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"We are also indebted to Father Juan Quevedo-Bosch,
rector of Redeemer, Astoria and our diocesan Examining Chaplain, who not only
has an exciting ministry going on at Redeemer but has also provided leadership
for a new senior housing project at St George’s, Astoria. 55 units of new
affordable senior citizen apartments will be rising this coming spring. At
present, a partnership is being developed between the diocese and St. George’s
that will oversee this project. In consultation with the vestry I have just
recently appointed Father Quevedo-Bosch Priest-in-Charge of St. George’s,
Astoria."
- from the CONVENTION ADDRESS 2004.
November 12-13, 2004 given by
The Right Reverend Orris G. Walker, Jr., 7th Bishop of the Diocese of
Long Island
For the full text of the address,
click here.
April 6, 2005
I urge all elected officials to do their civic duty in helping preserve the historical foundations this city was built upon. As a life long queens resident for 40 years, I can
no longer sit and watch the destruction of our most sacred historical buildings. While Manhattan seems to enjoy red tape free landmark designations.
The outer borough's must constantly deal with being treated like secon class citizens when it comes to preservation and historical protection. I urge you to stop the
destruction of old astoria village.
Dirk Kennedy
Long Island City, NY
March 24, 2005
We are losing many of our historic buildings and, therefore, losing much of our history in the Astoria and Ditmars area of Queens just so
property owners can tear down these buildings and build architectural eyesores to make huge profits. These situations must stop!
Edward P. Prager
Astoria, NY
March 19, 2005
Astoria is a beautifully historic neighborhood being destroyed by overdevelopment. Let's stop this.
Andrew Finiasz
Astoria, NY
March 14, 2005
Dear Members of the Community and Elected Representatives,
Despite the misleading comments on this website's forum by developer Tony Hack who, as is typical of his profession, cynically employs public goods for his own personal enrichment, I would like to underscore the extent to which recent development has ripped the heart out of Astoria, and particularly Old Astoria Village.
The Remsen house was a historic structure surrounded by century-old White Pine, Oak,
Red Maple and Dogwood Trees. In fact, until bulldozers smashed it this winter, the property had the largest Red Maple I have ever encountered in New York (State!). Developer Hack
suggests he has improved our property values. This is patently untrue. He has ripped
out a green space of historical significance and architectural beauty and is replacing it with
box-like dog kennels designed to warehouse working families. Is this the sort of 'affordable'
housing we need in New York? Or might we integrate new units into an existing neighborhood without destroying it? Developer Hack has gone a long way in destroying my neighborhood.
Will your block be next? Be careful, it very well may be.
Developer Hack writes that the house across the street from the Remsen House
(that he ripped down) is falling down. That's amazing, because the owner of the
house has worked tirelessly to RESTORE the home to its original condition.
Just because she doesn't have people bending over backwards to facilitate
her project (and thus, as in Hack's case, to rush ahead and demolish Remsen
DESPITE a pending landmarking application!!) and speed it up does not mean her home
is falling down. On the contrary, she, like many of us, is CARING for the neighborhood.
This is the type of deliberate misrepresentation--I would assume a professional builder
could assess accurately when in fact a home is falling down and when it is in the process
of being restored--that divides and confuses the community. I ask you all to take a close
look at what is going on in Astoria and who this redevelopment will harm. Turning our
streets and homes into concrete parking lots and ugly warehouses for humans WILL
NOT result in higher property values. On the contrary, it will scare people away from
our lovely community.
The developers don't live here. We do. Let's fight for a nice neighborhood as opposed
to allowing those who come here to use our suffering as a cash cow for fattenng their own bank accounts...I'd rather live in Astoria than squeeze its residents for profits.
Sincerely,
John Collins
March 12, 2005
Please work to preserve the St. George Episcopal Church Parsonage from demolition. (14-22 27th Avenue, Astoria)
Lenox Stonehill
Long Island City
March 10, 2005
On 12th Street in Astoria, community leaders failed to secure a landmark district for dozens of Civil War-era houses. In the last three years, almost all of them have been razed or renovated. "If you don't move on it, the reason can disappear quickly," said Jim Driscall, Vice President of Queens Historical Society.
