After hitting a setback when Hurricane Sandy hit, plans to open a new YMCA in the Rockaways are back on track.

Originally scheduled to open in June, it’s the first YMCA in the Rockaways, an area badly hit by the storm.

The facility is 12 feet above sea level and officials say it was already being built to withstand dangerous storms, which helped minimize the damage.

“We were very fortunate, at the time the building was mostly concrete and steel and there wasn’t a lot of damage. We’ve also built the Y to new codes and so we’re up a level. So we had some inundation below but that was about it,” said YMCA of Greater New York President & CEO Jack Lund.

“We’ve added some additional precautions in storm doors and the relocation of some of the equipment,” said YMCA of Greater New York Chief Development Officer Gary Laermer.

The new YMCA will feature a gym, fitness spaces, an outdoor multipurpose field and two pools.

With construction moving forward, Rockaways residents say they look forward to opening day.

“Summers can’t be beat over here. When it comes time for winter, you kind of find yourself looking where should I go this weekend when it’s the winter, but this is going to be where we are going to be this winter so we really can’t wait,” said Rene Santiago, a Rockaways resident.

Another YMCA under construction affected by Sandy is the one in Coney Island.

The facility is expected to be finished right around the same time as the one in the Rockaways this fall.

A competition, launched Tuesday, aims to use an 80-acre piece of oceanfront property in Queens, as a laboratory for possible storm-resistant residential development on the coast of the city.

The Bloomberg administration plans to use a massive 80-acre piece of oceanfront property in Far Rockaway, Queens, as a laboratory for possible solutions for the future of coastal development in the city.

The parcel of publicly owned land, known as Arverne East, will eventually be developed by a consortium of affordable housing companies. In the meantime, the city is launching a design competition to come up with new ideas for sustainable, affordable and, most importantly, resilient shoreline development, some of which might eventually be used at Averne East.

“We’re always looking to Holland, looking to Europe and other places, for ideas on how to build better on the water,” Ron Moelis, principal at L+M Development, said. “Here’s our opportunity to have an example that the rest of the world will point to as a model for waterfront development.”

Mr. Moelis, along with the Bluestone Organization and Triangle Equities, won the right from the city to develop the parcel spanning roughly 40 blocks in 2007. The site—more than three times the size of Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side—needs not only new buildings but also basic infrastructure like roads and sewers. Planning for all that was just getting under way when the housing bubble burst, forcing the project to be put on hold.

Last year, planning work was finally moving ahead again when Superstorm Sandy hit. During discussions after the storm with officials from the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which is organizing the competition, both sides hit on the idea of turning the site into “a laboratory for innovative ideas about building in a coastal area,” as Gabriella Amabille, director of land-use policy at the department put it.

The competition, dubbed FAR ROC, kicks off Tuesday, with the first round of entries due by June 14. The competition is also being led by the American Institute of Architects New York chapter as well as Enterprise Community Partners, an affordable housing funder. They, along with the city and the developers will select four finalists in July, who will receive $30,000 to further develop their ideas. The winner will be announced in October and receive an additional $30,000 prize.

“New York will not be turning its back to our shoreline,” said Rick Bell, executive director of AIA NY. “The need for new ways of housing a growing population calls for making our communities safer and smarter than they were before the storm’s wake-up call. What we learn from the Arverne competition will be useful throughout the city, and, we hope, around the world.”

The submissions will be blind, meaning anyone from a globetrotting starchitect to an anonymous architecture student could win. While there is no guarantee the winning scheme will be built, the developers do hope to try and implement the scheme in some form.

“It all depends on what we get, but wouldn’t it be great if we could take this 80-acre site in the Rockaways and put some of these great ideas to the test?” Mr. Moelis said. “We really want these designers and planners to think as creatively as possible, to really test the waters of what can be built on the shore,” said Bea De la Torre, assistant commissioner for planning at the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Recent experience has been positive. A complex called Arverne by the Sea, which was developed nearby by the city housing agency and Benjamin-Beechwood a few years ago emerged virtually unscathed from Sandy, while many older properties surrounding it were devastated. This was thanks to modern, storm-surge-conscious building standards, including raised buildings and the location of mechanical systems on upper floors rather than in the basement.

