By George H. Tsai
A positive move to change the fate of an abandoned airport has kicked up dust in northwestern Queens.
A lot of people in this part of the borough, including this writer, have shown much interest in the proposed sale and development of the old Flushing Airport.
The plan has been in the news for a while. Why? Its development could create scores of jobs and generate much-needed revenues and taxes for city and local projects. What’s more, it could breed an economic boom in a once-deserted area.
It seemed a done deal because Mayor Michael Bloomberg made it official in early February that the city had chosen a Korean developer to build a complex on part of the abandoned airport for 180 small businesses that would create some 1,000 jobs, according to the TimesLedger.
To my and perhaps many others’ surprise, however, the plan drew negative responses shortly after its announcement.
A handful of College Point residents and City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), a member of the Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings as well as the Land Use Committee, recently were seen at the site protesting the plan.
It is unfortunate. The opposition is perhaps out of both politics and concerns over quality-of-life issues facing communities near the development. Avella was not invited to the College Point Corporate Park ceremony where Bloomberg announced the plan for the abandoned airport, which falls within the councilman’s district, the TimesLedger said.
The protest has unquestionably dampened the mayor’s enthusiasm over the development of the long-ignored site but probably not the city’s determination to proceed with the deal.
The challenge doubtless has thrown a related project into uncertainty.
In January, City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) proposed an alternate route to the outdoor mall on 20th Avenue via Linden Place to link Whitestone and College Point in an effort to ease traffic in that area, where the proposed Korean complex would be located. Liu’s proposal banks on the sale of the abandoned airport.
Protests are likely to persist. Therefore, Liu should seek other resources to fund his proposed project. Don’t expect any money from the city, which is mired in deep deficit.
Why should we keep a wasteland in the middle of our community? There is no shortage of answers to that question. But my perception is that the land would remain intact with tall weeds for months if not years until politicians and community leaders could reach a compromise acceptable to all sides.
In the name of job creation, the development would benefit many local residents. We should not let a small number of people hold off this plan on their terms. The City Council and the mayor ought to do something to dispel the opposition.
Barring other unpredictable events, the city is expected to triumph eventually amid protests. I favor a multi-ethnic commercial complex, avoiding giving preference to a certain group.
In the meantime, an off-again, on-again plan to renovate the long-closed, dilapidated RKO Keith’s Theatre on Northern Boulevard seems doomed. The flip-flop has disappointed many concerned residents because its deteriorating appearance is tarnishing Flushing’s image as a booming metropolis.
It was reported that the developer was planning to turn it into a shopping center with luxury apartments on top of it. Those apartments are apparently the culprits that stalled the project, probably on the assumption that wealthy people would not care for a property with a homely panorama of Flushing. In fact, local luxury apartment glut could be one of the key factors.
In reality, Flushing is a town of new immigrants. Most of them are struggling to survive financially. Upscale apartments are obviously beyond their reach. Developers should take note of the situation.
Nevertheless, a Hong Kong conglomerate discounts that fact. The group has begun to erect a 19-story luxury apartment building on Main Street and Sanford Avenue. When completed, it will be the tallest of its kind in town.
The group paints a beautiful picture for Flushing’s future, predicting it will become one of the city’s tourist attractions. We hope their optimism and vision will prevail.
In recent years, luxury apartment buildings have mushroomed in downtown Flushing. The one across from the Queens Botanical Garden on Main Street is getting finishing touches and ready for prospective buyers or tenants. This building was originally designed as a hotel.
It is my ultimate wish that the new arrivals could afford to buy or stay in those luxury apartments, improving their quality of life and realizing their American dream.
