Modern Corridor: A Walking Tour of Long Island City's Hunters Point
Taught by Mitch Waxman
Mitch Waxman was raised in Brooklyn, attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, and worked for many years as a comic book writer and artist. He also worked in advertising production and as a photo retouching specialist for several advertising agencies. He has always had a certain fascination with historical material.
After a health scare several years ago, medical personnel advised him that he should start running to improve his health. Having grown up, as aforementioned, in Brooklyn – Mitch cannot run unless something is chasing him so he began to walk the earth and brought the camera along to keep things interesting. Soon, he found the occluded reality of the Newtown Creek and hasn’t left the place since.
Mitch started the Newtown Pentacle website in 2009 to document his adventures along the Newtown Creek(and in the greater harbor and city beyond). He has served the City of New York as a Parade Marshall three times, has been named the Newtown Creek Alliance’s group historian, is a Steering Committee member of the Working Harbor Committee, and offers regular walking, bus and boat tours of the Newtown Creek Watershed. He resides in Astoria, Queens, with his wife Catherine and their little dog.
His photography and unique point of view have attracted no small amount of attention, and Mitch has appeared in several documentaries about the Creek and is often quoted in news articles about the subject. A book collecting his photos and discoveries- Newtown Creek for the Vulgarly Curious, is available for order at lulu.com, and a second book will be published soon.
Photo credit: Steve McCann
From the former 5ptz to Newtown Creek, explore Long Island City's Hunters Point with Mitch Waxman, historian at Newtown Creek Alliance.
This “Modern Corridor” walking tour starts at the old city center, nearby Jackson Avenue and Court Square, and explores the brave new world rising from the ashes of a 19th century industrial titan - the independent municipality of Long Island City.
An independent city until 1894, Long Island City was once the "workshop of America" and home to vast industries. Today, residential towers rise from the rust and remains of the sugar factories, oil works, and rail terminals which were once there. You will be treated to panoramic views of the very center of New York City, while Newtown Creek Alliance Historian Mitch Waxman describes this former industrial empire and the transportation infrastructure which crosses it still. The tour will continue to the edge of Queens, will visit the 1870 era LIRR yard, explore parts of the Newtown Creek waterfront, and cross into the shrinking industrial neighborhood found just beyond the "Modern Corridor".
Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended. Bathroom opportunities will be found only at the start of the walk.
Meetup - 11 A.M. at the Albert E. Short Triangle park found at the corner of Jackson Avenue and 23rd Street in Long Island City, Queens. http://goo.gl/maps/caoRO This is the Court Square MTA station, and served by the 7, G, and M lines. Additionally, the Q39 and B62 buses have nearby stops. Check MTA.info as ongoing construction at Queens Plaza often causes delays and interruptions.
Drivers, leave your vehicle near the Pulaski Bridge in either Greenpoint or Long Island City.
