LICBDC Newsletter
May 4, 2010

Annual Real Estate Breakfast 

Wednesday, May 19, 8 - 10 AM

Waters Edge, LIC

 An overview of current developments in the NYC and LIC real estate markets, followed by a question and answer session. Panelists will include Richard Anderson, President, NY Building Congress; Michelle Anderson, Dean of CUNY Law School; and Shih Lee, owner of Shi Restaurant.  David Brause of Brause Realty will moderate.  Full breakfast and networking.   An overview of current developments in the NYC and LIC real estate markets, and future projections, followed by a question and answer session with the panelists.

Waters Edge Restaurant, 44th Drive & East River, LIC. Click here for map and directions. Members $35, nonmembers $45.  Members may purchase tickets at member rates for their nonmember guests. RSVP to Indra Smith at 718.786.5300 x 21 or register online. 

Summer Gathering
June 23, 6 - 8:30 PM
Sculpture Center, LIC

Art, refreshments, and networking.   Register online.   Contact us about co-sponsoring.

Early Registration for B2B Expo on November 17
Pay in full for exhibit table & listing in program by Friday, May 14 for 15% discounts. 

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Real Estate Breakfast Sponsors

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Business Banking defines success by fully understanding your unique business challenge. They set themselves apart by listening closely to you, delivering fresh ideas and customized strategies — and striving for seamless execution when you choose to act. From start to finish, they’re with you every step of the way. To discuss how they can drive your company to the next growth phase, contact Betty Ann Tamberg, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Business Banking, at 888-852-5000 Ext. 1206 or betty.a.tamberg@baml.com
www.bankofamerica.com

The Ciampa Organization was founded in Queens in the 1920's by general contractor Joseph Ciampa, Sr. Today, the firm is an experienced developer, builder and owner/manager of residential, industrial and commercial property located in the Borough of Queens. They own and manage their newest development project, Packard Square, located at 41-34 Crescent Street off Queens Plaza, a full service luxury rental building.  Packard Square features a fully attended lobby with water wall; resident's lounge with billiards table, screening area and wet bar; fitness center; landscaped skydeck with dramatic Manhattan views and an outdoor kitchen.  Apartments are available for lease.  http://packardsquare.com

FJC Security is a leading national security services provider. The privately-owned and operated company employs in excess of 5,000 qualified security personnel and boasts the industry’s most experienced management staff. The award-winning firm provides custom programs that include the integration of uniformed security personnel, both armed and unarmed, with leading-edge technologies and strategic consulting services to ensure cost-efficient, effective protective solutions for its clients’ needs. http://www.fjcsecurity.com/

MetLife Home Loans

Rockrose. Building upon Excellence for 40 Years and Counting.
Rockrose Development Corp. has epitomized quality and excellence for over
four decades. Established in 1970, we are known as neighborhood pioneers and respected as one of New York’s premier luxury real estate owner-manager-developers, with an extensive portfolio of residential, commercial and retail properties throughout New York City.  www.rockrose.com

The Rosenwach Group has been devoted to providing cost effective innovative and professional products and services for more than a century. Rosenwach’s five diversified companies handle all types of heavy duty building maintenance, from the façade and roof systems on the outside to the water tanks, cooling towers and sidewalk sheds. These divisions include Rosenwach Tank, United Tower, Herbert Rose, AMR Mechanical and Sitecraft.  www.rosenwachgroup.com.

Farrell Fritz, P. C. is a full service law firm with more than 80 attorneys.  Many clients have turned to Farrell Fritz for sophisticated legal services typically associated with major New York City firms.  While many of their attorneys and staff have come from large Manhattan firms, it is their responsiveness to their clients, innovative approaches to their legal concerns, and collegial corporate culture that have resulted in client relationships that last for decades.  

