North Shore Updates – Keeping you in the know
As a Staten Island Realtor and a resident of Staten Island’s North Shore, one of my passions is staying up-to-date with North Shore news and local happenings. Within the past year, I wrote about many exciting developments that I think all Staten Islanders should know about; including the New York Wheel, Empire Outlets, Lighthouse Point, Staten Island Makerspace, the Stapleton waterfront, and many more. Well, I’m back to give you some updates on these, and to introduce some more North Shore developments that you may not know about.
The New York Wheel
Although the New York Wheel was originally set to open in 2016, the first spin is now scheduled for early 2017. Construction is set to commence in January of 2015, with site preparation to take place as early as this month. Check out my one to one video with the developer Richard Marin of this tremendous project!
The wheel project will bring a 630-foot observation wheel to the St. George waterfront, along with spacious walkways, a green recreational space, and stunning views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Stay tuned for more updates on this project as it begins over the course of the next few months.
Empire Outlets
Ever since the announcement of the plans for New York City’s first outlet mall, there has been speculation about the retailers that will occupy Empire Outlets. Just a few weeks ago it was confirmed that Nordstrom’s Rack, a 34,000-square-foot Rack store that offers shoes, apparel and accessories priced at 30 to 70 percent off is scheduled to open in fall 2016 as one of the outlet’s anchor stores. In addition to Nordstrom Rack, there has been speculation that Dolce and Gabana, Gucci and Kate Spade may be some of the other retailers that will occupy the space.
Construction on Empire Outlets is expected to begin in fall 2014 and be completed at the end of 2016.
The National Lighthouse Museum and Lighthouse Point
After 16 long years, the National Lighthouse Museum is finally settling in at the former United States Lighthouse Service Depot, located adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in St. George. Last year I wrote about how the National Lighthouse Museum had to raise $350,000 before the Economic Development Corporation would allow the museum to occupy the historical space. With a generous gift from John A. Catsimatidis, the owner and chief executive of the Red Apple Group, the museum was able to make the deadline and secure the funding necessary for the museum to lease the space and finally have a place to call home.
Even more, a grant secured by Staten Island Assemblyman Matthew Titone will allow the museum to move forward with its plans to renovate and restore the original lighthouse depot to accommodate the museum, which will contain indoor and outdoor exhibits, interactive displays and an educational resource center. The future site will finally give a home to the Fresnel lenses, lamps, navigational aids, light bulbs, buoys and fog signals that passed through its doors decades ago. It will also feature the history of the United States Lighthouse Service on Staten Island, and will tell the personal stories of the lighthouse keepers and their families.
Currently, the museum is open to the public, holding educational programs and special events such as lectures, festivals, lighthouse trails and conferences. Site tours are welcomed by appointment.
The National Lighthouse Museum will be one feature of Lighthouse Point, a development that will include more than 100 residential units, a hotel, a unique mix of retail shops and dining options, parking and open space. Construction on Lighthouse Point is set to begin this fall and be completed by 2019.
The Accolade Condos
For potential buyers looking for a piece of prime Staten Island real estate, there are still many units available at the Accolades, a 101-unit waterfront condominium that is offering studio to three bedroom apartments at prices ranging from $320,000 to over $1 million. Currently, approximately twenty units- including studios, one, two and three-bedroom residences, are still listed at 90 Bay Street Landing in St. George. This collection of waterfront condominiums offers extraordinary amenities, stunning views and unmatched convenience to downtown Staten Island as well as Manhattan and the other boroughs.
North Shore Parks
Among these large projects taking place along Staten Island’s North Shore waterfront, Staten Island Parks are going to get some much needed TLC. Four North Shore parks will receive upgrades this year as part of the city’s “Community Parks Initiative.” A total of almost $17.45 million will be invested in the parks, including De Matti Playground in Rosebank, Grandview Playground in Mariners Harbor, Levy Playground in Port Richmond and McDonald Playground in West Brighton. The city chose the parks based on need, past maintenance, population density, growth and poverty levels. An additional seven Staten Island parks (six in the North Shore and one in Mid-Island) will also get “quick fixes” like painting, fencing and landscaping.
If you are looking to buy a home or any Staten Island real estate and want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact me on Facebook or Twitter.
Make sure to check out my website which is filled with useful information about the different North Shore neighborhoods, local businesses, news and events.
I look forward to hearing from you real soon! Happy Fall!