NYC Ferry at the Hallets Cove Ferry Dock (Photo: Queens Post)
Aug. 9, 2019 By Shane O’Brien
Politicians and local residents will be calling for ferry service between Astoria and the Upper East Side while cutting the ribbon on a new outdoor events venue Saturday.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council Member Costa Constantinides will join members of the non-profit group Halletts Point Alliance to advocate for a new ferry connection between the Hallets Cove Ferry Dock in Astoria and East 90th Street.
They will also be celebrating the opening of Halletts Point Play, a newly-constructed events area on the waterfront at 27th Avenue and 1st Street built by the Durst Organization.
Skye Ostreicher, a spokesperson for the newly-formed Halletts Point Alliance, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life of residents on the peninsula, said that the group is advocating for the extension of the Astoria route.
Currently the Astoria route ends at the Hallets Cove Ferry Dock.
Ostreicher said that there is a working dock at East 90th Street and that it would be easy to add the stop. The ride from Astoria to the Upper East Side would be less than 10 minutes, she said.
Current Astoria Ferry Route (NYC Ferry)
The Astoria route currently connects with Manhattan at 34th Street, but only after a number of stops. Astoria residents who want to go to the Upper East side currently have an hour-long commute, requiring subways or buses.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation, which oversees NYC Ferry, said recently that it would consider the extension but it could not occur until after 2021. It noted that it was backed up with other expansion work but would review concepts in the meantime.
The Saturday event will also incorporate a BBQ organized by the Alliance, which will run from noon until 7 p.m. at Halletts Point Play. There will be free food and carnival gains for children.
The event will include a ribbon cutting for the new space, which opened at the end of June. The Alliance plans to run regular music and sports events at Halletts Point Play, along with family friendly events such as food festivals
The BBQ is being sponsored by the Durst Organization in conjunction with the Astoria Tenants Housing Association.
