While there's a lot of work going on above ground on Poppenhusen Avenue, the real magic is happening below street level.
College Point is getting a much-needed upgrade, a new sewer system and water mains.
Currently, the neighborhood has a combined sewer system in which wastewater and storm water flow together, often overwhelming the treatment plant nearby.
"The system cannot handle it. So much of the water flows into the bay, wastewater, which is not good," said Franco Mesiti, the deputy director of the Bronx/North Queens division of the city's Department of Design and Construction (DDC).
"Since it's a combined system, we're separating the system out so there's no flooding in the neighborhood, which is a first for this neighborhood," said Angkita Podder, a junior inspector with DDC.
The DDC started the project last summer, which encompasses 20 blocks south of MacNeil Park. In addition to separating the sewer systems, so far, more than 8,700 linear feet of cast iron water mains dating back to 1923 have been replaced with new iron pipes.
"It's going to improve the water quality," said Mesiti.
Once the work is complete, only wastewater will be sent to the Tallman Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, while clean storm water will flow back into the East River.
"One of the things that people are going to notice right away when the project is completed, there will be a lot less flooding. There will be no flooding at all because we're installing new storm sewers, new catch basins," said Mesiti.
The $15 million project is expected to be complete by 2018. In addition, the Parks Department is planning to build an access ramp to the beach for a kayak launch in nearby MacNeil Park.