Members from the mayor’s office brought the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan to life with an exhibit, at Queens Central Library on 89-11 Merrick Blvd.
The plan, launched in 2023, is an onging economic development project to revitalize Jamaica.
The project’s vision is to make downtown Jamaica a desirable place for new business owners, residents and investors.
Today the exhibit, located in the library’s atrium, featured multiple infographics highlighting potential goals of the program. The program is an opportunity for residents to to interact with the Department of City Planning staff and make suggestions about the plan. Residents had already left various comments on the boards expressing their feelings about some of the project’s goals.
One of the boards highlighted goals to maintain diversity in the neighborhood by expanding affordable housing options to residents of mixed income levels. However, some comments left on the board questioned the idea. “Work with the federal govt. to readjust the AMI until then affordable housing will not be affordable,” one resident wrote. “How many people can actually afford this?” Another comment read.
A representative from the Department of City Planning said the comments will be taken into consideration as they enhance the neighborhood plans. “The input we received from thousands of New Yorkers since last May through surveys, in-person meetings, youth engagement and pop-ups like this one significantly informed our planning work,” they said.
Other boards included strategies to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. Goals included addressing violent crime, enhancing green spaces and exploring opportunities for mixed use housing.
Another part of the exhibit featured a description of how residents could build wealth. Strategies included creating job training pathways to bolster employment opportunities and connecting downtown Jamaica with other neighborhoods through transit.
If you are interested in viewing the exhibit, it is still open through Friday, Mar. 22. Visitors can speak to staff stationed at the exhibit on Friday from 12-4 p.m.
