Howard Beach is a unique community that has been able to embrace change, all the while preserving its roots of generations past. Rich in tradition, it is an ideal place to raise a family. With great schools, convenient transportation and beautiful parks in the neighborhood, it is no wonder current residents have established such solid foundations in Howard Beach. With awe-inspiring sights from the nearby waterways, Howard Beach provides an ambience that is rare in the city.
WHERE
Predominantly a residential neighborhood, Howard Beach is located in south Queens. It is bordered by Ozone Park and Richmond Hill to the north; Broad Channel and Jamaica Bay to the south; South Ozone Park and John F. Kennedy International Airport to the east; and Spring Creek Park and Brooklyn to the west.
Easily accessible by car, Howard Beach is only a few minutes away from the Belt Parkway. The community’s major roadway is Cross Bay Boulevard, which connects Howard Beach to the Rockaway Peninsula to the south and to Woodhaven Boulevard to the north.
Howard Beach as a community is comprised of several parts: Old Howard Beach, which lies between the Shellbank Basin and Hawtree Creek; New Howard Beach, or Rockwood Park, which is located on the west side of Cross Bay Boulevard; Hamilton Beach, which is located between 102nd Street and Jamaica Bay; and finally Lindenwood, which lies between South Conduit Avenue and the Belt Parkway.
HISTORY
Long before English settlers came to New York, the earliest inhabitants of the Howard Beach area were Canarsie and Rockaway Indians. Attracted to the fertile fishing sites, the English established Hawtree Creek and Jamaica Bay as prominent fishing communities. During the 1770s, the area was called Remsen’s Landing after the Revolutionary War leader Cornel Jeramus Remsen.
Upon entering the 19th Century, Howard Beach had become ideal for fishing, clamming and boating. Fishermen’s shacks lined the area and later gave way to stilt homes connected by wooden boardwalks. By 1900, the neighborhood was widely recognized as the “Venice of Long Island” for its many waterways. Some years later, a visitor to the area noticed the unique charm of the fishing village and gave it its current name.
“Very few people could have seen what William J. Howard saw in Howard Beach,” said City Councilmember Joseph Addabbo. “Howard Beach is interesting because before undergoing development, that area was all marsh land,” Addabbo said.
William J. Howard was a glove manufacturer in Brooklyn. In 1897, he purchased 37 acres of land from an unrelated Howard family with the intention of expanding his goat farm. However, with a keen eye, Howard developed his land into something few could have imagined. Within a year’s time Howard filled in the marshland, built 18 cottages and also erected the Howard Landing Hotel near the water at the end of 99th Street on the bay.
In 1907 however, the hotel was demolished by a fire. Howard quickly responded by buying more land and establishing the Howard Estates Development Company in 1909. As he filled in more land, Howard amassed a property of 500 acres. With infinite options in front of him, Howard began to lay the groundwork of a small community. He laid out streets, water mains, gas mains, and he began to build houses where the hotel once stood.
“When Howard came to Howard Beach he saw small homes and a short boardwalk. He wanted to create a stable neighborhood and a great living environment,” said Richard Ranft. Ranft’s father was a historian who carefully studied the history of Howard Beach. Having been raised in Howard Beach himself, Ranft witnessed first-hand the development of Howard Beach into what we know it as today.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Howard Beach today is a residential community 25 blocks wide and 9 blocks long. The community consists predominantly of Italian-American and Jewish residents. However, as the neighborhood continues to take shape, many more residents are moving in, as seen by the large influx of Hispanics into the area.
“Howard Beach today is a mini-cosmopolitan,” said Frank Gulluscio, Democratic District Leader of Howard Beach. Having been a resident of the area for more than 40 years, Gulluscio has seen the metamorphosis first hand. “While the new side of Howard Beach may have all the glitz, there is a certain uniqueness about the old side,” Gulluscio said.
The community of Old Howard Beach is definitely unlike any other in Queens. With beautiful homes on beachfront properties, it would seem as if it were a different time all together. On the other side of Cross Bay Boulevard however, the small houses are being torn down in favor of larger, more modern homes.
“Although Old Howard Beach and Rockwood Park may look totally different, the constant has always been the people in the community,” Gulluscio said. “Generations stay here.”
“There is a nice small town feeling about the community,” said Betty Bratton, Chair of Community Board 10. A life-long resident of Howard Beach, Bratton recalls growing up in the area and the luxury of a beachfront home. “When I was a child, we would play in the water. You just had to find something to float on, and you had fun,” she said.
The people, however, are what make the environment. “Howard Beach is a very close-knit community,” said Benny Patti. A one-time resident of Howard Beach, Patti operates the official Howard Beach website (www.howardbeach.com). “The community is made up of hard-working, middle-class people; everyone knows each other,” he said.
With the interesting mix of old and new, Howard Beach is a one-of-a-kind place. “There is a lot to offer people here,” Addabbo said. “There are beautiful houses, great restaurants, shopping and great parks in Howard Beach,” he said.
