Renewed interest in Queens Plaza has generated a growth of small business development in that neighborhood. Recent mixed-use and housing establishments, as well as the increase in former Manhattan dwellers, are credited for this improvement.

This week, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development released a request for proposals for the 5 million square foot Hunters Point South complex. The complex will have 5,000 apartments, of which 60% will be affordable units.

Late last week, the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals granted a zoning variance to developer Stephen Bahar. The variance allows Bahar to continue construction on his hotel, located on 27th Street. The structure is taller than the zoning allows, as the area was rezoned in 2008.

The New York City Council approved a rezoning plan for Astoria on Tuesday, May 25th. The 238-block project is bound on the north by 20th Avenue, on the east by Steinway Street, on the south by Broadway and on the west by Vernon Boulevard, 8th Street, 14th Street and the East River. Commercial uses as well as affordable housing are priorities for this area.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, Governor Paterson's administration gave The New York Times a document from 2009 that evaluates the six Aqueduct bidders. In the document, the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, the group chosen by the governor two months ago, ranked fourth. Concerns regarding why the group was chosen continues to raise controversy.

The City plans to build a park with funds from 5,000 apartments to be constructed in Hunters Points South. A group of activists, New York City Park Advocates, are concerned that the park will feel too exclusive and not open to residents.

Plans are being set for an 11-acre park at Hunters Point South in Long Island City. Though the park will contain a renovated pier, two dog parks, a recreation area and more, community members are concerned that there is a lack of river access as well as inadequate use of artificial turf for grass areas.

Preservationists from the Greater Astoria Historical Society are concerned that Colonial-era millstones within Queens Plaza may be damaged during construction efforts. The millstones are one of the oldest European architectural artifacts preserved in the borough.

Residents in Long Island City voiced their opposition to Toyoko Inn New York LLC's proposed 35-story hotel. Though Toyoko Inn would provide improved transit access, residents and community boards have voiced their concern that the hotel may not be ecnomically viable in the current fiscal climate.

The Queens Plaza Streetscape Improvement Project construction began and will create safer sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, and plantings to improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. The $76.4 million project, which uses federal stimulus infrastructure funds, will help create construction jobs and make the community more appealing to businesses and residents.