“We’ve shown we can do this,” Ms. Amabile said, “But we want to do it even better.”

Mr. Moelis sees this not only as an important project for post-Sandy planning but development in general. In addition to storm protections, the empty site will need everything from shops to schools, libraries to rec centers—the range of public infrastructure. Not to mention thousands of units of low- and middle-income housing.”The need for housing in New York has never been greater, and concerns about climate change have never been greater,” he said. “This could be the model for how we do smart, equitable, sustainable, affordable development in the 21st Century.”

“The need for housing in New York has never been greater, and concerns about climate change have never been greater,” he said. “This could be the model for how we do smart, equitable, sustainable, affordable development in the 21st Century.”

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130416/REAL_ESTATE/130419898

Buying with a Partner

If you’re buying a new home with a partner, chances are you won’t agree on everything. It’s a good idea for both of you to create your own wish list and then compare them when you’re through. You’ll likely find some things you agree on, and you can then try to work through the items you don’t agree on.

Price and Location

Before you start looking, it’s a good idea to know what you can afford. One way to do this is by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. After doing so, you need to think about where you would like to live. Do you need to be close to work? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Would you like to have a park or shopping center nearby? Make a list of areas where you might consider property so your realtor can focus on homes in these locations that are within your price range.

Structure and Size

The next thing to think about is the type of home you prefer. Most people have a mental picture of their dream home in mind and are drawn to houses that are similar in construction. Think about the type of siding you prefer and whether you would like a one or two-story home. If you simply must have amenities such as an ocean view, write these down on your wish list as well. Decide what size home you need to include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and then make sure you record this information as well.

Interior Features

You no doubt have a few interior features in mind for your new residence. Think about the things you are interested in and decide which ones are most important. For example, having a certain type of heating system might be more important to you than having a particular style of kitchen cabinets. When it comes to interior features, make a list of must-haves and a list of “like to have” items so you can compare them with your partner. Be sure to list the most important item at the top of each list; you may also want to rate it on a scale of one to ten in order of importance.

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features you might want to put on your wish list include the type and size of yard. You might also want to consider things such as fencing, driveways, storage buildings, and landscaping.  As with interior features, you’ll want to place these items in order of priority, and then compare them to your partner’s list.

Miscellaneous Items

Some of your wants may not fit into any other category, so you should write these at the bottom of your wish list. A few things you might want to consider are the home’s architecture, amount of parking, and access to public transportation.

Building a wish list can be a fun part of the home-buying process. It can also allow you to find the home of your dreams quickly and easily because you will already know what you are interested in.

Marina 59

Marina 59 is located only ½ mile from the center of Arverne, making it easy to get to no matter which side of town you’re on. It’s also only two blocks from the nearest train station. Here you will be able to take advantage of the deep water slips that also have electrical service provided. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard for the day, and even take paddleboarding lessons if you’d like. Feeling more adventurous? That’s no problem at this marina, because they also sell surfboards that can be used on the nearby beaches. Plenty of winter storage units are available, and the friendly folks here will also help you winterize your boat so it will be ready to go whenever spring arrives.

Seaway Marine Corporation

Overlooking the Jamaica Bay waterway, this marina is actually a port facility. Numerous recreational and fishing charter boats are docked here. A train track runs between the north and south floats. There’s also plenty of boat storage space along with abundant repair facilities. To get to this marina, head out on Beach 59th street toward Arverne Boulevard until you reach Beach Channel Drive. Continue on Beach Channel Drive until it becomes Amstel Boulevard, then turn right onto Beach 72nd Street. Thursby Avenue will be your third left after you get onto Beach 72nd Street. This route should be around a 10 minute walk from the center of Arverne.

Ebb-Tide Marina

You’ll encounter Ebb-Tide Marina just a short distance from the Cross Bay Bridge. If you’re walking, you can easily access this marina from Beach Channel Drive or Rockaway Freeway. Even if you live on the west side of Arverne by the sea, you can easily get to this marina on foot in less than 15 minutes. This marina has plenty of boat and yacht slips for rent. Visiting Ebb-Tide marina will provide you with plenty of opportunities for boat rentals and fishing, while also being close to the public beach access area on 98th Street. One of the things that makes this marina so attractive to yacht owners is the facility’s concierge fueling services. Those who prefer to fuel boats themselves will also find the pumps here easy to access. There are also public shower facilities, so you can feel free to refresh yourself after a long day of fishing, boating, and swimming here.

