Guided by the sounds of thumping drums and a traditional Chinese lion dance, political and financial leaders from around the borough and city descended upon the site of what will become the tallest building in Flushing – the North Queens Medical Center. The 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art glass tower – which will stand at 42-31 Union Street – will be LEED-certified and generate 1,200 jobs, as well as serve the growing healthcare needs of the flourishing Flushing population. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 26.
“It’s a very exciting moment,” said Congressmember Gary Ackerman. “We are all very pleased with the progress that has been made here. It’s going to inject a tremendous amount of jobs to our community at a very critical time. It’s going to provide a medical service to an expanding community, the most diverse community in the entire United States of America.”
The building – developed by Fleet Financial Group in conjunction with M.R. Beal & Company – will feature 65 medical office condos, a two-level below-ground garage with 256 parking spaces, a hotel with 101 suites ranging in size with a full kitchen and luxury condo apartments. President of Fleet Financial Group and real estate developer Richard Xia – a recipient of a Queens Chamber of Commerce building award – was praised by both Assemblymember Grace Meng and City Comptroller John Liu for remaining true to his vision and fulfilling made promises.
“I know that Richard has a good track record in our community and we are very proud of him for this wonderful new development,” said Meng.
Also in attendance at the groundbreaking were State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, City Councilmembers Peter Koo and Leroy Comrie, Community Board 7 district manager Marilyn Bitterman, and executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Jack Friedman, among other leaders from around the borough. The North Queens Medical Center is expected to be completed by 2013.
