was used as the headquarters for Executone, a producer of telephone systems. It also served as a Gimbels warehouse.[36][37][38] In 1975, LaGuardia Community College began leasing 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of space on the third floor the Executone Building, including seven classrooms and a lecture hall.[39] In 1981, the college leased an additional 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of space on the building's seventh floor.[40][41][42] In 1985, the Executone Building became part of a four-building complex known as the International Design Center New York (IDCNY). The complex included the adjacent Bucilla Building (Center II) and the former American Chicle Company factory (Center I).[43][44] The name "Center III" originated from its use within the Design Center.[45] Due to the 1987 stock market crash, Center III was never redesigned for IDCNY like the other two buildings.[46][20]: 10  The entire Center III building was purchased by LaGuardia in 1998 for $52 million to create a West Campus. The college also purchased the adjacent garage (Center IV), the former Loose-Wiles truck garage. The purchase increased the size of the college campus by 70 percent, and would relieve space in the E Building.[23][47][32][48]: 112–114 (PDF p.125–127) 

In 2006 the college announced a series of projects to renovate the C Building.[23][45] One of the projects completed circa 2010 renovated the interior of the building, creating new classrooms and office space. This involved removing a grain elevator used during the Sunshine Biscuit era.[49] Other work involved constructing escalators in the building, overhauling passenger elevators, and converting three freight elevators into passenger elevators.[23][45] In 2013, LaGuardia announced a project to install a new facade on the C Building, designed by Mitchell Giurgola Architects. An aluminum and terra cotta curtainwall would be installed atop the original terra cotta which was in disrepair, and new windows would also be installed. Both renovations improved the insulation and energy efficiency of the building. In addition, the two front entrances along Thomson Avenue were consolidated into a single main entrance. The project was completed in 2018.[50][51][52][53][54]

The building features a large rooftop billboard sign which is illuminated at night. Over the years it has featured the names of its various tenants, including Loose-Wiles, Executone, and IDCNY.[22][25][26][34][55][44][56] As part of the modern renovations to the C Building, the sign was fitted with branding for LaGuardia Community College.[23][55]

B Building

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The B Building or Center II is located between 30th Street and 30th Place, across from the C Building.[13][57] The eight-story building was constructed in 1914 as the American Eveready Building within the Degnon Terminal, designed by Maynicke and Francke.[28][58][59][60][61] The building occupies the northern half of the block between Thomson and 47th Avenues; the southern half was purchased by Eveready for a future expansion which was never built, and it is currently used as a parking lot.[57][58] In 1929, the American Knit Goods company leased space in the building, beginning its use as a clothing and textile factory.[62][63] By the 1940s, the plant was used by the Bernhard Ulmann Company and its subsidiary Bucilla Yarn.[28][64]

The Bucilla Building became Center II of the International Design Center New York in 1985.[43][44] As part of renovations for the design center created by I. M. Pei & Partners, the open-air courtyards at the center of the building and the adjacent American Chicle Building (Center I) were covered with skylights to create atriums, while indoor walls were taken down to create more open interiors.[65][46] By 1998, the International Design Center was renamed the Queens Atrium Corporate Center, and three floors from Center II were leased to DeVry University.[46]

In 2006, LaGuardia Community College received $55 million allocated by the New York State Legislature for the purchase of new school buildings. This was used to lease two floors in the Bucilla Building beginning in 2008.[45][50][66] In November 2009, the college opened a Healthcare Career Center inside the B Building.[67]

Four of the eight floors of the building are occupied by the Queens High School Complex of the New York City Department of Education. The complex houses three public high schools: Bard High School Early College Queens, the Academy of Finance and Enterprise, and the High School of Applied Communication.[57]

Joseph Shenker Hall and E Building

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Located at the east end of the campus are the adjacent Joseph Shenker Hall, a.k.a. the Main Building or M Building; and the E Building or East Building, formerly the Annex Building.[68]: 10 (PDF p.27)  The two buildings occupy a two-block-wide site between 31st Street and Van Dam Street, with a common courtyard in between the two buildings along the de-mapped 31st Place.[13][69][70]

The M Building was constructed in 1920 as the White Motor Company truck factory and service station, part of the Degnon Terminal. It replaced the company's plant at Broadway and 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan.[34][21]: 89, 196 [71][72][73] In 1941, the building was sold to the Ford Instrument Company, a subsidiary of Sperry Rand.[71][74] The factory manufactured electronics for the United States Armed Forces' World War II efforts.[75][76] Following the war, the factory produced missle guidance systems for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, designed the controls and instrumentation for the USS Seawolf nuclear submarine, and created other computer systems such as aircraft navigation systems for the U.S. military.[77][78][79][80]

The Ford Instrument building was purchased by CUNY for the college, then provisionally known as "Community College IX", in 1970.[2]: 10 [3][4] "Phase I" renovations were conducted in the building prior to the opening of the college in September 1971. At this time, the building included basic classrooms and offices, a 115-seat library, and a "Great Hall" at the south end of the building for assemblies inherited from Sperry Rand.[3][81]: 6–8 (PDF p.14–16 [80][82]: 47  Additional "Phase II" renovations were completed in 1976, which added new classrooms and a theater, an atrium or mall referred to as an "interior street", and converted the Great Hall into a gymnasium.[81]: 6–8 (PDF p.14–16) [80][83]

