Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., in collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and other stakeholders, is hosting an open house in Jamaica Monday to provide the community with an opportunity to help shape the plans for a $70 million investment in downtown Jamaica.
The open house, called NOW Design Strategy and Streetscape Plan, will take place at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. The DOT will present its overarching plans for the streetscape improvements for the commercial strip.
The study area, bounded by Jamaica Avenue to the north, Merrick Boulevard to the west, Archer Avenue to the south, and Sutphin Boulevard to the east, will be the focus of potential projects. These projects include sidewalk widening, the addition of more seating, new trees and plantings, improved lighting, pop-up programming, and other open space amenities designed to enhance the pedestrian experience.
Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. emphasized the importance of community involvement in the plan.
“The potential that Jamaica offers is limitless, but there is so much work to be done to help this community realize its promise as New York City’s premiere live, work, and play neighborhood. This is work that must be done with the residents of Jamaica at the head of the table, however, and I look forward to hearing from our neighbors about what streetscape improvements they would like to see on their block.”
The open house is part of the broader Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, a collaborative effort involving the Mayor’s Office, Richards, the DOT, NYC Department of City Planning, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Member Nantasha Williams. This initiative aims to stimulate significant job growth and the creation of permanently affordable housing in downtown Jamaica, a vital commercial and transit hub within New York City.
In addition to this open house, public engagement sessions related to the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan were held in Southeast Queens last year, with further sessions planned for the design strategy and streetscape plan later this year.
DETAILS
EVENT: Jamaica NOW Design Strategy and Streetscape Plan Open House
WHERE: Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.