Founded by three partners in 1976, today the firm provides a great depth and breadth of legal services to businesses, not-for-profit organizations and individuals in the following areas of law:  corporate & banking, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, private equity, corporate governance, and tax law  (including tax controversy); real estate, including development and leasing; land use, zoning, municipal and environmental law; property condemnation and tax certiorari; commercial litigation; bankruptcy and creditors’ rights; distressed assets; healthcare, including hospitals and physicians; labor and employment; and estate planning, administration and litigation. Farrell Fritz attorneys are committed to serving the community.  Their lawyers provide pro bono legal services to, or serve on committees and boards of, dozens of community and non-profit organizations throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. For further information, please visit www.farrellfritz.com or contact Louis Vlahos, Esq. at 516.227.0639 or lvlahos@farrellfritz.com. 

Additional co-sponsors:

Alma Realty Corporation was founded in 1988 to develop and manage various real estate projects. Alma has grown into a comprehensive real estate organization offering a full range of real estate related services including but not limited to development, brokerage, and construction services. Alma maintains an impressive real estate portfolio consisting of approximately 6,000 units and totaling over 1,200,000 square feet of commercial, residential, and mixed use space.  http://www.almarealty.com/

High Rise Fire Protection is a fire alarm, maintenance, and service company, founded in 1991. High Rise specializes in the installation, service and maintenance of fire alarm and security systems. High Rise has built its reputation on its thorough up-to-date knowledge and expertise in local code requirements. For their clients, compliance is no longer a concern. But High Rise delivers more than expertise. They know that true excellence in fire protection and security is a long-term, constant challenge. By taking the time to learn about their client’s business and building, they are able to anticipate needs, rather than merely reacting to a crisis. High Rise is thus able to design and provide systems tailored to your specific needs. Contact them at 718-369-3434. www.highrisefire.com

A.S.K. Construction, Inc.
http://www.askconstruction.com

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LICBDC Member Profiles
Manducatis Restaurant, serving classic Italian food since 1977... Edible Queens, a free print magazine and website focusing on the diverse cuisine of Queens...Queens Courier's LIC Magazine, highlighting LIC community news, offering discount ad rates to our readers...Biscotti, Toback & Company, CPAs P.C., a full service accounting, financial, and business advisory firm...open studio weekend with the 180 artists at Juvenal Reis Art Studios... Barth-Gross Electric Co., Inc., a family owned electrical contracting firm...

Manducatis Restaurant  has been serving classic Italian food since 1977 on the corner of Jackson Avenue and 47^th Avenue, just a few blocks south of PS1 Contemporary Art Museum.  They’re reviewed in the spring issue of Edible Queens, the first quarterly magazine to celebrate the many unique food cultures of our borough.  The magazine is available for free in many LIC stores and restaurants.  http://www.ediblecommunities.com/queens/

Edible Queens is a free print magazine and website (ediblequeens.com) focusing on the food culture of New York's most diverse borough, just launched last fall. It’s distributed in more than 80 Queens locations, about 20 of which are in LIC. It features great photographs and good writing from local contributors. Editor and publisher Leah McLaughlin produces the magazine in her LIC home office. New this spring is the dynamic digital edition, which can be instantly translated into more than 50 different languages, with video and audio coming next. Check out the prototype here! The digital edition will be available at ediblequeens.com and via licensing partnerships with a variety of local websites.

Free Energy Services from Con Edison
Con Edison is offering businesses with an average monthly peak demand of less than 100kw (most small businesses) free energy surveys; free energy conservation measures, such as CFL's (compact fluorescents) and water heater thermostats; and incentives up to 70% of installed cost for major heating, cooling, and lighting upgrades. If you've been considering greening your business, now is the time to take advantage of big incentives to upgrade your lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling systems and refrigeration. Save money, save energy, and help the environment: the power of green. Visit conEd.com/energyefficiency or call Con Edison's contractor at 1-888-willdan (1-888-945-5326).

Get a Free Home Energy Monitor from Con Edison
As part of a smart grid pilot program in Queens, Con Edison is giving 300 customer volunteers a home energy monitor that will communicate with a smart meter and allow customers to better manage their energy use.   If you live in zip codes 11101, 11104, 11109, or 11377, email your account number to smartgrid@coned.com and see if you qualify.

