Flushing Commons must go forward

Flushing Commons, the proposal to redevelop Municipal Lot 1 in downtown Flushing is the single most important project in the history of Flushing. It must be allowed to continue and be completed.
Flushing Chamber of Commerce President Myra Baird Herce said, “We are at the moment in history where we have the chance to make history and upgrade the image of Flushing.” She added, “… this project will make Flushing an international city where folks from the Mets games and tennis matches would say, ‘Wow this is a great place to go.’ ”
The criticism of the project arose during a recent presentation by the developer, TDC Development, to the chamber of proposed adjustments to the plans that were filed two years ago.
Michael Meyer, President of TDC Development and other group members, the Rockefeller Group and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, cited “unprecedented escalations in construction costs” as the reason for the changes.
The adjusted plans call for 325,000 square feet of retail space, 500 residential units, office space, a hotel, 1,600 parking spaces as well as 50,000 square feet dedicated to community space with a focus geared to youth activities.
The proposed changes to cover the construction increases involve cutting out 400 parking spaces from the original 2,000, and reducing the community space by 30,000 square feet.
The developers studied the parking situation and while rates at the new parking facility will rise, they will still be lower than market rate elsewhere in the city. Additionally there will still be more spaces than the community had requested.
These changes are not deal busters as far as we are concerned.
Nor do these changes warrant City Councilmember John Liu’s negative comments after the chamber luncheon. “The community hashed out an agreement with the city two years ago and through this presentation the developer seems to be throwing out the entire agreement,” Liu said adding, “The agreement is what it was two years ago; a deal is a deal … When people try to renege on a deal, then it’s a no go.”
We feel Liu’s evaluation is just plain wrong. TDC Development is neither trying to throw out the entire agreement nor trying to renege on a deal.
Business and community leaders back Meyer and voice support for the project to go forward, as do we. This historic project must continue, despite the objections of naysayers like Liu. For the good of his community, Liu must put his personal agenda and politics aside and acknowledge the tremendous good that the Flushing Commons project will do for Flushing and Queens.