Sidewalk Clock Dedicated

At the dedication of the Steinway Street sidewalk clock at Steinway Street and 31st Avenue were (l. to r.): George Stamatiades, CALDC executive vice president and Quinn Funeral Home vice president, NYPD Inspector Brian McCarthy, commanding officer, 114th Police Precinct, Marie Torniali, CALDC executive director, Tom Bernadin, founder of Save America's Clocks, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., state Senator George Onorato and (seated) CALDC President Julian Wager. Insert shows plaque dedication on base of clock.

City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., joined by other elected officials and community leaders, cut the ribbon Thursday January 3 on the newly renovated Steinway Street sidewalk clock, marking the official dedication of a project more than 10 years in the making. Vallone secured $40,000 in city funding to refurbish and reinstall the clock, located on Steinway Street at 31st Avenue, which is now secured by four bollards to keep it safe for generations to come.

"I grew up shopping on Steinway Street, and I remember looking up and seeing this clock as a child. Now my children's children will be able to say the same thing," Vallone, a lifelong resident of Astoria, said. "Steinway Street has undergone an impressive economic revitalization, and this clock shows it's time to mark that achievement."

Photo Vinny DuPre

The clock, cast in 1907, was first erected on Steinway Street in 1922. It is one of several models of the same clock, only two of which are left in the city. The other is located at East 82nd Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The project to refurbish the clock was undertaken by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC) more than 10 years ago. "Now shoppers can look at this clock and be proud about their neighborhood, where it seems that businesses are thriving," Julian Wager, CALDC president, declared.

"When you see a public clock that isn't working, it sends a message that the community does not care," said Tom Bernadin, founder of Save America's Clocks, a group that preserves historic clocks. Bernadin expressed his pleasure at the community commitment to the restored Steinway Street clock.

Not only has the clock been renovated and refurbished, it has also been improved with a satellite link that ensures it will always be accurate. Lights have also been installed around the face of the clock to make it visible at night. Four bollards with a chain between them surround the clock, stopping any vehicles from accidentally crashing into and damaging it. A plaque marks the 100-year history of the clock, and thanks Vallone for his financial support of the renovation.

"They say that time flies, and even though it was years ago it seems like just yesterday I started working on this project, and now it has become a reality," Vallone said.