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Green Asphalt to Pause Operations

BQE Admin on November 20, 2025

Green Asphalt’s low smokestack. Photo via @shut_down_green_asphalt_lic on Instagram.

After years of polluting Greenpoint, a plant billed as climate-friendly is closing temporarily for safety modifications. What took so long?

By COLE SINANIAN

news@queensledger.com

Green Asphalt, an asphalt recycling plant in Long Island City that’s caused noxious air pollution in Greenpoint and Blissville for years, will likely cease operations on December 11 until it completes an extension of its smokestack. 

Green Asphalt CEO Michael Capasso committed to closing the facility in a phone call with state regulators and local elected officials earlier this month. The news came after the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had fined the company $124,000 for years of spewing foul-smelling fumes from its low smokestack into the surrounding neighborhoods, and for failing to submit emissions monitoring reports between 2019 and 2023. State regulators say doubling the smokestack from its current 45ft to 90ft will help reduce pollution at street level. 

“Raising the stack height will improve dispersion of air emissions that historically have contributed to odor complaints in the surrounding community and will ensure that emissions meet stringent environmental standards,” wrote DEC communications specialist Adanna Roberts in an email statement. 

A real headache 

According to City councilmember Lincoln Restler, the company has yet to submit construction plans to the Department of Buildings. In a series of text messages, Capasso confirmed that construction of the smokestack had yet to start as of November 16, and it is unlikely that the smokestack would be complete by the December 11 deadline. 

“It hasn’t started and it doesn’t look like it will be ready to be raised by Dec 11,”  Capasso wrote. “Unfortunately there will be numerous employees laid off and will be out of work.” 

But to Greenpoint and Blissville residents, who’ve submitted hundreds of complaints to the DEC and repeatedly called Green Asphalt to no avail, the news is a welcome development after years of tar smell choking their streets and wafting through their windows. 

“It smells like burning tires,” says Thomas Mituzas, a lifelong Blissville resident with deep family roots in the neighborhood. “When you’re outside, it gets in your throat, your eyes, you taste it on your tongue, on the back of your throat.” 

Mituzas lives with his 96-year-old great aunt in a house that’s belonged to his family since 1907. Blissville and neighboring Greenpoint are industrial areas full of heavy industry, so Mituzas is no stranger to weird smells in his neighborhood. 

But since Green Asphalt first opened in 2011 at 37-98 Railroad Ave, he says the smell coming from the plant has gotten worse. When the wind blows in the right direction the clouds wafting from the low smokestack cause poor air quality and health issues at street level, Mituzas said.

It has a particular effect on his elderly aunt, who likes to enjoy her time outdoors. 

“She has to sit down,” Mituzas said. “She’s 96.  She’s a very active woman so she likes to go outside. And if the wind is blowing the right way, she can’t go outside. She can’t breathe.” 

Jens Rasmussen lives less than a mile from the plant with his wife and toddler, on the other side of Newtown Creek. A 30-year Greenpointer, Rasmussen said the smell is especially bad over the summer, and that while there are numerous air quality issues in Greenpoint, Green Asphalt’s contribution is particularly egregious. 

“It’s overpowering, like someone is pouring asphalt in your house,” Rasmussen said. 

Between Green Asphalt and DKN Ready Mix, a nearby concrete supplier that’s also made the news for its pollution, Rasmussen says the air quality in Greenpoint is among the worst it’s been since he’s lived in the neighborhood. 

“These companies are not good neighbors,” he said. “They’re happy to externalize their pollution and their costs to the community instead of taking reasonable and appropriate actions to make their facilities safe for the people nearby.” 

Green Asphalt’s official operating hours are 6am-2:30pm, but neighbors say the plant will often operate in the evenings as well. The evening of Wednesday, October 29, Mituzas, said, was particularly bad. A website built to track Greenpoint air quality complaints submitted to the DEC shows an enormous spike on October 29, with a total of 110 complaints submitted in a single day, 60 of which were first-time reporters. 

In meetings with residents and elected officials, Green Asphalt management has denied that the plant is the source of the smell. But residents say it’s obvious, as its emissions are perfectly visible. An Instagram page called shut_down_green_asphalt_lic documents the plant’s fumes almost daily. 

Online air quality monitor purpleair.com shows Greenpoint as having some of the worst air quality in the city.

Recycled Pavement

The Green Asphalt plant in LIC has been operational since 2011, and was originally built to produce 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement, or RAP, a kind of paving substance composed only of recycled materials. According to Green Asphalt, the plant is the first of its kind in the country. 

Since its opening, Green Asphalt has worked closely with City and State agencies to help maintain roads and ensure sustainability goals are met. In 2013, the company was awarded a pothole repair contract by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), filling potholes throughout the five boroughs with its recycled asphalt. Later that year, the company participated in a DOT pilot project testing the efficacy of fully recycled asphalt in paving roadways. The DOT owns and operates two asphalt plants— one on Northern Boulevard in Queens, and another on Hamilton Avenue in South Brooklyn. Combined, these city-owned plants produce 75% of the asphalt used by the City. The rest of the City’s asphalt is supplied by a handful of private producers, like Green Asphalt.

Green Asphalt has played a major role in the City’s road maintenance and sustainability operations. Per its website, the company has provided two million tons of recycled asphalt to the New York City Metro, producing approximately 100,000 tons of asphalt per year and turning a $10 million annual profit. 

“We’re just looking for an opportunity to provide that benefit to the City of New York while reducing carbon footprint emissions all at the same time,” CEO and owner Michael Capasso at a January 2025 meeting of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 

Capasso is well-connected at both the local and national level. In 2022 , he was appointed to Mayor Eric Adams’ Capital Process Reform Task Force. And this past summer, he was appointed to the US Department of Transportation’s 12-member Advisory Board by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. 

Five years too late

Despite the enormous volume of complaints submitted to the DEC, it took years for state regulators to pursue enforcement against Green Asphalt, filing a consent order only after State assemblymember Emily Gallagher’s office collected and submitted her constituents’ complaints to the DEC. Gallagher organized a town hall about the Green Asphalt plant at Greenpoint’s Polish Slavic Center on September 16, the same day that the DEC issued its consent order. Along with Gallagher and Capasso, DEC reps attended the meeting, as well as councilmember Restler and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, in addition to 150 members of the public. 

Mituzas, who also attended the town hall, said Capasso personally called him the night before the meeting in an attempt to assuage his concerns about the company’s activity. Mituzas, having previously spent years sending emails and calling Green Asphalt to no response, was unimpressed. 

“What I said to him was, ‘you’re about five years too late, my friend,’” Mituzas said. 

According to Restler, the company had previously committed to extending its smokestack earlier this year. 

