FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS Neighborhood Arts and Cultural Inventory Rockaway Waterfront Alliance in Rockaway Artists Alliance partnership with Far Rockaway Arverne Nonprofit Coalition BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY BACKGROUND CAPACITY The Rockaway Peninsula is a New York City Building Community gem with over 25 miles of shoreline. Situated Capacity (BCC), takes between the Atlantic Ocean and Jamaica a collaborative and Bay in southeast Queens, the eastern end comprehensive approach encompasses seven neighborhoods—Far to building cultural capacity Rockaway, Bayswater, Wave Crest, Edgemere, in targeted low-income Arverne, Hammels, and Rockaway Beach—and neighborhoods. This multi- is home to an estimated 93,000 individuals. It is year program strives to a diverse community, racially, culturally, and in ensure both that culture its urban form. About 44% of residents identify is included as part of the as Black/African American, 27% as Latino/ City’s interagency efforts Hispanic, and 22% as White. Communities around neighborhood from the Caribbean, Central America, Eastern planning, affordable Europe, and Africa are nestled in with earlier housing, and economic settlers from Ireland, Italy, and the American development; and that South. The urban character is composed of local cultural stakeholders inner city and suburban elements. High- and have ownership and voice low-rise towers and elevated subway tracks in their own community’s are intermingled with one- and two-family development efforts. homes and expansive beaches. This melding IN THIS REPORT is reflective of the area’s history as a summer The research data and resort and as site to Robert Moses’ ambitious analysis outlined in the top-down planning. following sections express This part of the Rockaway Peninsula is home to the voices of 523 Far a growing arts and cultural community. Local Rockaway community artists and culture makers reflect the diversity members representing of the local population and work across art a broad cross-section of mediums and professional levels. Many artists people who live, work, and in the area appreciate the area’s relative visit the neighborhood. affordability, tight-knit community, proximity 3 NEIGHBORHOOD to the city and nature, and ability to impart SNAPSHOT on a relatively unrecognized cultural footprint. 5 KEY FINDINGS There are a growing number of local cultural 12 INSIGHTS organizations and a few anchor institutions, 16 CULTURAL ASSETS such as the Queens Library and Rockaway 23 CULTURAL Waterfront Alliance. However, many artists who LANDSCAPE AND live in the area work and showcase their talents ENGAGEMENT off the peninsula. Meanwhile, local residents 27 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS seek out arts and culture experiences and recognize that arts and culture make a valuable STUDY AREA contribution to the Rockaways, impacting This study focuses on quality of life, economic and business the eastern end of the development, and community resilience. Rockaway Peninsula from The peninsula’s peripheral position to the rest Beach 94th Street to the Nassau County boundary. of New York City can make travel to and from This areas distinctive the area a challenge. Travel times to work are neighborhoods include Far some of the longest in the city, though the Rockaway, Bayswater, Wave area is served by multiple modes of public Crest, Edgemere, Arverne, transportation including the MTA A-subway Hammels, and Rockaway line, LIRR, express and local bus service, Beach. For the purpose of a robust (though unregulated) dollar van brevity the study will refer system, and a new ferry service to downtown to the extent of this area as Manhattan just outside the study area. In 2018, Far Rockaway. the City piloted a bike share program locally. Front cover photos (clockwise from top left): Joshua Simpson, 2018; Joshua Simpson, 2018; Giles Ashford; Ben Martin, 2018; Ben Martin, 2018 Though recent estimates date the formation of the peninsula just 400 ears y ago, the Lenape, from whose language the area takes its name, were believed to be the first to populate the area. Their land was subsequently bought and sold by the Dutch, then English, then capitalizing New Yorkers, who reshaped the area into a fashionable summer resort. At its peak, the Rockaway Peninsula as a whole drew 48 million summer visitors and had a summer population of 225,000. The mid-19th century also brought significant change reflective of city, state, and federal policies. Robert Moses altered the landscape through road and rail infrastructure and opened Jacob Riis Park. