About Us

Central Astoria undertakes several programs that directly benefit residents and businesses of Astoria, and strive to constantly improve the neighborhood as a whole.

It doesn’t take long to sense Astoria’s special character. Home to over 100 ethnic groups, it is this kaleidoscope of people that makes Astoria a vibrant, thriving neighborhood. Well-tended residential blocks crisscross an international street life. With a pace that is neither the hectic bustle of Manhattan nor the steady routine of the suburbs, Astoria is truly a village within the city, ideal for strolling, shopping, dining, lingering, and living.

Assistance for Residents

To prevent displacement of tenants and maintain and preserve decent housing for low and middle income individuals & seniors Central Astoria's Housing and Benefits Assistance Program:

Provides bilingual assistance to individuals and clients, including in-person counseling, regarding the following: Warranty of Habitability Laws, Housing Maintenance Codes, Rent Regulations, Rent Increases, Overcharges, Harassment, Housing Court, and benefit programs.

Provides information and assistance in filing for benefits and subsidy assistance programs for seniors and disabled such as DRIE, SCRIE, HEAP, Lifeline, SCHE, DHE, STAR, EPIC, IT 203, EnergyShare, Section 8, HEAP, IT214, food stamps, etc.

Cultural Programming

Each summer Central Astoria presents cultural programming throughout the neighborhood. Central Astoria’s Waterfront Concert Series brings together residents and visitors from all walks of like under the universal language of music.

We strive to provide an eclectic mix of performers spanning multiple genres to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. Our Movies on the Waterfront attract families and friends, residents and visitors alike to the Astoria Park Great Lawn for a night of free entertainment, with the stars and RFK Tri-borough and Hell Gate Bridges providing an unbeatably serene backdrop.

In addition to concerts and movies, the Central Astoria initiated other events including the Batty Over Halloween Celebration, a spooky afternoon filled with fun for everyone, and Astoria's Community Holiday Tree Lighting where stories and songs of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas fill the air as a traditional tree is lit up.

Over the years, both events have become highly anticipated and full-fledged traditions for Astoria’s multi-ethnic community. To celebrate our neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity, an annual International Cultural Festival is held every spring showcasing a wide variety of cultures through music and dance performances of their native lands.

Assistance for Businesses

With over 1,000 Astoria businesses in its four business districts - Broadway, 30th Avenue, 36th Avenue and Steinway Street - the Central Astoria LDC:

Advocates for services and quality of life issues.

Provides marketing and promotional events for all districts.

Provides information to businesses regarding available business solutions programs, grants and regulations.

Provides various beautification elements to the districts including street cleaning, flowers, trees, planters, storefront improvements, etc.

Neighborhood 360° Program

The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition along with the Queens Economic Development Corporation are joint recipients of a 3-year Astoria Neighborhood 360° Grant through the NYC Department of Small Business Services.

The Neighborhood 360° program identifies, develops, and launches commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local stakeholders. Through proactive planning and targeted investments, Neighborhood 360° supports projects that strengthen and revitalize NYC commercial corridors, small businesses and neighborhoods.

The Central Astoria LDC’s work aims to maximize shared value, strengthen Astoria’s six commercial corridors for its merchants and the community as a whole, as well as promote better quality of life through Cleanliness & Beautification, Placemaking, Community Coordination and Merchant Organizing initiatives.

The Central Astoria LDC is here to assist! Contact us if you have ideas on cleanliness and beautification and green spaces along your commercial corridor.

Board of Directors

  • GEORGE L. STAMATIADES
    President

    TONY BARSAMIAN
    Executive Vice President

    KIKI FIEGER
    Treasurer/Secretary

  • JAMES BOND
    Director

    TANIA BROSCHART
    Director

    ANN BRUNO
    Director

    DR. SHARON CADIZ
    Director

    CLAUDIA CHAN
    Director

    JOE DI PIETRO
    Director

    GUS HATZIDIMITRIOU
    Director

    FRANK MILLER
    Director

    ADINA MONOKROUSOS
    Director

    WALTER SANCHEZ
    Director

    SWAIN WEINER
    Director

  • MARIE TORNIALI
    Executive Director

    TERESA RAIMONDO
    Administrative Assistant

    JO ANN DARCY
    Housing Director

    PAULA ROXANA TICO
    Program Manager

    MARJORIE FASANO
    Programs Assistant

    ARIANNA LEON
    Housing Assistant

    NOURA A. ELGEBALI
    Projects Assistant

    MICHAEL ISAIAH U. NALASA
    Office Assistant