$850M Flushing development approved
July 29, 2010 06:00PM
Rendering of Flushing CommonsA proposed $850 million mixed-use development was approved for Flushing, Queens today, after fierce debate between small business advocates and the pro-development set. The project -- known as Flushing Commons -- is spearheaded by developers the Rockefeller Group and TDC Development and Construction Corporation and will bring 600 units of luxury housing, a hotel and 420,000 square feet of retail space to Downtown Flushing. It has met with controversy in the area, particularly among community groups that fear big businesses will push out neighborhood-based retailers. Daniel Kung, co-president of Union Street Small Business Association, said that not enough provisions have been made to ensure the community's financial stability in the wake of the development.
"As a small business owner and Flushing resident, I have been concerned about the impact of the construction and pleaded to the City to provide a safety net for our businesses," Kung said. "However, we are disappointed that the City and the developer have failed to finalize a concrete and workable solution for our small businesses." Numerous elected officials, however have celebrated the approval, arguing that the development will bring a much-needed injection of jobs and business to the neighborhood. "Today marks a major milestone in our efforts to build on [the neighborhood's] vibrancy and position Flushing for long-term economic growth," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "All told, it will bring 2,600 construction jobs, 1,900 permanent jobs and more than $700 million in economic activity annually to the heart of Queens at a time when it's needed most." TRD
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