Constantinides resigns from NYC council

Eagle file photo by Jonathan Sperling

By David Brand

Queens Councilmember Costa Constantinides will resign April 9 to take a job leading an Astoria nonprofit, he said Wednesday.

Constantinides, the term-limited chair of the environmental protection committee, will serve as CEO of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. 

“There are many ways to be a public servant that are not in elected office. Many times that truth is forgotten by too many,” he said in a statement. “I have committed my life to serving this community and have been searching for a way to continue this service.”

Constantinides’ long-rumored exit makes him the third incumbent Queens councilmember to leave office since November 2020. Ex-District 24 Councilmember Rory Lancman left for a job in the Cuomo Administration that month and former District 31 Councilmember Donovan Richards took office as Queens borough president in December 2020.

Constantinides and his family have contended with persistent health problems as a result of COVID-19. Those issues factored into his decision to take the top job at a local organization, he said in an interview with the Eagle immediately after his announcement.

“Being able to work for a nonprofit that helps kids and serves the community and still be able to close to home weighed heavily on my heart,” he said. “This opportunity is just so wonderful. They serve 4,000 kids in our community. I want to put a focus on reaching out to kids from the Ravenswood Houses, the Astoria Houses. They are a stones throw away.”

Constantinides, first elected in 2013, has championed issues of sustainability and environmental protection during his more than seven years in the council. He has sponsored legislation to cut building emissions and to study the potential for Rikers Island to serve as a renewable energy hub.

His exit will open the seat in Astoria’s Council District 22, but there will be no special election to replace him. Instead, the winner of the November general election will take office immediately. 

Constantinides said he did not think about the special election timeframe when making his decision.

“I waited to announce because I had to make some tough family, personal and professional decisions,” he said. “I didn’t do this on anyone’s timeline but mine.”

Six Democrats and one Republican are vying to replace Constantinides. Former public defender Tiffany Cabán, attorney John Ciafone, ex-reporter Catherina Gioino, Community Board 1 member Evie Hantzopolous, Sunnyside Shines Executive Director Jaime Faye-Bean and Department of Education official Leonardo Bullardo are running on the Democratic side.

Republican Felicia Kalan, a consultant who helps mothers find remote work opportunities, is also running. Edwin DeJesus is representing the Green Party.

Constantinides, a 2020 candidate for Queens borough president, did not rule out one day running for office again.

“Who knows what the future holds. I’m never going to say never,” he said.