Addabbo continued, “Howard Beach is unique because it is surrounded by protective wetlands … People have a lot of pride in Howard Beach, their lawns are always cut, the streets are kept clean… people who live here take a lot of pride in their homes.”
Vincenza Lombardo, who just purchased a home in New Howard Beach and is enamored with the locale, said, “I love [the area]. The houses are beautiful, the neighborhood is quiet, and I wake up to the smell of the beach every morning.”
Nicholas Gramenides, life-long resident of Howard Beach, feels the same way. “This is a great place to live. It’s a nice area, right on the water and it is improving. This is where I grew up, I have my roots here and it’s really a friendly community.”
HOUSING
The majority of the housing in Howard Beach is made up of private homes and condominiums. As an upper-middle-class community with luxury homes and small businesses, it is a perfect area in which to raise a family.
A one-bedroom, one-bath co-op can start anywhere from $140,000 to $145,000. A two-bedroom co-op goes for around $230, 000. A three bedroom condo will run around $282,000. The homes, however, are what draw the most buyers. The beachfront houses located in Old Howard Beach are always in demand. “It’s a very nice community to live in,” said Arlene Pacchiano, a broker for Connexion 1 real estate services. “Howard Beach is centrally located, it’s 40 minutes away from the city and close to Jamaica Bay,” she said.
In the market for a single-family home? You can get a two-bedroom house for around $350,000. Two-family homes will range from $750,000 to $995,000. Some of the most expensive homes in the area can reach as much as $3,000,000.
“The convenience and the great community we have in Howard Beach makes this such a wonderful place to live,” Pacchiano said. “There are great finds on this historic and beautiful waterfront community,” she said.
While the homes are noticeably different on both sides of Howard Beach, there is a certain charm about each home. “The homes on the new side are grandiose, but the single-family homes in old Howard Beach are one-of-a-kind,” said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer.
SHOPPING/COMMERCE
Cross Bay Boulevard is one of the most diverse shopping areas in Queens. There is a rare mix of “mom and pop stores” combined with chain stores and major retail outlets. “Howard Beach has something for everyone,” Addabbo stressed. “It seems like there is a bank and a pizza store on every block.”
“Cross Bay Boulevard is so convenient to the people of Howard Beach” said Pheffer, who said that she particularly enjoys the diverse crowds that come to Howard Beach to shop.
Scott Hausser, owner of Sukon’s, a furniture store, appreciates the loyal customers he receives from Howard Beach. Sukons specializes in baby, youth and teen furniture; they have been in business for 14 years. “One of the things we try to give our customers is personalized service, because it’s the people in the community we depend on,” he said. Each of his sales representatives has more than 10 years of experience, so it is no wonder that Sukons has become a favorite in the community.
Another store unique to Howard Beach is Kids N Shape. Owner Bob Guarneri established his children’s fitness business in Brooklyn and only recently brought his store to Howard Beach. “We have only been in Howard Beach since September but the community has really embraced us,” he said. Kids N Shape essentially promotes physical fitness in kids. “Rather than having kids home watching television and playing video games, kids can come here and exercise, especially when it’s cold outside,” Guarneri said.
Flowers by Brian is yet another store that has experienced success in the area. Owner Brian Scotto appreciates the homespun environment of Howard Beach. “The store in Howard Beach is celebrating its one-year anniversary this year and Howard Beach is a great place to do business,” Scotto said.
Jodi Somerstein, owner of Wireless Zone — a premium Verizon wireless retailer — on Cross Bay Boulevard, echoed the sentiment.
As a resident of Ozone Park, she feels strongly about frequenting stores in the neighborhood and about giving back to the community.
“We get involved and give donations to local charities and churches,” she said.
TRANSPORTATION
While a car is almost a necessity to move from one section of Howard Beach to the other, transportation is still very convenient. Just 11 miles to midtown Manhattan, many Howard Beach residents travel into the city and after a hard day’s work they return to their tranquil enclave that is home.
The Q11, Q41 and Q21 all navigate in and around Howard Beach. The Q11 provides local service to Elmhurst and Howard Beach. It is one of the few busses that you will see driving through the narrow residential streets of Old Howard Beach. The Q41 offers local service from Howard Beach to Jamaica, a major transit hub in Queens. Finally, the Q21 offers local service between Rockaway Park, through Howard Beach and ending in Ozone Park.
One of the more important buses is the QM15, which is an express bus that runs from Howard Beach into midtown Manhattan. The approximate time of the commute to the city is 40 minutes.
The other major source of transportation is the A train, which shuttles passengers from Howard Beach to the nearby JFK Airport.