“They have been telling us for the better part of a year that they were going to imminently submit plans to the Department of Buildings to double the height of the smokestack and address this issue,” Restler said. “I’ll believe it when it happens, and not a moment before.” 

Once plans have been submitted to the Department of Buildings, Restler said, construction on the smokestack should take only a few weeks. But in an email statement to the Star, Green Asphalt Chief Marketing Officer Kerianne Melillo called the smokestack extension a “complicated construction endeavor.”  

“We are working with engineers to finalize a design that complies with local statues and achieves the desired result,” Melillo wrote. 

Once the smokestack  is complete, Green Asphalt must begin to submit DEC-approved emissions testing to ensure no toxic contaminants are released into the community. In her email statement, Roberts clarified that a complete assessment of the facility and the health threats it may pose to the community will be conducted after the new stack  is complete. 

“By collecting measurements from the stack and locations of potential fugitive releases, DEC will gain a more complete picture of the operations at the facility to address the community’s concerns,” she wrote. 

Roberts added that Green Asphalt conducted an odor-sampling assessment in 2024 and found “reduced sulfur compounds,” which are known for their smell, and that a more rigorous assessment was needed and would be conducted in January 2026. 

In his text messages to the Star, Capasso insisted that his company had already submitted test results to elected officials. But according to Restler, the data that Capasso provided via email was unsatisfactory. 

“I don’t put a ton of faith in that dataset,” Restler said. “It was conducted by ownership without any independent health experts advising on the methodology and rigor.” 

Restler said his office is currently working with the Newtown Creek Alliance, a local environmental group, and an NYU professor to conduct an independent test of Green Asphalt’s emissions in the coming weeks.  

“The most important thing at this stage in the process is that Green Asphalt is shutting down in less than four weeks,” Restler said. “And I am optimistic that their fix will address the issues that have caused such concern in our community.” 

Dream or Trap: Is Now the Right Time to Borrow?

BQE Admin on November 14, 2025

Many Americans rely on loans to turn big dreams into reality. Yet, borrowing has become more expensive, so every applicant has to think several moves ahead. The most meaningful thing is that before you sign any note, remember to assess the current situation on the lending market and carefully check out your loan rates and terms to determine whether they are fair and the loan payments are within your means. Let’s learn the situation and find out if the loan is worth taking out today.

What’s Happening to Credit in America?

Belief in the American Dream still rests on access to credit, but the same tool now demands stricter discipline than in the early 2000s. Total household debt reached $18.04 trillion by the end of 2024, a new record fueled by rising balances in every major category.  The average credit card APR hovers just nearly 22.75%, and the average personal loan offers 12%. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage APR is currently around 6.94%.

The Debt Picture in 2025

Mortgage balances reached $12.61 trillion in 2024, and auto loans set their records. The share of revolving accounts ninety or more days late raised above 5%. Moreover, wage growth slowed to a pace barely ahead of inflation. Credit scores slipped from an average of 716 to 714, small on paper yet large enough to push applicants into costlier pricing. Lenders now prefer borrowers whose debts stay under 36% of their income and who have at least two years of on‑time payments.

Economic Signals Of When to Borrow Money

You should pay attention to several meaningful factors that can help you decide:

Inflation, Policy Rates, and Bond Yields

Headline inflation cooled from 7% in 2022 to roughly 2.8% today, but the Fed’s rates stayed high. Short‑term benchmarks remain above 5%, and traders expect only two quarter‑point cuts before year‑end. Mortgage shoppers, therefore, face 30‑year fixed rates near 6.9%, barely below last autumn’s seven‑percent ceiling.

Employment Trends and Borrower Safety Nets

Unemployment is around 4%, but sectors like construction and tech are already feeling the pinch. Losing your job is still the top reason people fall behind on bills. If your industry has paused hiring, hold off on big new loans until you’ve gotten three raises or have six months of steady pay.

Credit Availability and Score Drift

The average FICO scores are lower than last year but still healthy overall. People with excellent credit scores get even stronger, and those with lower scores face more loan rejections. Pull your free credit report from each bureau, freeze your file, and correct any mistakes at least 60 days before you apply.

When Are Loans a Good Option to Use?

Loans make sense only when they are needed for emergencies. The good reasons are:

  • Securing housing
  • Consolidating debt
  • Covering emergencies
  • Financing education
  • Buying a car you need
  • Covering treatments
  • Starting a business

When Is the Best Time to Apply for a Loan?

Deals on personal loans often appear in late spring, when home‑buying season starts, and again in late autumn, when lenders race to hit year‑end targets. In these periods, approval systems may cut your interest rate by 0.25%, saving you hundreds over a multi‑year loan. After the first rate drop, average personal‑loan APRs tend to fall 0.30-0.60% within three months, and mortgage fees for the same rate can drop about 10%.

What You Will Pay for Each Loan Product

Different loans have different terms. Here’s an overview of the most commonly used loan options.

Fixed‑Rate Personal Loans

Banks and credit unions now quote fixed terms between 24 and 60 months with origination fees of up to 10%. Borrowers with good and excellent credit score can expect interest rates from 5.99% to 28.69%, while those with fair ratings can get APRs of up to 35.99%. Payment remains stable so that borrowers can project payoff dates accurately.

Credit Cards and Revolving Credit Lines

Some credit cards still offer an initial 0% interest, but most have cut it from 12 to 18 months. After that, the rate usually soars above 20%. These deals work well if you plan to clear your balance before the offer ends. Otherwise, they become expensive, and the cost of the remaining balance will add up quickly.

Mortgages

A conventional 30‑year loan of nearly 6.93% competes with adjustable‑rate mortgages that start lower but reset after five or seven years. Adjustable loans suit owners who plan to sell before the first reset; long‑term buyers should consider fixed-rate deals for peace of mind.

Auto Loans

Automakers subsidized rates during 2020–2021 but scaled back incentives. Five‑year notes average about 7.5% for new vehicles and 9% for used. Because cars depreciate fast, a down payment of at least twenty percent plus a term no longer than sixty months keeps the loan from outlasting the car’s value.

Student Loans and Income‑Share Agreements

Federal undergraduate loans carry a 5.5% fixed rate for the 2025–26 award year, lower than private alternatives for all but the most creditworthy co‑signers. Income‑share agreements promise no payments until earnings reach a threshold, yet the effective percentage of future income can exceed double‑digit interest.

How Does the Loan Process Work?

