Maspeth Queens

Practice Areas

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.

Maspeth is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, known for its residential and commercial character. Established in the early 17th century by Dutch and English settlers, it has a rich historical background. Maspeth shares borders with several other neighborhoods: Woodside to the north, Sunnyside to the northwest, Greenpoint in Brooklyn to the west, East Williamsburg in Brooklyn to the southwest, Fresh Pond and Ridgewood to the south, and Middle Village and Elmhurst to the east.

Within Queens Community District 5, Maspeth is designated by the ZIP Code 11378. Policing is managed by the New York City Police Department’s 104th Precinct. Politically, Maspeth falls under the representation of the New York City Council’s 29th and 30th districts.

The name “Maspeth” originates from the Mespeatches Native Americans, one of the prominent tribes inhabiting Long Island. William Wallace Tooker interpreted it to mean “an inundating tidal river,” while others suggest it refers to the area’s many stagnant swamps, translating to “at the bad waterplace.”

Maspeth’s history dates back to the early 17th century when it was chartered by Dutch and British settlers. In 1635, the Dutch acquired land in the region now known as Queens, subsequently establishing towns. In 1642, they founded Maspat, under a charter granted to Rev. Francis Doughty, marking it as the first English settlement in Queens.

The signing of the deed between Native Americans and settlers, known as the “Newtown Patent,” was the first of its kind on Long Island, granting 13,000 acres to settlers. Conflict with the Maspat tribe led to the relocation of many settlers to what is now Elmhurst in 1643. However, the settlement was attacked and leveled by Native Americans the following year, prompting surviving settlers to return to Manhattan.

Based on data from the 2010 United States Census, Maspeth had a population of 30,516, marking an increase of 1,600 (5.5%) from 2000. Covering an area of 818.44 acres, the neighborhood boasted a population density of 37.3 inhabitants per acre.

The racial composition of Maspeth was 59.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 12.0% Asian, and 0.4% from other races, with 26.6% identifying as Hispanic or Latino.

In terms of age distribution, the majority of inhabitants were youth and middle-aged adults, with 22% between 0–17 years, 31% between 25–44 years, and 26% between 45–64 years. The proportion of college-aged and elderly residents was lower, at 8% and 13% respectively.

As of 2017, the median household income in Community Board 5, which encompasses Maspeth, was $71,234. Approximately 19% of residents in Maspeth and Ridgewood lived in poverty, with a 6% unemployment rate. Rent burden, indicating the difficulty in paying rent, was 46%, lower than the boroughwide and citywide rates.

Overall, Maspeth, along with Ridgewood, Middle Village, and Glendale, was considered to be high-income relative to the rest of the city and not undergoing gentrification as of 2018.

Maspeth exhibits a mixed zoning pattern. The region spanning from 43rd Street through 58th Street, which includes the former Furman Island, is predominantly characterized by industrial lowlands. Conversely, the blocks ranging from 60th Street to 74th Street are primarily residential, although there exists a minor industrial presence along Grand Avenue.

Industrial

The Phelps Dodge Corporation operated in Maspeth from 1920 to 1983, during which time materials from their facilities contaminated Newtown Creek, which acts as a dividing line between northern Brooklyn and western Queens and facilitates barge traffic. In the 2000s, politicians initiated efforts to clean up Newtown and Maspeth Creeks.

Freight train activity occurs on the Long Island Rail Road Montauk Branch and the Bushwick Branch, the latter of which sees limited use by the New York and Atlantic Railway. The LIRR Bay Ridge Branch, exclusively for freight trains, separates Maspeth from Elmhurst and Middle Village. There’s a proposal for a new West Maspeth rail freight station linked to a Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel project aimed at reducing truck traffic across New York City. However, this proposal faces opposition from residents concerned about increased truck traffic in Maspeth.

Residential and commercial

Maspeth primarily consists of single and multi-family dwellings, with apartment buildings being relatively scarce, except for the Ridgewood Gardens co-ops along 65th Place. The housing market in Maspeth typically ranges from $400,000 to $600,000 for houses. Notably, there’s a distinct group of 2- and 3-story orange and yellow brick buildings located between Grand Avenue, 79th Street, and Calamus Avenue, which were constructed for the Mathews Company in 1930 by Louis Allmendinger.

The commercial activity in the area is concentrated along Grand Avenue.

Maspeth, Ridgewood, Middle Village, and Glendale fall under the jurisdiction of the 104th Precinct of the NYPD, located at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue. In 2010, the 104th Precinct ranked 21st safest out of 69 patrol areas for per-capita crime. Although the precinct covers a large area, Maspeth and Middle Village are generally considered safer than Ridgewood. As of 2018, with a non-fatal assault rate of 19 per 100,000 people, Maspeth and Ridgewood’s rate of violent crimes per capita is lower than that of the city as a whole. The incarceration rate of 235 per 100,000 people is also lower than the citywide average.