Those who love water activities and the outdoors will find there’s no better place to be than Arverne by the sea. Arverne has all the charm of a remote fishing village, yet is located near some of the best nightlife and entertainment found anywhere in the country. Residents here enjoy the best of urban and city life all rolled up into a resort-like atmosphere. With a lucrative housing market and relatively low crime rate, Arverne by the sea could very well be New York City’s best kept secret.

Jacob Riis Beach

Jacob Riis Beach is large enough that it never feels very crowded. There are a few places where you and your kids can grab a meal or a snack and a drink during the day.

Long Beach

Long Beach is one of the nicest beaches in the area. The sand is white and very soft. The lifeguards are on the lookout at all times for those who are in need of assistance or not doing what they are supposed to do. This beach, unlike Rockaway Beach and Jacob Riis Beach, is not free. However, the $12 entry fee is used to keep the boardwalk and beach in superior condition, which is what makes it so attractive. There are plenty of delis, stores, and restaurants on the beach where you and the kids can grab a bite to eat. You can take your own cooler onto the beach, which is great for kids who want to snack have something to drink in an instant. The bathrooms are clean and numerous, and the shops that line the beach for several blocks have everything you need, from reading material to towels and sunscreen. This clean, pretty beach is a good one for your family because you will not worry what your kids might find as they dig in the sand or play in the water.

Getting to Know Your New Neighbors

It is fine to show curiosity since you will be sharing a wall with these people, but don’t be too nosy. Ask the realtor for a little information about the new residents, such as where they are from, and whether or not they have kids. The realtor may delve a little deeper and provide you with more information such as whether or not the couple is newly married, expecting their first child, empty-nesters, or a divorcee starting over.

Knowing what to expect of your new neighbors makes it easier for you to decide how you want to greet them. It is customary to greet your new neighbors with a gift, and knowing a little about them will make that easier on you. Making a gift basket is a great way to greet your new neighbors. Now that you know a little something about the new residents, take what you know and create something special. If your new neighbors are a young, newly married couple with no kids, consider creating a basket that has something useful in it for their first home.

Greeting Your New Neighbors

The first introduction you make should be short and sweet. After all, your new neighbors are in the middle of moving their belongings and probably want to get it over with as quickly as possible. Simply run outside to introduce yourself, welcome them to your two-family home, and get back to what you are doing. If you have a gift for them, it’s okay to drop it off now, but keep it short. You won’t make a good first impression on your new neighbors if you insist on keeping them from unpacking.

Continue to greet your new neighbors anytime you see them. A friendly hello when you are both at the mailbox, a wave when you are both getting into your cars, and a friendly nod as you pass them jogging is always nice. Once they have moved in and gotten settled, you can spend more time getting to know them. Offer to host a barbeque or get-together for them so they can meet the rest of the neighbors. If you want, invite them over for dinner so you can get to know them a little better.

Getting to know your neighbors is a great idea. Not only is there a great potential for friendship here, there is a great potential for someone to have your back when you need it.

By COREY KILGANNON

Kirsten Luce for The New York Times

Daria Mainetti and her husband, Phil Coxon, live in Arverne by the Sea, a community in the Rockaways that was not damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The morning after Hurricane Sandy battered the Rockaways last month, Phil Coxon, 70, who lives just off the water there, walked out his front door, “and it looked like any other day,” he said.

Sure, there had been some street flooding from encroaching sea waters, but nothing like the torrents that rushed head-high through many neighborhoods elsewhere on the Rockaway Peninsula, turning the area into a near-wasteland of flooded and wrecked homes and  submerged cars.

Sure, the howling winds snapped one of Mr. Coxon’s shingles off, but nothing like the widespread wind damage to homes and stores farther away, in areas that still resemble a war zone.

