Those of you that came along for our walk through the Atlantic-Pacific Subway Station a few months ago might want to swing by the transit hub again — the new LIRR Atlantic Terminal Pavilion is now open. The terminal, which links the LIRR, 10 subway lines, and 5 bus routes, not to mention the vibrant surrounding neighborhoods, offers a new ticket office, a customer waiting area, public rest rooms, and an installation of the artwork “Overlook” by artists Allan and Ellen Wexler. Although it ended up being more than $26 million over budget and more than two years behind schedule, people seem to be pleased with the result — at least until they walk outside.
The proposed plan for the Domino Sugar Refinery site has entered public review, a process expected to take eight months. The proposal would require a rezoning of the area, from manufacturing to residential, and would include development of the three landmarked structures on the site. Community Preservation Corporation, the developer, and architects Rafael Viñoly and Beyer Blinder Belle have presented designs that include a waterfront esplanade, a large community facility, retail space, and 2,200 units of housing, 30% of which would be set aside as below-market-rate (noteworthy, as similar luxury developments in the area typically offer only 20%). CPC hopes to begin construction in early 2011.
If you’ve ever started craving a waffle while sweating it out in a sauna, you might want to take a trip to College Point, Queens to visit the 5-story, 100,000 square foot luxury-fest that is Spa Castle. Sarah Muller at WNYC checked it out and reports on a mini-village built inside the facility, Sauna Valley, which she describes as “a huge cluster of igloo-shaped huts with a mock-river running through it for added effect.” Rooms might be LED-illuminated, gold-plated, or hand-painted. And to top it all off, it’s owned by an architect.
New years always prompt reflection and evaluations of the previous year or decade. What about what comes next? As we settle into 2010, where do we think we’ll be in 2020? Jonathan Bowles imagines what New York City will be when we ring in the next decade.
The Roundup keeps you up to date with topics we’ve featured and other things we think are worth knowing about. Image: Atlantic Terminal Pavilion, courtesy of the MTA.