Each loan may have its own features but there are some common steps you need to take to get one. Here’s what you typically need to do to take out a loan and repay it successfully:

  • Check your cash flow. Look at your earnings for the last three months, subtract fixed bills and extra spending, and see how much money you have left to handle your potential loan payments.
  • Compare offers. Shop around to see what lenders can offer you. Look at the interest rates, repayment options, extra fees and conditions that cause them.
  • Pre-qualify. Most lenders allow you to complete a preliminary form to see whether you can qualify and what potential loan terms you can get. This process doesn’t involve a hard credit check, allowing you to choose the best deals without affecting your FICO rating.
  • Gather paperwork. Submit pay stubs, W‑2s, bank statements, and proof of address to complete the final application. Each lender may have its own requirements, so check out the list of the needed documents.
  • Get approved. To approve you, lenders typically perform hard credit checks to assess your creditworthiness and the overall financial profile. This process may drop your credit score by a few points.
  • Receive the funds. If approved, the funds will be deposited into your bank account in 1 to 5 business days, depending on the lender and the loan type. Some loan options come with direct deposits to creditors or sellers.
  • Boost your payoff. Every six months, make an extra half‑payment to shorten your loan term and save money on interest.

Warning Signs and Moments to Stand Back

Several conditions may shout that you need to refrain from borrowing at the moment. Here are some things to consider before going into debt:

  • High debt load. Expect rejection or higher rates if your debt exceeds 43% of your income after borrowing.
  • Variable rates in a rising market. When rates are still climbing, variable-rate loans cause big payment jumps; opt for fixed rates.
  • Job uncertainty. Recent hires, probation periods, mergers, or freelance work under two years make new debt risky.

Conclusion

Borrowing remains a legitimate pathway to homeownership, professional growth, and wealth creation, yet only when the loan serves a defined purpose and fits comfortably inside your budget. Listen to the macro signals, shore up your finances, compare multiple offers, and read every contract line. Then, debt can still lift you toward the American dream.

Little Poland’s Next Act

BQE Admin on November 13, 2025

Greenpointers trace a beloved enclave’s colorful past and uncertain future. 

By COLE SINANIAN 

news@queensledger.com 

Izabella Prusaczyk remembers the Pulaski Day parade of her youth. Everyone was out on the street in Greenpoint, speaking Polish, the red and white of the Polish flag painted the faces of the rowdy youngsters and hung out of the cars that did donuts in gas station parking lots. Poles would crowd the delis, subway cars and street corners on Greenpoint, Nassau and Manhattan Avenues, out to show pride for their homeland in what was then America’s preeminent Polish enclave. When her father, Marek, arrived from Poland in the early 1990s, he spoke no English, but had no trouble finding his way in Greenpoint, where he now operates a restaurant called Pyza, named for its specialty in pyzy, a kind of Polish dumpling. 

“It really felt like the city was ours,” Prusaczyk said. 

Polish-American NYU student Sebastian Staskiewicz was born in Greenpoint and spent his early childhood on Diamond Street. The Polish community here back then was tight-knit. He recalls grocery shopping with his Polish grandma, who spoke no English but had no trouble communicating with her neighbors and shopkeepers in the majority Polish-speaking community.  Polish flags hung from storefronts and almost every corner was a Polish-owned bakery,  deli or butcher shop. 

“It was a very friendly community,” he said. “She would push me on a stroller and every block or so we had some sort of friend or relative that we could wave ‘hi’ to at the local deli. For her it was much easier in that sense because she could still use Polish to navigate and live within the US.”

Alain Beugoms, current principal of PS 34 on Norman Ave, was just beginning his teaching career in 2002, and remembers the Greenpoint of this era as one of New York’s most vibrant ethnic enclaves. 

“It was almost like a Chinatown kind of experience,” he said. “Many people on the street speaking Polish, many stores and little restaurants and little shops, bookstores in Polish, all serving the Polish community.” 

In 2025, Greenpoint’s Polish heritage is not so easy to spot. Nowadays, English is more commonly heard than Polish, and many Polish businesses have disappeared, replaced by American chains, cafes and now, cannabis dispensaries. Beloved Polish butcher shops and specialty supermarkets peddling smokey kielbasa, blood sausages and other Polish delicacies have closed their doors as corporate supermarket chains have moved in. Meanwhile, an influx of wealthy professionals who began moving to Williamsburg in the 2000s has spilled over into Greenpoint, while higher housing costs and luxury residential towers have followed,  forever altering the neighborhood’s once working-class, predominantly immigrant character. 

“I always saw someone I knew at the store I’d go to to get deli meats,” Prusaczyk said. “Now it’s a weed dispensary. We’re really on the decline here.” 

“Everything is so expensive now,” continued Prusaczyk, who works with her father and her mother, Grazyna, at Pyza. “People get mad at us for our prices being so high, but I’m like, do you know where you are? There’s avocado toast for $18 down the block.” 

But although many members of Greenpoint’s original Polish community have left — often moving either to the suburbs or back to Poland, where economic conditions have improved drastically since the fall of the Soviet Union — others stayed to raise families with children now growing up as Polish Americans, whose presence continues to influence neighborhood life through their cuisine, customs, and language.

A view inside the Eberhard Faber pencil factory on Kent Street in 1915, after the first peak of Polish migration to Brooklyn in the 1890s. Courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society.

Poles in America 

Polish immigration to America reached its peak in the 1890s. By the 1920s, more than 2 million Poles had immigrated to the US, according to the Library of Congress. Many of these early arrivals were economic migrants and political refugees, working as steelworkers, miners, meatpackers and autoworkers and congregating in enclaves in America’s industrial centers. 

Later, a subsequent wave of Polish immigrants arrived after the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 1990s. A New York Times report from 1984 counted 50,000 people of Polish descent living in Greenpoint. These were economic migrants as well, mostly younger, educated people who took low-paying, working class jobs with intentions of saving money and eventually returning to their country once conditions there improved. 

“Our 80s in Poland in the 20th century were truly devastating,” said Mateusz Sakowicz, the Polish Consul General in New York. “There were no products on the shelves and you could barely make ends meet. People had to line up to buy diapers.” 

According to Sakowicz, Greenpoint’s “Little Poland” era peaked in the early-mid 2000s. In addition to gentrification and rising housing costs, Sakowicz partially attributes Little Poland’s decline to Poland’s 2004 entry into the European Union, which brought the country unprecedented economic growth and facilitated easy immigration to other European nations. Since 2004, Polish immigration to the US has slowed to a trickle. 

“Finally my country has much more to offer, and it’s actually a preferable place to be, in particular if you’re of Polish origin,” Sakowicz said. “And if they were deciding to emigrate, people were choosing different states, closer to home,” he continued. 

Partly as a result of Poland’s economic growth — with the country’s GDP having grown by 300% between 1989 and 2024, according to a report from Wrocław University in Poland — more people of Polish origin are returning to Poland than are leaving the country. 

