Kew Gardens Hills Queens, NY - Long Island Bankruptcy

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Bankruptcy Solutions

The purpose of federal bankruptcy legislation, sometimes known as Title 11 of the United States Code or the “Bankruptcy Code,” is to provide an opportunity for financial reorganization or a fresh start for legitimate debtors who are unable to fulfill their obligations.

Foreclosure Solutions

As you are undoubtedly aware, many homeowners are in arrears on their mortgages as a result of the 2020 recession brought on by the coronavirus. At first, most lenders had been understanding and would have granted a brief suspension of the late payments.

Debt Negotiations & Settlements

Clients regularly hire the Law Office of Ronald D. Weiss, P.C. to represent them in negotiations with banks, mortgage holders, credit card issuers, auto financing providers, landlords, tax authorities, and other creditors.

Mortgage Loan Modifications

The most common strategy used by our firm to prevent a house in severe mortgage arrears from going into foreclosure is a mortgage modification. Mortgage modification and other potential Retention Options are the potential goals of most homeowners in foreclosure because most people experiencing serious hardships with their mortgages are looking for “Retention Options

Credit Card Solutions

For consumers, credit card debt and other unsecured personal loans are the most common types of debt. There are a few legal options for handling credit card debt, including the following: Litigation, bankruptcy, and/or negotiated settlements are the three options.

Debtor Litigation Defense

Many of The Law Office of Ronald D. Weiss, P.C.’s clients face the possibility of litigation or collection activities from their creditors because they are accused of having debt that they are unable to pay or because they contest the existence, amount, or obligation of the debt.

Landlord Tenant Solutions

Landlord-Tenant Law is one of our firm’s areas of expertise; we defend landlords and tenants in a variety of legal proceedings before the Landlord-Tenant Court and the New York Supreme Court. When it comes to eviction and/or collecting large amounts of past due rent.

Distressed Real Estate

A. Pre-Contract When a seller (the “Seller”) sells real estate to a buyer (the “Buyer”), there are usually a number of important steps involved. A seller will first list their property on the market for sale. A real estate broker is frequently hired by the seller to help locate possible buyers for their property.

Student Loan Solutions

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” as Benjamin Franklin famously said. This phrase has recently been amended by popular opinion to include student loans. Since most jobs these days require a bachelor’s degree, the amount of debt that Americans owe on their student loans

Tax Debt Solutions

Many people have trouble keeping up with their tax payments to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (“NYS”), which includes sales taxes, income taxes, payroll taxes, and other state taxes, as well as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), which includes individual income taxes.

The neighborhood boasts proximity to several major highways, including the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway, and the Jackie Robinson Parkway (Interborough). Additionally, it benefits from access to several bus routes. Adjacent neighborhoods include Forest Hills to the west, Hillcrest to the east, Briarwood to the south, and Queensboro Hill to the north.

Kew Gardens Hills falls within Queens Community District 8, and its ZIP Code is 11367. Policing in the area is conducted by the New York City Police Department’s 107th Precinct. In terms of political representation, Kew Gardens Hills is part of the New York City Council’s 24th District.

Kew Gardens Hills is located in the southwestern corner of the area historically known as the Town of Flushing, within its 6th district.

Since neighborhoods in the City of New York are not officially designated by the city itself, determining the geographical boundaries of Kew Gardens Hills can be approached through various means.

General borders: The western boundary of Kew Gardens Hills is typically considered to be Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which is separated from the neighborhood by the Van Wyck Expressway. However, there’s an interesting exception: the southern playground of the park, which lies east of the Van Wyck Expressway and is accessible only via an entrance along Park Drive East, is considered part of Kew Gardens Hills. Despite being a section of the park, this playground is regarded as within the boundaries of Kew Gardens Hills.

Before the construction of the Van Wyck Expressway, the IND World’s Fair Line ran along this route during the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Postal boundaries:

Since 2003, the United States Postal Service renamed the post office in ZIP Code 11367 to the “Kew Gardens Hills Post Office”. Consequently, for ZIP Code purposes, the borders of the area extend from the south at Union Turnpike, to the north at the Horace Harding Expressway, and east to Parsons Boulevard. Before 2003, this post office was known as the Station C Post Office. It’s worth noting that although the post office is named “Kew Gardens Hills”, the USPS still designates the city or town for addressing purposes as “Flushing”.

