Since the opening of the $350 million AirTrain terminal near Jamaica Station in 2003, Jamaica has experienced a dramatic transformation. New bank branches are opening along Jamaica Avenue, along with a 15-screen multiplex cinema, Old Navy, Bally's Gym, Zales, Nine West and The Children's Place. 2009 marked the opening of Verizon Wireless and Gap Generation. Applebee's restaurant is expected to open its doors on Jamaica Aveune in 2010.

Major employers like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Social Security Administration have built important facilities in the neighborhood, while the Queens County Civil and Family Courts have established Jamaica as the center for Queens' civil judicial activities.

State of the art parking and infrastructure upgrades have laid the groundwork for all this recent development, which includes the first new residential buildings in 30 years, and the adaptive reuse of a spectacular landmark church into the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, a 400-seat, sate-of-the-art, multi-purpose performance complex.

Demolition of Merkel Meat Plant Complete

The old Merkel Meat Plant building, located across the street from the AirTrain, has been demolished after lying vacant for decades. With the building now cleared, the 60,000 sf site is ready to accommodate up to 720,000 sf of development thanks to the 2007 rezoning that designated the block as C6-4 (12.0 Floor Area Ratio).

March 2007                                                        January 2008

Home Depot and Marshalls Open in Downtown Jamaica

The home improvement superstore opened a 105,000 square-foot facility on the site of the former Long Island Press building at Archer Avenue and 168th Street in 2007. Rooftop parking accommodates more than 250 cars. The project was developed by the Mattone Group of College Point. The new Home Depot has created 300 new jobs.

Also in 2007, Marshalls moved into a 50,000 sf space formerly occupied by Toys R Us on Jamaica Avenue and 168th Street.