A smart grid integrates state-of-the-art information and communication technology into electricity generation, delivery, and consumption, to make systems cleaner, safer, more reliable and more efficient. This 18-month pilot project is testing intelligent underground systems that will notify Con Edison when power goes out, allowing them to fix problems rapidly.  To find out more, visit www.coned.com.

LIC Arts Weekend at Juvenal Reis Studios, May 22 - 23, noon – 6 PM

Juvenal Reis Studios was created in April 2002 by Brazilian artist Juvenal Reis to become a new art collective with five artists. Today, it operates a 70,000 s.f. space in Long Island City with 180 artists working on painting, sculpture, photography, installation, graphic and fashion design, animation, architecture, video and digital media artists from 20 nations. It hosts an ongoing series of art events, shows, and classes, and is known nationally and internationally as one of the most important communities of international, professional and emerging artists in NYC.

All studios are professionally built, private, secure, clean and safe. Artists have access to a free page on the studio website, a woodworking room with basic power tools, a spray room, a coffee area, a communal library and a gallery & event space. Located on the second, third and fourth floors of 43-01 22nd Street, it’s just a few blocks from PS1 and seven subway lines. Call 718-570-3663 or email Antonio@juvenalreisstudios.com.  Visit http://www.juvenalreisstudios.com

Barth-Gross Electric Co., Inc. is a third-generation, family owned electrical contracting firm, established in 1919. The firm specializes in the installation (and renovation) of: power and lighting; building management systems; telephone/data/security/fire alarm; custom lighting controls; audio/visual systems.  The company takes great pride not only the installations they carry out for their clients, but in those they avoid - by exploring options to reduce installation and operating costs.  Roy Barth has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, and is a licensed Master Electrician. Contact Roy Barth at 718-706-0670 or visit www.barthgross.com

Law Office of Robert Altman
Robert Altman is an attorney who specializes in tax exemption programs. He is a member of the Board of Directors of LICBDC. He obtains benefits for clients under various NYC tax incentive programs related to real estate or business relocation. Mr. Altman also provides a range of corporate services, working as outside general counsel to various businesses, and real estate services such as real estate litigation, tax certiorari challenges and construction law. Contact him at 212.232.8713 or rsalaw@nyctaxbreak.com

LICBDC Events and News

- Video: Council Member Van Bramer at LICBDC Breakfast.             

- NY Times profile on LIC:  "...Yet development, even if gradual, has helped strengthen the area's identity...Some believe the changes may signal Queens Plaza's future as one of those up-and-coming zones coveted by savvy investors and practical home shoppers....

Coming soon: Rally to keep Ladder Co. # 116 in Dutch Kills open on May 7... LIC Artists Open Studio with over 200 participating artists on May 22-23...  Presentation on 20-story dormitory proposed for Northern Blvd., May 13... Queens Taste of the World, May 18...New exhibit at PS1, May 23. Click here for details.

News and Local Events, May 2010

Rally against closing Ladder Co. #116 in Dutch Kills, Fri. May 7, 11 AM
Councilmember Van Bramer invites concerned citizens and neighborhood residents.  37-20 29^th Street, LIC.

LIC Artists Open Studios, Sat. & Sun., May 22-23, 1 - 6 PM
See works of over 200 artists at major studio buildings.  http://www.licartists.org/

Dutch Kills Civic Association, Thurs. May 13
Presentation on proposed 20-story dormitory on Northern Blvd. at Growing Up Green Charter School, 39-37 28^th Street, 7:30 PM. http://www.dutchkillscivic.com/

Queens Taste of the World, May 18, 2010
QEDC features over 40 restaurants at Citi Field.  Buy your ticket here. 

Exhibit of NY Area Artists Opens at MoMA PS1, May 23

Summer Events at Water Taxi Beach
Enjoy stunning views of midtown Manhattan on a real beach just a short walk from Vernon Blvd.   Summer DJ parties and other nighttime events start soon, with the 4th Annual NYC Food Film Festival on June 25.  

