Queens Shoppers To Get $100 Million Retail Center

Western Queens residents who travel to Manhattan or Nassau County to shop at high-end national chain stores will be able to find them right in their backyard when The Shops at Atlas Park opens in early 2005.
The 10-acre mixed-use site, which will incorporate national and local retailers, professional offices and a landscaped park at its center, will be developed at the Atlas Terminals industrial park in Glendale by the propertys owner, real estate firm Atco Properties and Management.
Damon Hemmerdinger, Atcos development director, estimated the $100 million project would bring over 2,000 jobs to the region1,200 in construction and construction-related jobs, and over 900 permanent jobs.
Over the years, the area has seen a decline in manufacturing businesses that were traditionally its economic pillar.
"We wanted to see what could be done with this piece of land that would be useful to the community and financially viable for us," said Hemmerdinger.
Atco unveiled its plans this week, which include an open, outdoor design, 75 retail stores and restaurants, with 1,200 covered parking spaces.
The company is discussing leases with yet-to-be-named upscale chains. In addition, ethnic food markets and a day care center serving 200 children are planned for The Shops at Atlas Park.