The Rockaways are booming.
With the new Stop & Shop set to open in just a month – and employees being hired as we speak – Community Board 14 District Manager Jonathan Gaska said that the new store “will significantly enhance the economic development in the community and provide much-needed jobs.”
“We’re very excited about it,” he continued.
Another project that could have a significant effect on the area is the Arverne YMCA, which is awaiting a LEED waiver from the mayor’s office to proceed.
“We continue to work with the city to enhance the sustainability of the building,” said Gerry Romski, Arverne by the Sea project executive and counsel.
Romski explained that the city requires that any project with city funding over $10 million have some type of LEED certification.
However, the YMCA funding was allocated after the plans were finalized and permits awarded, he said.
“We are hoping for a partial waiver of Local Law 86,” said Romski. “We don’t want to delay this project by one-and-a-half years. We will move forward with the foundation and construction after the waiver.”
Gaska told The Courier that it looks as though the mayor will award the waiver.
“We’re hoping the mayor will sign off on it so they can break ground before winter,” he said. “The developer [Benjamin Beechwood] has been wonderful and committed millions more. This has been a case of government inertia. We are very grateful that the mayor will cut through the government silliness and approve [it].”
