http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#4511 TechnoMart, an electronics store that was expected to occupy multiple floors of a new building in Jamaica, has pulled out. The new development was one of the first new sites since the city rezoned the area last year. The site of the building has already been remediated but building construction has not begun. Many residents are shocked by the decision of TechnoMart to pull out of the development, but are hopeful now that more quality retail space will be included in the plans. 2008-07-31 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#4297 The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is in the process of examining 22 sites in Jamaica, Queens for potential landmark designation. However, two pastors in the community say they do not want to receive this designation for their churches. Reverend Patrick O’Connor of the First Presbyterian Church on 164th Street and Reverend Christopher O’Connor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church believe that landmark designation would limit their ability to make changes to the physical structures. Preservationists in the area hope to convince these pastors that there are benefits of landmarking important historical structures. The LPC has not set a timeline for completion of the review of the 22 sites. 2008-06-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#4280 Following the recent extensive rezoning and an increase in real estate prices, some preservationists are concerned that historic buildings will be demolished in Jamaica, Queens. The Committee for the Preservation of Jamaica Architecture and History, an ad hoc committee of the Central Queens Historical Association, has complied a list of 25 buildings, of which only two are currently landmarks, that are worthy of preservation. The group is asking that the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) consider these structures for landmark status before they are destroyed by development. 2008-05-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#4221 About 16 small businesses and non-profits are struggling to remain afloat following the extensive rezoning of Jamaica, Queens by the City last year. Many of these firms once leased space in a building that was owned by JP Morgan Chase until September of last year. As the rezoning process got underway in 2005, the businesses say that their landlord refused to negotiate new leases, opting to go month to month. They believe this was to make it easier to evict the tenants later on. The businesses blame this on the rezoning. 2008-05-13 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#4058 Three hotels are emerging in the recently rezoned Jamaica, Queens neighborhood near the AirTran light rail terminal. Officials from the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation credit the interest in the area to the rezoning and are hopeful that housing construction for airport workers will also be built. Construction on the hotels is expected to take several years. 2008-04-08 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3641 Real estate developer, the Dermot Company, is in the process of redeveloping a courthouse on Jamaica Avenue into a mixed use project that will include room for retail space in hopes of attracting national retail chains, which have traditionally not been in the neighborhood. Dermot hopes this project will provide an affordable location for retailers who want to be on a major road. Dermot has signaled they will ask for rents between $40 and $100 per square foot, significantly less than the average $150 per square foot typically seen on Jamaica Avenue. Dermot Company is also planning to include a 12-story housing development on the back of the courthouse that will include both market rate and affordable housing. The project also includes a roughly 500-space underground parking garage. Costs are expected to reach $194 million. 2008-01-23 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3374 The Department of City Planning unveiled its draft comprehensive rezoning of the Rockaway Peninsula to mixed reviews at a CB14 meeting. The new zoning for Beach 116th St would allow residential buildings to reach 80 feet. While some residents are in favor of development, many are opposed to the potential for over-development, crowding, and inconsistent architecture 2007-11-21 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3299 Even with a “Stop Work” order issued by the Department of Buildings, some Jamaica Estates elected officials and residents are continuing to rally to permanently stop the construction of a St. John’s dormitory being built off-campus. Through a loophole in the zoning code for the generally single-family residential area along Henley Road, the construction of a dormitory as a “community facility” is permitted. Some neighbors are disappointed that the University said they would not build off campus and then hired a third party developer to construct the six-story dorm. Despite the technical legality of the construction, State Senator Frank Pavadan and City Councilmembers Tony Avella and James Genarro have staged rallies and press conferences to push the issue with University officials and the general public. 2007-11-08 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3254 The Greater Jamaica Development Corp. announced plans for a 929,000-square-foot Techno Mart near the AirTrain terminal in Jamaica. This $260 million development, the first announced since the area was rezoned, will house an international wholesale merchandise mart, as well as restaurants and retailers. Demolition of the vacant meatpacking plant on the site will take place by the end of 2007 and construction should take 3 years, beginning in late 2008. 2007-10-30 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3237 Two City Councilmembers from Queens independently called for legislative changes to a zoning loophole that allows “community” buildings to rise higher than would be allowed in the surrounding area. These proposals are in response to complaints from some neighbors about a six-story St. John’s University dormitory that is being built in a small-scale residential area of Jamaica. Some say that university housing should not be included in a regulation for public buildings, however university officials state that the dorms will merely be leased and not privately owned. 2007-10-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3233 A temporary delay in the construction of a new Saint John’s University dormitory in the residential neighborhood of Jamaica Estates has been issued by the city’s Building Department citing concerns about the “community facility provision” loophole in the zoning code that was used and other construction concerns. However, the Buildings Department has pointed out that the Department’s Technical Affairs Unit has approved the community facility provision usage. Some in the community are opposed to the new dormitory partially because they believe the facility will lower property values and many are concerned about having college students as neighbors. 2007-10-26 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3234 The first project after Jamaica’s historic rezoning will break ground within the year, according to the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. The Queens region underwent a massive rezoning in September to promote economic development. The project will be only the first of many expected to transform downtown Jamaica. The 13-story mart located on Sutphin Boulevard will house both local and national retailers and is expected to create 3000 jobs; something that local officials say is needed in the area. Completion of the Techno Mart is slated for 2011. 2007-10-26 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3151 Some community organizers are citing resident apathy and others city neglect as the reason for delayed rezoning plans in some South Queens neighborhoods, including Rosedale. While the massive rezoning efforts in Jamaica were finalized earlier this year, efforts in Rosedale have gotten little attention. Irnel Stephen, chairman of the Rosedale Civic Association, was unable to garner enough volunteers to survey housing needs in the neighborhood, while Paul Graziano, an urban planner, has been unsuccessful in getting the City Planning Department to act on a plan for Rosedale that he submitted two years ago. 2007-10-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3112 New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has made a request for proposals (RFP) for a large lot in Jamaica’s recently rezoned downtown. The proposal calls for a combination of retail and mixed-income housing units. Borough President Helen Marshall and Councilman Leroy Comrie both touted the RFP. The bids are due in late November. 2007-10-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=72#3081 Some residents and elected officials of Jamaica Estates are frustrated with Saint John’s University new plan to lease residence space off-campus. They claim that St. John’s was not honest in their effort to locate living space for about 485 students. These residents assert that St. John’s began negotiations to lease the space, in a primarily residential zone, many months ago but only announced it to the community recently. Another issue at stake is the height of the building that will be developed for St. John’s. Existing zoning permits a 60 foot high building, which many claim will be out of character for the area. 2007-09-27 00:00:00