One of the biggest developers in Queens spoke about the long history of city policies preventing development in the borough - a trend that could be ending with major developments planned throughout the borough.
“The future I believe for Queens is as bright as it’s ever been,” said Joshua Muss, Principal of the Muss Development Company, at a Queens College Business Forum event on Friday, May 2.
The Muss Development Company, which has been developing large and small projects throughout the city for more than a century, is currently working on Sky View Parc in downtown Flushing.
When completed, the 14-acre Sky View Parc site will contain 1,100 condominiums in six towers, 800,000 square feet of retail space, a four-acre park, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf and a fitness center, among other amenities.
In addition to Sky View Parc, Muss spoke about another development project that his company has submitted a proposal to redevelop - Willets Point.
“Willets Point is the poster child for eminent domain,” said Muss, who referred to the current site as “God-awful.”
“There is no earthly reason for anyone to be on the site,” said Muss, who believes that the current landowners knew the situation when they decided to start their business there.
“That is the perfect location for development now,” Muss said.
Meanwhile, Congressmember Joseph Crowley, who is the Chair of the Queens County Democratic Organization, talked about the painful and difficult times that lie ahead for the borough, state and nation.
“We will be looking to the business community and all sectors of society to help us through this,” Crowley said.
In addition to Crowley, Assemblymembers Audrey Pheffer and Mark Weprin and City Councilmembers Leroy Comrie and David Weprin attended the business forum.
“This business forum has turned into a great event; great for Queens County and great for businesses in Queens,” said Assemblymember Mark Weprin, who chairs the Assembly’s Small Business Committee.
The Queens College Business Forum, which is sponsored by the Queens Borough President’s Office, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Con Ed and other groups, began in the fall of 2005.
At the conclusion of Friday’s forum, the sponsors presented two $2,500 scholarships to two Queens College business students in order to help them continue their studies.
