DOB Commissioner Addresses Queens Chamber
BY THOMAS COGAN

As November came to an end, the Queens Chamber of Commerce held its 94th annual dinner at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach. The event included a building awards ceremony that lauded several rehabilitation and new construction projects all over Queens. The dinner was also the occasion to present a special lifetime achievement award to Joseph M. Mattone, attorney, real estate developer and chairman of the board of Mattone Group LLC. The guest speaker was suitably related to the evening's activities: Patricia J. Lancaster, commissioner of the city Department of Buildings.

Lancaster, an architect, has been buildings commissioner since April 2002. She told the dinner audience that she was head of "the department that people love to hate", and for her own part described it as slow and toothless. She also defended it and herself, saying that when she took office (being told at the outset, "You've got to be a little nuts to take that job") the department had 200 vacancies and the buildings approval process was interminable, but at present there are 1,194 people on the work force, a professional certification program is in effect, and activities include the effort to stem massive infill at building sites through strict enforcement of zoning laws. She said that the Building Code of the City of New York, which runs to more than 4,000 pages, is being rewritten and should be ready to submit to the City Council early next year. Lancaster promised further reforms, so that, in her words, "Nevermore will anyone have to ask, 'Who lost the folder?' The award to Joseph M. Mattone Sr. was prefaced by kudos from several

prominent politicians.

Congressman Anthony Weiner praised him for "the difference he has made in Queens". Then, the brothers Weprin (Councilmember David and Assemblymember Mark) delivered framed Proclamations, the first from the Assembly, presented by Mark, and the second from the City Council, presented by David. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall was present to declare, "The Mattone stamp is on the borough of Queens." Mattone has been putting it there since the mid-1950s, when in his mid-20s he began his career in real estate development. As an attorney, he later opened a law practice in Flushing and is now a senior partner at a law firm with the name: Mattone, Mattone, Mattone, Mattone, Mattone, Megna and Todd, located, as is Mattone Group LLC, in College Point. He has, in his time, been involved in many community and philanthropic ventures and has received many awards. These include a previous prize from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, a medal of honor from St. John's University, the Good Scout prize from the Boy Scouts of America and a Faithful Steward citation from St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center.

Commercial, industrial and institutional buildings received awards from the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

A winning job of rehabilitation was done on Ronald McDonald House of Long Island in Glen Oaks by the architect/engineer firm of N-2 Design; the builder/contractor firm was B.R. Fries. Another meritorious rehabilitation was done on Connolly's Corner, a bar/restaurant at 72nd Street and Grand Avenue in Maspeth (BMP Realty, owner). Connolly's Corner was rehabilitated to improve its exterior walls and lighting by the architect/engineer firm of Joseph Keating R.A.; the building/contractor firm was Noel Morgan

The new construction awards included one for schools and colleges that went to the Center for Automotive Education and Training, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association school in Whitestone. Architect/engineer firm for the project was Nagasaki Keelson Architects, and the builder/contractor firm was Turner

Construction Co. The new construction- office building award went to Cena Plaza, an office building in Glendale owned by Cena Realty LLC. The architect/engineer firm was Effie Tsitiridis; the builder/contractor firm was NIA Construction Corp. The Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center in Arverne won the new construction award for health related facilities. The architect/engineer firm on the health center project was Gertler Wente Kerbeykian Architects and the building/contractor firm was Humphreys & Harding Inc. A most unusual sight on Queens Boulevard at Simonson Street in Elmhurst is the Miramar Apartment House, which won the new construction-mixed use award. The architect/engineer firm was Peter Casini and the building/contractor firm was Newland Development, which is also the owner. The award for new construction- multi-family high rise went to The Windsor at Forest Hills on Queens Boulevard. Queens Windsor LLC is the owner; the architect/engineer firm was Ismael Leyva Architects P.C. and the builder/contractor firm was Bovis Lend Lease.

Finally, a winner inside and out was Wharton's Apothecary at West 9th Street and Cross Bay Boulevard in Broad Channel, owned by the builder/contractor firm Charles W. Howard. The building, which won for new construction, interiors and new construction, commercial, was designed by the architect/engineer firm of Louis R. Colalillo, AIA.