The E building was originally operated as the Equitable Paper Bag factory building.[68]: 143 (PDF p.172) [70] In 1954, the company claimed to manufacture the largest paper bag in the world, measuring 14 feet (4.3 m) long.[84] The building was purchased by LaGuardia in 1984,[85] with the college proposing a major project to renovate the building and connect it to the Main Building. The plans were drawn up by Danforth Toan of the Warner, Burns, Toan and Lund firm.[69][85] Ground was broken for the project on November 16, 1989,[86] and the new building complex was dedicated and opened on June 4, 1992.[2]: 80  The project included the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at the south end of the E Building, featuring an 800-seat proscenium theater, and the campus library at the north end.[15]: 119 [2]: 65 [69] The basement of the complex contains the athletic facilities of the college. This includes a six-lane NCAA regulation swimming pool constructed in the 1992 project, a fitness center, and a gymnasium for multiple sports including basketball.[15]: 118 [68]: 239–243 (PDF p.286–290) [69]

On August 14, 2008, the college dedicated the M Building as "Joseph Shenker Hall" in honor of founding president Joseph Shenker. Shenker would pass away in September of that year.[6][87][88]

Middle College High School Campus

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At the far east end of the campus across from the M and E Buildings is the Middle College High School Campus, formerly the college's L Building, located at Van Dam Street and 47th Avenue.[15]: 160 [14][45] The building houses two public high schools affiliated with the college, Middle College High School and International High School.[89] Prior to educational use, the building served as the factory for X-Acto hobby knives.[90]

The building was purchased by the college in 1989. At this time, Middle College High School was moved into the building, with classrooms used by the high school during the day and by the college at night. In addition, an Early Child Care Learning Center for the children of college students was created in the building.[68]: 143, 262–263 (PDF p.172, 312–313) [90][91][92] On October 20, 1989, the building was dedicated as the Marie LaGuardia Building or L Building in honor the wife of Fiorello La Guardia, who in 1982 donated records and memorabilia that formed the basis of the La Guardia and Wagner Archives.[2]: 71 [68]: 143 (PDF p.172) [93]

An 820-seat addition or annex was completed in October 2012, designed by Goshow Architects. This allowed International High School to move from the M Building into the Middle College Campus.[89][94][95]

Former buildings

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S Building

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The former S Building, a.k.a. the Satellite Building or Satellite College (31-11 Thomson Avenue),[7]: 25, 33, 40 [68]: 10 (PDF p.27)  is located on Thomson Avenue across to the north of the Main Building.[15]: 160 [7]: 25, 33, 40  It was originally known as the Sony Building.[96] It was also the headquarters and warehouse for Stroheim & Romann, a fabric and interior design company.[97]

LaGuardia began renting space in the building in 1973, occupying 71,000 square feet (6,600 m2) of space.[96][98] It was the original home of Middle College High School when it opened in 1974.[98] In 1984, the college began leasing the second and third floors of the building, in addition to the basement and first floor already in use.[99] The building features a rooftop parking lot, which was used by the college.[15]: 160 [100] The college ceased use of the building in the 1990s, after the completion of the E & M Building complex and the acquisition of the L Building.[90]

In 2008, the New York Public Library began leasing the building.[101][102] The library renovated the building for use as its Library Services Center, opening in 2010 at the cost of $50 million. The center contains a 238-foot (73 m) automated book sorting machine in the building's basement, and a digital imaging center.[103][104][105]

