The Blog is Back

After a brief hiatus, we’re coming back strong on the nets – count on consistent updates from here on out on the Applied Sciences Initiative and our continuing drive to harness the vast potential of Queens.

Our political support has since grown to include Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), who is now our honorary chairman, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, and New York City Council Chairs of Land Use and Economic Development Leroy Comrie (D-Jamaica/St. Albans) and Karen Kozlowitz (D-Queens).

As we’ll be exploring vigorously in the coming weeks, many different factors will determine who wins the bid to build a technology campus in New York City. What’s more important for Queens residents and all New Yorkers is – how do we benefit from this? How do we best stimulate the economy and attract investment, since it’s our money and our land that we’re giving up for this project? In what ways do the interests of the universities align and collide with those of us who live here?

On the economic front, a pair of recent articles have appeared on nearby Flushing’s economic resilience and even growth throughout the recession, as conducted by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

From the second article, today’s last word goes to District 20 City Councilman Peter Koo (R-Flushing): “We need to change [Willets Point] from an iron triangle to a research triangle,” he said.

Welcoming the Latest Supporters of C4Q

Over the last two weeks, C4Q gained additional key supporters from the political and civic community.

Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica), and Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) support the vision of C4Q and the idea of transforming Willets Point, Queens into a strong economic center like Silicon Valley 2.0. We are especially pleased to welcome Councilmember Comrie to C4Q, given his critical role as Head of the Queens Delegation and Chair of the Land Use Committee. We also seek to strengthen our outreach to the cultural arts community, and believe that Councilmember Van Bramer, as Chair of the Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee, can help us accomplish that goal.

Lastly, we are happy to have the support of Welcome to Whitestone, a commercial and residential civic association. We are building momentum for C4Q through our supporters, and will continue reaching out to stakeholders in the community.