REPS CROWLEY AND MALONEY ANNOUNCE $250,000 FOR LIC LINKS

Washington, DC-Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) announced that a House subcommittee has approved $250,000 for the Long Island City Links Project (LIC Links). The funding will be made available through an earmark in the FY 2002 House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. The full House will vote on the measure later this year.

"This federal funding is a crucial first step for this vital project. LIC Links will lead to a comprehensive network of pedestrian, bicycle and transit connections between Long Island City residential and business areas and new parks, retail stores, and cultural institutions. These innovative improvements will help reduce automobile traffic and improve our neighborhood air quality," said Congressman Crowley.

"Today, we are seeing a real commitment from our nation's capitol to foster economic development in Long Island City," Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) said today. "Located across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, Long Island City is well-positioned to attract new media, biotechnology and other businesses critical to the region's economy that have been having difficulty locating or expanding their businesses in Manhattan due to a very tight real estate market. The neighborhood's sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline also make the area attractive for residential development. This money is great news for our communities," Maloney added.

The $250,000 from the Federal Government represents the majority of the funding needed for the LIC Links planning project. The New York City Department of City Planning has committed to providing $69,800 of the funding for the plan. The two-year project is part of a broader city and state initiative to develop Long Island City's waterfront and better serve the 8,000 middle to low income residents and 50,000 people working within the program boundaries.

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