Since the opening of the $350 million AirTrain terminal near Jamaica Station in 2003, Jamaica has experienced a dramatic transformation. New bank branches are opening along Jamaica Avenue, along with a 15-screen multiplex cinema, Old Navy, Bally’s Gym, Zales, Nine West and The Children’s Place. 2009 marked the opening of Verizon Wireless and Gap Generation. In 2010, Applebee’s restaurant opened its doors on Jamaica Avenue.
Major employers like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Social Security Administration have built important facilities in the neighborhood, while the Queens County Civil and Family Courts have established Jamaica as the center for Queens’ civil judicial activities.
State-of-the-art parking and infrastructure upgrades have laid the groundwork for all this recent development, which includes the first new residential buildings in 30 years, and the adaptive reuse of a spectacular landmark church into the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, a 400-seat, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose performance complex.
Demolition of Merkel Meat Plant Complete
The old Merkel Meat Plant building, located across the street from the AirTrain, has been demolished after lying vacant for decades. With the building now cleared, the 60,000 sf site is ready to accommodate up to 720,000 sf of development thanks to the 2007 rezoning that designated the block as C6-4 (12.0 Floor Area Ratio).
March 2007 January 2008
Home Depot and Marshalls Open in Downtown Jamaica
The home improvement superstore opened a 105,000 square-foot facility on the site of the former Long Island Press building at Archer Avenue and 168th Street in 2007. Rooftop parking accommodates more than 250 cars. The project was developed by the Mattone Group of College Point. The new Home Depot has created 300 new jobs.
Also in 2007, Marshalls moved into a 50,000 sf space formerly occupied by Toys R Us on Jamaica Avenue and 168th Street.
Residential
Yorkside Towers
90-05 161st Street
Completed in 2005 by the Ciampa Organization, Yorkside Towers were the first market-rate rental housing structures built in Downtown Jamaica in 30 years. The two fully occupied buildings—180 units total—demonstrate the high demand and desirability of living in Downtown Jamaica. The project has added vibrancy to Jamaica and has spurred a wave of new housing developments across the Downtown.
Now Renting
The Former Queens Family Court
89-14 Parsons Boulevard
The Dermot Company has completed their $130 million renovation of the former Queens Family Court building, an elegant 80-year-old Renaissance building at 89th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard. The project features Manhattan-style amenities and contains approximately 346 residential units of low, middle, and market rate rental units. The project also includes 18,500 square feet of retail space, parking for 190 cars, and 19,220 square feet for community and cultural uses. For more information click here for the project’s website.
Retail
Downtown Jamaica has always been a thriving retail district. During the past few years, major banks, including Bank of America, Sterling National Bank, Washington Mutual, and Carver Federal Savings Bank, have opened retail branches in Jamaica, making the Downtown one of the most important retail banking centers in Queens.
Major national chains have also opened new stores along Jamaica Avenue, including The Children’s Place, Nine West and Zale’s.
The largest national chain stores in the area are at One Jamaica Center, on the corner of Parsons Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue. The complex, opened in 2002, hosts a popular wheelchair accessible 15-screen, multiplex cinema, as well as a Bally’s Gym, Walgreens, Old Navy store, and underground parking.
Recent Arrivals
Home Depot
The home improvement superstore opened a 105,000 square-foot facility on the site of the former Long Island Press building at Archer Avenue and 168th Street in 2007. Rooftop parking accommodates more than 250 cars. The project was developed by the Mattone Group of College Point. The new Home Depot has created 300 new jobs.
Marshalls
Downtown Jamaica welcomed the arrival of a 50,000 sf Marshalls store on Jamaica Avenue and 168th Street. The new Marshalls occupies the former Toys R Us space in the old Mays Department Store Building.
Commercial
U.S. Food and Drug Administration – 2000
158-15 Liberty Avenue
With Congressman Floyd Flake, and following initial leadership from U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation worked with private developer Hines Interests PC to develop the $85 million U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Northeast Regional Laboratory, Headquarters and District Office. Since the facility’s completion in 1999, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has been helping to advance collaborations and joint programs between York College and the FDA.
