Astoria Reverend supports Astoria Cove development
A letter to the editor from Reverend Dwayne Jackson, Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria, stating his support of the Astoria Cove development.
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Dear Editor,
I have been serving the Astoria community for nearly 20 years. First Reformed Church is one with the Astoria community through its outreach services, youth and senior programming. We also work closely with the seniors at the Astoria Houses.
My church is located on 27-26 12th Street in Astoria, close to the proposed Astoria Cove development site, and my parishioners are its neighbors. I am thrilled that the developers are taking the people of this community and our—yes OUR—needs seriously. Many times businesses or groups have come into the peninsula without ever asking for our opinion. With the Astoria Cove project, this has not been the case.
The developers have communicated effectively with Astoria Houses and Hallets Cove residents about the future enhancement they envision for OUR neighborhood and have been doing so for quite some time now.
We have been given presentations, meetings and tours and the developers have generally valued and sought our input. Together we are painting the future of our neighborhood and that painting is inspiring to us all. This painting articulates the vision of one peninsula connected through open streets, local businesses, job opportunities and community gatherings along the waterfront. The inclusion of Astoria Houses residents and other neighbors has paved a solid road, a solid foundation for which we will continue to build upon for OUR future together.
The project will bring about the opening of previously closed off, fenced off, isolated waterfront land along the Hallets Cove waterfront and will welcome the community to use that space. Generation-old industrial uses at the site have long contributed to the blight of the broader community. This section and most of the Hallets Point waterfront, unfortunately both physically and visually, have been inaccessible to Astoria residents for many decades now. The decaying buildings, warehouses and industrial storage there now will give way to open space to walk, to spend quality family time and to finally admire the long hidden and spectacular views of Manhattan. That will be empowering for all in the community and not just new residents who will someday move here.
Replacing old eyesores with a waterfront park, esplanade and open green space for family gatherings or picnics has great value. And a short walk will lead us to a new school, retail shops and new family residences, benefitting all who live here now and in the future.
I look forward to seeing project’s progress. I want our community and youth to gain job and career opportunities. I will welcome new businesses, a needed local supermarket for the benefits they will bring, including convenience, affordability, new and improved workforce opportunities that tap into local. This all makes up the recipe for community and economic success — OUR success.
The physical improvements and private investment will be a catalyst. We look forward to the positive changes introduced to the Astoria Peninsula through the collaboration between the city, OUR community and the development team. United we can initiate great and positive change.
Reverend Dwayne Jackson
Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria
Reverend Dwayne Jackson has been the Pastor of the First Reformed Church of Astoria since January of 2000. He also serves on the Executive Board of the African American Council, and as a Co-Chair of the Program Committee for the annual African American Caucus.
