New York state senator Michael Gianaris has revealed plans to construct a new planetarium at 21-12 30th Road in Astoria, Queens. Construction of the planetarium is a major facet of plans to renovate the site’s existing building, which currently houses the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, a non-profit organization that offers youth development, physical fitness, and seasonal programming for local children and teens.
The structure features a striking design incorporating a variety of materials. The façade is composed of sections of black and white paneling with a division formed by stepped setbacks. The lower corner is clad in glass, showcasing the planetarium dome within.
The planetarium is expected to serve 8,000 to 10,000 children and teens annually.
“If we want our kids to reach for the stars, they must see them first,” said senator Gianaris. “This project will make science more accessible to the children of our neighborhoods and open their minds to exciting new possibilities for their futures.”
Construction will be funded by a $1 million state grant awarded to the team. The planetarium is expected to open in 2026.
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I hope there’s a decimal place missing in the attendance estimate. That’s only about 25 kids per day.
Pretty weird…but okay.
Planet-arium!
Great example of wasting taxpayer’s hard earned money of pet project that benifit nobody but one man’s political ambitions.