With artists' renderings of the new look the street lights will bring to the area (l. to r.): Assemblymembers Michael Gianaris and Margaret Markey and Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Joseph Cannisi inaugurate Gianaris' Revitalize Astoria campaign in front of 37-12 Broadway October 25

Assemblymembers Michael Gianaris and Margaret Markey, city Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner, Joseph Cannisi,Sam Pirizzolo, Steinway Street Business Improvement District, Tony Siano and Linda Perno of the Broadway Astoria Merchants and Professionals Association, Julian Wager, Gus Kobleck and Marie Tornialli of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC), Gus Prentzas of the 30th Avenue Merchants Association, Catherine Pecora, representing merchants in the Ditmars Boulevard-31st Street neighborhood and Tony Barsamian, CALDC board secretary and Western Queens Gazette publisher, joined in announcing a $1 million street lighting project last Friday.

Gianaris said the installation of antique lights on Steinway Street, Broadway and 30th Avenue is the kickoff event of his "Revitalize Astoria" campaign. The distinctive street lights will soon appear on Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street as well. "This project will enrich the small businesses in our neighborhood and, in turn, will help to boost our local economy," he told his fellow elected officials and representatives of local civic associations and merchant groups..

Other components of the Revitalize Astoria campaign include projects to replace old and broken sidewalk benches, subway station improvements and adding parkland to the neighborhood. Gianaris will announce their advent in the near future.

"My ongoing Revitalize Astoria campaign will dramatically enhance the appearance of Astoria's streets and attract more shoppers to our major shopping strips," Gianaris said.

Barsamian agreed. "The new street lights will be a beacon of light, guiding shoppers and merchants alike into a new era of prosperity for the major shopping arteries in Astoria," he declared.

Markey's newly redrawn district now includes part of Astoria--a stretch of Broadway between 31st and 36th streets. "I want to be involved in Astoria," she declared at the ceremonies. "This is a perfect place to start."