Meanwhile, many of the Polish economic migrants to Greenpoint of the 1980s have since moved on, having kids in Greenpoint, then purchasing homes outside the city. This is precisely what Staskiewicz’ family did, moving to Linden, New Jersey while Staskiewicz was in elementary school.  Other family members moved to Long Island and Pennsylvania, Staskiewicz said, chasing better affordability and a higher quality of life to raise their families.  Many of Prusaczyk’s childhood friends moved to Masbeth, Middle Village, or further out on Long Island. 

Little Poland lives on 

Like much of Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is a deeply Catholic country. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on Humboldt Street, founded in 1896, remains a community hub. Staskiewicz attended Sunday mass here with his family as a kid, while Prusaczyk, now in her 30s, regularly goes to mass conducted in Polish by Pastor Grzegorz Markulak. On December 7 at 5:30pm, the church will host a screening of Triumph of the Heart, a Polish language film that tells the story of Maximilian Kolbe, a priest who was killed at the Auschwitz concentration camp. 

Given Poland’s deep Catholicism, it should be unsurprising that Greenpoint’s Polish community is most visible around Christmas and Easter. 

In Polish culture, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 24, not December 25. And the Christmas Eve meal contains no meat. The holidays are a busy time at Pyza, Prusaczyk says, with Polish and Polish Americans coming from all over the tri-state area to pick up their special orders. Many are loyal customers who’ve since moved out of Greenpoint, usually to Masbeth or further out on Long Island. One Polish woman named Eva was once a Pyza regular but now lives in Connecticut. Still, she comes without fail every Christmas Eve to order Polish Christmas specialties like krokiety (croquettes), saurkraut, kapusta (cabbage) and mountains of pierogies. Some years, Pyza sells more than 3,000 pierogies over Christmas. 

On Easter, baskets are packed with food and gifts, and local Poles line up outside St. Stanislaus’s to have them blessed by a priest, part of a tradition called  Święconka that dates back to the 7th century. This confuses many tourists and non-Polish Greenpoint residents, Izabella says, who raise their eyebrows at the long line of people carrying their baskets outside the church. 

For Sakowicz, the Polish General Consul, it is the long queues that form around the holidays outside bakeries like Syrena, Cafe Riviera, and others serving Polish bread and pastries, that most remind him of Poland. 

“Maybe they expect communism a little bit,” he said. “Because in communism, there was scarcity of products and oftentimes they’d have to line up for a day and a half.” 

Sakowicz, who’s lived in America since 2011, currently resides on the Upper West Side, although he commutes to Greenpoint regularly to get his haircut at his favorite Polish salon. During the warmer months, he says you’re most likely to hear Polish spoken in Greenpoint during the evening, as the sun is setting over the Manhattan skyline and most people are doing their shopping. 

“You have many Poles that would leave Greenpoint, but still go there every now and then to do a routine,” Sakowicz says. “You have your favorite hairdresser, you want to go and gossip.” 

Izabella Prusaczyk and her father, Marek Prusaczyk. Marek came to Greenpoint from a small town in the north of Poland in the early 90s. He opened Pyza, a Greenpoint staple serving traditional Polish food, in 1993.

New Opportunities 

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, many of the Polish immigrants to Greenpoint took blue collar jobs below their education levels, in fields like construction, manufacturing and caretaking that allowed them to work without English fluency. But nowadays, the comparatively few Polish people coming to New York are of  a different class entirely, Sakowicz says. 

“It’s not a blue collar migration,” he said. “These people that decide to pursue their careers in the US these days are highly qualified, skilled and educated people. We’re talking Wall Street, IT, AI, arts, these kinds of fields of work.” 

And conversely, the Polish government finances internships and visa programs to Americans of Polish origin, offering them the chance to work, live for a while and perhaps emigrate for good to the country of their heritage. This is, of course, much easier if you speak the Polish language.

Along with Staskiewicz, Polish student Max Miniewicz runs the Polish and Eastern European Society at NYU. Originally from Warsaw, Miniewicz came to New York three years ago to study, now getting his Master’s in Economics. The first time he visited Greenpoint, he saw traces of Poland, but did not initially see it as the vibrant Polish enclave he had heard about. 

But as he explored the neighborhood more, its Polish soul started to reveal itself. He recalls a time he took a Polish classmate on a tour around Greenpoint. They got coffee, pastries, and went to a few bookstores, speaking to each other in Polish the whole time. In each of these places, Miniewicz said, as soon as the cashier heard them speaking Polish, they’d start speaking Polish too. This was the case even in American chain restaurants and seemingly non-Polish establishments, suggesting to Miniewicz that much of the Polish community from the golden era of Little Poland remained, but their businesses had been swallowed and absorbed by American establishments. 

“We spent a few hours walking around, and we were shocked by how many places were like this,” Miniewicz said. “I think a lot of those Polish people are still there, but they’re just like kind of hidden and working for American businesses.” 

For Beugoms, the principal at PS 34, language is a key to unlocking the community’s Polish heritage. In 2015, under former principal Carmen Asselta, the school launched its Polish-English dual language program. Now in its eleventh year, about a quarter of the student body is enrolled in the program, Beugoms says. Students progress from kindergarten to fifth grade in a mirrored classroom, with everything written in Polish on one side and English on the other. The bilingual teachers in the program guide students through math, science, social studies and literature in both Polish and English, paying special attention to Polish historical figures like Marie Curie and Copernicus. And every student, Beugoms says, Polish or otherwise, knows what a pierogi or a pączki (donut) is. 

“It unlocks a door to culture,” he said. “Language might appear to be a barrier from someone accessing a new culture, but when you learn, even in small increments, you start to unlock things.”

Inside PS 34’s Polish-English dual language classrooms, students learn literature, science, math and social studies in both Polish and English, with a special focus on Polish culture.

For some Polish-American parents who’ve lost touch with their heritage, the program provides a new motivation to learn (or re-learn) the language of their family through their children. Beugoms recalls one parent of Polish descent who didn’t grow up speaking Polish. But both of her children are in PS 34’s dual-language program, and for a parent-student read-aloud the school hosted one year, she came ready with a Polish book in-hand. 

“The Polish that she heard as a kid from her grandparents was coming back to her,” Beugoms said. “So she came with a book and said ‘don’t judge me.’”

Although the program is mostly made up of Polish heritage students, many of whom speak Polish at home, others aren’t Polish at all. The school holds a celebration for Polish children’s day on June 1st.  One year, a non-Polish fifth grade student who’d been in the program since kindergarten, gave a presentation on Copernicus, in near-fluent Polish, to a room full of stunned Polish parents. 

 And with more Poles returning to Poland than ever, the program has another purpose: preparing Polish students for life in Poland, should they decide to return. 

“I’ve had students from this program move to Poland, and then the parents write me an email stating how the school in Warsaw was impressed,” Beugoms said. “There’s a lot of opportunity in Poland nowadays, so it’s attracting a lot of folks back.”

