Plan 12-Story Bldg. In Astoria; Would Be Area's 2nd Highest
Western Queens Gazette January 28, 1987

Photo by Audrey Gottlieb This is the site for the 12-story building on 30th Road between Crescent and 23rd Sts. The new building, which will be one of the highest in the area, will dwarf Church of the Good Shepherd and Church of the Redeemer, both in the background.

Fresh on the heels of the controversy over construction of a six-story building on a low rise residential block, comes news of a planned 12-story luxury condominium on 30th Road near Crescent St. which would be the second highest building in Astoria- Long Island City.

According to Community Planning Bd. 1 District Manager George Delis, the highest buildings in the area are those making up the Queensview housing development, which Delis said were 15 stories. Delis stated: "We understand the builders, Anthony Nastasi, will be erecting a sign very shortly explaining what's planned there and digging for the foundation will start soon after."

The Gazette put in a call to Nastasi but he refused to answer.

The proposed site is just west of and behind Church of the Redeemer. Diagonally across the street from the building site is the Good Shepherd Church.

Below is the site as it appears today.

Responding to a call from the Gazette, which had been tipped about the high rise building plans, Delis confirmed that there are plans to construct this 12-story building on 30th Road between Crescent and 23rd Sts. Delis said Nastasi was originally from Astoria but is now based in Whitestone.

"The construction site is in an R-6 zone, which permits the 12-story building 'as of right' now, which means he doesn't need any zoning changes or variances, as far as we can make out," said Delis. He added that plans call for the building to contain 95 units or apartments and 80 parking spaces.

Delis said that Nastasi purchased the building site, a 150 x 140 foot tract formerly used as a parking lot, for $1.3 million. The seller had previously purchased it for $1 million.

Delis said he had received several complaints about the proposed project and told the homeowners that "there appears little anyone can do to change the plans or block the development".

About two weeks ago, a furor developed over plans to construct a six-story building at 25-54 12th St., in what is predominantly a block of one- and two-story homes. Spearheading the opposition to the plan is the West Astoria Local Development Corp., which had previously announced a plan to down zone many of the blocks bounded by Broadway, 21st St., and Hoyt Ave. The site of the proposed 12- story building is not included in the proposed down zoning area. Meanwhile, after the plans for the 12th St. building became known and the builder had started digging the foundation, Delis secured a "stop work" order on the project which is still in effect. The WACDC hopes to block the 12th St. building and get a moratorium on any other construction in its area before action is taken on the down zoning plan.

Photo Vinny DuPre