The following is the 82nd Street Business Improvement District’s Historic Jackson Heights visitors guide.
World-noted architect Robert A.M. Stern wrote, “Jackson Heights established a model urban suburbia that demonstrates as none have since what high-density housing in the city could be.”
Begun in the 1920s as America’s first large-scale co-op garden apartment community, the neighborhood has retained its architectural integrity and charm.
Jackson Heights was important in the ’20s as a prototype urban plan and it remains important today because 70 years have shown that the plan still works. The melding of cooperative ownership and garden apartments has proven to be a durable solution to creating attractive and livable housing.
The 82nd Street Business Improvement District includes a two-block commercial area in Jackson Heights. The BID district is on 82nd Street between 37th and Baxter avenues. The 82nd Street BID, a not-for-profit corporation, was established in 1991. Organized in compliance with state and city laws, the BID allows property owners in the defined target area to adopt a budget for specific services they desire and to levy a special assessment to cover the cost of those services.
The BID’s mission is to preserve the Historic Landmark District, stimulate the economy and support diversity in the community. The BID’s mission remains constant: to provide top-quality, efficient and cost-effective service and support to merchants, property owners and the community. This is accomplished through program initiatives in areas of sanitation, maintenance, advertising and promotion, community outreach and liaison with city agencies and elected officials.
Throughout the BID’s history, the organization has received numerous awards and recognition from city and state officials for outstanding services.
The different ethnic groups and our stores make this district distinct and exciting. The various ethnic products and services are positive for the economy and make it pleasant to live in Jackson Heights. The diversity of the community, including the food, music, clothing, languages, religions, sports and various entertainment options make this district stand out from other neighborhoods.
Our district is clean and has been beautified with benches and trees, which make shopping enjoyable and relaxing.
Helpful businesses include Chase Manhattan Bank-Norfolk Bank, Verizon, KeySpan Energy, Citibank, Con Edison and Ponce de Leon Bank.
Some Jackson Heights places to tour are the Delhi Palace Restaurant, 37-33 74th St. between Roosevelt and 37th avenues; St. Marks Church, 81st to 82nd streets on the north side of 34th Avenue; English Gables, the west side of 82nd Street between Roosevelt and 37th avenues; Garden, the Towers, 80th to 81st streets between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard; Chibcha Restaurant and Nightclub, 70-05 Roosevelt Ave.; English Garden Homes, 87th Street between 37th and 35th avenues; Lent Homestead, 78-03 17th Rd., East Elmhurst.
Travel information
By subway: Take the E, F or G train to Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights or take the No. 7 train to the 74th Street-Broadway stop.
By bus: From the Marine Air Terminal, take the Q47 bus to 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue. From the LaGuardia Main Terminal, take the Q33 bus to 82nd Street and 37th Avenue.
By car: From eastern Queens and Long Island, take the Grand Central Parkway west to the Marine Air Terminal exit. Turn left at the first traffic light onto 82nd Street. Follow 82nd Street for 10 blocks to 37th Avenue.
From Brooklyn, take the BQE (278) east to the Northern Boulevard exit. At the traffic light, turn right onto Northern Boulevard and go 13 blocks to 82nd Street. At 82nd Street, turn right and drive three blocks to 37th Avenue.
From Manhattan, cross the Queensboro Bridge and follow Northern Boulevard to 82nd Street. At 82nd Street, turn right and go three blocks to 37th Avenue.
From the Bronx and Westchester, cross the Triborough Bridge to Queens (left toll lanes), and proceed east on the Grand Central Parkway to the Marine Air Terminal exit. Turn right at the traffic light and proceed on 82nd Street for 10 blocks to 37th Avenue.
Car Rental: Jackson Heights was created as a self-contained “walking city,” but if you need a car for other trips you will find all the major rental agencies at LaGuardia Airport. Avis can be reached at 718-507-3600 and Budget at 718-639-6400. Locally there is Queensboro Toyota, which can be reached at 718-335-8600.
Lodging
If you are flying to New York, there are hundreds of quality hotel rooms adjacent to LaGuardia Airport and only five minutes from the Jackson Heights historic area. A few of these include Days Inn, 100-15 Ditmars Blvd., 718-898-1225; Holiday Inn- Crowne Plaza, 104-04 Ditmars Blvd., 718-457-6300; LaGuardia Marriott, 102-05 Ditmars Blvd., 718-565-8900; and The Ramada Hotel at LaGuardia, 90-10 Grand Central Parkway, 718-446-4800.
This series is provided by the Queens Economic Development Corp.