Brooklyn Marine Terminal Enters New Phase

BQE Admin on November 7, 2025

A flyer circulated before the hearing outlines the residents’ grievances. Photo by Cole Sinanian.

By COLE SINANIAN

new@queensledger.com 

At the first of three scoping meetings for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment project, more than a dozen Red Hook, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Columbia Street residents slammed the NYC Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) plan to build waterfront housing and upgrade the industrial port in Red Hook for its alleged failure to adequately address environmental and transportation concerns, and requested that planners improve community outreach and conduct a thorough environmental study. 

New Front, Same Battle Lines 

The BMT Vision Plan, approved September 22 by an EDC-appointed task force, has been both lauded for its ambition and criticized by community members for its haste and alleged lack of transparency. The $3.5 billion plan outlines what will be among the largest redevelopments in New York City history once completed by the late 2030s, with some 122-acres of waterfront land stretching from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to the southern end of Brooklyn Bridge Park slated for redevelopment. 

“For the first time in many years, there is a plan that offers a real long-term path forward to create a first-class facility for essential transportation infrastructure,” wrote president of the International Longshoreman Association Frank Agosta and Red Hook Container Terminal President Michael Stamatis in an April amNY Op-Ed. 

But since the beginning, the BMT project has been marred by controversy. Earlier this year, the vote to approve the plan was postponed five times— held only after the EDC had secured a two-thirds majority in a process that some have described as secretive and undemocratic. 

“We have been totally disheartened by the process,” said Cobble Hill resident and former Cobble Hill Association president Franklin Stone during her testimony at the October 28 meeting.  “I’m a believer that good processes lead to a good result. This is not leading to a good result.” 

The October 28 meeting was the first of a series of meetings that will eventually inform the City’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the BMT project. A virtual meeting was held on October 30, while a final in-person meeting will be held on December 1 at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church in Carroll Gardens. The meetings are an effort to encourage public engagement in the Draft Scope of Work (DSOW), a document that will decide the specifics of the environmental review study, which will be conducted by the environmental consultancy group AKRF.

After the EIS is published, the state’s Empire State Development Corporation will use it to draft the BMT General Project Plan sometime in 2026. Members of the public can submit comments on the DSOW until December 11, after which a Final Scope of Work will be published that lists all comments and how they’ll be implemented into the EIS. 

Karen Blondel speaks in favor of the BMT redevelopment plan at a scoping meeting on Tuesday, October 28. Photo by Cole Sinanian

Divided Opinion 

Public testimonies at the October 28 meeting largely centered on traffic issues, environmental resilience concerns, and the EDC’s communication and outreach to the affected communities, which community members criticized as inadequate. The meeting began with a brief presentation by the EDC’s Senior Vice President of Neighborhood Strategies Nathan Gray, who described the project’s background and outlined the environmental review process. Then AKRF Senior Environmental Director Johnathan Keller explained what the EIS will include, followed by testimonies from members of the public, who were given three minutes each. 

In her testimony, Stone spoke about the inadequate transportation links in her neighborhood. The B61 bus, which serves Cobble Hill, is often delayed, while drivers are frequently stuck in stop-and-go traffic behind the large freight trucks coming from the area’s last-mile distribution centers. The BMT plan’s proposed housing — 60% of which would be luxury — could nearly  double the neighborhood’s population. 

“You are proposing to build this whole project in a transportation wasteland,” Stone said. “All you really have to do is live in the neighborhood, and you find that it takes you a half hour to go to three blocks. “It’s simply too much housing, and too much industrial, and all the attendant traffic for the amount of space.” 

Columbia Waterfront District resident James Morgan opened his testimony by recalling the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy 13 years ago and reminding the EDC panel that climate change will only worsen natural disasters like Sandy. 

“Therefore we request that the EIS consider adaptive mitigation triggers that are tied to future conditions beyond 2038, through at least 2050 to 2080,” Morgan said. 

Sharon Gordon, a 20-year resident of Tiffany Place, echoed Morgan’s concerns and drew attention to the study area outlined in the DSOW, which would extend in a 400-foot radius from the proposed construction site. 

“It is necessary to expand the technical study to at least Third Ave and Tillery Street,” Gordon said. “Otherwise, communities that will certainly be affected from pollution and flood risk aspects, such as Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Gowanus, will be excluded from the impact assessment.”

In a statement to the Star, EDC spokesperson Chuck Park clarified that the 400-ft study area around the BMT site is not the only area that will be studied in the environmental assessment. A separate transportation study area, for example, will look at surrounding transportation features like BQE ramps and intersections well outside the 400-ft radius. 

A handful of speakers at the meeting, including Morgan and Gordon, proposed splitting the environmental study into separate processes— one for the industrial port section of the development, and another for the housing component, which is currently slated for the northern portion of the BMT property. 

When asked if this was a possibility, Park — who attended the meeting — emphasized that the BMT Vision Plan was approved by a two-thirds supermajority in September, then later provided a generic email statement praising the plan. 

“NYCEDC remains fully committed to transforming this waterfront site into a modern all-electric maritime port, alongside a vibrant mixed-use community – delivering thousands of permanently affordable homes, thousands of new jobs, public open and green space, and an engine of economic opportunity for the community and the city,” the statement read. 

During his testimony, Columbia Street Waterfront District resident and tenant organizer John Leyva criticized the EDC’s failure to elect residents of the neighborhood to its task force. 

“The Columbia Street Waterfront, which will bear the brunt of this redevelopment— the traffic, the sound, the construction that will happen right here next to us — has never had a representative of its own on the task force,” Leyva said. “That exclusion is unacceptable.”

Still, some attendees had a more positive outlook on the BMT development. Karen Blondel, a community activist and president of the Red Hook Houses West — which forms the largest public housing complex in Brooklyn and one of the largest in the country — was optimistic about the BMT development’s potential to continue the transformation of a neighborhood that has historically been associated with crime and industrial decay. 

“This project could bring good industrial and maritime jobs, it can strengthen our local economy— that’s something that’s been neglected in Red Hook since I got here in the 1980s,” Blondel said. “When I got here at 19, all the industrial places were closing up, it felt unsafe. Prior to that, this was known as Al Capone land. So we’ve come a long way in a short period of time.” 

At the start of her testimony, Blondel drew attention to the room’s occupants, emphasizing that many of the speakers were from the wealthier Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods and none were from the Red Hook Houses. 

Blondel continued: “We have to start addressing the residents, the children who are here now. I want to know what the socio-economic impact is on neighborhoods like Red Hook Houses, when we’re not as organized as some of our more affluent neighbors.”

 

NYC Industrial Plan Sparks Backlash, Gentrification Fears at Brooklyn Town Hall

BQE Admin on November 7, 2025

Brooklyn’s current industrial-zoned areas. Photo via NYC Department of City Planning.

