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Corona Plaza to Close for More than a Year During $5.6M Renovations

By Katie Honan | April 10, 2017 1:49pm
 A rendering of the future of Corona Plaza.
A rendering of the future of Corona Plaza.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

CORONA — Officials broke ground on a $5.6 million renovation at Corona Plaza, which will transform the former temporary pedestrian plaza into a permanent open space for residents.

The renovations include a performance space with built-in seating, new lighting, bike racks, additional planting and permanent and fixed furniture, according to the Department of Transportation.

DOT's Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia said the newly renovated plaza — which should reopen by the spring of 2018 — represents a "living room for the community."

"I am certain that upon its completion, Corona Plaza will be a vital asset to this community, allowing residents and visitors alike to enjoy this enhanced public space and its amenities," she said. 

She was joined at a ceremonial groundbreaking by local leaders including Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, representatives from the Department of Design and Construction, Community Board 4, and Seth Bornstein, whose Queens Economic Development Corporation will maintain the plaza.

The QEDC will receive funding through the DOT's One NYC Plaza Equity Program, which has reclaimed streets as open space for all New Yorkers. 

Public events will be curated by the Queens Museum

Ferreras-Copeland said the plaza renovations show the city's commitment to ensuring residents have spaces to gather.  

"This is representative of what this community deserves," she said.