References

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  1. ^ a b http://webdev.laguardia.edu/livewire/98/98.pdf[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Golway, Terry (1997). LaGuardia Community College: The First 25 Years (PDF). LaGuardia Community College. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "a proposal for the establishment of Community College Number Nine". City University of New York, New York City Board of Higher Education. 1972. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Leviss Speeds New College for Queens". Ridgewood Times. Fultonhistory.com. July 9, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  5. ^ Currivan, Gene (March 26, 1970). "City University Appoints Presidents for 2 Community Colleges". The New York Times. p. 39. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Main LaG CC Building Named For Founding President". Queens Gazette. August 20, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "The Second Year". LaGuardia Community College Office of Institutional Research. August 28, 1973. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  8. ^ "LaGuardia's Future Home". Perspective. October 1972. p. 1. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Pic Site Outasite". Fiorello's Flute. March 11, 1977. p. 4. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  10. ^ "Famous Players-Lasky Studio" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. March 14, 1978.
  11. ^ McMenamin, James (Fall 1986). "Movie Studios". The Bridge. p. 13. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Sommer, Jack (November 9, 2015). "The fascinating story behind New York City's only remaining backlot movie studio". Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d "LaGuardia Community College Campus Map". LaGuardia Community College. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Campus Map of LaGuardia Community College - March 25, 1992". LaGuardia Community College. March 25, 1992. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "LaGuardia Community College: Fall 2004-Spring 2005 Catalog". LaGuardia Community College. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Search Profile: Provost & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs" (PDF). LaGuardia Community College. 2022.
  17. ^ a b "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Long Island City" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Neighborhood Map: 33rd Street–Rawson Street". Metropolitan Transportation Authority, WalkNYC. April 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "University Rising: LaGuardia Community College Library". CUNY Matters. March 24, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Across the Yards: Solutions for East Long Island City" (PDF). Hunter Urban Policy & Planning. 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e Willis, Walter I. (1920). Queens Borough, New York City, 1910-1920: The Borough of Homes and Industry. Queens, New York: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  22. ^ a b "History Toics: Industry Loose-Wiles (Sunshine) Biscuit". Greater Astoria Historical Society. astorialic.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  23. ^ a b c d e "LaG CC Center 3 Building To Get $7M Facelift". Queens Gazette. August 2, 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Waxman, Mitch (August 15, 2013). "Queens: The Borough of Homes and Industry". Brownstoner. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Greater Astoria Historical Society; Vollo, Gary (2010). Long Island City. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-7385-4. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Walsh, Kevin; Greater Astoria Historical Society (2013). Forgotten Queens. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4671-2065-4. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  27. ^ "Union Agent Reveals 1908 Threat To Queensboro Bridge". The Queens Gazette. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  28. ^ a b c Queens Subway Options Study, New York: Environmental Impact Statement. United States Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Urban Mass Transit Administration. May 1984. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  29. ^ Putnam, Edward H. (March 22, 1916). "The Modern Industrial Building". The American Architect. 109 (2100): 177–182. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  30. ^ "Loose-Wiles Bakery, Long Island City, N. Y." Atlantic Terra Cotta. 3 (8): 7. June 1916. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Sunshine Bakery Buys Trucks for Cleanliness, Cheapness and Advertising Value; Part I". The Commercial Vehicle. 12 (8): 21–24. May 13, 1915. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "CUNY Demolishes Historic Queens Building". ArchiTakes. p. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  33. ^ "Loose-Wiles Truck Garage Is Light clean and Fireproof–Only Two Exposed Columns; Part II". The Commercial Vehicle. 12 (9): 23–27. June 1, 1915. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  34. ^ a b c d Panchyk, Richard (2018). Hidden History of Queens. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press. ISBN 978-1-43966-478-0.
  35. ^ Quennell Rothschild & Partners; Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects. "Flushing Meadows Corona Park Strategic Framework Plan" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  36. ^ McQuiston, John T. (November 12, 1981). "Manes Bids to End His Feud with L.I. Business Leaders". The New York Times. p. B2. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  37. ^ "News of the Realty Trade". The New York Times. July 18, 1971. p. R7. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  38. ^ Horsley, Carter B. (March 25, 1979). "Realty News 'Soft Landing' Seen For Housing Market". The New York Times. p. R4. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  39. ^ "Three Department to Move to Executone 3rd Floor July 21st". Perspective. July 1975. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  40. ^ "REALTY NEWS; Upper East Side". The New York Times. May 24, 1981. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  41. ^ "Answers to question of space and time". Perspective. Spring 1981. pp. 2, 5. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  42. ^ "We'll be on the move as renovation ends". Perspective. Fall 1981. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  43. ^ a b Slesin, Suzanne (March 10, 1983). "Queens Site to be Converted into International Design Center". The New York Times. p. C6. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c Slesin, Suzanne (June 6, 1985). "Queens Design Center: To Join, Or Not?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  45. ^ a b c d e Sidorov, Aleksandr (September 2006). "LaGuardia to expand, buy new building". The Bridge. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  46. ^ a b c iederman, Marcia (March 15, 1998). "NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: LONG ISLAND CITY; Design Buildings Are Back From Dead, Though Less Tony". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  47. ^ "New Building Acquired to Meet Future Growth". LaGuardia Insider. Fall 1998. pp. 1, 14. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  48. ^ "Middle States Self-Evaluation: LaGuardia Community College". LaGuardia Community College. June 2, 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  49. ^ "Citadel Construction to complete 46,000 s/f renovation for Laguardia Community College". New England Real Estate Journal. nerej.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  50. ^ a b "Crystal Reports; LaGuardia Community College; Fiscal Year 2011" (PDF). City University of New York. 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  51. ^ Bartlett, Josey (January 10, 2013). "LaGuardia College to replace facade: Traffic is a concern with revamp of 1913 exterior in $70M project". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  52. ^ McRae, Tess (October 10, 2013). "100-year-old building gets a nice spruce up: LaGuardia Center 3 to have facade renovated, more greenery and lights". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  53. ^ "Center III Building, LaGuardia Community College". Mitchell/Giurgola. 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  54. ^ "LaGuardia Community College - Center 3 Facade Replacement". Enclos. 