CALDC Provides 36th Ave. Improvements

(L. to r.): George L. Stamatiades, Gerry Walsh, Carlos Ruiz, Atlantic Maintenance, and Marie Torniali.

The 36th Avenue Shopping District in the Dutch Kills area was the beneficiary of a steetscape improvement program provided by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC) with funding through the city Department of Small Business Services.

Sixteen planters holding Alberta spruce trees were installed in the district as part of the streetscape improvement program. "The planters add some green to the street and we are pleased that the Department of Small Business Services provided our neighborhood with this grant," George L Stamatiades, local community activist and vice president of Thomas M. Quinn & Sons, said. New trash receptacles were also procured for the district; L & M Deli, Subway, H & V Grocery, Interior Foliage Design and Bank of America gladly maintain them. To complement the program, a seasonal street cleaning program, funded in part by the Dutch Kills Civic Association (DKCA), was in effect during the summer months. ''We are happy to provide some funds to support the summer cleaning program in our local shopping district and plan to make this an annual program," Gerry Walsh, DKCA president, said.

(L. to r.): Torniali, Frank Murro of L & M Deli and Stamatiades, local community activist and vice president of Thomas M. Quinn & Sons.

Frank Murro of L & M Deli and Efrem Pertsinides of 36th Avenue Wine and Spirits took advantage of the storefront improvement program, which provided a dollar-for-dollar match for improvements to storefronts. Both chose to upgrade their signage- Murro put up a new awning and Pertsinides put up a new illuminated sign Both were extremely grateful for the program which helped defray their costs. CALDC Executive Director Marie Torniali was elated with the results. "These new storefronts are great, and I compliment Frank and Efrem on their taste and their commitment to working with us and DSBS to bring this public/ private partnership to fruition," she declared.

The 36th Avenue makeover was rounded out with a new Discover 36th Avenue and Dutch Kills brochure and holiday banners. For more information on 36th Avenue and Astoria's other shopping districts, restaurants, brochures, maps, and events, call CALDC at 718 728-7820 or visit www.centralastoria. org.

(L. to r.): Walsh, Efrem Pertsinides, of 36th Avenue Wine and Spirits, Torniali and Stamatiades.