Developers Eye Jamaica for Growth

Crain’s takes a look at Jamaica, a neighborhood that it calls “ripe for a revival.” Despite the neighborhood being a major transportation hub, national retailers have long shunned the location because many of the people who pass through do not stick around. Locals also complain about the lack of options as far as dining and shopping. But it’s looking like things may change. There’s a 24-story hotel planned near the Long Island Rail Road stop as well as a $50 million, two-level retail complex planned for the corner of 90th Avenue and 168th Street. (The developers, Blumenfeld Development Group, hope to lure a major department store here.) Those plans still need to go through the city review process and construction isn’t expected until 2015. The hotel may open as soon as 2016. There are also a few signs of growth in the neighborhood happening now: CityRib opened up in the newish residential development Moda over the summer. As the restaurant owner says, “There’s great potential — the transportation to New York is effortless and easy and fast, and the area has a lot to offer.”

Sun Starts To Shine in Jamaica [Crain’s]

Photo by Esoteric_Desi