Other designations: Some areas east of Parsons Boulevard and west of 164th Street, as well as those south of Union Turnpike and north of the Grand Central Parkway, are considered part of Kew Gardens Hills by various entities. This includes the NYC Department of Education, historians, the Kew Gardens Hills Eruv Committee, residents or businesses themselves, and real estate brokers.

In these extended areas of Kew Gardens Hills, residents north of 73rd Avenue typically use ZIP code 11365, while those south of 73rd Avenue use ZIP code 11366. Furthermore, residents south of Union Turnpike may use ZIP codes 11432 and 11435. These areas encompass developments such as Pomonok, Electchester, and Parkway Village, among others.

It’s worth noting that despite the ZIP codes with the first three digits as “114” originally being designated in the postal city of “Jamaica”, these areas of Kew Gardens Hills are within the geographical limits of the original Town of Flushing. The present 164th Street aligns with the original border between the 4th and 6th districts of the Town of Flushing.

Adjacent neighborhoods to Kew Gardens Hills include Forest Hills to the west, Hillcrest to the east, Briarwood to the south, and Queensboro Hill to the north.

Early settlement

In the northwestern part of Kew Gardens Hills, there was once the Spring Hill Farm, spanning 120 acres (49 ha). Originally part of the Francis Lewis estate during colonial times, the farm came under the ownership of Colonel Thomas Willet, the High Sheriff of Flushing, by 1762. Cadwallader Colden, lieutenant governor for the Province of New York, acquired the farm and built the Spring Hill House on the property in 1763. However, in 1783, the property was confiscated by the government due to Cadwallader’s son David’s loyalty to the monarchy. By 1894, the Durkee family owned the property and eventually sold it to the Cedar Grove Cemetery Corporation. The Spring Hill House later served as the office of the Cedar Grove Cemetery until it was destroyed by fire.

During the 19th century, the area of Kew Gardens Hills was known as Head of the Fly, derived from its location at the headwaters of the Flushing Creek (or Flushing River). “Fly” or “vly” is the Dutch word for swamp. One of the oldest roads in the area was called the Vleigh Road, which still exists today as Vleigh Place.

In the 1750s, William Furman owned the farm he named Willow Glen. Today, Willow Lake, situated at the southern end of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, still bears the Willow name.

One road that traversed the area was Quarrelsome Lane, which ran from Jamaica Road to Fresh Meadow Road. This road is now known as 75th Avenue. Jamaica Road, the most direct route between the villages of Flushing and Jamaica, is now Kissena Boulevard, which becomes Parsons Boulevard at the intersection of Quarrelsome Lane.

Later years

The growth of Kew Gardens Hills was catalyzed by several factors. The construction of a subway line at Queens Boulevard in nearby Kew Gardens, Queens, in 1936, and the hosting of the 1939 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, directly northwest of the neighborhood, spurred development. Early residents were primarily of German, Irish, and Italian descent, many of whom were relocating from Brooklyn and Manhattan. The hilly terrain and the prestige associated with Kew Gardens as a Queens neighborhood prompted developers to rename the area from Queens Valley to Kew Gardens Hills.

The first Queen of Peace mass took place in 1939. Property along 144th Street, now part of Main Street, was seized by the city to complete the construction of Main Street from northern Flushing. Main Street was paved, and bus routes began to serve the area in 1941. The Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills was established in 1941, and the Queens County Savings Bank opened its branch in 1949. Additionally, P.S. 164, also known as the Queens Valley School, opened its doors that year.

Main Street Cinemas, designed by architect Joseph Unger—who also designed the Trylon Theatre—opened in 1940. Operated by Interboro Circuit Inc., the 600-seat single-screen theater was considered one of the city’s finest and was built at a cost of $75,000. Although the theater has since been subdivided into a six-screen cineplex, it closed in September 2022.

In 1941, Barney Spiegel purchased a part of the Klein Farm at 69th Road and Main Street. On this land, he constructed 150 duplexes, designed by architect A. Salkowitz.