By COLE SINANIAN 

news@queensledger.com

At a town hall in Downtown Brooklyn on October 16, city planners faced sharp criticism from activists and North Brooklyn business leaders as they presented a first draft of the “NYC Industrial Plan” —  a report first published in September that recommends rezoning some of the city’s historically industrial areas to allow for different kinds of economic uses and housing construction. 

Although it could inform future land-use policy decisions, the plan is a draft report and does not guarantee any future rezonings, city planners stressed at the town hall, with a final version set to be released on December 31. Still, the plan drew swift condemnation from groups like Evergreen, a manufacturing business alliance in North Brooklyn, and Uprose, an environmental organization based in Sunset Park who warned that the plan’s failure to recommend protections for industrial areas in Williamsburg and Greenpoint would soon bring real estate speculation and could displace some of North Brooklyn’s last remaining manufacturing hubs. 

“It’s sending a message to the market that it’s open season,” said Leah Archibald, Evergreen’s executive director. “They’re signalling to the market that they’re open to rezoning. And that alone imperils our business.”  

In a written statement to the Star, Department of City Planning (DCP) Deputy Press Secretary Joe Marvilli urged that public feedback from the town halls would inform the final report and that nothing is set in stone yet:

“As the first comprehensive look at our industrial sector in decades, the NYC Industrial Plan is a great opportunity to ensure that these businesses, workers, and surrounding communities all continue to thrive,“ he wrote. “These recommendations can guide policies to create enough space for everyone and secure the city’s economic success for years to come.” 

A feedback form about the plan can be found at www.nyc.gov/content/planning/pages/our-work/plans/citywide/nyc-industrial-plan. 

The Industrial Plan

The draft plan is set to be updated every eight years, and was mandated by 2023’s Local Law 172, a bill sponsored by the Bronx city councilmember Amanda Farias. 

City planners researched the evolution of New York City’s industrial economy and surveyed the current distribution of industrial jobs across the five boroughs. The city’s industrial economy peaked in the mid-1950s, when industrial jobs accounted for nearly half of total employment. The industrial sector has shrunk since then but has also diversified, the draft report states. Newer kinds of industrial activity the report names include high-tech, prototyping, film, and green energy. More traditional industrial uses include construction, transportation, manufacturing, energy, utilities and waste management. 

The report found that less than half of the identified industrial jobs in the city are headquartered in areas zoned for manufacturing, or M zones, while only 25% are located in “Industrial Business Zones,” or IBZs. These zones, created in 2006, provide tax credits to industrial and manufacturing firms that relocate to one the of 21 currently designated IBZs in New York City. IBZs also carry a stated commitment by the City to not allow rezoning that would permit housing, all in an effort to preserve their manufacturing and industrial uses. 

Critics fear the plan’s failure to protect industrial zones in North Brooklyn’s IBZs — which, according to Evergreen, generate $15 billion in industrial economic activity — could invite real estate speculation and lead to future neighborhood displacement. 

City planners highlighted the ways in which New York City’s industrial economy has changed at a Brooklyn town hall on October 16. Photo by Cole Sinanian.

“An immigrant industry”

Visitors to the 5th floor event space at St. Francis College where the town hall was held were promptly handed a flyer by an Uprose activist titled “The New Draft Plan is a Death Sentence for Manufacturing.” The flyer highlighted key points of the plan that activists saw as threatening to local manufacturing companies, like the proposed allowance of non-industrial development — namely office buildings, creative studios and housing — in what are currently IBZs.

Meanwhile, Archibald walked around the room arguing with DCP staffers and handing out copies of Evergreen’s condemnation of the plan. Evergreen’s statement argues that the plan would “create a blueprint for gentrification” and “drive out industrial employers,” thereby erasing “accessible, family-sustaining jobs.”

The custom tailor Martin Greenfield Clothiers is one of Evergreen’s North Brooklyn manufacturing companies. Founded by Martin Greenfield, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Brooklyn in the 1940s after escaping Auschwitz, the company has dressed the likes of Bill Clinton, Lebron James, Leonardo DiCaprio and Barack Obama. Martin Greenfield passed away in 2024 and his sons Tod and Jay have since taken over. Tod, who attended the town hall, said his company has provided a gateway to the American dream for countless immigrants. According to statistics provided by Evergreen, industrial jobs in North Brooklyn, like those at Martin Greenfield Clothiers, pay significantly higher wages than the Brooklyn average for workers with only a high school diploma. 

“These people can’t get a high tech job,” Greenfield said. “These jobs are the jobs they need. They live in the neighborhood, they walk to work, and this plan is going to gentrify the neighborhood. It’s going to push out their jobs, and it’s going to push them out.” 

“We have 70 employees and they’ve all put their kids through college,” he continued. “And they’re all immigrants. It’s an immigrant industry. It’s a place where someone without a college degree, and even without any language skills, can get a steady job. All they have to do is show up to work and be diligent. They have health care, they have a pension, they have a good wage, and they have an opportunity to establish their family and become citizens.” 

Greenfield compared his father’s experience in America with those of the immigrants who currently work for his company. When Martin Greenfield arrived in America, he was an orphan who didn’t speak English. It was a well-paying job in the manufacturing industry that allowed him to raise a family of first-generation Americans, his son said. The office jobs and tech jobs that the City’s plan suggests should come to North Brooklyn’s manufacturing corridor are generally not accessible to immigrants without English skills or a college degree. A major rezoning, Greenfield worries, could push many immigrants out of the area. 

“Those jobs are critical to that community,” Greenfield says. “And that community is important. Where am I going to get people to run our sewing machines once the neighborhood gentrifies?”

 

Brooklyn Pharmacists Bring Home Community Awards

BQE Admin on November 6, 2025

The nonprofit Healthfirst selected 12 independent pharmacists from around the city for its 2025 Pharmacy Excellence Awards, including Mohammad Rashed (third from right) of Bed-Stuy. Photo courtesy of Healthfirst

By JACK DELANEY | jdelaney@queensledger.com

Most recent headlines about independent pharmacies read like horror novels: one article on the collapse of the industry in Missouri reports that filling prescriptions has become “economic suicide” for many small providers, as monopolies narrow their already-thin margins.

But in New York City, at least, healthcare heavyweights are hoping to shift the balance back in favor of community drug stores.

Last month, Healthfirst — a leading not-for-profit plan serving over two million New Yorkers — announced the winners of its inaugural Pharmacy Excellence Awards, with three recipients hailing from Brooklyn.

The award spotlights local pharmacists who have helped older adults, in particular, by achieving the highest rates of medication adherence and interventions in the city for 2024.

One of this year’s winners is Mohammad Rashed, who has run Pharmacia Popular Inc, located across the street from Woodhull Hospital in Bed-Stuy, since 2003.

