Community Corner

🏥New Rockaways Health Care Task Force + Clash Over 'Trick-or-Streets'

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Queens.

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Good morning, Queens! 🤩

  • 🏥 Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers announced a task force to address health care disparities in the Rockaways, which has just one hospital for the nearly 125,000 residents living on the 11-mile-long peninsula.
  • 🎃 City officials introduced 'Trick-or-Streets' on Monday, a new program designed to provide safer street access to children on Halloween...much to displeasure of some Jackson Heights residents, apparently.
  • 🌊 A $50 million extreme makeover is in store for the iconic Art Deco bathhouse at Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways.

☺️ Warmer with a 🚿 shower in spots. High: 69 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers announced on Friday, Oct. 21, the formation of The Far Rockaway Trauma Healthcare Access Task Force, a blue-ribbon panel that will address the persistent lack of health care infrastructure in the eastern Rockaways. Just a single 257-bed hospital serves the nearly 125,000 residents living on the 11-mile-long peninsula. "Residents need to feel secure that they can be treated for the most severe injuries on this peninsula." Brooks-Powers said. "Time and time again residents are transported to Jamaica Hospital, 40 minutes away or longer." Mayor Eric Adams agreed a panel was necessary to evaluate the glaring inadequacies in the health care resources, and also explore the feasibility of a much-needed trauma center in the Rockaways.

Queens Courier

2. More than 1.3 miles of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights were officially transformed into an "Open Street" on Monday, but critics who live along the road say the Department of Transportation's redesign is a safety hazard. City officials also introduced "Trick-or-Streets," the first-ever expansion of Open Streets program hours for Halloween, which makes nearly 100 streets across the city car-free on Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and other lawmakers, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, were heckled and booed at Monday's ceremony as a small group of Jackson Heights community members aired their frustrations about the streets program. Opponents say closing the streets has caused difficulties for first responders trying to access the area and for Access-A-Ride vehicles. Meanwhile, NYC Councilmember Shekar Krishnan said since 34th Avenue Open Streets started in Jackson Heights there has been a 41.7 percent drop in traffic crashes involving pedestrians.

NBC New York ; Patch

3. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and National Parks Service officials unveiled plans Thursday for the $50 million extreme makeover in store for the iconic Art Deco bathhouse at Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways. Plans for 90-year-old building's restoration underwent careful review by New York's State Historic Preservation Office and will return the building's facade to its original glory, preserving its famed Byzantine, Moorish and modern influences, while also adding new modern uses and attractions. The historic preservation project will feature stunning views of the Atlantic, a surfside bar, a pool, retail and event spaces, 28 hotel rooms and a catering hall. "This project to revitalize and rejuvenate Jacob Riis Bathhouse represents a giant step forward for the Rockaway Peninsula as it continues to recover from the battering it received from Hurricane Sandy a decade ago," said Queens Borough President Richards. "By restoring the Jacob Riis Bathhouse to its glorious past, we are creating a brighter future for the Rockaways, its residents and its many visitors."

Queens Courier

4. The MTA announced on Monday the reopening of eight public restrooms in its subway system following the hiring of 800 cleaners in the last two months. At least two of the restrooms will be located in Queens. Transit officials shut down all public subway bathrooms soon after the pandemic began in spring of 2020, and now plan in January to open eight out of the subway system's 69 total bathrooms. Richard Davey, who oversees the subway for the MTA, said the authority will reopen the restrooms at the 161st Street—Yankee Stadium, 14th Street-Union Square, Jay Street—MetroTech, Flushing—Main Street and Fulton Street stations, as well as three others that officials have yet to identify.

The New York Times


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

  • 'If We Wait, People Will Die': New Yorkers Still Fend for Themselves in Storms (The New York Times)
  • New NYC train service linking Long Island to Grand Central omits promised LIRR stop in Sunnyside, Queens (New York Daily News)
  • Diwali Festival To Celebrate Its Eighth Year In Flushing Town Hall (Patch)
  • Prize-winning Take 5 ticket worth more than $38K sold in Jamaica (Queens Courier)
  • 'It's about time': Celebrations of Diwali illuminate NYC and Washington (The National News)
  • 'Make Compost, Not Trash,' Department of Sanitation says (Queens Ledger)

🗓 To Do Today in Queens:

  • Elmhurst Greenmarket (8 a.m.)
  • Volunteer at 9 Million Reasons / Evangel Food Pantry (8:45 a.m.)
  • Volunteer at Queens Farm: Cultivator Crew (1 p.m.)
  • Queens Hip Hop 101: A Master Class (4 p.m.)
  • Chinese YoYo Class (4:15 p.m.)
  • Lincoln on the Civil War, a Reading & Discussion program at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (6:30 p.m.)
  • Scorpion Records: Stand Up Comedy Night (9 p.m.)

🗣 Queens Chatter:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday. See you all tomorrow morning for 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

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