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlined Hammels and Arverne from investment. A number of low- and middle-income public housing developments were planned and constructed. The City moved many poor families to scantily winterized summer homes with little investment in transportation, education, or economic opportunity. As a result of these and other policies, the Rockaway Peninsula today remains divided along lines of race, socioeconomics, and politics while the public realm is deeply FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 1 fragmented. There is an estimated 270 acres of vacant land. It is a recognized environmental justice impact area and disproportionality carries the burden of poor health outcomes in obesity, diabetes, asthma, and mental health. Local arts and culture play an important role in recognizing and grappling with these legacies. Superstorm Sandy devastated the Rockaway Peninsula in October 2012, and many residents are still recovering from the damage. Sandy compounded the neighborhood’s already vulnerable housing market still recovering from the 2008 recession. In Edgemere alone roughly 10% of all 1–4 family homes were in the foreclosure process in 2017.1 Many small businesses, which make up the majority of commercial activity on the peninsula, closed after the storm, and some never reopened. In spite of the area’s environmental vulnerabilities, locals remain devoted to the area’s natural beauty and enjoy engaging in outdoor activities that abound during warm weather. A perennially popular summer destination, the area attracts several million visitors each year, including a growing number of surfers. With the long-term health of the community in mind, Rockaway residents, civic leaders, and artists are working toward addressing long-term resilience in transportation, climate-resiliency, civic space, and cultural access. 1 New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). 2017.Resilient Edgemere Community Plan. 2 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY NEIGHBORHOOD SNAPSHOT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SOURCE: LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/ ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY GRADUATE SOME COLLEGE OR HIGHER DEMOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTS 2014–2016, US CENSUS BUREAU 26.7% 43% 30.4% TOTAL POPULATION INCOME 19.3% 42.1% 38.6% FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEW YORK CITY 19.2% 28.2% 42.6% 93,267 2,310,011 8,461,961 MEDIAN INCOME 41,822 HOUSEHOLDS AGE $59,758 $55,191 MEDIAN AGE 29,736 HOUSEHOLDS IN FAR ROCKAWAY 41.9% 51.8% QUEENS FAR ROCKAWAY NEW YORK UNDER $75,000 32.1% 33.8% CITY $15,000 21.9% TO 9.9% 46.2% 11% 30.1% 36.7% 37.9 $99,999 ARE RENT BURDENED OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN NYCHA 33.3 35.9 11.4% 13.1% (PAY 30% OR MORE OF HOUSING, ACCOUNTING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH RESIDENTS 65 AND OVER 16.2% 10.9% INCOME IN RENT) 14% OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS WITH A DISABIITY UNDER 5 25 TO 44 $15,000 $100,000 YEARS 9.7% YEARS 24.9% TO 21.9% TO 10.7% LANGUAGE RACE/ETHNICITY $34,999 $149,999 6.3% 30.6% 18.8% 15.1% FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEW YORK CITY 6.6% 31.6% 18.9% 13.1% $35,000 $150,000 TO 13.6% TO 3.7% 5 TO 14 45 TO 64 $49,999 $199,999 YEARS 15.5% YEARS 24.0% 12.3% 6.6% 10.9% 26.5% 11.1% 6.1% 11.3% 24.6% $50,000 $200,000+ TO 15.7% 2.6% $74,999 36.4% 17.9% 4.9% OF RESIDENTS SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER % % % 15 TO 24 65+ 15.3% 8.3% THAN ENGLISH AT HOME. Two or More Races 1.6 Two or More Races 2.2 Two or More Races 1.8 YEARS 13.7% YEARS 12.1% Some Other Race 0.7 Some Other Race 2.0 Some Other Race 0.9 12.2% 13.7% Native Hawaiian and Other 0.1 Native Hawaiian and Other 0 Native Hawaiian and Other 0 24% OF RESIDENTS 65 AND OVER Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone Pacific Islander Alone 16.3% Asian Alone 4.3 Asian Alone 24.6 Asian Alone 13.6 13.0% 13.0% LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, OF ALL RESIDENTS American Indian and American Indian and American Indian and AS COMPARED TO 13.9% IN QUEENS 24% SPEAK ENGLISH LESS Alaska Native Alone 0.1 Alaska Native Alone 0.2 Alaska Native Alone 0.2 AND 18.7% IN NEW YORK CITY THAN “VERY WELL.” Black or African American Black or African American Black or African American Alone 44.2 Alone 17.3 Alone 22.2 18.7% White Alone 22.0 White Alone 25.6 White Alone 32.3 OF FAR ROCKAWAY RESIDENTS 13.9% 29.5% ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 Hispanic or Latino 26.9 Hispanic or Latino 28.0 Hispanic or Latino 29.0 SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 2011–2015, US CENSUS BUREAU. NYC Population FactFinder https://popfactfinder.planning.nyc.gov/#12.25/40.724/-73.9868, retrieved June 7, 2018 FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS AND CULTURAL INVENTORY 3 NEIGHBORHOOD SNAPSHOT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SOURCE: LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/ ASSOCIATES DEGREE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY GRADUATE SOME COLLEGE OR HIGHER DEMOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTS 2014–2016, US CENSUS BUREAU 26.7% 43% 30.4% 19.3% 42.1% 38.6% 19.2% 28.2% 42.6% HOUSEHOLDS 29,736 HOUSEHOLDS IN FAR ROCKAWAY 41.9% 51.8% 46.2% 11% 32.1% 33.8% ARE RENT BURDENED OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN NYCHA 30.1% 36.7% (PAY 30% OR MORE OF HOUSING, ACCOUNTING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH RESIDENTS 65 AND OVER INCOME IN RENT) 14% OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS WITH A DISABIITY LANGUAGE RACE/ETHNICITY FAR ROCKAWAY QUEENS NEW YORK CITY 36.4% OF RESIDENTS SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER % % % THAN ENGLISH AT HOME.