“I feel privileged and honored,” said Rashed, who worked at Walgreen’s and Duane Reed before realizing he wanted to open a more community-minded pharmacy of his own. “My whole team feels like we’re being recognized for the vision and mission that we’ve been working towards.”

The other two Brooklyn-based awardees are ABC Pharmacy Inc., in Borough Park, and Sisto Pharmacy in Williamsburg. The nominees were drawn from a pool of more than 100 independent pharmacists enrolled in a Healthfirst initiative that provides software and technical assistance.

“Community pharmacies know their patients by name and understand the challenges they face every day, and that they want more time to educate patients with medication management but also have the demands of running a small business,” said Bhavesh Modi, a vice president at Healthfirst. “Through this program, we’re giving pharmacists the tools and resources they need to make an even greater impact on the health of their communities.”

As of last year, there were 19,000 independent pharmacies in the country, accounting for 35% of the overall sector. While data isn’t available for Brooklyn, some recent estimates set the tally for NYC at 2,500.

Rashed stressed that despite the increasing prevalence of corporate chains and artificial intelligence, community pharmacists remain crucial to supporting older residents.

“We all have to reach that age. Until we reach that point, we will not know how it feels to be dependent on someone,” he noted. “Having a good pharmacy plays a big role — from morning to evening these customers think about their health condition, because it’s deteriorating, and the only people beside a family member or caregiver who can make them feel better are their physician and their pharmacist.”

A Slice of History: Smiling Pizza Added to Historic Business Registry

BQE Admin on November 6, 2025

Three generations of the Zito family celebrate the induction of Smiling Pizza into a statewide historic registry with Assemblymember Bobby Carroll (second from left) and City Councilmember Shahana Hanif (not pictured).

By JACK DELANEY | jdelaney@queensledger.com

“You don’t remember me,” the man in his thirties said, beaming, “but I used to get pizza here when I was a little kid.”

Santo Zito had just arrived at Smiling Pizza to receive an award, and the booths of his beloved Park Slope eatery were packed with long-time customers eager to give him his flowers.

It had been decades in the making: on Sunday afternoon, the family-owned, triple-generational pizzeria — known to many locals as Smiley’s — was inducted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry, joining 277 other ventures around the state that have both been open for at least 50 years and have become an integral part of their community’s history.

“It’s Always Good”

Smiling Pizza’s roots trace back to the mid-60s, when Santo emigrated to NYC from Sicily — trying his luck in a wide array of industries before settling on pizza.

“He put duct systems with sheet metal into the World Trade Center. He sold fruits and vegetables out of a van down on the street corner. He did car service,” recalled his son, Stefano Zito. “He did what he had to do as an immigrant coming to a new country. That was the bottom line with the pizzeria. He’s like, at the very least, my family won’t go hungry. But it’s stuck, thank God, and here we are 50 years later.”

By 1975, the Zito family was living in Bensonhurst. Some of Santo’s friends laughed at him for jumping at the opportunity to buy a pizza shop in faraway Park Slope, but his mind was set.

Smiling Pizza sits on the bustling corner of 7th Avenue and 9th Street in Park Slope.

Things were a bit cramped, at first. There were only two tables, and with no room for a real kitchen the family’s matriarch, Maria Concetta, would cook the chicken and veal cutlets at home in Bensonhurst every morning and bring them to the store.

Park Sloper Bob Kaye remembers those early days. He started going to Smiling Pizza not long after it opened, and recounted how on rainy days his mother would send him to run along the tunnels between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue and bring back a couple slices.

“I still come a lot,” said Kaye, who is now 75. “I’ll get a meatball parm to go, they make great sandwiches, or I’ll get a plate sometimes — they have great baked ziti and ravioli too. It’s always good.”

The Zitos expanded into the adjacent storefront in the ‘80s, and business has been buzzing ever since.

Bob Kaye, who lives only a block away, has been eating at Smiling Pizza since it first opened 50 years ago.

“The neighborhood feels like our family at this point,” said Stefano, and they’ve tried to give back to the community that has supported them. Smiling Pizza has sponsored Little League Baseball through the 78th Precinct for years, while donating to the nearby Saint Saviour Catholic Academy. They also offer a special 10% discount for anyone affiliated with Methodist, the enormous hospital two blocks away.

That spirit of generosity extends beyond the pizzeria’s official gestures. “Santo, the owner of Smiling Pizza, was quite a life saver to most of us kids,” wrote Eric Britt on Facebook, earlier this summer. “My first car got new shocks with Tony’s help in ‘76.”

A Slice of History

The Historic Business Preservation Registry was created in 2020 to celebrate local spots, while giving them a boost amid rising costs fueled by gentrification.

“From the delicatessens that have fed immigrant communities for over a hundred years, to the bars that provided safe havens for LGBTQ New Yorkers, to the timeless Hudson Valley inns that were visited by some of our country’s founders,” said Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell at the time, “New York State has many businesses that serve as invaluable symbols of our pride and heritage.”

But, O’Donnell added, “Many businesses face unprecedented challenges that threaten their ability to survive and serve their communities.”

Santo Zito welcomes one of his longest-standing patrons.

The honorary initiative doesn’t carry the stricter requirements and regulations of landmark status. Yet lawmakers have noted it could someday include financial assistance and other perks.

The registry launched with 100 participants, and continues to grow. In 2024, the state increased the maximum by local reps each term from two to 10. The list now encompasses eight locations in Brooklyn, boasting the likes of Sahadi’s and Gleason’s Gym in Downtown; the unmissable Kellogg’s Diner off Metropolitan Ave; and most recently, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park in Coney Island.

Smiling Pizza was nominated by Assemblymember Bobby Carroll, who said the addition was a no-brainer. “I don’t know if the first slice of pizza I ever had was at Smiling Pizza, but I’ve been eating it for 39 years,” he told the small crowd of customers who’d come for the event. “I think it was my sons’ first slice.”

Back at Barclays: Nets Attempt Daring Comeback vs Cavs

BQE Admin on October 31, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Brooklyn Nets staged a wild and improbable comeback in their home opener against the Cavaliers last Friday night at the Barclays Center. After trailing Cleveland by as much as 25 points in the second half, Brooklyn powered their way within a single point before their late run ultimately came up short.

It’s been a lackluster start to the season for a team most expect to be among the league’s bottomdwellers. Despite the low bar the Nets have put up impressive fights against solid teams, showing their capability to hang with playoff teams like Cleveland and San Antonio.

It’s clear that the focus and priority this season is on development and asset management, especially with the NBA record recently set with five first round selections in the 2025 draft. Of those five rookies, the two with significant minutes so far have been 8th overall pick Egor Dëmin and #26 overall Ben Saraf.