According to data from the 2010 United States Census, Kew Gardens Hills had a population of 37,479, marking an increase of 1,427 (4.0%) from the 36,052 residents counted in 2000. Covering an area of 873.05 acres (353.31 ha), the neighborhood had a population density of 42.9 inhabitants per acre (27,500/sq mi; 10,600/km2).

The racial makeup of the neighborhood was as follows: 53.9% (20,184) White, 7.6% (2,839) African American, 0.2% (63) Native American, 20.0% (7,500) Asian, 0.1% (20) Pacific Islander, 0.4% (156) from other races, and 3.1% (1,169) from two or more races. Additionally, Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race comprised 14.8% (5,548) of the population.

The entirety of Community Board 8, which includes Kew Gardens Hills along with Fresh Meadows and Jamaica Hills, had a population of 156,217 inhabitants according to NYC Health’s 2018 Community Health Profile. The average life expectancy in this area was 83.9 years, which exceeds the median life expectancy of 81.2 for all New York City neighborhoods. Most residents are middle-aged adults and youth, with 20% between the ages of 0–17, 28% between 25–44, and 27% between 45–64. The ratio of college-aged and elderly residents was lower, at 10% and 15% respectively.

As of 2018, Kew Gardens Hills generally boasts a higher ratio of college-educated residents compared to the rest of the city. Approximately half of its residents (50%) hold a college education or higher, while 14% have less than a high school education, and 37% are high school graduates or have some college education. In contrast, 39% of Queens residents and 43% of city residents have a college education or higher.

The educational achievements of students in Kew Gardens Hills have shown improvement over the years. The percentage of students excelling in math rose from 51% in 2000 to 71% in 2011, and reading achievement increased from 56% to 57% during the same period.

Moreover, Kew Gardens Hills demonstrates lower rates of elementary school student absenteeism compared to the rest of New York City. Only 15% of elementary school students in Kew Gardens Hills missed twenty or more days per school year, which is below the citywide average of 20%. Additionally, the on-time graduation rate for high school students in Kew Gardens Hills is impressive, with 86% graduating on time, surpassing the citywide average of 75%.

The commercial areas of Kew Gardens Hills encompass Main Street, Union Turnpike, Parsons Boulevard, and Kissena Boulevard. Main Street, in particular, is notable for its plethora of Jewish-themed stores and Kosher restaurants, catering to the significant Jewish population in the area. It’s common for many businesses along Main Street to close for Shabbat, reflecting the observance of the Sabbath within the community.

However, Kissena Boulevard has experienced a different fate, with many businesses permanently closing due to an economic downturn. This downturn has led to closures and vacancies along Kissena Boulevard, contrasting with the bustling activity found on Main Street.

Kew Gardens Hills falls under the jurisdiction of the 107th Precinct of the NYPD, situated at 71-01 Parsons Boulevard. Notably, in 2010, the 107th Precinct ranked as the 11th safest out of 69 patrol areas in terms of per-capita crime. This commendable safety record was primarily attributed to the neighborhood’s isolation and the presence of local neighborhood patrols.

As of 2018, Kew Gardens Hills maintains a lower rate of violent crimes per capita compared to the city as a whole, with a non-fatal assault rate of 22 per 100,000 people. Furthermore, its incarceration rate of 191 per 100,000 people is also lower than that of the city overall.

Over the years, the 107th Precinct has seen a significant reduction in crime rates compared to the 1990s, with crimes across all categories declining by 88.8% between 1990 and 2018. In 2018, the precinct reported 5 murders, 23 rapes, 138 robberies, 131 felony assaults, 149 burglaries, 539 grand larcenies, and 101 grand larcenies auto.

As of 2018, Kew Gardens Hills exhibits lower rates of preterm births and births to teenage mothers compared to citywide averages. The neighborhood recorded 74 preterm births per 1,000 live births, compared to the citywide rate of 87 per 1,000, and 6.7 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births, compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide. Additionally, the uninsured population in Kew Gardens Hills is relatively average, estimated at 11%, slightly lower than the citywide rate of 12%.

