Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could your flood-prone Queens home qualify for a city buyout?

And on the Queens Patch calendar - Virtual Open House at Berkeley College

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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Greetings Queens! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could your flood-prone Queens home qualify for a city buyout?
  • See how a 46-story tower will transform Queens Plaza living
  • When will Queens finally see a construction-free Van Wyck Expressway?

Also on today's calendar: Virtual Open House at Berkeley College and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 86 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Humid with spotty showers, temps: high: 83, low: 68.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. NYC exploring voluntary buyouts for homeowners in flood-prone areas (pix11.com) — Queens homeowners in flood-prone Hollis and near Kissena Park are being asked whether they'd consider a voluntary city buyout of their properties through a new Resilient Acquisitions Program. Officials are gauging interest and possible funding sources, but key details like payout amounts and timelines remain unclear, leaving residents weighing long-term flood risks against uncertain offers.
   

2. 46-Story Skyscraper Continues Ascent at 30-25 Queens Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens (newyorkyimby.com) — A 46-story residential tower is rapidly rising at 30-25 Queens Boulevard in Long Island City, bringing 561 apartments, including 169 affordable units, plus ground-floor retail. Steps from Queens Plaza subway and Sunnyside Yards, the project is financed with nearly $400 million and is slated for completion in 2028, reshaping a key transit hub in western Queens.
   

3. Van Wyck construction was supposed to end in September. Now it's 'early fall' — Queens Daily Eagle (queenseagle.com) — Queens drivers are being told Van Wyck Expressway construction should finally wrap up in "early fall," instead of the previously promised September finish. State DOT officials and Borough President Donovan Richards say the long-running project will add a new JFK lane and better sewers for South Queens, but won't give a firm completion date yet.
   

4. Feds pass deadline to answer questions about why Queens soldier wasn't included in Iran War death count — Queens Daily Eagle (queenseagle.com) — A Queens-born soldier killed in the Iran war is still missing from the Pentagon's official casualty list, despite a deadline set by Queens Rep. Greg Meeks. Federal officials have offered shifting explanations, and Meeks is demanding the Queens service member and three others be properly recognized for their sacrifice.
   

5. These Are The Best Public High Schools In NYC For 2026-27: U.S. News (patch.com) — Several Queens public high schools, including Baccalaureate School for Global Education, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, and Middle College High School at LaGuardia, landed among U.S. News' top-ranked campuses for 2026–27. The list is based on test performance, graduation rates, and college readiness, highlighting how local schools stack up against thousands nationwide.
   

📸 Around Queens

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Month with its First Day of Activities on Thursday, October 8, 2026 —Phillip Andrews Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Queens, NY, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 7 minutes. Message from Finder: "We found this dog… (Nextdoor Jackson Heights)
  • Anyone know any animal shelter or organizations nearby that can help me with trapping kittens and get them adopted?
    I've been feeding a litter of 3 kittens and the mom. Kittens are roughly 6-8 weeks old. (Nextdoor Murray Hill (Northern &149St))
  • Atria Senior Living posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Great Neck. Apply here.
  • Marriott International posted a job opening for Residences Porter in New Hyde Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Queens here.

Ok Queens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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