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  55. ^ a b "C-Building Renovations: FAQ". LaGuardia Community College. p. 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  56. ^ ""Night Lighting" "The Factory Building". The American Architect. 109 (2100): 191. March 22, 1916. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  57. ^ a b c "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2020-2021: Queens High School Complex" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  58. ^ a b "Big Work at L.I. City". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. July 10, 1914. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  59. ^ "American Ever Ready Company Soon to Move Into New Factory; Will Employ 3,000". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. December 31, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  60. ^ "$500,000 Building; To be Built by National Carbon Company Here". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. March 14, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  61. ^ "Another Big Plant; To Be Built This Year in Long Island City". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. March 10, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  62. ^ "Knit Goods Firm Moves Plant to Long Island City". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. February 9, 1929. p. 16. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  63. ^ "Knit Goods Firm Moves to L.I. City; Plans Expansion to 350 Employees". Long Island City Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. February 27, 1929. p. 9. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  64. ^ "$1,000 Looting Laid to Clerk In L. I. City". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. December 15, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  65. ^ Goldberger, Paul (January 10, 1988). "Architecture View: In Queens, A Design Center That Lives Up To Its Name". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  66. ^ Toscano, John (October 29, 2008). "Maltese, Addabbo Battle Down To The Wire In Senate Race". Queens gazette. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  67. ^ Alexander, Melissa (November 13, 2009). "Healthcare career center opens at LaGuardia CC" (PDF). Queens Courier. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  68. ^ a b c d e f "Middle States Self-Evaluation: LaGuardia Community College". LaGuardia Community College. p. 1992. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  69. ^ a b c d "Building for the future: LaGuardia plans new facility". Cooperative Times. 1986. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  70. ^ a b "The trick is to turn a 'bag' into a building; Architect's drawings due this fall". Perspective. 1985. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  71. ^ a b "Big Plant Purchase: Ford Instrument Co. Buys in Long Island City". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. February 10, 1941. p. 31. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  72. ^ "White Co. Buys at Degnon Terminal". Brooklyn Daily Star. Fultonhistory.com. December 20, 1918. p. 2. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  73. ^ "Astoria Ferry May Stary August 15; Boom to Queens; White Motors Moving". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. July 3, 1920. p. 6. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  74. ^ "QUEENS SITE SOLD IN EXPANSION MOVE; Ford Instrument Buys the White Motor Plant in Long Island City". The New York Times. February 10, 1941. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  75. ^ "Navy Flag is Won By Ford Company: Instrument Firm One of 14 Praised for Production". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. August 12, 1941. p. 3. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  76. ^ "'Monty' Inspects L. I. City Factory That Turned Out Supplies for Allies". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. November 29, 1949. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  77. ^ "Ford Instrument Company; Division of Sperry Rand Corporation". Journal of Jet Propulsion. 26 (5): 24-S. May 1956. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  78. ^ Yates, B. (1958). "Information Bibliography: Nuclear Propulsion for Ships". United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  79. ^ "Ford Instrument Gets 'Shot in the Arm'". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. April 3, 1958. p. 5. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  80. ^ a b c "La Guardia College, on Old Factory Site in L.I. City, Will Offer Work‐Study Prograin". The New York Times. March 14, 1971. p. 92. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  81. ^ a b "An Assessment and Description of the Initiation of an Innovative Curriculum of Cooperative Education at LaGuardia Community College". State University of New York. August 1972. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  82. ^ "1971-1972 LaGuardia Community College Student Handbook". LaGuardia Community College. 1971. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  83. ^ "Renovation Deadline Expected to be Met". Perspective. December 1975. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  84. ^ "World's Biggest Bat Made by L.I. City Firm". Long Island Star-Journal. Fultonhistory.com. February 26, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  85. ^ a b Tomack, David (November 1984). "LaGuardia Buys the Bag". TheBridge. p. 1, 5. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  86. ^ "College Breaks Ground on New $87 Million Construction Project". Perspective. January 1989. pp. 1–2. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  87. ^ Davis, Pete (August 27, 2008). "Building named for first president". QNS.com. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  88. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (September 25, 2008). "Joseph Shenker, a Pacesetter at CUNY, Is Dead at 68". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  89. ^ a b "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2020-2021: Middle College Campus" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. April 6, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  90. ^ a b c Isreal, Erik (Fall 1988). "Construction of New Building LaGuardia's Step to the Future". The Bridge. p. 7. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  91. ^ Hernandez, Cuba (September 1990). "Early Childhood Learning Center". The Bridge. pp. 13, 15. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  92. ^ "New Child Care Center Opens for Student-Parents". Perspective. April 1990. pp. 7–8. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  93. ^ "College Names New Building for Marie LaGuardia, Mayor's Widow". Perspective. January 1990. pp. 1–2. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  94. ^ "Expanded Schools Opened In L. I. City". QNS.com. October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  95. ^ "Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY". Goshow Architects. 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
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  98. ^ a b "Middle College Plan". LaGuardia Community College. June 1973. p. 29. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
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  100. ^ "Parking Available". Fiorello's Flute. December 1977. p. 27. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  101. ^ Radomsky, Rosalie R. (January 30, 2008). "TRANSACTIONS: Recent Lease". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  102. ^ Devine, Jane (2008). "Welcome for New York Public Library Neighbors" (PDF). Library Notes. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  103. ^ Taylor, Kate (April 21, 2010). "That Mighty Sorting Machine Is Certainly One for the Books". The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  104. ^ Davis, Pete (April 27, 2010). "NY Public Library takes space in LIC". QNS.com. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  105. ^ "New York Public Library's New Library Services Center Features World's Largest Automated Sorter of Library Materials". New York Public Library. April 22, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
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St. Albans Park
 
