Forest Hills Construction Projects

Thanks to Tommy, one of the blog's readers, for sending in this map he prepared of the current big construction projects going on around the neighborhood. Click on it for a bigger version.

1. 69-75 Yellowstone Blvd - 11-story, 168-unit residential building with 20,500 SF of retail/commercial space; demolition completed, site prep underway
2. 107-02 Queens Blvd - 10-story, 72-unit residential building with 11,640 SF of retail/commercial space (Planet Fitness confirmed as primary commercial tenant); demolition completed, site remediation underway
3. 71-53 Austin St - 7-story, 21-unit residential building with 6,032 SF of ground floor retail/commercial space
4. 108-15 72nd Ave - 7-story, 26-unit residential building; demolition completed

Forest Hills Construction Site Pics

Snapped a couple of pics today of the demolition of what was the Party Store, Piu Bello and several smaller stores, across from MacDonald Park and the Post Office. See my previous post about the new building going up in this space.

Austin Street Construction Site Update

We noticed that that big hole-in-the-ground construction site next to Bareburger has taken down its "Coming Soon: Urgent Care" sign. This is potentially a good "sign" for the neighborhood. I know many readers found it downright laughable that a third walk-in medical clinic was potentially in the offering for our main shopping thoroughfare. Especially when we have already lost one of our wonderful movie theaters to one, and an Italian restaurant to another!

I have no problem with a walk-in medical clinic, but do we really need three of them on our main shopping drag? Especially when there are so many great new shopping or eating establishments we could still use.

Below is what the site used to look like. The "Coming Soon ProHealth" sign has now been removed.

If I recall correctly, the original idea for this site, or at least the original rumored idea, was for it to become a clothing store like H&M.

72nd Road Construction Site

It was interesting to see the gaping hole where those old row houses used to be on 72nd Road, next to La Boulangerie, as they move ahead with construction of the new apartment building....

Rendering of New Building on 72nd Road

A reader sent in this photo of the new building going up on 72nd Road, next to La Boulangerie...

Photos of Construction Worker Rescue

A reader sent in these photos of a worker being rescued New Year's Eve at the site of the new apartment building being built on 72nd Road, between Austin and Queens Blvd. From what I heard, the worker was trapped as the ground gave way under him and was eventually rescued.

72nd Road Construction

This building, across from the church parking lot, and right near La Boulangerie, is being taken down. I think I heard condos are going up there:

NYC Parks Department on the Job

The NYC Parks Department listened to the complaint of the reader who sent me the photos of the harmed trees and they have already corrected the problem. Here is an excerpt from the email he received from a Parks Dept. official, followed by a photo of the results:

"I'm happy to report that yesterday, under Forestry supervision, the contractor removed the concrete from both tree pits and is in the process of constructing wooden tree guards for proper protection.  The condition has been corrected.  Thanks as always for bringing it to our attention."

 The reader tells me:

 "In addition to receiving fines from the city, the contractor removed the concrete , installed fencing and mulch, as mandated by the city. This is exactly what every tree next to a construction site should look like. Hope he learned his lesson and let this be a warning to other contractors."

Metropolitan Ave. Construction

Anyone know what's they're building across the street from Trader Joe's, where the gas station used to be? A reader called my attention to it on the blog's Facebook page and snapped this pic.

Construction Update: The Aston

Here's how Forest Hills' newest condo is looking this week...

Construction Moving Forward

Construction of the CVS and the new condo that some are calling the "Windsor 2" is moving forward on the north side of Queens Blvd., next to the Key Food.
Here's what the construction site looked like this afternoon:

Work Next to Midway Theater

The rumors are true - there is indeed work going on in the former pizza place next to the Midway movie theater. Couldn't quite tell what is going in there. But there was a truck in front for kitchen equipment - but that could be either coming, or going, I suppose.

Work Resuming on 70th Ave.

I noticed that construction is once again taking place at the long-dormant site next to the Bukharian Jewish Center on 70th Ave. If I recall, a small apartment building of some kind is going in there?