Brian Joiner Queens Chronicle page 20
March 7,2005
Why is it OK to distroy historical homes and a grove of mature trees without an environmental impact study?
The entire area of the Old Astoria Villiage is being transformed and nothing effective is being done to stop this tragedy.
The final blow to the area is the destruction of the Remsen House.
Please ACT NOW to stop this ugly development.
Patricia Danton
Albany, NY
March 5,2005
The recent zoning victory in Kissena Park to rezone R3-2 districts
to R3A status will effectively stop overdevelopers from destroying 1 and 2
family homes and constructing mini-skyscrapers & concrete slabs in their
place. This legislation is now being considered in other parts of Queens
such as Baysi3-2 to de and Whitestone.
THIS LAW MUST PASS IN ALL AREA OF ASTORIA AS WELL NOW!
The destruction of our heritage and beauty by outside overdevelopers who do
not live or work in the area and have purely decended onto our communities
for profit & greedy motives is something residents of Astoria all feel
strongly against but do not know how act upon.
There is a good reason why someone saves all their life to own a 1 or 2
family house in our area. It is because they WANT a certain QUALITY OF LIFE,
where they can sit in their GADREN or BACKYARD surrounded by TREES and enjoy
SUNLIGHT and BREEZE & AIR and DO NOT WISH TO SEE AN APARTMENT HOUSE OUTSIDE
THEIR BEDROOM WINDOWS where there was a garden before. This ever increasing
trend has disturbed original Astoria-ites as well as professionals who have
chosen to buy & settle here.
The destruction of Remsen House on 27th Avenue & 12th Street for the
overdevelopment of NINE 3-FAMILY HOMES is the final straw for me. This is
the latest slap in the face of my community who has had to quitely endure
the destruction of old mansions to the loss of gardens to concrete car parks
and illegal curb cuts to the the destruction of backyards and their old
growth trees. WE ARE LOSING ENOUGH TREES TO THE ASIAN LONG HORN BEETLE AS IT
IS, WE DO NOT NEED TO ADD TO THIS TREND.
Pretty soon this area will look like the South Bronx did in the 1970's, A
CONCRETE JUNGLE and our property value will be nil since NO ONE WANTS TO
LIVE IN A CONCRETE JUNGLE.
PEOPLE IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HORROR, NOW!!!
I propose that our elected officials:
1) Must pass legislature, IMMEDIATELY, as to stop this threat to our way of
life ASAP.
2) Equally as important: IF A PLOT OF LAND IS SOLD WITH OLD GROWTH TREES ON
IT, THEY MUST REMAIN! NO ANDS IFS OR BUTS! Build around them not over
them!!!
I'm afraid in 10 years time, if nothing is done and our elected officials DO
NOT WAKE UP TO THIS THREAT TO OUT COMMUNITIES ONCE AND FOR ALL, Astoria will
be doomed.
I wonder if anybody remember Astoria's towering Willow trees and slate
sidewalks? I certainly do.
C. De Stefano
Astoria, NY
February 28, 2005
I am from Astoria and my mother still lives there, as well as
my sisters (3), and brothers (2). The historical significance of Astora
shall live forever...in the air we breath...on the streets we
walk...please...oh please...don't take that away from us.
John L. Connolly
Brooklyn, NY
February 27, 2005
Keep our heritage safe from destruction.
Living history must be preserved.
William Lawless
Pittsfield, MA
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005
"I believe that the area(s) west of 21 street and
south of the Tri-boro bridge is under seige. However, as finacially profitable
this area is presently, there should be a moritorium on development here. The
West Village, East Village, & west side town houses in the 80's through the
100's in Manhattan have remained "somewhat" un-developed, without jeopardizing
the value of the homes or property. With a plan, the same can happen here. All
it takes is some careful planning. It is not too late."