 
 
Location within New York City
 
 
Tdorante10/sandbox10 (New York)
 
 
Tdorante10/sandbox10 (the United States)
TypePublic park
LocationQueens, New York, United States
Coordinates40°41′35″N 73°46′49″W / 40.692977°N 73.780249°W / 40.692977; -73.780249
Created1936
Operated byNew York City Department of Parks and Recreation
StatusOpen all year

St. Albans Park, also known as St. Albans Memorial Park, is a park occupying three blocks at the intersection of Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue in St. Albans, Queens. The park is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

The park was originally the site of One Mile Pond, which fed into Baisley Pond farther south.

Description

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St. Albans Park consists of three blocks of parkland located at three of the four corners of Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue, one block north of Linden Boulevard.

The western block is located at the southwest corner of Merrick and Sayres, bound to the west by 169th Street.[1][2] The block is occupied by a grass sports field featuring a little league-size baseball diamond at northeast corner of the plot, and cricket pitch in the center.[1][3][4] The cricket pitch was added in 2005.[3][5][6] A second baseball diamond was previously located at the southwest corner of the site.[2][4]

The third block is at the northeast corner of Merrick and Sayres, with 172nd Street to the west and 111th Road to the north.[1] This section of the park features two basketball courts with lights, handball courts, and two tennis courts.[1][3]

Transportation

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History

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The park was originally the site of One Mile Pond, a mill pond which was located along Cornell Creek (a.k.a. Jamaica Creek). At the south end of the pond on modern Merrick Boulevard was the mill powered by the creek. The creek continued south into Jamaica Pond (now Baisley Pond), a reservoir for the Brooklyn Waterworks, and eventually fed into Jamaica Bay at what is now John F. Kennedy International Airport.[7][8] The pond was purchased by the Brooklyn Waterworks on May 2, 1861.[8][9]

Creation of the Park

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  • Following the consolidation of the City of Brooklyn into New York City in 1898, the Brooklyn Waterworks' assets were turned over to New York City.[10]: 299 [11]
  • The site of One Mile Pond was acquired by the Parks Department on July 29, 1914, along with Baisley Pond (then called "Baiseley's Lake"), in order to create One Mile Pond Park and Baiseley's Lake Park, respectively.[12][10]: 291, 299, 307 [13] At the time, One Mile Pond Park was 16 acres (6.5 ha) large and described as "heavily wooded, traversed by a small stream".[10]: 299 


  • Originally called One Mile Road Park or One Mile Pond Park.[13][14]

In September 1931, the park was opened to the public following the clearing of vegetation and dead trees, and the installation of a playground and park paths.[15]

In February 1932, the St. Albans Post of the American Legion proposed to the New York City Board of Aldermen to rename One Mile Pond Park to St. Albans Memorial Park.[16] On April 19, 1932, the name change was approved by the Board of Aldermen.[17] In May 1932, the St. Albans Posts of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars groups along with other local civic organizations planned to erect a 24-foot (7.3 m) long gun in the park. At that time, the park would be rededicated as "St. Albans Memorial Park". The ceremony would take place on May 30, as a joint celebration of Memorial Day and the bicentennial of George Washington's birth.[18][19] Following the placement of the gun, the local civic groups complained that real estate signs had been posted near the gun in what they believed to be part of the park. After campaigning for the signs to be removed, an investigation discovered that the land was actually private property.[14][20]


  • On July 21, 1934, Parks Commissioner Robert Moses announced plans for four open-air swimming pools to be located in Brooklyn and Queens, including one to be built in St. Albans Park.[21]
  • In 1936, the western block of the park was acquired via condemnation, adding 3 acres (1.2 ha) of land to the park.[4]
  • On July 17, 1937 the northeastern block of the park was opened, featuring "facilities for softball and basketball" along with playground equipment.[22] On July 24, 1937, the playground at 174th Place was opened.[23][24][25]
  • In fall 1941, the western block of St. Albans Park was developed into a softball field with two diamonds and portable bleachers, with funding from the Works Progress Administration.[2][4]


