Jamaica gets its vibrancy back

Image source: DNAinfo – Andrew Manshel, executive vice president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation

DNAinfo reports on Jamaica’s renewal, and in the words of Yvonne Reddick, district manager for Community Board 12, “A lot of exciting things are going on in Jamaica.” It used to be known as a pretty crime-ridden place, but changes have taken place, bringing new upscale apartment buildings, an art center, hotels, civic buildings, not to mention tourists.

It’s also home to that amazing church in a preserved movie theater, that got so much attention recently.

Andrew Manshel, executive vice president of the nonprofit Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, even compares it to Williamsburg, in part because foot traffic has increased and people are attracted to the new and exciting things happening in Jamaica these days. Though, even ten years ago, things were changing – the JFK Air Tran terminal was built in 2003, allowing for easy access to the airports, subway, and LIRR station (which is a huge transfer point). Then the hotels came, aimed toward air travelers – Super 8 Ramada, Sleep Inn, and a Quality Inn. Rates are lower there than in the city, too, and the E train can get one to Midtown in a jiffy.

In 2007 there was a rezoning of 368 blocks, which was attractive to developers, since they could now build bigger buildings. In the article, Moda is highlighted:

Moda, a 12-story apartment building, which opened in 2010, offers a 24/7 concierge, two roof-top decks, a gym and a lounge with free Wi-Fi, according to Drew Spitler, director of development for the building’s developer, The Dermot Company.”We felt that this area, with its excellent transportation and new rezoning plan, was ready for an attractive residential development,” Spitler said. Moda, built with the aid of city-sponsored initiatives, has 346 rental units, including low-, middle- and market-rate apartments, Spitler said.

These are the sorts of things you’d see in LIC, in the luxury condo arena.

New development includes a mixed-use project on 161st Street by the Bluestone Organization – it will be two nine-story towers that will include 100 affordable units and commercial space. Then there’s the the former Mary Immaculate Hospital which looks like it will be turned into market-rate housing by the Chetrit Group. Other developers working on projects in the area include the Arker Companies and United American Land. Another hotel may come to the area, as well as a mixed-use building on Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard.

Restaurants are also making their way to Jamaica. There’s Cityrib, which will occupy the ground floor of Moda. It will serve barbecue and can seat up to 200 people. We’ve seen this sort of thing work in Astoria – Strand Smokehouse is doing crazy successful business and seats about the same number of people. Applebees also has a home in Jamaica, and there is a desire to bring nice restaurants into the community, beyond the pervasive fast food restaurants. More food choices are appealing.

And then there’s retail, including Home Depot, Verizon Wireless, and there are hopes to bring a national department store to the area.

Great things are happening in Jamaica! It’s good to see things change for the better.

Jamaica Shakes Off Crime and Becomes ‘Williamsburgish’ [DNAinfo]
Mind blowing photos of the interior of Jamaica’s Tabernacle of Prayer church, once Lowe’s Valencia movie house