Plans For Multiple Use Building
Community Board 4 continues to examine the future of the now-closed St. John’s Queens Hospital, the board announced at its Feb. 7 meeting at the Flanders Field VFW Post #150 in Corona.
Anthony Moreno, who chaired the meeting, announced that Board 4 recently participated in a walkthrough of the closed St. John’s Queens Hospital, which is being converted into a multiple-use facility featuring a supermarket in the basement, two floors of retail, medical offices and studio and one- and two-bedroom apartment rentals.
“We’re keeping on top of this,” he assured the crowd.
The board’s Land Use committee will be meeting on Feb. 21 to examine the plans further, as the site’s developer is seeking two Board of Standards and Appeals variances.
License vote bonanza
Board 4 tabled two Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) licenses for Internet cafés for Chinatown #1 Gaming Corp., at 83-31 Broadway in Elmhurst, and for D & SNY Enterprise Corp., at 104-08 Roosevelt Ave. in Corona, with board members ask- ing questions about the method behind their licensing.
Both businesses are applying for gaming café licenses; according to the DCA website, “a business must have a Gaming Café license if it has three or more publicly accessible computers or electronic devices in which game software has been installed for the purpose of playing games on the premises.”
Some board members expressed confusion at the need for this type of license for the two applicants. In addition, the two cafés were asked to limit the access of students to the premises during school hours to prevent truancy.
In addition, three businesses were denied liquor license requests Public Safety Committee Chairperson Lucy Schilero announced: a new wine/beer license for a business run by Charles DiCarlo Tomei at 97-12 Roosevelt Ave. in Corona; a renewed onpremises license for Chila City Escape Corp., at 89-56 Elmhurst Ave. in Elmhurst; and a renewed on-premises license for WB 44th Avenue Restaurant Corp (d.b.a. Divine), at 102-01 44th Ave. in Corona.
“It has been the biggest thorn in my side,” said Assemblyman Francisco Moya of Divine, who thanked Board 4 for turning away their license renewal. “You have to say enough’s enough.”
The following eateries fared better in their quest for licenses:
– Pico de Gallo Inc. 82-12 Roosevelt Ave. in Jackson Heights (new wine/beer license);
– Tacos Tulcingo Corp., at 40-12 83rd St. in Elmhurst (new full license);
– El Rincon Criollo Restaurant Inc., at 40-09 Junction Blvd. in Corona (restaurant wine license renewal);
– Mamita’s Restaurant LLC, at 40- 43 Junction Blvd. in Corona (restaurant wine license renewal);
– Angelo’s Continental Cuisine Café Inc. (d.b.a. Angelo’s Restaurant), at 95-58 Roosevelt Ave. in Jackson Heights (restaurant wine license renewal);
– 104th Street Restaurant Inc. (d.b.a. Tony’s Pizzeria Restaurant) at 45-18 104th St. in Corona (onpremises liquor license renewal); and
– Kumar Pizzeria LLC, which is relocating from 40-25 82nd St. to 81- 09 41st Ave. in Elmhurst and must reapply for its restaurant wine license.
Other news
A recent visit to Exotic’s, a new nightclub at 79-21 Queens Blvd., yielded no visible issues, Environment Committee Chairperson Thomas McKenzie reported.
“No one fell out of the place blind drunk,” he told the board. “It was a nice show, I have to say.”
Moya announced that the state has begun a push to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour.
Saying hello to a new board
Board 4 voted in a next executive board at the meeting. Louis Walker was voted the new chairperson, with Terranova named first vice president and Moreno moving to second vice president.
Rounding out the board are Treasurer Joe DiMartino and Secretary Claire Salas.
Saying goodbye to district mgr.
Before the meeting, a moment of silence was held for District Manager Richard Italiano, who died on Thursday, Jan. 19. Several board members and representatives of lawmakers paid their respects to Italiano at the meeting, as did Moya.
“Richard’s love for the community was only surpassed by the love he had for his family,” said a statement from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall which was read by board member Patricia Terranova.
“He’s going to have a lasting impact,” added Moya, who went to school with Italiano’s son. “I know I will remember him very fondly.”
It was also announced that due in part to Italiano’s passing, Nick Pennachio- who had resigned from Board 4 at its January meeting-had withdrawn his resignation.
Board 4 usually meets on the second Tuesday of every month in locations throughout its confines.
