Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could this Bayside retail strip quietly become Queens’ next housing project?

Coming up: Virtual Open House at Berkeley College on the Queens Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 18th Patch AM
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What's up Queens! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Queens PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

  • Could this Bayside retail strip quietly become Queens' next housing project?
  • How to register for Queens' first-ever Ride Queens community bike tour
  • See which Queens neighborhoods are getting a share of $1.5 million

Also on today's calendar: Virtual Open House at Berkeley College and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 85 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 88, low: 75. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Some sun with a shower or two, with a high of 83 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. First Pioneer, ABS Partners Buy Queens Retail Plaza With Untapped Air Rights (realtytoday.com) — A Bayside retail strip on Northern Boulevard just sold for $23.5 million, mainly for its sizable unused air rights that could someday support new housing. While no redevelopment plans are filed yet, the deal highlights how investors are pouring money into Queens multifamily projects, raising questions about future changes for local shops and renters in Bayside, Whitestone, and Astoria.
   

2. Queens BP Richards launches inaugural community bike tour (qns.com) — A major new community bike tour is coming to Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Sunday, Sept. 20, offering two routes through Central, Northern, and Eastern Queens. The borough president's "Ride Queens" event will cap off with a festival featuring food, performances, and giveaways, and organizers hope it becomes Queens' signature annual celebration of cycling. Pre-registration is required online.
   

3. Mamdani announces $1.5 million in funding to support small businesses across Queens (qns.com) — Queens small businesses and commercial corridors are set to receive $1.5 million in city grants, with funding spread across neighborhoods like Jamaica, Sunnyside, Maspeth, Bayside, Flushing, Ridgewood, and the Rockaways. The money will support street cleaning, lighting, public art, marketing, and BID development, aiming to make Queens' commercial districts cleaner, brighter, and more inviting for residents and shoppers.
   

4. Queens leaders launch immigration rights campaign amid concerns over ICE enforcement (abc7ny.com subscription) — Immigrant advocates and local officials have kicked off "Know Your Rights Week" in East Elmhurst, going door to door in Queens neighborhoods like Corona and Rego Park to explain how residents should respond to immigration enforcement. Organizers are sharing practical guidance, urging preparation for possible ICE encounters, and calling for limits on enforcement activity in Queens, while some leaders also push to restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.
   

5. Queens assembly member Catalina Cruz speaks on rape and funding cuts (nbcnewyork.com) — Queens Assembly Member Catalina Cruz is speaking out about her own rape as she fights funding cuts to New York's Rape Crisis Centers, which support survivors across the city and state. Advocates warn the Hochul administration's shift in federal grants could reduce staffing, delay services, and strain child advocacy and crisis programs that Queens residents rely on.
   

📸 Around Queens

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Queens

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📣 Queens Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Month with its First Day of Activities on Thursday, October 8, 2026 —Phillip Andrews Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A cat who went missing in West New York, NJ, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 10 minutes. Message from Finder: "I found… (Nextdoor Kew Gardens (East of Rail))
  • I am with a 501 non profit organization( Find us on Instagram @harrysislandpawrescue 🐶🏖️
    Someone reached out looking to help a man rehome his Yorkie ,Pluto ,five years old, vaccinated. The man checked himself into the hospital due to a… (Nextdoor Murray Hill (26thAve & 160thSt))
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in New Hyde Park. Apply here.

Ok Queens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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