Nicholas Yavaldakis
Astoria, NY
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005
"This is the problem with Astoria...we told these
people you have to do something...and most were not interested."
Paul Graziano, advisor to Historic Districts
Council and Queens Civic Congress
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005
"I'm beautifing the neighborhood. I don't think
the Remsen Hosue had that much historic value. They should have landmarked it."
Tony Hack
Hack Real Estate
Queens Tribune
Asi Paybarah
Feb 18-24 page 10
Debating the Future of Astoria's Past
The man who knocked down the Civil War-era Remsen House in order to build four
two-Family homes and 30 luxury condos said he is eyeing two other nearby
properties.
Tony Hack of Hack Real Estate declined to specify where exactly he would build
next, but he defended his current multi-million dollar project at the Remsen
House property, 9-20 27th Ave. in Astoria. “I don’t think [the Remsen House] and
that much historic value. They should have landmarked it. They didn’t”
An application to have the house reviewed by the City’s Historic Landmark
Commission was filed on Jan 18, 2005 by the Greater Astoria Historical Society.
The group also posted photographs of the house on it Web site, and declared “Old
Astoria Village Under Siege.”
Members of the community raged against the demolition of the GAHS Web site.
“Perpetual shame on those who let her Remsen House be destroyed,” wrote Gerry
Regan.” By destroying the old houses and structures, we are canceling our own
history, “wrote Angelo Mazza.” One 12th Street resident, Georgina Ellis-Young
said in an interview she considered chaining herself to the house to save it.
Despite that, no one attended a Feb. 15 meeting of Community Board 1 to raise
the issue. Although the Remsen House was demolished by then, GAHS President Bob
Singleton said many other houses in the neighborhood could be next.
Singleton and one other GAHS members did appear to CB1 a few month earlier to
sell copies of their book, “Images of America: Long Island City.” He declined to
speak on the read about the issue.
Hack rejected the notion he was ruining the neighborhood. In fact he said, “Look
at the house across the street (from the Remsen House.) It’s falling down. Why
don’t they do something about it? I’m beautifying the landscape.”
When told of the Remsen House’s demolition, urban planner Paul Graziano said,
“This is the problem with Astoria. We went out there. We told those people, ‘You
have to do something now.” And the people who live there, most of them weren’t
interested.” He paused, and added, “That is sad. That makes me very, very sad.”
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005
"Any elected official who abets (or who has
abetted) the wanton and avaricious destruction of our precious historic heritage
will likewise FOREVER lose my vote. Save the Parsonage. Perpetucal shame on
those who let the Remsen House be destroyed."
Gerry Regan
Astoria, NY
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005
"By destroying the old houses and structures, we
are cancelling our own history and eliminating that which makes Astoria and old
Astoria unique. Squeezing 9 houses onto a small plot of land as in the case of
Remsen house does not add to the quality of life. Issues about the need for
housing and senior housing have to be addressed as part of a bigger, coordinated
plan, not allowed be addressed by the highest bidder in haphazard fashion."
Angelo Mazza
Astoria, NY
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005
"Please help and stop this destruction of our
neighborhood fabric and history.
I am the 5th generation living at this address, the house has been in my family
since the turn of the century.
The reason I've decided to put down roots here is because of the history of the
area and the ecletic mix of homes, sorta like living in a small town.
I'd hate the idea of leaving, but I will if my elected representation will not
help, then why would I want to live here? Would you if your neighborhood is
being destroyed???"
Louis Demonte
Astoria, NY
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 23:09:42 EST
Subject: St George's Church
"Just a thought.....Aren't there graves under the lawn between the parish house and the church.
I sort of remember being told a very long time ago that there are crypts under the lawn. The church should have the records
....and what about the graves of the criminals in back of the parish house. are they going to be destroyed also?"
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:04:27 -0500
Subject: Can I help from Canada?