  • Renovated park unveiled on August 21, 2017.[26][27]
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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "St. Albans Park: Park Map". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "New Play Facilities At Martin's Field". Bayside Times. Fultonhistory.com. October 2, 1941.
  3. ^ a b c Thompso, Sametta (August 25, 2005). "St. Albans Park Designated For $1.5 Million Cricket Field". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "For Release" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. September 30, 1941. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  5. ^ "New York gets second purpose-built facility". ESPNcricinfo. August 24, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "Mayor Bloomberg Announces New Cricket Field In Southern Queens". Government of New York City. August 20, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Kadinsky, Sergey (March 8, 2018). "One Mile Pond, Queens". Hidden Waters Blog.
  8. ^ a b James Pugh Kirkwood (1867). The Brooklyn Water Works and Sewers: A Descriptive Memoir. The Board of Water Commissioners, D. Van Nostrand. p. 168, 170. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "Municipal: The Non-Removal of Ashes Throughout the City". Brooklyn Union-Argus. Fultonhistory.com. January 8, 1881. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "1914 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report: Part 3" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. 1911. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "Baisley Pond Park". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  12. ^ "St. Albans Park: History". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Droesch Cites St. Albans Sales: Points Out New Park Facilities Promsied". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. July 25, 1931. p. 10. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Memorial Gun May Have Been Erected on Private Property". Brooklyn Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. July 26, 1932. p. 10. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  15. ^ "One Mile Pond in Fine Shape". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. September 24, 1931. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  16. ^ "Seek Realty Tax Exemption: St. Albans Legion Wants Ex-Soldier Benefited". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. February 3, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  17. ^ "Names Park After O'Connor". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. April 20, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "St. Albans Women Meet". Long Island Sunday Press. Fultonhistory.com. May 15, 1932. p. 11. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  19. ^ "May 30 Parade for St. Albans: Bicentennial Celebration Also That Date". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. May 6, 1932. p. 12. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  20. ^ "Memorial on Private Land: St. Albans League Discovers Common Error". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. July 15, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  21. ^ "4 Open-Air Swimming Pools Planned for Parks in 2 Boros". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. July 23, 1934. p. 12. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "For Release" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. July 17, 1937. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  23. ^ "Park Department Opens Two New Playgrounds: First Section Completed in Jamaica Residential Area". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. July 24, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "New Playground at St. Albans Memorial Park". Long Island Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com. July 25, 1937. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  25. ^ "For Release" (PDF). New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. July 24, 1937. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  26. ^ Rose, Naeisha (August 30, 2017). "St. Albans Park gets $1 million facelift". TimesLedger. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  27. ^ Berglund, Justin (August 22, 2017). "South Queens residents help cut the ribbon on a freshly renovated park". QNS.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
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Rivington House (45 Rivington Street) is a building located at Rivington Street and Forsythe Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It was originally constructed as an elementary school known as Public School 20 in 1898, and then operated as a vocational school beginning in 1942. In the 1990s, the building was purchased by Village Nursing Home (later VillageCare) and was converted into a specialty nursing home for patients with HIV/AIDS.

The building gained media attention in 2015 when it was planned to lift the deed restriction on the building, allowing it to be transformed into a residential or commercial property. When the building was ultimately sold for $116 million, Mayor Bill de Blasio drew criticism for straying from his policy to increase affordable housing in the city. The building was eventually reclassified and sold to China Vanke Co., Adam America Real Estate, and Slate Property Group for residential development.[1]

Rivington Design

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The entrance to the building on Rivington Street.

The Rivington House is located on the south side of Rivington Street between Forsyth Street and Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side. Across Forsyth Street to the west is Sara Delano Roosevelt Park. The building was constructed from 1897 to 1898, designed by architect C. B. J. Snyder in Renaissance Revival or Romanesque Revival style. Snyder, at the time the city's Superintendent of School Buildings, designed numerous other schools throughout the city.[2][3][4][5][6] The building is five stories tall, with a basement and a small sixth floor in the center of the building.[3][5] Its exterior features several decorative elements, including large stone-framed windows, several of which are arched, stone belt courses in between stories, and terracotta moldings. It also features several decorative plaques, including two at the front entrance on Rivington Street representing the New York City government. The interior, meanwhile, contains cast-iron columns with decorative elements.[3][6]

The building was originally "U"-shaped, which was a common quirk of Snyder-designed schools and other city schools to let in more natural light. The open-space was filled in during the 1990s renovations to the building.[3][4] It also originally featured a yellow-brick facade,[7] but was later altered with pink-red bricks.[2][3][5][6]

The building was renovated from 1993 to 1994 into a nursing home for HIV/AIDS patients by the Perkins & Will and Davis Brody firms.[2][3][8] The first floor features a lobby with reception and gift shop areas, a chapel, a meeting room, administrative space, and an intensive care unit with 17 beds.[3] The remaining four floors each contain around 50 beds along with two nurses stations and dining areas. The fifth or penthouse floor contains additional recreation facilities.[3] A ward for tuberculosis patients was also constructed.[5][8] The basement contains utilities, kitchen facilities, and labs including a radiology suite.[3] A loading dock was constructed as a southern extension of the original building on Forsyth Street.[3]

Nearby Points

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Rivington History

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As a school building

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Public School 20 was completed in 1898,[2][5][6] opening on September 12, 1898.[9] Upon opening, the school was also used as an evening recreation center for children.[7] Alumni of the elementary school include Irving Caesar, George and Ira Gershwin, Harry Golden, Jacob Javitz, Paul Muni, and Edward G. Robinson.[2][10][11] [12] In 1934, construction began on Sara Delano Roosevelt Park across the street, which would provide boys and girls playgrounds for Public School 20 and the nearby Public School 91.[13]

