‘Excluded’ workers have easier access to relief fund
Will help people who don’t qualify for unemployment
Funeral home to be replaced by housing
Parkside Memorial Chapel in Rego Park is slated to be replaced by an apartment building.
Plans on the Department of Buildings website states that the Jewish funeral home will be demolished to make room for a seven-story apartment building with 51 units and commercial space.
An original proposal by the developer was rejected by the City Planning Commission (CPC). However, the current proposal is legal under the land’s current zoning, and the developer is moving forward with the project as an as-of-right development.
“What was agreed upon, among other things, is that on the site of Parkside Chapels a high-rise apartment building would be erected dedicated solely for senior affordable housing,” said Koslowitz. “I am assuming that the 100 percent affordable housing plan is off the table. But, the developer by law, even with an as-of-right project must set aside 30 percent of the units for affordable housing.”
An online petition was started to stop the demolition of Parkside. Opponents of the plan say there are historic items inside the chapel that will be destroyed along with it. It was built in 1961.
“As a 58 year resident of Rego Park-Forest Hills, it certainly pains me that Parkside Chapels is to be lost as a business as well as neighborhood architectural staple,” said Koslowitz.
The funeral home was designed in 1961, and many feel that it is a historic and important part of Queens, including Michael Perlman, the chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council.
“It was a place where many Queens residents and other residents from New York found peace at a time of challenge,” added Michael Perlman, chair of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council. “It was a very graceful and spiritual chapel and was intelligently designed.”
Ohr Synagogue and the Tower Diner, both located on Queens Boulevard, face possible demolition to make room for more housing.
“I feel that if we continue to witness the loss of these buildings in the name of so-called progress, it will be counterproductive to try to maintain our identity as a community and as a borough,” said Perlman.
Bye, Sleepy Sundays
The NFL is back, but what should local fans expect?
Congressman Jeffries hosts back to school event
Full in-person learning returns to public schools this fall
Proposed traffic conversions face heavy backlash
Would convert 7th and 8th Ave into one-way streets in Sunset Park, Park Slope
Police release photo of St. Michael’s vandalism suspect
Police have released surveillance photos of the man wanted for vandalizing a statue in front of St. Michael’s Church in Flushing last month. On August 17 at 3:30 a.m., the suspect jumped over fence around the church at 138-65 Barclay Avenue and damaged the religious icon.
New broadband internet service arrives at NYCHA houses
Part of City’s internet master plan for universal broadband
Danielle Douglas, Inspire Enterprise
Danielle Douglas is the CEO of Inspire Enterprise, helping business owners adapt to new obstacles they may face.
Inspire Enterprise is a boutique business advisory firm that focuses on building the capacity of businesses owned by minority women to not just sustain, but also grow.
“I see myself as an advocate,” said Douglas. “About one to two percent of Black-owned businesses are actually awarded those contract opportunities that can be a leverage tool for business owners to grow and begin to create lasting, sustainable businesses.”
One success story that Douglas noted is Dawn Kelly of the Nourish Spot in Jamaica. Kelly participated in the StreetWise MBA Amplify Queens Program, a seven-month capacity-building program for small business owners in the Southeast Queens community.
“She took everything she could get out of that program and she applied it to her business,” said Douglas. “And now, Dawn just got a phenomenal contract.”
Douglas also founded the nonprofit organization Council for Black Business Enterprises, which works with major stakeholders to increase the number of black-owned businesses getting procurement contracts in the government and private sector.
Douglas also hosts the Black Business Owners Forum annually to help Black business owners learn the importance of adaptability.
“The principles are the same, which is to connect business owners to information that they can apply to their business immediately,” said Douglas. “To resources, as well, that they can use in a very practical way, and networking opportunities so attendees can establish strong relationships with business and government representatives.”
The Black Business Owners Forum is on October 14. To register, visit whova.com/web/bbof_202110.
