Times Square Gossip

Thomas Balsley And Frank Ottomanelli James Edstrom With Police Captain Hameed Armani (NYPD 108th Precinct) Brent O'Leary With Ebony Young (Deputy Queens Borough President) Frank Ottomanelli hosted a celebration at his cafe F. Ottomanelli By The Water in Hunters Point South Park for winning Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2025 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence including Hunter’s Point South Park on the east river which was voted best urban park.    Hunter’s Point South was much like the rest of New York City’s original coastline: swampy marshland. The site became home to a landfill, a concrete plant, The Daily News printing facility, and a railroad transfer site. And who can forget the famous Pepsi Plant with the giant billboard right on the east river (which is still there).   Kristen Gonzalez (District 59 Senator) with Claire Valdez (District 37 Assembly Member) Hunters Ponit Parks Conservancy President Rob Basch with Barbara Etzel  Among the VIP's attending the ...

   From left to right: Stephanie Pankiewicz - ULI Jury Committee, Tom Balsley - Design Principal -    swa/Balsley, Rob Basch - President Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, Ebony Young - Deputy Queens Borough President, Frank Ottomanelli - Owner, Frank Ottomanelli's By The Water, Len Greco - Senior Vice President EDC, Mark Focht - Deputy Commissioner NYC Parks, Kevin Parris - Director NYC Housing, Preservation and Development In Hunters Point South Park East River New York City     WASHINGTON   – Ten developments from across North America have been selected as winners of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2025 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence including Hunter’s Point South Park.   ULI began the Awards for Excellence program in 1979 to recognize superior development efforts in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Winning projects represent the highest standards of achievement in the land use profession and encompass a wide range of l...

  Joyce Randolph And James Edstrom Woke up to sad news. My friend of 40 yrs Joyce Randolph (Trixie Honeymooners) passed away last night at 99.  Last time I spoke to Joyce was on our Birthday Oct 21st. For so many years we threw our birthday parties together with Julie Wilson & other celebrities. I can not tell you how many adventures we had together. She was Married to a great guy, Dick Charles. They had a great son Randy Charles.  Years ago I talked them into renewing their wedding vows out in Long Island. When I picked them up at their Central Park West home in a stretch limo, Dick started to make a Vodka and Soda. Joyce was like, "Dick, It's 7am in the morning. Dick turned to her and said, Dammit Joyce, I'm getting married in a hour. Joyce turned to me and said, James, You Get me in more jams than Ralph Kramden ever could. " The wedding was picked up worldwide.  Our birthdays brought out a cast of characters. Golden Girl Rue McClanahan hosted a couple of our w...

  Frank Ottomanelli On The Water Long Island City is set to gain the first-ever outdoor ice-skating rink on the waterfront. Set to launch this December 2023, F. Ottomanelli by The Water will open the one-of-a-kind venue that will face the stunning Manhattan skyline that sits on the East River. For the first time in history, the region and Hunter's Point South Park will be elevated with an ice-skating rink that will provide both recreation and joy in the neighborhood. In recent years, Long Island City has become one of the fastest growing communities in America. With both residents and tourists alike coming to the streets via subway, rideshare, bus and even ferry, the increased popularity has produced a massive growth that sets a perfect tone for a sparkling new sports venue.   Empire State Building View F. Ottomanelli by The Water, which sits at 52-10 Center Boulevard Queens, NY 11101, for years has provided the premier entertainment center in Long Island City. From hosting th...