New Complex Will Bring Jobs To Queens

Approximately 1,500 new jobs will be coming to Queens as the result of a new complex that is to be built in College Point Corporate Park
The College Point Wholesale Distribution Development Center LLC, has drawn an investment of nearly $175 million by 50 Korean wholesalers, and will house Pil Jae Ims Korlus Trading Corp. as well as nearly 200 other wholesale businesses. Its construction will result in 1,100 new construction jobs by the time work begins in 2005, and 420 new jobs (in addition to the 600 existing jobs) over the course of five to seven years.
With an expected completion date of 2006, the 585,000-square-foot, six-building construction is slated to be an import/wholesale center for small businesses that will generate an economic boom in Queens.
In order to accommodate the increased traffic that will accompany the new development, the city has earmarked $8 million through to citys capital budget to extend Linden Place to 20th Avenue. This will make the span of roadway an invaluable artery to and from College Point Corporate Park and the surrounding community.
"I think the additional jobs bring a great deal of benefit to Queens," said Councilmember John Liu. "And I want to see economic development and job growth. Im glad that the proceeds from the sale of the site will provide some of the funding for the building of the road."
At a conference, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President Helen Marshall and Liu hailed the new commercial distribution complex as a boon to the community.
"The development of this site is a milestone in the history of the College Point Corporate Park," said Marshall. "The College Point Wholesale Distribution Center will give new life to a long dormant, but valuable tract of land, and will create hundreds of jobsmany for people who live in Queens. I am delighted that the city is committed to the construction of additional roads that will ease the traffic congestion that has plagued this community for many years."
"As I said last month in the State of the City address, this is a banner year for our industrial park in College Point, Queens," said Bloomberg. "When EDC [Economic Development Corp.] issued the Request for Proposals for this site last spring, it attracted a great deal of attention, and we have identified an ideal developer for this unique site including a portion of the long-neglected Flushing airport."
The College Point location has dual-sided advantages for the investors: the companies moving in, based largely in midtown Manhattan, will not only be able to avert overcrowding and high rents, but will have the opportunity to expand their businesses and lower operating costs.
As part of a strategy for long-term growth, the developer plans to continue to bring in a diverse mix of tenants to create a truly international import and distribution center.
The developer plans to donate $100,000 toward community projects that will include construction at the College Sports Complex. There are also plans for a nature trail on a wetlands tract preserved by the EDC.