🏙 Debate Over Innovation QNS + ♻️ 1 Million Pounds of Waste Collected

Good morning, Queens! ⏰

• 🏙 Supporters and opponents of the proposed Innovation QNS development voiced their opinions on the $2 billion project at Wednesday's City Council hearing.
• ♻️ The city's universal curbside compost pilot in Queens has been a major success so far!
• 🚃 Queens commuters are calling for better transportation options to Brooklyn.

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☀️ Mostly sunny and 🍃 breezy. High: 60 Low: 44.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Queens Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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Here are the top stories in Queens today:

1. There were dueling rallies in front of City Hall on Wednesday morning as the Committee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing about the $2 billion Innovation QNS project in Astoria. This meeting comes before the City Council votes on the building's neighborhood-reshaping, five-block rezoning application. Those in support of the luxury, mixed-use development — who include the mayor, Queens borough president, some community business leaders, and labor unions — say the project would generate jobs, deliver tax revenue to the city, and create needed affordable housing units. Those on the other side of the debate — Queens Councilmember Julie Won, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, many Astoria residents, and other community groups — say Innovation QNS does not create enough affordable housing, and would help price out neighbors by contributing to raised rents across the neighborhood.

CBS News New York ; Patch

2. Since it began just two weeks ago on Oct. 3, the Queens curbside organics collection pilot has yielded more than 1 million pounds of food and yard waste from borough residents. The refuse, instead of clogging up landfills, will be turned into nutritious, earthy compost."The week-to-week tonnage increased between weeks one and two, and what's more is that Queens residents are giving us way more pounds per district than the curbside composting districts in other boroughs – on average, it's about double the tonnage," said Department of Sanitation spokesperson Vincent Gragnani in an email.

AM New York Metro

3. Queens commuters are calling for better transportation options to Brooklyn, and many say the Interborough Express (IBX) could be the best solution. "I think it's a good idea, because you have to go to Manhattan to catch another train," said Jamaica, Queens resident Sharon Datson. The IBX project would be a 14 mile stretch of transit service between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Jackson Heights, Queens. The project could result in a subway-like system, light rail or bus — studies are still being conducted to determine the best mode of transportation for the project. The MTA says it is currently reviewing material from its September town hall meeting, and expects to update the public on the status of the project by early next year.

CBS New York

4. Council Member Sandra Ung announced Wednesday that $134,000 in additional funding for mobile litter patrols is set to be injected across District 20 to remove illegal drop-offs and clean sidewalks, tree pits, and rain gardens. The mobile litter patrols will complete rounds three times a week to clear up sanitation issues in Flushing Queensboro Hill, Mitchell-Linden, and Fresh Meadows. The Department of Sanitation also distributed 100 free compost bins.

Patch

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🗞 Hungry for more news? 🍴Snack on these headlines:

• Meng Brings NASA Astronaut To Queens (Queens Gazette)
• DOC a no-show at monthly oversight hearing (Queens Daily Eagle)
• Philomenas Pizza Owner, Heading To Italy, Announces NYC Pop-Ups (Patch)
• Man charged with manslaughter in Queens subway death (Spectrum News NY1)
• Outdoor movies to see for free in NYC this month (Time Out)
• Bayside Math Teacher Awarded $20,000 For Exceptional Education Methods (Patch)

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🗓 To Do Today in Queens:

• Queens Hospital Center Farmers' Market (8 a.m.)
• Volunteer at 9 Million Reasons / Evangel Food Pantry (8:45 a.m.)
• Tot Time! (10 a.m.)
• New York Chinese Chorus (5 p.m.)
• 2022 Dancing with the Queens Stars (6 p.m.)
• Exploring LGBTQIA+ Historic Sites in Queens (6 p.m.)
• LIVE at Culture Lab LIC - FREE Outdoor Concerts! (7 p.m.)
• Blooming Beyond the Boundaries: Book Release/Poetry Show (7 p.m.)

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🗣 Queens Chatter:

• 🍁 Autumn thang? Count me in: "🍂 🎃 Let's do this autumn thang! See you at #QBGPumpkinPatch this Saturday or Sunday! Come for harvest-themed photo opportunities, crafts, and more! Ticket includes admission to both the Patch AND the Garden. ⁠Get your tickets! https://qbgpumpkinpatch2022.eventbrite.com/?aff=socialmedia" (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• 🥧 Try some pie: "We're highlighting a fun recipe for Cream Cheese Pie for this week's World's Fair Wednesday!At the 1939-40 World's Fair, popular food brands like Kraft & Wonder Bread had their own pavilions and even shared their recipe using Philadelphia Cream Cheese! Explore these image from our archives, and try to make some pie using this recipe! : (1) Kraft Recipe Booklet (front) from the 1939-40 World's Fair, Queens Museum Collection." (Queens Museum via Facebook)
• 👩‍💼 Resources for small business owners: "Do you have a business? Do you have an idea? Do you need money for the holidays? QEDC is partnering with Verizon to further help small businesses thrive in today's digital economy. The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program provides you with a personalized curriculum including learning modules, expert one-to-one coaching, and networking opportunities. Members are also eligible to apply for a $10K grant after completing any combination of two courses, coaching events, and community events before November 14th, 2022." (Queens Economic Development Corporation via Facebook)
• 🐮 Highland cattle alert: "Our Highland cattle are a guest favorite. Their long wooly coats which can be red, black, brown, gray, tan, dun, white, and yellow, make them extremely hardy and able to survive in places where other cattle couldn't exist. Visit them soon in the farmyard!" (Queens Zoo via Twitter)

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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Emma Radu Fighera

About me: Emma Radu Fighera is a reporter born and raised in Queens, New York. She studied Literature and Studio Art at Hamilton College, where she helped run the only daily publication on campus, The Daily Bull newsletter. This past spring she earned her M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com