"Hello, I think that you have a petition started regarding the demolition
of the St George's building on 27th Avenue. I dont know if I can somehow
sign this petition since I reside in Toronto now. I do come to Astoria about
every 6-8 wks. Can I sign or show my support via email? I remember going to
trick or treat at this building as a child. They always had "healthy" treats
like apples The people were always very nice to us. We loved to be able to
see inside the building from the door where we would stand. I never did get
to go inside. It is very sad to see that another one of our historical
buildings falls victim to developers. Old Astoria must be preserved!!!"
Dominique Perrot-Chartrand
January 18, 2005
"I am writing you in haste to express my great concern about the impending demolition of an historic building at 9-26 27th Avenue in Astoria, a site which very possibly was the graveyard of the Dutch Reform Church next door to it. The building itself is the Abraham Rumson Building which was built in 1835, and part of the lot is owned by the Dutch Reform Church. There are grave markers currently stored at the church and I am conducting research to see if those graves are indeed on the actual site of the Rumson Building. Besides the importance of preserving the valuable history of this area, which once destroyed can never be revisited,
the sanctity of these burial sites must be respected, and as one of the markers at the church bears the name of Stephen Halsey,
who was the founder of Astoria, it is very possible that he himself is buried there.
In general I am appalled by the systematic disassembling of this neighborhood - one by one, historic homes falling to the developers. Besides
the obvious loss of a beautiful history, the overdevelopment is leading to the building of more power
plants, overcrowding of schools, etc. Somewhere, it has to be stopped, and I hope you will publish this letter to bring
this issue to the attention of the neighborhood. I myself did not know the home was to be torn down until I drove by
on Saturday, the 15, and saw the fence going up around it and the developers sign, which made me realize that time is
of the essence in addressing this issue. The citizens of Astoria can help to stop this sad trend, or at least slow it
down, by contacting the Community Board immediately."
Sincerely,
Georgina Young-Ellis
11-51 Welling Ct.
Astoria, NY 11102
January 15, 2005
Regarding St. George's Parsonage, let me just say this, " It strikes me as
an egregious and colossal failure on the part of the city and the landmarks
commission that this entire area isn't being preserved. That the seminal
structure in the history of Old Astoria cannot be spared indicates the
extent of the problem. I do see the preservation debate here ending soon,
however. For soon there will be nothing left to save."
Stephen
January 13, 2005
"There is too much traffic and lack of parking on this particular block of
27th Avenue as it is. Will there be off-street parking space provided for
the senior center residents and visitors?
Yes, I will sign the landmark applications, and I will ask my neighbors to
sign."
Barbara
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2005 11:10 PM
To: info@astorialic.org
Subject: St George's Church
"i just want to say that it is a shame the way everything in our past has been taken away for us,,
we had so many memories of girlscouts, church meetings, and playing in the little gazebel on the side of the church as
a kid. we might as well just burn down the whole village of astoria ,, it is getting to be like a war zone , and the little
that is left that is wonderful to visit is being taken away brick by brick,,, and that is all i will say,,, thank you for reading
my e-mail ,,"
barbara ann iuliani
an old astoria blvd. diehard.
12/26/04
"My great grandfather settled in Hunters Point in the 1860's and became the
first undertaker there. He built a home for his daughter on a street now
designated a national landmark. Of course the house still stands.
To destroy what remains of our heritage is a disgrace. It is a sin to
destroy the few buildings that are left.
Won't someone try for a Landmark designation for the Rectory?
"
Elizabeth V. Cardinal
Subj: Losing more of Old Astoria....
Date: 05/27/2004 7:58:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time
To: Greater Astoria Historical Society
There is talk in the neighborhood, but hopefully
it is only a rumor, that the historic 1820s parsonage of St. George's Church may
may be torn down for even more homes further destroying the unique character of
our neighborhood. Can someone look into this and let our community know of their
plans?
There is also another rumor that the 26-29 12th
Street is going to be torn down. It was recently sold. Can you find out if this
is true?
Susan Koren - 12th Street - Old Astoria
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