Sunnyside Arch Gets $500K Refurbishing

According to Forgotten NY, the most recognizable landmark of Sunnyside Queens is its arch at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard, "erected years ago by a now-defunct community group." Now the Daily News reports the arch, after years of disrepair, finally has a new paint job as well as nearby "benches, bike racks and trees." The entire project cost around $500,000, a number that has some skeptics—one business owner offers, "With this economy, the money could have been used somewhere else in the community. It does look better, but I don't think it's attractive," while Queens Crap says, "A half million dollars of our money went into this? Who's buddy got that contract?" But a member of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce explains, "The key to the arch is that it's a symbol of a special community. It's not so much just a piece of steel." Photo: wallyg on Flickr