In the season opener Dëmin scored his first 14 points in NBA action. The Moscow-born BYU product showed potential as a scorer and playmaker, tied for the team lead with 5 assists in the losing effort in Charlotte. He was one of six Nets in double figures against the Hornets.

During Friday’s game at the Barclays Center it was a slow start for Brooklyn. A seasoned playoff team in Cleveland outscored the hosts in the first three quarters, led by star guard Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, and former Net Jarrett Allen. The Cavs defense also gave Brooklyn fits, seemingly getting their hands on the ball in each defensive possession.

At its worst, the Nets saw their deficit grow to 25, but even in the face of adversity they battled back in the final frame.

Leading the charge for Brooklyn were new acquisition Michael Porter Jr., third year scoring sensation Cam Thomas, and Ziaire Williams, each finishing with at least 25 points.

To cap the run, Dëmin knocked down a clutch three, making it a 1-point game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The rookie showed great composure and his shooting skill will be paramount in his development.

“[Egor’s] a great player and an even better human. I’m really glad we added him to the team,” commented Williams postgame. “I’m excited to see his future and work with him.”

While Dëmin only scored three points the following game in San Antonio and missed Monday’s game in Houston, the rest of the Nets stepped up to be competitive despite losses. Thomas recorded his first 40-point game of the season against the Spurs, the 10th of his career. He battled Victor Wembanyama who scored 31 in the 118-107 victory as San Antonio recorded their third win in the first three games.

After Monday the Nets sat at 0-4, the lowest mark in the league. It’s going to be a long and difficult season in Brooklyn, but still one worth watching as long as the Nets can continue their development and competitive play.

St. John’s Breaks Ground on New Basketball Training Facility

BQE Admin on October 27, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Shovels struck dirt on the St. John’s University campus over the weekend as construction began on the school’s new basketball training and student athletics building. As part of a two-phase construction and redevelopment plan, St. John’s is upgrading their basketball facilities, determined to keep the program one of the best in the nation.

“This is the crowning piece of building up men’s and women’s basketball at St. John’s” said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. in his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This is not just about basketball; this is about the success of our University and it’s an important and pivotal moment for us.”

The facility will feature multiple practice courts, new dedicated strength and conditioning areas, team lounges, and video review rooms. It will also boost athlete recovery with the help of hydro therapy pools and other amenities.

The push to improve campus recreation spaces at St. John’s also includes renovations to the 20-year-old Taffner Field House, adjacent to Carnesecca Arena. The much-needed upgrades will serve the greater student body and show that the University’s commitment goes beyond their prized Division I athletes.

“We expect to have a facility with all the best of what we need to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams,” remarked Chief Operating Officer Joseph E. Oliva. “As soon as that is done we will start the renovation of Taffner Field House as a recreational space for our students – to ensure that we can serve them also with a state of the art facility.”

The project is made possible largely by donations and fundraising, including a record-breaking gift from Board of Trustees Chair William J. Janetschek. The longtime University benefactor committed $32.5 million to the project, the most by a single donor in the 155-year history of St. John’s. Of that donation, approximately $25 million will go to construction of the facility, with the rest going towards student scholarships.

“I believe in the power of sports to shape young minds and build strong communities,” said Janetschek about the project. “This facility will elevate the St. John’s basketball program and inspire students to pursue and achieve their dreams with passion and dedication.”

Joining Fr. Shanley, Oliva, and Janetschek for the groundbreaking ceremony were Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Rick Pitino, Women’s Head Coach Joe Tartamella, Athletic Director Edward Kull, Chaplain Rev. Richard Rock, and James P. Riley Jr.

Construction is estimated to be completed by Spring 2027, with the renovated Taffner Field House opening the following year. Construction for the 50,000-sf project will be led by Axis Construction Corporation, with global architecture planning firm Gensler designing the training facility.

New York City FC Finish 5th in East, To Play Charlotte in MLS Cup Playoffs

BQE Admin on October 24, 2025

New York City FC fell at Citi Field to the Seattle Sounders on Decision Day, 2-1. (Photos: Noah Zimmerman)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Boys in Blue will enter the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference following their loss to the Seattle Sounders and Miami’s win over Nashville SC on Decision Day last Saturday. They open the postseason on the road in Charlotte in a best-of-three first round series.

It was a difficult night in Queens for New York City FC, who welcomed Seattle to Citi Field for their final match in Flushing in 2025. NYC were unable to build decisive attacking chances, barely testing former MLS Cup MVP Stefan Frei in the Seattle goal.

Former MLS Cup Final MVP Stefan Frei wasn’t tested much in the Sounders net as he helped see out the 1-goal win.

The match was a physical one, but also tightly called by referee Chris Penso. While no goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes, three NYC players entered Penso’s book in stoppage time, as Kevin O’Toole, Justin Haak, and Matt Freese each received a yellow card.

In the second half, Seattle broke the deadlock from a set piece. Jordan Morris got his head on a ball from point blank range, tucking it into the net. The hosts immediately subbed on three players in Julian Fernandez, Agustin Ojeda, and Jonny Shore, now chasing an equalizer to salvage a point.

NYC captain Thiago Martins pleads his case to referee Chris Penso after a penalty was awarded to Seattle. The call was later overturned by VAR.

A more inspired NYC attack finally broke through with 8 minutes remaining. A shot by Nico Fernandez was nearly blocked, but the ball was redirected into the Sounders net, with nothing Frei could do to keep it out.

Even though they were locked into the West’s #5 seed, Seattle fought hard to regain the advantage. Once again they were able to take advantage of a controversial call (or rather this time a no-call) and scored another header in the 87th minute, this time from Jackson Ragen.

Suddenly, NYC’s playoff seeding was out of their hands, as the final whistle blew soon after the Sounders’ second goal. Luckily they were saved by Lionel Messi, who completed a second half hat trick to defeat Nashville SC and keep New York City in the East’s 5th seed. 

With the standings final, New York will visit 4th place Charlotte FC in the opening round. With Miami’s win over Nashville, the two sides will face off again as the 3rd and 6th seeds. FC Cincinnati will take on the Columbus Crew in a playoff edition of the “Hell is Real” Derby, while Supporters Shield winners Philadelphia await the winners of the Wild Card match between Chicago and Orlando.

The first round matchups will be a best-of-three series, with the top seed hosting the first match and the final game if necessary. NYC will head to Charlotte on Tuesday, October 28 for Game 1 at 6:45pm. Then the sides will meet at Yankee Stadium for Game 2 on Saturday, November 1 at 3:30pm. The final game would be held back in Charlotte on Friday, November 7.

Charlotte will be without star forward Wilfred Zaha for the opening game as he picked up a red card in their final match against Philadelphia. Still, Charlotte holds the joint-best home record in the East, and will be difficult to beat twice in a series where they’d host two games.

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