Broadway-Flushing, Queens

Broadway-Flushing located in New York City is a neighborhood in the northern part of Flushing, Queens. The neighborhood comprises approximately 2,300 homes and is bounded by Bayside and 29th Avenues to the North, Northern Blvd. and Crocheron Avenue to the south, 170th Street to the east and 155th St. to the west.

History

This neighborhood was created by the Rickert-Finley Realty Company, a major real estate developer shortly after 1900. Prior to its development as a residential area, the area north of Northern Boulevard, formerly known as Broadway, was the site of several farms.

Homes in this neighborhood reflect many classic American styles on large properties. In order to preserve the park-like character of the neigborhood, the developer placed restrictive covenants on the properties that ban front yard fences, front-yard garages and flat roofs among other restrictions.

In 1964, the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association was incorporated in New York State as a Not-For-Profit Corporation. This association of homeowners remains actively involved in the affairs of this community and has regular meetings between homeowners, business owners and government officials. The association continues to enforce the Rickert-Finley restrictive covenants.

The area is an example of the early 20th Century development of suburban lifestyles within an urban setting.

Parks

* Bowne Park, a popular 11-acre park, features a pond and is located within the boundaries of Broadway-Flushing. It is the site of the summer residence of former New York City Mayor Walter Bowne (1828-1832). [http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/Q006/?parkUrl=Q006]

Public Transportation

The Long Island Rail Road Port Washintgon Branch has a station named Broadway within walking distance from most homes in this area. [http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/broadway.htm]

Today

Considered one of the finest neighborhoods in New York City, Broadway-Flushing was designated an Historic District by the New York State Historic Preservation Office on March 18, 2006. The neighborhood was also designated an Historic District by the United States Department of the Interior and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 2006.

The neighborhood enjoys an R1-R2 zoning designation from the City of New York that is typical of residential neighborhoods with one-family homes. Recently, the City of New York changed the minimum lot sizes required in this neighborhood from 40' by 100' to 60' by 100'.

Presently, the neighborhood awaits designation as an Historic District by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

External links

* New York Times - http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE2DB1631F934A25755C0A9679C8B63
* New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/nyregion/thecity/19stre.html
* New York Times - http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE3D91F3EF935A15751C0A9609C8B63&scp=2&sq=Broadway-Flushing&st=nyt
* New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2008/03/18/2008-03-18_broadwayflushing_residents_pushing_landm.html
* The Village Voice - http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0614,murphy,72821,5.html
* Historic Districts Council - http://www.hdc.org/neighborhoodatriskBroadway-Flushing.htm