Hundreds gathered at Jamaica Market to celebrate the neighborhood’s continuing revitalization and help honor two of its two most vocal supporters.
The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) saluted City Councilmember Leroy Comrie and TD Bank, New York City Market, President Peter Meyer on Thursday, October 8 for their perseverance in transforming Jamaica into a pedestrian-friendly travel destination.
“These are prominent public and private leaders who have partnered with us to revitalize Jamaica as a major destination place and marketplace of opportunity,” said Lamont Bailey, chair of the GJDC. “And these two men are helping to facilitate Jamaica’s resurgence.”
With an atmosphere reminiscent of a wedding cocktail hour and a jazz band that kept revelers in rhythmic flow, the gala energized civic leaders and elected officials alike while giving hope to those pushing for Jamaica’s success.
Meyer and Comrie, both with fond memories of Jamaica’s busy streets, showed that they believed in the betterment of Jamaica for its residents.
“It was painful to watch Jamaica decline, but those days are behind us now,” said Meyer, refusing to hide his enthusiasm. “This project means more employment opportunities and another opportunity to improve the neighborhood.”
“It is incumbent upon me to try to do as many things for as many people in my district as possible,” said Comrie. “But our work is still to be done.”
Developers see Downtown Jamaica as a major employment center for enterprises directly connected to JFK International Airport, via the new AirTrain light rail service. They also envision a residential and retail community built around Jamaica’s regional transportation hub, which provides easy access to points across the metropolitan area and beyond.
Nevertheless, according to those in attendance, rebuilding Jamaica means more than just a physical overhaul, rather a complete makeover of people’s perception. Moreover, this altering of perception, coupled with the physical rebuilding, will generate economic growth.
“Jamaica is a little place with great promise where people come together to realize their potential,” said Carlisle Towery, president of GJDC.
Project leaders believe that Jamaica has suffered from an unfair reputation through the years as a place commuters merely pass through, stopping only to change trains on the way to a more desirable destination.
The reclamation project includes hotels, retail and commercial space, infrastructure improvements, a park, housing, and public parking, all in various stages of development. The project will be financed through a combination of public and private funds, with the majority coming from public.
“Jamaica must be the destination,” said Comrie.