Mr. Coxon and most of his hundreds of neighbors suffered no real flooding or damage to their homes. They live in a newer area called Arverne by the Sea, a vast $1 billion oceanfront development between Beach 62nd and 80th Streets that is home to over 1,000 families and is one of the largest residential development projects underway in New York City. It has also been much criticized, for its size, its ostentatious appearance and the quality of its housing.

In the days after the storm, things seemed almost idyllic within much of Arverne’s 117-acre footprint, compared with the mess and chaos in the rest of the Rockaways. Mr. Coxon said he was not surprised.

“I bought into this place because of the way it was built,” said Mr. Coxon, a marketing consultant who moved into his $700,000 townhouse in March, with his wife, Daria Mainetti, after living 20 years in Jackson Heights, Queens.

The development lies within evacuation Zone A, but Mr. Coxon and many of his neighbors ignored the city’s order to leave. While power remained out for more than a week, they formed group patrols to deter looters.

Arverne by the Sea has been controversial dating well before 2004 when people started moving in, including a longstanding criticism that the houses were of poor quality. It was the mantra of many dyed-in-the-wool Rockaway-ites that these pretty, modern homes were really flimsy matchboxes that would blow over in the first big storm.

But the development, which is eventually expected to include 2,300 two-family houses and condominiums, also weathered Tropical Storm Irene last year.

“I heard it all from the beginning, people saying, ‘Ah, they’re building junk,’” said Gerry Romski, the development’s project executive. “But bottom line: Our system worked, because we planned from the very beginning to withstand this kind of thing.”

“We’ve already seen interest from Breezy Point residents whose homes were destroyed – looking for something safer,” Mr. Romski said, referring to a Rockaway neighborhood several miles to the west that was particularly decimated by the storm.

Mr. Romski said that a heavy-duty, sophisticated drainage system, designed to handle flood surges, was instrumental in mitigating flooding. The system — which features underground chambers, wide street mains and storm drains on each house property — connects to large sewer mains that the developer installed in public streets that they rebuilt around the project site, as part of an agreement with the city, Mr. Romski said. Also helpful was a natural buffer of sand and beach grass that was maintained near the boardwalk. It also helped that much of the boardwalk in front of the project stayed intact to break the roaring surf, unlike the long stretch west of 88th Street that was obliterated.

“Even back in the planning phases, there was talk of global warming and rising sea levels and all that,” Mr. Romski said. “We knew we’d have to engineer it specifically, and go above and beyond the building requirements, to make it hurricane-proof.”

Instead of overhead power lines, the developer put in underground utility lines, and installed submersible transformers, Mr. Romski said. Homes in the development got power back sooner than much of the rest of the Rockaways, parts of which still remain in the dark. Water never rose to the electrical meters, and the developer hired electricians to inspect the homes, to make sure they were able to receive power.

Before building, the developer raised the entire area with a half-million cubic yards of fill, essentially raising the entire neighborhood five feet higher than it had been, said Michael Dubb, principal of the Beechwood Organization, a partner with the Benjamin Development Company in developing the project along with Denise Coyle, principal of the Benjamin Companies.

The development’s houses are built with steel framing and are covered with cement-composite shingles. They rest on concrete-slab foundations rooted with wooden pilings, and have hurricane-grade windows, said Mr. Dubb, as he surveyed the streets on Wednesday.

“I built houses in South Florida after Hurricane Andrew, and I knew I had to build this while keeping in mind the possibility of serious hurricanes,” he said.

The development’s performance is particularly intriguing because of the curious role it has in the Rockaways, where it strikes a contrast against the modest houses, rustic bungalows, public housing projects and faded high-rises around it.

The Arverne complex resembles a sleepy development in the Carolinas, rising slowly like a bouquet of fake flowers — a utopian set from “The Truman Show.” Its micro-neighborhoods have names like Ocean Breeze, Palmers Landing and the Breakers. And its newly mapped streets have names like Spinnaker Drive. Its white picket fences, ornamental trellises and rooftop deck railings and fencings are made of plastic.

“But look how sturdy it is, said Mr. Coxon, standing on his fourth-floor roof deck and looking out at the now-calm ocean. “It did what it was supposed to do.”

http://tinyurl.com/c8pm2qe