Rego Park's Trylon Theater Rezoning Heads To Committee Hearing

REGO PARK, QUEENS — The proposed redevelopment of a historic theater and beloved neighborhood diner in Rego Park will face its first round of public scrutiny next week.

Queens Community Board 6's land use and housing committee will meet Tuesday with RJ Capital Holdings to discuss its application to rezone the triangular lot on Queens Boulevard between 66th Road and 66th Avenue and build a 15-story residential building.

The plan would require demolishing the historic Trylon Theater, which dates back to 1939 and is now occupied by the Ohr Natan Synagogue, as well as Tower Diner.

A number of neighbors are protesting the demolition: A petition to save the buildings has drawn well over 1,700 signatures.

RJ Capital Holdings has argued that the synagogue and diner will have the opportunity to rent space in the new building and that the neighborhood would benefit from more housing stock.

The 162-unit building would include affordable apartments and commercial space on the ground floor.

"This project will provide a new supply of residential rentals in a neighborhood that would only benefit from such," RJ Capital Holdings Principal Michael Abramov told Patch in August. "We are from the community, we serve the community, and hope to continue to be able to do so."

After the developer's application is certified, the committee full community board will cast an advisory vote. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards will also issue an advisory opinion.

The rezoning must then clear the City Planning Commission and City Council.

This article has been corrected to note that the committee is only discussing the proposal Tuesday, not casting an advisory vote.