Queens Center Mall Re-Opens To Rave Reviews

The holiday spirit filled the Queens Center Mall November 19 as it celebrated its grand re-opening after completing a $275 million redevelopment, which included a "Gift of Music" program that was presented to Caroline Kennedy on behalf of the Fund for Public Schools.
The celebration began at 5:30 p.m. as children gathered around the malls Christmas tree, waiting to see it be lit. On hand to help with the lighting were State Senator John Sabini, Borough President Helen Marshall and even Santa.
After the lighting ceremony, the festivities continued on the roof under dining tents where Queens Center held a fundraiser for the Fund for Public Schools in connection with 21 sponsors. To start things off, the Macerich Company, which owns and runs the mall, expressed their commitment to the community.
"Its not often that a redevelopment of a shopping center creates an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in the community," said Anthony Coppola, who works for Macerich and the mall. "As we celebrate our grand opening and as we take in the beauty that we have createdwe are most proud of the community partnership that we have formed along the way."
Macerich announced that it has made a multi-year commitment to the Fund for Public Schools through the "Gift of Music" program, which will assist in exposing children to music.
"We couldnt think of a better way to say thank you to the community than to work with the Fund to enhance this new music and arts curriculum for our schools," Coppola said.
After Coppola concluded his speech, Kennedy, who is Vice President of the Fund for Public Schools, addressed the crowd.
"Were so grateful to the Fund for Public Schools, that Macerich has reached out to the city and community and will allow children who live near here to participate in a wonderful music program," she said. "I think this is just another example of how it takes the whole city to support the schools."
Employees of Macerich who attended the event also recognized the importance of the partnership with the Fund for Public Schools.
"We try very hard to be involved in the community and I especially thinkits an absolutely great way to bring musicto our community and our children," said Kristin Middleton, senior manager of special leasing for the east central region who is stationed out of Dallas, Texas.
Along with bringing music to the schools, Susan Valentine, senior vice president for marketing for Macerich, said that they have assisted the community by bringing in new stores.
"The people that shop in the mall bring such a wonderful spirit and now what we have done is brought the stores that Queens has deserved to the marketplace," said Valentine. "Its great for the people."
All the changes that have been made to Queens Center Mall have caused an increase in shoppers.
"We have seen a lot of shoppers and a lot of different shoppers," said Dawn Simon, who is the marketing manager for Queens Center. "Were extending our reach."
Simon counts the grand opening ceremony as a success, with a large number of people attending the fundraiser.
"You can take a look around and see that its very successful," Simon said. "Everyone seems pleased and were getting thumbs up from a lot of people who are in attendance."
Those who were there were also able to hear first-hand the good the Fund for Public Schools does when the Queens youth jazz ensemble Rhythm Quest took the stage. The program was started two years ago when Macerich teamed up with the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music.
"The programhas been a wonderful opportunity for them to really come together to explore music," said Donna Exum, whose son Alexander plays in the group. "It gives them an opportunity to learn how to cooperate and work together."
Members of Rhythm Quest such as 13-year-old Alexander Exum, a drummer from Jamaica, Queens, and Darrell Jones, a 15-year-old percussionist from Valley Stream, LI, have messages of gratitude to give to those who have helped them.
"Thanks a lot," said Exum. "We really appreciate it."
In a further effort to keep music in the schools, Queens Center and the Brooklyn-Queens Music Conservatory will restore a chorale program that will be called "The Q Chorale." Starting in May of 2005, Queens Center will partner with Steinway Corporation and Clear Channel Communications to sponsor a Music Teacher of the Year Award.
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