Getting to and from JFK International Airport couldn’t be easier from Howard Beach, where travelers can avoid sitting in traffic by taking a seat on AirTrain JFK. Located at Coleman Square in Old Howard Beach, the station is accessible by car, the A train and foot. Once inside the station, you pass through the fare gates and onto the AirTrain platform. Tickets between Howard Beach and the airport cost $5. They are payable by Metrocard only and may be purchased from vending machines at the station and anywhere else Metrocards are sold. The same Metrocard must be used to pass through station exit gates. All AirTrain rides within the airport connecting to terminals, parking, hotel shuttles and rental car facilities are free. Trains operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and run at intervals of every four to eight minutes from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and every 12 minutes from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in both directions. The trip from Howard Beach takes approximately eight to 16 minutes depending on the terminal of arrival/departure. The Howard Beach AirTrain JFK station is ADA compliant and contains elevators, escalators, tactile platform warning surfaces, raised letter and Braille signs, text telephones and accessible restrooms. Public telephones are available at the station and bicycles are allowed on the AirTrain.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Howard Beach Civic Forum, which has been working for the neighborhood for 12 years, aims to “bring the community together to handle situations and address the concerns of local citizens,” said Nina DeBlasio, vice president.
A life-long resident, DeBlasio is currently raising her own children in Howard Beach.
“One of the most beautiful things for me is to raise my children in the community in which I grew up, to have them have the same lifestyle,” she said.
For DeBlasio, who also works in P.S./M.S. 207, the tightness of the community, as well as the area’s low crime rate, is a draw.
“Everyone knows their neighbors and looks out for each other,” she said.
The Striving to Achieve and Reach Success (STARS) youth group is another organization aimed at community involvement. The group helps bring together the youth of Howard Beach, making them more active in the area.
SCHOOLS
Howard Beach boasts some of the best schools the city has to offer, both public and parochial. There are three public schools in the area, all of which rank highly: P.S. 146, P.S./M.S. 207, and P.S. 232. The two parochial schools are Our Lady of Grace and Saint Helen’s Elementary School.
The teachers at P.S. 146 provide students with a safe and stable learning environment. Principal Mary Reilly is proud of the dedication her faculty shows. The school is unique in that it concentrates on science, music, and physical education. They also have a glee club and band practice during school for winter and spring concerts. The students at P.S. 146 also publish The Whaler, an annual collection of student poetry and essays.
P.S./M.S. 207 is a star in District 27. As one of the state’s most improved schools because of the increase in its 8th grade test scores, the school has impressed parents. The school has a mix of modern and old-fashioned teaching methods. While they have their own supply of laptops wired for Internet access, one class was learning to sing “This Land is Your Land” in a large music room equipped with oversized xylophones.
P.S. 232 is also very unique with its veteran faculty, mentor principal, and gifted and talented program. Students at P.S. 232 learn in a safe environment where kids are encouraged to learn and excel. Principal Norann McManus tries to emulate the family environment of the community in her school.
Our Lady of Grace and Saint Helen Elementary School are two schools that are also excelling at the parochial level. “We have strong schools in our community, that is one of the reasons people stay in Howard Beach,” said Pheffer.
DINING
With so much to offer its residents, dining in Howard Beach is particularly special. With some of the finest selections of food in Queens, diners come from all over to sample the tasty delicacies with the waterfront views. Since a number of restaurants in neighborhood are owned by people who live in Howard Beach, local residents feel at home when they go out to eat.
“Everybody knows everybody. It’s just one big family,” said Arthur Jarrett, a local contractor and 31-year resident of Howard Beach. Jarrett said that when his children go to a store in the neighborhood, the business owners already know them. “They say, ‘Oh, I know your dad,’ ” if the kids are short a dollar.
“Howard Beach is a great place to go and eat,” Gulluscio said. “There are some of the best pizza shops in the city there,” he said.
Romeo’s Pizza, located at 103-20 Liberty Avenue, is regarded as one of the best pizza makers in the neighborhood. Owner, Jerry Salerno, whose family has been in the restaurant business for three generations, opened Romeo’s Pizzeria in Ozone Park 23 years ago.
Today, Salerno and his staff of 11 roll pizza dough and bake pies that keep pizza lovers coming back. “Everything gets done by hand and made fresh, so everything is special,” he said, pointing to a stocked counter of garlic knots with pepperoni and steaming pizzas.
The crown jewel of the Howard Beach restaurant scene is Russo’s on the Bay. Recognized by its elegant building on 164-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Russo’s not only provides an evening to remember but also exquisite cuisine. Owner Frank Russo opened Russo’s in the fall of 1987, and it has been a Howard Beach favorite ever since.
The restaurant caters all type of affairs and promises the highest quality of service. With two kitchens and an in-house bakery, a unique culinary experience is guaranteed. Russo’s also has three spectacular rooms for events - the Renaissance Grand Ballroom, the Tivoli Room and the Florentine Room.
“Russo’s on the Bay is wonderful for the community,” Pheffer said. “They attract people from all over to come to Howard Beach,” she said.
