Planning Director addresses Chamber of Commerce

With rezonings taking place at record rates throughout the borough, Queens’ Director of City Planning John Young provided the Queens Chamber of Commerce and its members an updated glimpse at what the borough might look like in the not so distant future.
Young discussed a number of projects that are on the city’s agenda including numerous ones in Flushing, Long Island City and Jamaica - three of the borough’s major transit hubs and business zones.
During the meeting at the LaGuardia Marriott on Thursday, January 24, Young spoke about Willets Point and Queens Crossing in Flushing; the expansion of Silvercup Studios and Hunters Point South in Long Island City; and multiple mixed-use projects and infrastructure improvements planned for downtown Jamaica as well as other projects expected to come soon in the borough.
The area in downtown Jamaica, which just last year was part of the largest rezoning effort in city history, like other rezonings, aims to catalyze and encourage development in already-established business centers, according to Young.
“At the same time, [the rezonings] protect the distinct qualities of the residential neighborhoods that really are the foundations of why people are attracted to the borough,” Young said.
In addition to a plethora of development projects in the three business zones, Young also spoke about upcoming rezonings planned for Briarwood, St. Albans and Queensboro Hill that will take place this year.
“We realize our agenda is an incredibly challenging one and ambitious one, but we really think that Queens deserves no less,” Young said. “These communities are important and valuable assets, and we surely think the opportunities for the business districts to create, grow and build up the investments and activities already underway will be enhanced with the initiatives we are working on.”
Prior to Young’s presentation, City Councilmember Leroy Comrie, who represents areas in southeast Queens, praised the office of city planning in Queens for their openness and willingness to work with the elected officials and the community.
In addition, Comrie said he looked forward to working with Young’s office and the Queens Chamber of Commerce on future development projects.
“We have opportunity for expansion all over the borough, and we have needs for improvements all over the borough,” Comrie said. “We are keen in the city council to do everything we that we can to help with business expansion.”