Controversial MLS stadium renderings and more in the QNYC Evening Edition for Wednesday February 27, 2013

New Major League Soccer stadium renderings may or may not be the real deal

The subject of the artist’s renderings of the new MLS stadium is surrounded by controversy – are the images on the internet real or not? Well, there is some convincing evidence that they are legit, but at the same time officials from MLS totally deny that they are for real. MLS says, among other things, “Any assertion that these drawings represent what a stadium will look like in Queens is wrong.” But a principal from SHoP, the architectural firm designing the stadium, said recently, “The project I’m not supposed to show (you) so I am not going to tell you where it is or what it is but it’s a new stadium that should be announced in the next couple of months.” Who is right? Check out some of the links we’ve provided and you be the judge as to who and what is truth.

Preliminary cocktail menu at Windmill Tap & Grill

We are excited to see progress on the Windmill Tap & Grill, opening later this spring in the Dutch Kills area of LIC. They posted a preliminary cocktail menu on their Facebook page – some of the drinks include a Manhattan, Dark & Stormy, and Flying Dutchman. More here:

Image source: Windmill Tap & Grill

Twitter speaks out on the LIC vs. Long Island City debate

Last week we wrote about a new debate that has arisen – is it better to call the neighborhood Long Island City (viewed by some as confusing and misleading) or LIC (viewed by some as more hip)? Our twitter followers spoke out and it ranged from “I like them both & use both!” (duluozcats) to “Ridiculous! Don’t mess w/history. Leave ‘ Long Island City’ alone.” (JCarubia). Then there was this comment, “if they officially change it to #LIC, all the cool people will have to start saying #longislandcity just to be difficult.” (35thAndKaufman). We could totally see that happening.

Have you heard of the Knockdown Center in Maspeth?

The Knockdown Center is a new art venue and performance space in Maspeth, just over the border from Ridgewood and not far from the Brooklyn border (Bushwick). It is housed in an old glass factory (52-19 Flushing Ave – GMAP), is three acres in size and can hold 5,000 people. They’ve hosted a lot of big parties, including Rubulad, an underground party that usually happens in BK. They have plans for the space… lots of plans, which include more art and music performances, as well as installing a bar. Nearby spots include the massive Western Beef and Bunker, a new Vietnamese restaurant. It’s great to see interesting things sprouting up in Ridgewood/Maspeth!

Skaters at the Astoria skatepark

This is a very cool short video taken last summer at the Astoria Park skatepark that lives under the Triboro/RFK Bridge. Love the use of slo-mo about mid-way. Great shots and it reminds us that warmer days are coming.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/46243222]