B.P. Molinaro and DOT Commissioner Cut Ribbon on St. George Garage

New parking garage opens in St. George

Borough President James P. Molinaro and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan cut the ceremonial ribbon on the brand new St. George Courthouse parking garage between Central Avenue and St. Mark’s Place.

The $33 million structure includes 728 total parking spaces -- 100-plus spaces more than had been available in the old municipal lot, which was dug up to make room for the new courthouse.

About 500 of the 660 spaces in the parking deck will be open to the public, with the remaining spots reserved for court personnel and other government employees. There are about another 70 parking spaces in a small outdoor lot next to the garage.

With the new courthouse set to go up in 2012 adding to the “town center” feel in the neighborhood, “This is the continuation of the renaissance of St. George and Staten Island,” said Molinaro.

Au Bon Pain Opens in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal

Au Bon Pain eatery located in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal

Borough President James P. Molinaro joined with New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and other Island elected officials to cut the ribbon on a new Au Bon Pain eatery located in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The quick-service restaurant, which provides soups, salads, sandwiches, beverages, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches opened to rave reviews from commuters who pass through the terminal on their way to work and school. Au Bon Pain is the first new store to open in the terminal under a new initiative to draw retail back to the ferry. Au Bon Pain will soon be joined by the Statue of Liberty Deli, a pretzel shop, a juice bar, and other retail establishments.

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Staten Island Zoo's Charles G. Hogg Calls for an Early Spring

Our friend Chuck's busy day

Staten Island’s very own groundhog, Charles G. Hogg, a.k.a. “Staten Island Chuck” joined with such dignitaries as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Congressman Michael E. McMahon, Borough President James P. Molinaro, Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, and Staten Island Advance Editor Brian Laline to celebrate his prediction of an early spring. The furry forecaster, who has been correct 22 out of 29 times, began his day bright and early at the Staten Island Zoo, where he was held proudly aloft by Mayor Bloomberg, before traveling to Borough Hall to meet with students from P.S. 35, Sunnyside, and Cub Scout Pack 36.

Barnes & Noble Presents B.P. Molinaro With 3,000 Donated Books for Staten Island Children

Barnes & Noble in New Springville, Staten Island

At a press conference in their New Springville store, Barnes & Noble presented Borough President Molinaro with 3,000 books that Staten Islanders had donated to its Holiday Book Drive. The new books will be distributed to 30 school libraries and the Borough President's popular "Readers are Leaders" fourth-grade reading program.

Staten Island Elected Officials Join Together for Haiti Relief

Rescue efforts and ways to contribute outlined at press conference

Borough President James P. Molinaro and Congressman Michael E. McMahon hosted a press conference at Borough Hall in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti to discuss rescue and relief efforts for the ravaged Nation. They were joined by State Senators Diane Savino and Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Councilwoman Debi Rose, and representatives of other Island elected officials as well as community and civic leaders and Staten Islanders of Haitian descent. A list of relief opportunities was provided for those who were interested in making a contribution.

Haiti Relief Charitable Opportunities

The Climate is Right for a Fresh Kills Wind Farm!

Conceptual Image of Wind Farm at Fresh Kills

Borough President Molinaro praised Mayor Bloomberg’s stance on wind energy and challenged New York State to be more supportive of the proposed wind energy farm at Fresh Kills. Speaking in Copenhagen at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Mayor Bloomberg called for creating renewable energy sources in New York. A feasibility study has already been completed at Fresh Kills, and it was determined that the location is ideal for a wind farm which could generate enough clean energy to power 5,000 homes.

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The Preservation of Pouch Camp is a Top Priority for BP Molinaro

William H. Pouch Scout Camp

The preservation of Pouch Camp is a top priority for all Staten Island elected officials. Borough President Molinaro is working together with all Staten Island Elected Officials to secure a conservation easement that would permanently preserve the property as open space and prevent housing or commercial development. Although these are challenging economic times for City and State government, we simply cannot afford to lose this valuable Greenbelt site to developers. BP Molinaro said “I will do everything in my power to preserve Pouch Camp so that future generations of Staten Islanders can continue to have access to the parkland for recreational purposes.”

Acquisition of Goodhue Property Takes the Next Step

Children’s Aid Society Goodhue Property

Borough President James P. Molinaro joined Councilman Ken Mitchell, Congressman Michael McMahon, Councilman James Oddo and the Children’s Aid Society to announce that the acquisition of the Goodhue Center property by the City is one step closer to completion with the approval of the ULURP (uniform Land Use Review Procedure.) The City of New York can now move forward with its purchase of the property, which will result in the protection of 35 acres of undeveloped park land on the North Shore of Staten Island.

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Good News! Homeport Redevelopment Underway

The former Navy Homeport in Stapleton

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro and members of the Homeport Task Force have announced Ironstate Development Company will redevelop approximately seven acres of the former Navy Homeport in Stapleton.

As part of the community-driven Stapleton Waterfront Development Plan, Ironstate will transform the decommissioned U.S. Naval Base site into a green development with approximately 800 residential housing units with new stores and a public plaza, creating more than 1,100 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs. The City will invest $33 million in this first phase of development of the Homeport site for infrastructure improvements and a new waterfront esplanade that will provide community access to the waterfront.

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NOW PLAYING:

Staten Island's New Tourism Video

Borough President Molinaro unveils the Staten Island Attractions video at the Staten Island Ferry's Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan.

Staten Island's many cultural attractions, as well as its parks and recreational opportunities are featured in the 9 minute video, which is designed to attract both tourists and residents alike. As passengers wait to board the Staten Island bound ferry, they can learn about the attractions that can be reached by bus and those that are within walking distance of the St. George Ferry Terminal. The video will be played on a new 65" high definition video monitor, mounted above the information booth in the passenger waiting area.

The video was produced by the Borough President's Office and sponsored by the NYC & Co. Foundation, the Richmond County Savings Foundation, and SINY, Inc. Narration for the video was provided by Ken Dashow, radio personality from New York's Q104.3 fm. The video will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

View STATEN ISLAND: A World Beyond the Ferry