Also serves WHITESTONE and COLLEGE POINT
Rendering of the proposed project (RJ Capital Holdings)
The 6th Community Committee in Queens will hold a public hearing next Wednesday to discuss the developer's plan to build a mixed-use tower, where the popular restaurant and synagogue at Rego Park are located.
Development company RJ Capital Holdings plans to demolish some buildings on Queen’s Road, including Tower Diner and Ohr Natan Synagogue, to make way for a 15-story mixed-use building.
The proposal was strongly protested by community members, who stated that the historic Art Deco building where the synagogue is located and the iconic bell tower of Tower Diner should be exempted from demolition.
The proposed development will involve the demolition of a building including Tower Diner and Ohr Natan Synagogue (Google)
A petition to save buildings and small businesses in a triangular block has already received more than 3,400 signatures.
At the same time, RJ Capital Holdings hopes to build a 15-story mixed-use building on these plots, assuming the address is 98-85 Queens Blvd.
The building will include approximately 158 apartments and 18,000 square feet of commercial space. According to the city’s mandatory inclusive housing requirements, 48 of the 158 units will be “affordable”.
However, RJ Capital Holdings' plan requires a change in zoning, so it needs to be approved by the city through the unified land use review process to proceed.
The first step of ULURP is a public hearing, chaired by the local community committee.
The Community Committee6 will hold a public hearing on the plan during its Land Use and Housing Committee meeting on November 3. The online meeting starts at 6:30 pm and the hearing starts at 7:30 pm
RJ Capital Holdings hopes to develop a triangular plot (Google Maps)
The public has two minutes to share their thoughts on the proposal and should email [email protection] by 2pm on November 3 to request that they have time to speak. Community members can also submit written testimony to the same email.
Rudolf Abramov of RJ Capital Holdings previously told the Queen’s Post that he hopes to break ground in mid-2022.
However, the construction schedule depends on how the ULURP is deployed.
This process usually takes seven months after the plan is certified for urban planning. RJ Capital's plan was certified in mid-October.
According to ULURP, the plan needs to be reviewed by the 6th Community Committee and the Mayor of Queens, and then approved by the City Planning Commission and City Council.
From my teens to today, diners have always been a part of my life. Dining out is a regular ceremony for my wife and I. Part is generous. Who has never brought home a dog bag with leftovers to eat the next day. Between traditional soups, salads, bread rolls, coleslaw and kimchi and main dishes-dinner can satisfy the most hearty appetite. Many times, we pack and take away desserts.
Over time, the community has changed. Many new immigrant groups sometimes prefer their own ethnic food and restaurants. Over time, diners have also lost customers in fast food restaurants. Many of their menus have been expanded to also include breakfast items and more types of lunch or dinner items.
Remember, these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs who own and operate restaurants continue to invest in our communities and create new jobs. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment opportunities. If we don't patronize our local restaurants, they won't eat either.
My wife and I tried to tip 20% of the total bill including taxes. If it is an odd number, it is rounded to the next dollar. If you can afford to eat out, you can pay an extra dollar tip. When ordering takeout, don’t forget to leave a dollar or two for the waiter or chef.
Remember, the people who work in your favorite restaurant are our neighbors. They have long working hours, meager wages, and tipping accounts for a large part of their income. If we don't patronize our local restaurants, they won't eat either. Your purchase enables our neighbors to maintain employment and local economic growth.
Next time you visit, bring a box of sweets, biscuits or other snacks to your favorite waiter or restaurant staff.
I hope that our remaining Queens diners will continue to survive and prosper.
Larry Penner – has been a frequent visitor to Queens diners for more than 50 years
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