LIC Business News

Video coverage of Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer at LICBDC Breakfast
At our April 21 breakfast, Council Member Van Bramer discussed how the City can keep the cost of doing business in NYC competitive; improving 7 train services; local parking; and a library for Hunters Point.  Read the summary and see it all online. 

New York Times profile: "Welcome to Queens. Please stay for awhile"
April 21, 2010

"Queens Plaza has the distinction of being the gateway to Queens, a traveler’s first sight after alighting from Manhattan via the Queensboro Bridge....Yet development, even if gradual, has helped strengthen the area’s identity — having been given a big push in 2001 from an influential city rezoning and, since then, from new residents enamored of its unusually quick commute to Manhattan. Some believe the changes may signal Queens Plaza’s future as one of those up-and-coming zones coveted by savvy investors and practical home shoppers....

...Businesses are investing. Last month, JetBlue Airways announced that it would soon quit its Forest Hills headquarters and move its nearly 1,000 employees to a historic building on Queens Plaza North (the runner-up site was Orlando, Fla.). Similarly Gotham Center, a 21-story glass building rising on the site of the former Queens Municipal Parking Garage, will by next year house the city’s Department of Health, bringing 2,800 employees into the neighborhood. There is an increasing supply of hotels, from budget to luxury; a number of new places are up and running, and more are on the way. The city is also in the process of replacing sidewalks and lighting, and adding crosswalks and bicycle lanes.

“You have a real sense of activity and movement,” said Gayle Baron, the executive director of the Long Island City Business Improvement District. “It’s not all fully realized yet, but it’s really coming, and you see how far it’s progressed in the past four or five years.” She says her hope is that the improved streetscape and residential appeal of the area will spur the “normal evolution of services,” bringing in retail outlets, sit-down restaurants, drugstores and other amenities that have generally been lacking. And lately she has noted several hopeful indicators like the opening last year of the speakeasy-style cocktail lounge Dutch Kills on Jackson Avenue a few blocks from the Queens Plaza subway station. Click here for full article. 

New Con Ed Services Cut Costs

Free Energy Services from Con Edison
Con Edison is offering businesses with an average monthly peak demand of less than 100kw (most small businesses) free energy surveys; free energy conservation measures, such as CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) and water heater thermostats; and incentives of up to 70% of installed cost for major heating, cooling, and lighting upgrades. If you've been considering greening your business, now is the time to take advantage of big incentives to upgrade your lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling systems and refrigeration. Save money, save energy, and help the environment. Contact info@licbdc.org.

Get a Free Home Energy Monitor from Con Edison
As part of a smart grid pilot program in Queens, Con Ed is giving 300 customer volunteers a home energy monitor that will communicate with a smart meter, allowing customers to better manage their energy use.  If you live in zip codes 11101, 11104, 11109, or 11377, email your account number to smartgrid@coned.com and see if you qualify.

A smart grid integrates state-of-the-art information and communication technology into electricity generation, delivery, and consumption, to make systems cleaner, safer, more reliable and more efficient. This 18-month pilot project is testing intelligent underground systems that will notify Con Edison when power goes out, allowing them to fix problems rapidly.  To find out more, visit www.coned.com.

Sponsor Profiles

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Business Banking delivers fresh ideas and customized strategies for its clients.

The Ciampa Organization develops, builds, and owns Queens residential, industrial & commercial properties.

Farrell Fritz, P. C. is a full service law firm with more than 80 attorneys and many areas of specialized practice.

FJC Security Services is a leading national security services provider.

The Law Office of Robert Altman specializes in tax exemption programs and real estate services. 

Rockrose Development Corp. owns, manages and develops NYC residential, commercial and retail properties.

The Rosenwach Group provides building maintenance equipment and services, including roof systems, water tanks, cooling towers and sidewalk sheds.

Additional co-sponsors:
Alma Realty; High Rise Fire and Security; and A.S.K. Construction.

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