Courts
With two exquisitely designed new court facilities, Downtown Jamaica has become the center for civil judicial activities in Queens.
Queens County Family Court – 2002
151-20 Jamaica Avenue
Designed by I. M. Pei to maximize natural light, each floor provides sweeping views of the surrounding area. Soaring over the forty-foot high atrium ceiling is Ursula von Rydingsvard’s sculpture “katul katul.”
Queens County Civil Court – 1997
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard
In the early 1970s, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation participated in the planning and site acquisition by Mayor John Lindsay for the Civil Court complex on Sutphin Boulevard. Designed by Perkins Eastman Architects and built of limestone, granite, and glass, the award-winning Civil Court building houses not only the civil court, but also the small claims and landlord/tenant court for Queens County.
Arts
The Landmark Project
Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
153-10 Jamaica Avenue
The landmark former First Reformed Church has been transformed into the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, to be managed by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL). Cultural Collaborative Jamaica and Black Spectrum Theater are the project’s cosponsors. Greater Jamaica Development Corporation assisted in the preservation, protection, and restoration of the building. The church’s façade has been carefully restored, and the interior has been transformed to house a 400-seat theater suitable for films, dance, music, rehearsals, performances and meetings. Other features of this $18 million undertaking include a third-floor community conference room, and additional performance space on the grounds. Call 718-658-7400 x123 for more information.
The Chapel of the Three Sisters
159th Street and Beaver Road
The 1857 chapel on the grounds of Prospect Cemetery has been recently renovated as a performance and arts space and will enjoy new life as part of the York College campus. The chapel is now home to the Illinois Jacquet Performance Space. For more information click here.
Pedestrian Amenities
Jamaica Pathways
Jamaica Pathways is a system of enhanced pedestrian routes designed to create a safe and attractive environment to encourage visitors to leave their cars and explore Downtown Jamaica on foot. The first three Pathways, now open on Sutphin Boulevard, 159 th Street and 160 th Street, connect downtown street sections to transit or parking facilities. The project provides pedestrian amenities like special sidewalk surfaces, lighting, path finding information, trees, landscaping, and coordinated graphics. Jamaica Pathways will be expanded to connect other streets in the community in the near future.
Transportation
AirTrain – 2003
Developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the AirTrain is a direct rail link between JFK International Airport and the LIRR trains, MTA subways, and buses at Jamaica Station. The $350 million AirTrain complex began operation in 2003 and was officially completed in 2005.
Long Island Railroad Station – 2003
The Long Island Railroad Station was recently completely renovated in connection with the development of the AirTrain. Originally built in 1913, the canopies and all the platforms were replaced in the upgrade.
Parking
Jamaica First is a project of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to plan and facilitate a comprehensive public parking system to better serve the businesses, institutions, residents, and visitors of Downtown Jamaica and to support its new development. Jamaica First Parking’s 2,000-space system is locally managed, operated, and owned by this new non-profit entity created by GJDC and supported by the Jamaica business community.
Midblock Garage – 2005
89-47 162nd Street
This $11 million garage, opened in 2005, was built with state of the art equipment. The 400-car garage has three levels, with entries and exits on 162 nd and 163 rd Streets and 5,000 square feet of retail space. Councilmembers Leroy Comrie, James Gennaro, David Weprin, and Thomas White provided key support for the new garage.
Parsons Garage – 2005
90-15 Parsons Boulevard
A $1.5 million renovation of the Parsons Garage at 90-15 Parsons Boulevard was completed in 2005. This garage provides 550 parking spaces.
168th Street Lots and the Archer Garage – 2003
90-01 168th Street and 90-30 165th Street
In March 2001, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation acquired from the City of New York two surface parking lots on either side of 168 th Street, north of Jamaica Avenue, as well as the Archer Avenue Garage. Jamaica First Parking, a subsidiary of GJDC, then supervised a $2.3 million renovation of these centrally located facilities, which together contain over 1,000 parking spaces. Renovation of the garage required extensive concrete restoration and waterproofing, as well as new lighting, signage, and security measures. The lots were outfitted with new state of the art revenue control equipment. New lighting, signage, and landscaping were also added. Work was completed, and the facilities reopened, in 2003.