Public School 20 was closed in June 1942 due to low enrollment, with the nearby P.S. 91 expanding to replace it.[2][14] Afterwards, the building became the Manhattan Trades Center and hosted special vocational programs for the New York City Board of Education.[2][11][12] This began with a high school program to train radio operators which opened on October 7, 1942.[15] The programs at the school contributed to the United States efforts during World War II, with graduates going on to become technicians and radio operators in the Armed Forces and the Merchant Marine. The school also featured programs to train disabled and vision impared individuals.[16] Following the end of the war, the Board of Education created accelerated vocational and academic programs at the school for returning veterans.[17][18]

In 1963, a new Public School 20 was opened at Stanton Street and Essex Street.[10][19][20] By 1963, the building at Rivington Street was used as the New York City Adult Training Center. At this time, the school operated programs training unemployed people to work in occupations such as house painting, as well a programs to train orderlies and licensed practical nurses, through an initiative from the federal Manpower Development and Training Act.[21][22][23]

As a nursing home

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On April 18, 1989, then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch announced that the school would be redeveloped by the Village Nursing Home group into a facility called the Rivington House for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. The nursing home would contain 230 beds, 80 of which would be reserved for patients from city hospitals.[24] This was in response to the outbreak of the disease around this time, with the Lower East Side being one of the most affected neighborhoods in the city.[25][26][27] Later plans called for 45 beds reserved for tuberculosis patients.[5][8] At this time, the school building had gone unused for several years.[24]

The building was sold by the city to Village Nursing Home and was reconstructed from 1993 to 1994, with funding from public bonds.[2][5][24] The renovations were designed by the Perkins & Will and Davis Brody firms. The Davis Brody firm had several employees who had contracted AIDS.[2][3][8] The nursing home opened in 1995 with 219 beds.[2][25][28] Initially, the typical length of stay for patients was only 12 to 15 days with a 50 percent mortality rate. As treatment options for AIDS improved, by 1997 the length of patient stay increased and many were able to leave the facility and return home.[25][29] In addition to in-patient care, the Rivington Hosue also offered outpatient services and job placement assistance for patients.[26]

Closure and sale

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Rivington House operated as a HIV/AIDS nursing home from 1995 until 2015.[26][30] The lack of patients and the change in community care for people with HIV led VillageCare to announce in 2014 that they would be closing the facility in Manhattan.[31] As local press reported at the time, “the need for a single-purpose skilled nursing facility like Rivington House that segregates AIDS patients is long past."[32]

By 2015, Rivington House was non-performing and nearly vacant, and a nursing home operator in the region called The Allure Group purchased the building. Within the first year under new ownership, the building featured in the New York City press after an application was made to change the property's deed restrictions. Its restrictive deed prevented the property from being developed like many of the buildings in the same district, stating that the building had to be used for non-profit residential health care.[33]

Following the required payment to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, as determined by the city, the building's deed restriction was lifted, and The Allure Group sold the building for $116 million to a developer.[33] While sales of this value are common in New York City, the media honed in on Mayor Bill de Blasio for moving away from his policy of providing affordable housing.[34] Ricardo Morales, a deputy commissioner at the Citywide Department of Administrative Services was eventually relieved of his duties following the sale of Rivington House.[35]

More information about the deal entered the media in 2016, when Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested he didn't know about the land deal, prior to signing off on the lifting of the deed restriction.[36][37] The statement made by Bill de Blasio was questioned following the release of a report by the New York City Department of Investigation. The report suggested that while many city officials denied knowing about the details of the deal, they were in fact fully aware of what was taking place.[38] The NY Post reported that Bill de Blasio's administration offered millions of dollars the month prior, in February 2016, to effectively undo the deal as it would reflect badly on the administration.[39]

The report stated that both The Allure Group and the city wanted to reclassify the building, and both parties knew a $17 million fee was needed specifically to remove the deed restriction.[40] The report also showed that the city understood any fees would result in the nursing home being flipped by The Allure Group, as the property was no longer viable in its current position.[41] The New York Times and NY Post made similar remarks to the report, referring to a meeting on March 11, 2015. If a $16.15 million payment was required to lift the deed restriction it “could not afford to pay the cost to remove the deed restriction and retain the property as a nursing home,” and “would consider converting the property into a luxury apartment building and forgo the nursing home renovation.”[42]

The city of New York opened an investigation into what had gone wrong with their management of the situation. However, the probe found no illegal conduct.[43] The city announced they could not sue The Allure Group, as legally they had not done anything wrong and determined instead that there was a need to revamp its own internal policies and procedures.[44] Despite the controversy caused by the sale and removing the deed restriction from Rivington House, the state legislators decided to reject a bill aimed at preventing similar sales from taking place in the future.[45]