In terms of air quality, Kew Gardens Hills has lower concentrations of fine particulate matter, a dangerous air pollutant, compared to citywide and boroughwide averages. The neighborhood also aligns with the city average in terms of the percentage of smokers, with 14% of residents being smokers. However, there are variations in health indicators, with 19% of residents being obese, 11% being diabetic, and 29% having high blood pressure, compared to citywide averages of 20%, 14%, and 24%, respectively. Additionally, 18% of children in Kew Gardens Hills are obese, slightly lower than the citywide average of 20%.

Despite these health concerns, a significant portion of Kew Gardens Hills residents prioritize healthy eating habits, with 89% consuming fruits and vegetables daily, higher than the city’s average of 87%. Moreover, 79% of residents rate their health as “good”, “very good”, or “excellent”, similar to the city’s average of 78%. However, the neighborhood has a higher ratio of bodegas to supermarkets, with five bodegas for every supermarket.

For healthcare needs, residents rely on nearby large hospitals such as the Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica and NewYork–Presbyterian/Queens in Flushing.

Except for an area west of Main Street and north of the cemetery, which falls within the boundaries of Queens Community Board 7, the rest of Kew Gardens Hills is within Queens Community Board 8. The entire area is part of New York City Council District 24, represented by Jim Gennaro.

Several civic or homeowners associations advocate for residents in the area, including the Kew Gardens Hills Homeowners Civic Association, the Flushing on the Hill Taxpayers Association, Cedar Grove Civic Homeowners Association, Flushing Suburban Civic Association, Georgetown Mews, and Parkway Village Historical Society.

Kew Gardens Hills is split among three districts in the New York State Assembly: District 24, represented by Assemblymember David Weprin; District 25, represented by Assemblymember Nily Rozic; and District 27, which is currently vacant. Similarly, the neighborhood is divided among three districts in the New York State Senate: District 16, represented by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky; District 14, represented by Senator Leroy Comrie; and District 15, represented by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

Furthermore, Kew Gardens Hills is divided between two congressional districts in the United States Congress: New York’s 5th congressional district, represented by Gregory Meeks, and New York’s 6th congressional district, represented by Grace Meng.

Main north-south arteries through and around the perimeter of the neighborhood include Main Street, Kissena Boulevard, 164th Street, and Parsons Boulevard. For east-west travel, residents utilize Jewel Avenue, Union Turnpike, and the Horace Harding Expressway. Highways serving the area include the Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway, and the Jackie Robinson Parkway (Interboro Parkway), all intersecting at the Kew Gardens Interchange.

Local New York City Bus routes serving the neighborhood include the Q20A, Q20B, Q44 SBS, Q46, Q64, and Q88. Formerly, the Q74 bus served the area almost exclusively until 2010. MTA Bus routes serving Kew Gardens Hills include the Q25, Q34, and Q65. Express bus services to Manhattan, operated by MTA Bus Company, include the QM1, QM4, QM5, QM6, QM7, and QM8.

While there are no New York City Subway stations directly serving the neighborhood, residents can access the subway via local bus routes. Previously, residents could walk to the Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike station via the Pat Dolan trail through Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. However, the closure of the 78th Avenue park entrance since 2001, coupled with neglect of this portion of the trail by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, has rendered this route inaccessible.

Kew Gardens Hills is a diverse neighborhood featuring a mix of single-family homes—both detached and in rows—as well as three to six-story garden apartment buildings, primarily constructed in the years immediately following World War II, exemplified by developments like Regency Gardens. These apartment complexes are known for their well-maintained lawns and internal pathways, fostering a sense of community within the complexes.

Several homes in Kew Gardens Hills date back to before the construction of Main Street. Their properties were impacted by eminent domain in the 1930s to widen 144th Street into the extension of Main Street from northern Flushing. Additionally, there are a few public housing projects in certain parts of the neighborhood.

Notably, some buildings in this area were specifically constructed to accommodate employees of particular unions. For instance, the Electchester Co-operative Building, erected in 1949 on the former grounds of the Pomonok Country Club, was built to house electrical employees. While it once exclusively housed electrical workers, it now serves a broader community.

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