Over the years, the 104th Precinct has seen a decline in crime rates, with a decrease of 87.4% across all crime categories between 1990 and 2018. In 2018, the precinct reported 2 murders, 17 rapes, 140 robberies, 168 felony assaults, 214 burglaries, 531 grand larcenies, and 123 grand larcenies auto.

Maspeth is served by a New York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire station, Squad 288/Hazardous Materials Co. 1, located at 56-29 68th Street. Additionally, Engine Co. 291/Ladder Co. 140 is situated at 56-07 Metropolitan Avenue in Ridgewood, just outside the Maspeth border.

The firehouse of Squad 288/Hazmat 1, designed by Morgan & Trainer, was opened in 1914. During the September 11 attacks in 2001, Squad 288/Hazmat 1 were among the first responders. Tragically, the firehouse lost 19 firefighters in the collapse of the towers, marking the largest loss from any firehouse in the city. In 2013, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission considered the firehouse for official city landmark status.

As of 2018, Maspeth and Ridgewood experience lower rates of preterm births and births to teenage mothers compared to other areas citywide. Specifically, there were 70 preterm births per 1,000 live births (compared to 87 per 1,000 citywide), and 17.6 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births, compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide. The uninsured population in Maspeth and Ridgewood is relatively low, estimated at 13% in 2018, slightly higher than the citywide rate of 12%.

However, the concentration of fine particulate matter, a dangerous air pollutant, is slightly higher in Maspeth and Ridgewood compared to the city average. Additionally, the percentage of smokers in Maspeth and Ridgewood is higher than the city average, with 20% of residents being smokers. Regarding health issues, 19% of residents are obese, 7% are diabetic, and 20% have high blood pressure, which are slightly lower than the citywide averages.

Furthermore, 19% of children in Maspeth and Ridgewood are obese, which is on par with the citywide average.

A memorial dedicated to the FDNY Squad 288 and HAZMAT 1 firehouse’s casualties from the September 11 attacks stands at 69th Street and Grand Avenue in Maspeth. It commemorates the sacrifices made by these firefighters, which were among the largest of any FDNY unit during the World Trade Center attacks. Facing the World Trade Center site, the monument provides a poignant reminder of the tragic events. An annual memorial ceremony takes place at the site on September 11, allowing the community to pay their respects.

Adjacent to the memorial is the Walk of Honor, unveiled on Memorial Day in 2006. This walkway honors local activists and visionaries who made significant contributions to the community. Additionally, Maspeth boasts public parks maintained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Frontera Park, located at 69th Street and the LIE, provides green space for residents to enjoy. Another park, Principe Park, situated at Maurice and 54th Avenues, was renamed in 2005 in honor of Frank Principe, a community leader who played a pivotal role in its creation and ongoing maintenance.

At the intersection of Flushing, Grand, and Maspeth Avenues, a sign commemorates the historic split of streetcar lines, which now correspond to the B57, Q58, and Q59 bus routes. This marker serves as a reminder of the area’s transportation history.

On the front yard of the Church of the Transfiguration on Perry Avenue, a replica of a Lithuanian roadside shrine has stood since 1981, adding cultural significance to the neighborhood.

St. Saviour’s Church, constructed in 1847 at Rust Street and 57th Drive, once stood on land owned by lawyer and politician James Maurice. Despite efforts to preserve it, including a community-led campaign by the Juniper Park Civic Association, the church faced demolition in 2005 after suffering arson damage in 1970. Despite opposition, the church’s facade was dismantled and stored at All Faiths Cemetery by 2008. Although plans for a new site for the church within the cemetery were approved, by 2011, the former church site had been replaced by warehouses, marking the loss of a significant historical landmark.

As of 2018, Maspeth and Ridgewood generally exhibit a lower proportion of college-educated residents compared to the rest of the city. Approximately 33% of residents aged 25 and older possess a college education or higher, while 16% have less than a high school education, and 50% are high school graduates or have some college education. In comparison, 39% of Queens residents and 43% of city residents have attained a college education or higher.

The academic performance of students in Maspeth and Ridgewood has shown improvement over the years. The percentage of students excelling in math increased from 36% in 2000 to 67% in 2011, while reading achievement rose from 42% to 49% during the same period.

Moreover, Maspeth and Ridgewood boast a lower rate of elementary school student absenteeism compared to the rest of New York City. Only 14% of elementary school students in these neighborhoods missed twenty or more days per school year, which is below the citywide average of 20%.

Additionally, the high school graduation rate in Maspeth and Ridgewood surpasses the citywide average, with 82% of high school students graduating on time, compared to the citywide average of 75%.

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