Rivington Sources

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References

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  1. ^ Walker, Ameena (February 11, 2017). "Rivington House fate is still being challenged by community". Curbed.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mendelsohn, Joyce (2009). The Lower East Side Remembered and Revisited: A History and Guide to a Legendary New York Neighborhood. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 176–179, 229. ISBN 978-0-231-51943-4. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Long Term Care Facilities: Plans" (PDF). Progressive Architecture. 8 (93): 32. August 1993. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Snyder, C. B. J. (January 1898). Butler, Nicholas Murray (ed.). "School-Building in New York City". Educational Review. 15 (1). Henry Holt and Company: 17–25.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Lambert, Bruce (December 26, 1998). "A Rare Warm Welcome for an AIDS Project". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Second Avenue Subway in the Borough of Manhattan, New York County, New York: Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. March 2003. pp. G1-14. OCLC 52034794.
  7. ^ a b "At the Recreation Centers". The Sun (New York City). October 11, 1903. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Dunlap, David W. (April 3, 1994). "AIDS and the Practice of Architecture". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "Children Awaiting the Opening of the Doors of Public School No, 20, Clinton Street, Near Delancey". New York World-Telegram. September 18, 1898. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "ABC Playground:History". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Smilon, Marvin (February 23, 1960). "Old School Tie-on the Lower East Side". New York Post. Fultonhistory.com. p. 46. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Golden, Harry (November 25, 1961). "Top Alumni Tribute Tops 20 Teachers". The Evening Press. Fultonhistory.com. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  13. ^ Dennen, Sarah S. (February 28, 1934). "For Immediate Release". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Hamilton High to be Shut Down". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. March 27, 1942. p. 43. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  15. ^ "Open New School For Radio Operators". Brooklyn Eagle. Newspapers.com. October 7, 1942. p. 5. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "Post-War Aim in Job Program: Radio Center Utilizes Old School Building". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. December 2, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "Board Describes Veteran Program". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. December 14, 1945. p. 20. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "Veterans Study in City Schools". The Sun (New York City). Fultonhistory.com. December 24, 1945. p. 4. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Plaque Presented to Silver For His Aid to P.S. 20". The New York Times. March 1, 1964. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2018-2019: P.S. 20 - Manhattan" (PDF). New York City Department of Education. May 26, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "New Educational Procedures Introduced In Public School". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Fultonhistory.com. October 2, 1963. p. 2. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  22. ^ "Training Act Aides State Unskilled; Courses Subsidized by U.S. Won Jobs for 3,000". The New York Times. January 6, 1964. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  23. ^ "664 Jobless Persons to Get Training in Making Shoes". The New York Times. October 14, 1964. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  24. ^ a b c Lubasch, Arnold H. (April 18, 1989). "Former School To Be Converted To AIDS Home". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  25. ^ a b c Shockley, Jay; Davis, Amanda; Lustbader, Ken; Dolkart, Andrew (2019). "NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project: Historic Context Statement for LGBT History in New York City" (PDF). National Park Service, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. p. 70-71. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  26. ^ a b c Toth, Katie (November 7, 2014). "With Longtime AIDS Care Center Rivington House Closing, Its Patients Are Left Anxious". VillageVoice.
  27. ^ Goldfarb, Jeffrey (August 22, 1999). "AIDS Center Shows Times Are a-Changing". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  28. ^ [1]
  29. ^ Richardson, Lynda (January 25, 1997). "An AIDS Nursing Home Finds It Is No Longer the Last Stop". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Toth, Katie (October 23, 2014). "Owners of AIDS Care Facility Stuck With Building After Booting Patients". VillageVoice.
  31. ^ Robins, Brittany. "End of an era for an AIDS center". NY Press.
  32. ^ "Rivington House Nursing Facility is Closing in November". The Lo-Down.
  33. ^ a b Goodman, David (March 30, 2016). "How New York Allowed Gentrification for $16 Million". New York Times.
  34. ^ "Bill de Blasio again blames everyone but his own bungling hires". NY Post. April 26, 2016.
  35. ^ Smith, Greg B. (February 26, 2017). "City fires official who OK'd lifting deed restriction to convert nursing home into luxury condos". NY Daily News.
  36. ^ Rosenberg, Zoe (July 16, 2016). "City Hall's Inaction Led to Rivington House Sale, Report Finds". Curbed.
  37. ^ Dawsey, Josh (March 25, 2016). "De Blasio Administration Didn't Know About Land Deal Before Lifting Deed Restrictions". Wall Street Journal.
  38. ^ Ramey, Corinne (July 14, 2016). "Bill de Blasio's Administration Failed to Protect Public Interest on Rivington Deal, Report Finds". Wall Street Journal.
  39. ^ Vincent, Isabel (April 24, 2016). "How the city knew about, and tried to undo, $116M nursing-home flip". NY Post.
  40. ^ "Appendices for Examination of the City's Removal of the Deed Restriction at 45 Rivington Street in Manhattan". New York City Department of Investigation. July 2016.
  41. ^ Stringer, Scott (July 14, 2016). "De Blasio faults policy, not staff, for Rivington deal". Politico.
  42. ^ Goodman, David (July 14, 2016). "New York Officials Were Warned About Lifting Nursing Home's Deed Limits, Report Says". NY Times.
  43. ^ "DOB lifts stop-work order at controversial Rivington House Nursing Home". The Real Deal. June 17, 2017.
  44. ^ "City admits it doesn't have a legal case against Allure Group over Rivington House". The Real Deal. December 30, 2016.
  45. ^ Rosenberg, Zoe (April 26, 2017). "State Senate rejects bill that could prevent another Rivington House scandal". Curbed.